A very good friend and confident challenged me with this thought and I could not help but to think how many people, companies and associations it applies to within the Aftermarket Industry. Why are we so afraid of DRAMATIC change when in reality we are so far behind the world in our structures, processes and attitudes.
Our sector of the automotive industry has so many incredible opportunities coming in front of it due to vehicle technology development and weak consumer confidence. Yet I watch and listen to people and companies looking at EVERYTHING they do as a "COST" with every dollar leaving their door. Where is the "INVESTMENT" attitude? Where are the people and companies who clearly see what is in front of us for at least the next 7 years and say "Let's go get it, what development do we have to invest in today to secure our major portion of it as we move forward?"
The Aftermarket has traditionally been made up of "trade" type people.......that's how we see ourselves as a sector of the automotive industry. You know, high school grads,even high school drop outs, no real higher academic education, work hard, play hard...life of hard knocks and real life situations has been the major player in the industries evolution/education....we like to see and touch what we do rather than THINK it out or create a VISION as to where we want to/can go; we simply have a show me and then do it for me mentality.
We have lost any will to be progressive because seemingly we totally fear what it may do to us. This is a battle every individual within the Aftermarket is truly struggling with.
We need vocal leadership within our sector of the industry. A person or people within a company or industry organization who gets it and is prepared to STAND UP.....and EXPLAIN ...WHERE and HOW their company or organization is going to contribute to this modern day Profession. They must be ready to take ridicule from people who can't see it, criticism from closed minded has beans,willing to cross the line, if you will, against all commentary because they see and understand the opportunity. They know the change is the right thing to do. They will want to bring their peers on board to embrace the NEW thinking, the new outlook, the new opportunities, the new reality to better our lives and NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT DOING SO.
We are in a battle to progress the Aftermarket for the next generation so they can embrace and enjoy a career which will provide everyone with a quality of life never seen before. Is that a wrong thing to do? I don't think so. I'm willing to take the criticism and ridicule but I will also simply look those people in the eye and ask "what are they doing to make things better?"................or is it simply a reality statement that comes out stating "It's all about them today, get over it!".
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Is Our Sector of the Industry In Denial??
Watching, listening and examining how our sector is moving forward, one has to ask if we are truly in denial?
It appears at times that all levels of the Aftermarket are like deer staring into the headlights and commenting "What's that"? Nothing is changing at the grass roots level of the Service Provider shop or for that matter at the Jobber and Warehouse level as everyone is doing the same old thing and expecting different results. As you may be aware...That is the definition of insanity!
Lets wake up!!
We totally need to address reality which means openly addressing "change" which must include a total review of "How" we do things to ultimately service the consumer at a high quality level that is required to capture their business and trust. Yes it can be painful. Suck it up!! This is our livelihood. True positive change is painful but has so many rewards in the end.
Consider the following facts:
- shop management and their staff must learn a new paradigm in "how" to measure and execute internal processes within their business clearly and as professionals, which in turn leads to understanding their responsibilities. They must conduct their day to day affairs as a complete TEAM. How do they now conduct their day to day business to build trust with their clients, their customers?
- parts suppliers must understand...its just not about selling parts 100% of their time, but it truly is about survival and growth of their customer/client base so they have someone to sell parts to in their future - They should honestly ask themselves.. "How can we help to secure our future...what processes do we have to now learn to engage today to secure our prosperity for tomorrow? What do we have to do and what do we invest in to make this work? Do 100% of our staff understand what we should be doing each day to secure our future?"
- is every level of the Aftermarket prepared to commit and invest into our future or are we living for this day, this month, this quarter and consider every dollar leaving the company as an expense? It is imperative that everyone re-adjust our thinking to the reality of our regional, national and global economics we are confronted with today. We must ask and examine "Based on our actions today and our current philosophy, what will our business/our industry look like 7 years from now?.......which is really "our" tomorrow?"
I submit to everyone that we have reached the crossroads of moving from a "Trade" to a true "Profession" at ALL levels......now perhaps the aging/old people in the sector can't grasp that and will grumpily rebut this statement, however, the next generation of the aftermarket clearly now see the difference. Thank you vehicle technology. Thank you challenging economy. Our opportunity to make this transition over the next 3 years is here and every level must buy into the opportunity if the Aftermarket wants to be a dominant player in the National economy.
This is no time to doze off or fall asleep. Opportunity is pounding at the door..are you ignoring it or too old to hear it?
Are you up to it? If you don't understand it, then I recommend entering the necessary Business courses available so you can learn about it, understand it and "get it".
If you don't believe this, then respond to this BLOG and let me know how you see the future unfolding ..........but I must warn you of one thing that all of us fail to mention in ANY presentation made within the Industry............Remember, ultimately "Its all about the client/consumer EXPERIENCE". Are we providing that for such a grudge purchase?
So make a defined list as to "HOW" you are addressing this issue to ensure you are perceived as being "UNIQUE".
Don't talk to me about "Added Value" any more...that is just another form of discounting...in essence providing more for the same price.....time to truly get past this...and address the real question which is "What makes us Unique"?
The opportunity for the Aftermarket is huge...it is so positive......but I submit it will take vision, dedication, investment, and an unheard of amount of self-discipline to realize the incredible financial opportunity in front of all of us.........If you don't see this, then either get up to date with your education, or.......hey someone has to say it.........please leave the industry as YOU are part of the problem.
It appears at times that all levels of the Aftermarket are like deer staring into the headlights and commenting "What's that"? Nothing is changing at the grass roots level of the Service Provider shop or for that matter at the Jobber and Warehouse level as everyone is doing the same old thing and expecting different results. As you may be aware...That is the definition of insanity!
Lets wake up!!
We totally need to address reality which means openly addressing "change" which must include a total review of "How" we do things to ultimately service the consumer at a high quality level that is required to capture their business and trust. Yes it can be painful. Suck it up!! This is our livelihood. True positive change is painful but has so many rewards in the end.
Consider the following facts:
- shop management and their staff must learn a new paradigm in "how" to measure and execute internal processes within their business clearly and as professionals, which in turn leads to understanding their responsibilities. They must conduct their day to day affairs as a complete TEAM. How do they now conduct their day to day business to build trust with their clients, their customers?
- parts suppliers must understand...its just not about selling parts 100% of their time, but it truly is about survival and growth of their customer/client base so they have someone to sell parts to in their future - They should honestly ask themselves.. "How can we help to secure our future...what processes do we have to now learn to engage today to secure our prosperity for tomorrow? What do we have to do and what do we invest in to make this work? Do 100% of our staff understand what we should be doing each day to secure our future?"
- is every level of the Aftermarket prepared to commit and invest into our future or are we living for this day, this month, this quarter and consider every dollar leaving the company as an expense? It is imperative that everyone re-adjust our thinking to the reality of our regional, national and global economics we are confronted with today. We must ask and examine "Based on our actions today and our current philosophy, what will our business/our industry look like 7 years from now?.......which is really "our" tomorrow?"
I submit to everyone that we have reached the crossroads of moving from a "Trade" to a true "Profession" at ALL levels......now perhaps the aging/old people in the sector can't grasp that and will grumpily rebut this statement, however, the next generation of the aftermarket clearly now see the difference. Thank you vehicle technology. Thank you challenging economy. Our opportunity to make this transition over the next 3 years is here and every level must buy into the opportunity if the Aftermarket wants to be a dominant player in the National economy.
This is no time to doze off or fall asleep. Opportunity is pounding at the door..are you ignoring it or too old to hear it?
Are you up to it? If you don't understand it, then I recommend entering the necessary Business courses available so you can learn about it, understand it and "get it".
If you don't believe this, then respond to this BLOG and let me know how you see the future unfolding ..........but I must warn you of one thing that all of us fail to mention in ANY presentation made within the Industry............Remember, ultimately "Its all about the client/consumer EXPERIENCE". Are we providing that for such a grudge purchase?
So make a defined list as to "HOW" you are addressing this issue to ensure you are perceived as being "UNIQUE".
Don't talk to me about "Added Value" any more...that is just another form of discounting...in essence providing more for the same price.....time to truly get past this...and address the real question which is "What makes us Unique"?
The opportunity for the Aftermarket is huge...it is so positive......but I submit it will take vision, dedication, investment, and an unheard of amount of self-discipline to realize the incredible financial opportunity in front of all of us.........If you don't see this, then either get up to date with your education, or.......hey someone has to say it.........please leave the industry as YOU are part of the problem.
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