RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Chuck Udell, senior partner of Essential Action Design Group, is supporting the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Fund by requesting that his speaking honorarium at the recent Mobile Air Condition Society (MACS) Convention in Las Vegas be donated to the fund.

“I am a long-time proponent and supporter of the GAAS scholarships program, and I am pleased that MACS presented this donation to the fund in lieu of my honorarium,” Udell said. “An important part of my presentation, ‘Recruiting and Retaining Winners Instead of Whiners,’ is tips for the development of new talent for our industry through active recruiting at high schools, vo-tech schools and four-year universities, which are the prime targets for the GAAS scholarships.”
 
“This donation is just one example of Chuck’s tireless efforts on behalf of the GAAS scholarship fund,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS scholarship committee. “The support of industry leaders such as Chuck is vital to the continuation of the GAAS scholarship fund’s goal of bringing new talent into the automotive aftermarket, and we certainly hope that others will follow his example in this effort.”
 
In his presentation at the annual MACS Convention held Jan. 19 in Las Vegas, Udell highlighted:
• Tips for improving hiring processes to gain a competitive business edge;
• The development of “position results descriptions”;
• Advice on recruiting good employees;
• Early warning signs of employee dissatisfaction; and
• “The Awesome Eight,” eight rules that Essential Action Design Group’s research has identified to improve employee retention.
 
GAAS scholarship funding comes from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) and industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.
 
The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. The 2010 event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Details are at www.globalsymposium.org.