FINALLY - Interest Is Showing Its Head Above The Sand

For the past seven years (yes 7) I have been talking about the new Aftermarket that was coming and the way we must rethink it in order to operate, grow and sustain market share. It has to go through a "Culture" change. Our company is always focused to study the industry moving 3 to 7 years out because we know it takes a minimum of 2 to 3 years to change a shop business and 4 to 6 years to change the culture of a Jobber business. It has been a very frustrating journey indeed because of sector inertia, procrastination and so many caught in the fires of the moment. I know my frustration is far from over.

That being said, I see that Shop Owners and Jobbers and even some manufacturing Reps are now trying to figure out this new Aftermarket and how to deal with it. In essence they are showing up late for the dinner party by about 2 hours and expecting a full meal; were cleaning the table from the main meal, talking desert and liqueurs at this point, but at least they have started to show up and that I commend them for. I guess better late then never. They actually made a positive decision and acted upon it. The key word is "acted". On the other hand, they have missed the munchies and the pre-dinner cocktails which always creates the atmosphere to engage people to partake in conversations of great interest which then carries on over to the main course meal.

The comparison to a dinner function is as far as I will take this because my point has been made.

The Business courses and the Association functions are growing in size than I have seen them in years and this is all positive. Some of the reason is due to the next generation attending who are keenly interested in what they have to do. They don't rely on the old ways; they have a desire to learn and keep learning. It is an understanding that education is a continuous thing they must embrace.

The fresh air I am now experiencing is to see the "older" executives attending from Jobber, Warehouse Distributors and Manufacturers level. They have another 5 TO 7 years left in their career and now they are trying to get their heads around it. I'll be honest, many do not agree with this new path we must go down because they have been ingrained in their ways. Their faces tell it all as they listen to the presentations. The issue I have with these people is they are not presenting a vision and new path to follow and proving it out to prove their comments and thinking....it must have "legs" or "longevity"....which has to be a concern because it is so easy to criticize anything different and tear it down. The point I am trying to make here is don't come with negativity, come with an open mind, stay open minded to discuss other ideas and present your ideas and solutions as a contribution....but make sure they are proven out as a win/win solution for our sector AND will stand the test of TIME rather than just a "one-side" win for the short term.

Let's keep going...........partake in these Business courses and Association functions from every level of the industry and engage in these important discussions..........because this is where our understanding, trust and relationships are built.

We can do this!!! Let's pledge to participate, engage and contribute to re-developing the Aftermarket into what will provide an exciting future for everyone working in it and their families. The next generation WILL win!!!!!