TradeTalk


Dealer Outlook

 

A “textbook” lesson from private colleges
March 18th, 2010

We can find valuable reminders of how to be successful almost anywhere we look, if we’re always on the lookout for them. The country’s private colleges offer a good case in point. (Read More…)

Beware the “hidden” liens on your dealership!
March 16th, 2010

“We’re happy to extend the money you’ve asked for,” said the banker. “But, unfortunately, our UCC search has discovered seven different companies have liens on your inventory or equipment or both.” (Read More…)

Boating safety could get boost from Predators
March 11th, 2010

“The Guardian.” It was a 2006 hit movie about a high school swim champion who enters the Coast Guard’s “A” School, and highlighted the great job the Coast Guard does. Fittingly, now it’s also the name being given to a prototype maritime version of the Predator unmanned drone. (Read More…)

Deficit mentality is holding our customers back!
March 9th, 2010

Boat sales appear to have gotten a boost from the winter boat shows. Good news, for sure. But, you gotta be in a coma not see why our unit sales still aren’t even close to what they should be. (Read More…)

IMTA just won’t quit on legislative goal
March 4th, 2010

Persistence! It doesn’t matter what state you’re in, beneficial legislation for the boating business can be accomplished if you won’t quit on it. (Read More…)

A lesson from Walmart and the blueberry affair
March 2nd, 2010

Walmart had a special going on fresh blueberries — just $2.50 a pint. So, Frank Mauer headed for his nearby Port Richey (Fla.) Supercenter. But, when he got there all the blueberries were gone. So, Mauer figured he’d just get the blueberries another time and asked for a rain check. That’s when things went south! (Read More…)

NMMA gets involved in coastal policy development
February 25th, 2010

This is the third and final blog, for now, concerning the new Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force created by the White House (see Dealer Outlook from Feb. 18 and Feb. 23). (Read More…)

The complexity of ocean management
February 23rd, 2010

In last Thursday’s blog, I began examining the new Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force created by the White House and charged with developing a new national policy that “ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes.” (Read More…)

High stakes in new ocean and coastal policy development
February 18th, 2010

Part 1: Remember the days when we guys would push the gas pedal to the floor and “burn rubber” when the light turned green? It would draw lots of attention, but we were often trying to get somewhere too fast. (Read More…)

Good show results from the Northwest and Southeast
February 16th, 2010

Encouraging results continue to come in from major winter boat shows. The latest from opposite corners of the country — Miami and Seattle. (Read More…)