ASSOCIATIONS 3
From the Executive Director
By
Steve Brown
IOPSA is committed to your growth personally and professionally.
There is a saying that‘ change is the only constant, and the only constant is change’. If we are not changing and growing, we are stagnating. Change comes to our businesses, our personal lives and it also comes to our organisation.
© Plumbing Africa
Here at IOPSA we are in the change process of reducing, removing or restructuring certain activities. We know that in the past that our communications with you were not directly linked to business growth or operational improvements. Industry updates that do not translate into tangible business benefits will also be streamlined.
We want to bring the focus back to you, the plumber, the tradesperson and the business owner. We are preparing training that has a clear focus on business growth. Training projects that do not provide direct value to members, or impact IOPSA ' s financial health, will be avoided. IOPSA will also not be engaging in disputes based on personal opinions or perceptions when recognised industry bodies or accredited entities have already evaluated and certified a product or process.
To measure the success of this new approach in 2025, IOPSA will track several Key Performance Indicators( KPIs). These include growth and retention of active IOPSA membership, an increase in job matches facilitated through strategic partnerships, higher participation rates in business-focused training programmes, and achieving a target positive response rate in member surveys regarding the perceived value of their membership.
Regarding financial sustainability and resource allocation, IOPSA will prioritise funding for high-impact programmes that directly benefit members and reduce spending on activities that do not contribute to business growth. Internal processes will be optimised to ensure better efficiency and improved member value delivery.
The next steps involve departmental planning and alignment. Each department within IOPSA will develop and present a detailed plan outlining their initiatives, priorities and measurable goals for the year. These plans must align with IOPSA’ s strategic priorities and maintain a strong focus on delivering direct member value. A review and refinement of these departmental strategies will be undertaken to ensure cohesion and effectiveness, leading to the development of a comprehensive project plan to guide implementation and execution.
Steve Brown, IOPSA Executive Director
" We want to bring the focus back to you, the plumber, the tradesperson and the business owner."
to position IOPSA as a genuine business ally for plumbers, ensuring that membership provides a clear business advantage, not just an obligation. By concentrating on job opportunities, business support and training geared towards profitability, IOPSA intends to deliver real, measurable value to its members. Through this plan, IOPSA ' s goal is not simply to support the plumbing industry but to actively empower every member to achieve growth, success and prosperity.
IOPSA is strategically shifting its focus in 2025 to become‘ The Ultimate Business Growth Partner’ for its members. This change aims
Change is on the horizon. Let’ s work together to create a strong, growing and robust industry! PA
July 2025 Volume 31 I Number 05 www. plumbingafrica. co. za