Boating-Industry Insider » Guest Blog

Get a jump on boat show follow-up

Contributing Blogger — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:58:54 +0000

Bob McCann, Director of Education, ARI – We find that most new prospects who visit a dealer’s booth at a boat show for the first time aren’t ready to commit on the spot. In fact, most sales are closed with prospects that dealers have been working with for quite a while, even as far back as past shows. Boats are luxury purchases that often require a long-term research and buying process, so this first visit usually marks the beginning of the sales process rather than the sale per se. Read more >>

Dealer Cost vs. Customer Service and Loyalty

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:25:06 +0000

In the end, it is not going to matter whether or not the consumer knows what a dealer pays for a boat from the manufacturer. In the end, what matters most to consumers is the level of customer service that they receive. What matters most is that the consumer feels that they received the best value for what they have purchased.

Where do we go from here?

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:21:23 +0000

We are doing some very old-fashioned activities right now. We are postponing the purchase of everything we want in order to shore up our savings and eliminate our credit card debt.

It’s Only a Matter of Time

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:06:53 +0000

For a download fee less than $50 I was able to download a full set of charts that mapped out all of the waterways I would ever visit. It turned my iPhone into one of the most complete GPS’s on the water you could want.

A Fish Story Worth Repeating

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:44:00 +0000

I was fortunate to have the opportunity this past week to visit the famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. You may be familiar with the “Fish Philosophy” that has been the focus of many books, videos, and articles. This place is where it started.

Social networking shortcuts

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:30:24 +0000

With skeleton crews working overtime to keep dealerships’ doors open, social networking sites are often at the bottom of their To-Do lists. Here are some tools to make managing the sites less time consuming.

Ideas are Currency

Contributing Blogger — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:46:24 +0000

Does success follow a company that decides to replicate or assimilate someone else's products? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but will it be competitive?

Empowerment Starts at the Bottom

Contributing Blogger — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:48:47 +0000

Empower your front line people to make decisions. Allow them to assist the customer.

Small dealer, big idea

Contributing Blogger — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:25:54 +0000

If you’re a boat dealer and you’ve managed to survive this downturn, now is the time to consider what you must do to thrive.

Boat Dealers Need to Learn to Do More With Less

Contributing Blogger — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:37:25 +0000

Looking forward, marine dealers and OEMs need to share more information so they can do more with less.