Delegation — Engine for Growth or Doorway to Disaster
March 31, 2006
When I was incarcerated in an MBA program some 45 years ago, lecturers preached delegation as if it was the path to the Holy Grail. Like many of you, I discovered the hard and expensive way that there are some pretty deep mud holes on that path. Skirt them successfully, and you are a heroic winner; step... Read more »
A ways to go
March 31, 2006
With all the talk of industry improvement being driven by the Grow Boating Initiative, it’s easy to get excited about the future. But it’s far too soon to celebrate. Just take a look at the results of this year’s J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Boat Competitive Information Study. They reveal that... Read more »
Leading the way
March 31, 2006
When things get too technical, people tend to tune out. For that reason, boat builders’ expectations for the Discover Boating lead management seminar at the Miami boat show may not have been very high. But as the seminar wore on, the attendees seemed to get excited – and rightly so. The new lead... Read more »
Bigger isn’t always better
March 31, 2006
When the owners of Sabre Yachts launched the Back Cove brand in August 2004, they were targeting consumers who were moving up — but that’s not who has been driving the brand’s success. The concept for Back Cove began with Sabre dealers who were asking for smaller boats to give them more volume,... Read more »
Water Access Task Force plots a course
March 31, 2006
Continued access to America’s waterways is a key focus of Grow Boating efforts. Trends toward diminishing access continue as a primary threat to boating, and steps are actively being taken to ensure water access is preserved and protected for the current crop of America’s boaters. The Grow Boating... Read more »
From foe to friend
March 31, 2006
West Marine is a tough competitor. BoatU.S. knows that well. Up until 2003, West Marine was its retail division’s No. 1 foe. Then BoatU.S. did an about face, selling its retail stores to West Marine and forming a partnership with the retail chain to increase membership. “It’s the best partnership... Read more »
West Marine optimistic despite dismal 2005
March 31, 2006
WATSONVILLE, Calif. – If you thought you had already read about West Marine’s (NASDAQ: WMAR) fourth quarter and full year 2005 earnings, you’re right – sort of. The retailer reported preliminary results at the beginning of the month, citing the need to review uncompleted software... Read more »
Dealers to get serious about agreements?
March 31, 2006
OAK PARK, Ill. – With dealer meetings now visible on the horizon, the Marine Retailers Association of America is urging its members to request advance copies of their 2007 Dealer Agreements so that they – and their legal teams – can review them ahead of time. While this is always good... Read more »
Boat ban bill passes Alabama House
March 31, 2006
TALLADEGA, Ala. – The Alabama House of Representatives has passed a modified version of a bill that would ban houseboats and other large vessels on three of the state’s lakes, according to a story on the www.dailyhome.com Web site today. The legislation passed by the House would ban boats... Read more »
Florida bill would make marina development easier
March 31, 2006
TALLAHASSEE – A committee in the Florida Senate has voted in favor of a bill that would allow developers to avoid one of the many expensive hurdles faced by marine construction, NMMA reported in a recent newsletter. Florida’s Environmental Protection Committee voted unanimously this week... Read more »
