AEDToday is the official daily blog of Associated Equipment Distributors, featuring staff and guest contributors who post news, information and business perspective for the construction equipment distribution industry. Subject matter ranges from equipment business issues to tax and policy insight, professional training and workforce best practices to tips and resources for dealer principals and management.
|
|
 | This Is Your Last Blog from AED – But Don’t Worry, We’re Still Here for YouBy Kim Phelan, AED Executive Editor and Director of Programs » 02/08/2010 3:48 PM
|
In the first column I wrote as CED magazine's editor two-and-a-half years ago, I put forth one of my personal Phelan Philosophies: "Nothing is carved in stone until it’s your tombstone." I'm a big fan of making changes when the thing you're doing is no longer achieving the desired objectives – which is why we at AED have decided to suspend the AEDToday blog for the present. Readership and participation have not grown as we had hoped in this virtual forum, but I don’t necessarily view this as a bad thing.
You see, I believe in some cases, doing is better than talking; and real is better than virtual. The fact that dealer executives aren't super enthused about following a blog may, in fact, be a good sign. I infer from our low bloggership among dealer executives that they are much more focused on tending to their customer relationships through continuous personal contact, and prefer to leave the virtual universe of dialogue to others with a little less on their plate. Remarkably good attendance at the AED Summit last month in San Antonio is another indication that our members have a deep appreciation for face-to-face connections.
One day, AED dealers may have a greater desire to tap in with one another through blog discussions, and we'll be ready to serve that need. In the meantime, I am all ears for any AED member whose got something to talk about – please feel free to use my Inbox as your portal for getting important industry information communicated throughout the AED network.
Now I don't want to close with something too soppy or sentimental, but for some bizarre reason, a Dylan Thomas poem has been haunting me all day as I contemplated how to sign off on our six-month-old AEDToday blog (and I’m not even especially fond of Dylan Thomas!): "Do not go gentle into that good night," he wrote; "rage rage against the dying of the light." But that's not really how I feel about closing the blog shop today. Some things just expire and need to go.
So instead, use Thomas' words on death as a fight song about your business – keep raging out there, and I’ll catch up with you soon in CED. (For those who still crave the digital, find our current digital edition at cedmag.com.)
|
Comments:
posted by Dale Leppo » 02/09/2010 6:23 AM
Kim, I am among those who have not followed your blog for some of the reasons you list BUT I would like to congratulate you for trying something new AND for having the wisdom to say "This isn't working." Keep up the good work. Dale Leppo
posted by Guido » 02/08/2010 6:15 PM
Dylan Thomas? I thought Rodney Dangerfield said, "Do not go gentle into that good night."
Oh, I'm sorry... he recited Thomas in the movie Back to School.
Seriously, I read virtually every blog... just didn't have time to respond to most.
You guys at AED are the greatest. I'm going miss the hope and laughs, as well as the commiserating that often filled your pages. But I know you'll be back.
All the best!
Blast from your past
posted by les bebchick » 02/08/2010 5:12 PM
Sorry to see it go! I really enjoyed most of it.
|
 | Blue Jeans*By Bob Henderson, AED Executive Vice President and COO » 02/05/2010 3:41 PM
|
*This blog is dedicated to Levi Strauss and today's youth.
Unlike our most talented magazine and communication staff members here at AED, my head does not contain all sorts of topics for blogs and articles yearning to be free. No, I am usually void of such things with one exception. I'll get it right out in front knowing full well that this is a minority opinion. I do not believe blue jeans should ever be worn in the workplace. Period. "Even on casual dress days?" you might ask. Let me just say that the person who invented the term "Casual Fridays" was probably the same person who invented the term "life insurance."
Once upon a time when traveling, executives might be recognized by the large briefcases they carried. Now this was obviously before laptops and Blackberrys. Then it became fashionable to carry very thin briefcases. The thinner the briefcase, the bigger the title. The last chapter to this scenario was when they just carried a tennis racket. However, they all were very professionally dressed.
I love to go to airports these days and count how many people are not wearing jeans. Not many. Then there are the male travelers with a $1,000 Armani blazer, buttoned-down white shirt or one of the swept collar jobs generously unbuttoned, Italian loafers with white or cream socks and a pair of blue jeans. They look utterly ridiculous. Throw in a cravat on occasion and – well – you get the picture. Or how about the ladies in full-length furs, knock your eyes out jewelry, spike heels, and jeans. Unbelievable! The two times I picked up my grandfather from the airport he was wearing his best (the marryin', buryin' one) blue suit. That's how folks used to travel. In my first major job out of school, with an AED member I might add, the corporate policy on travel attire was "coat and tie." I'll leave ties for another day's topic.
Growing up, we never wore blue jeans to school. For one thing they were full of holes and ragged hems due to a busy summer of work and play. Heck, I knew we were poor but I had no idea that in later years we'd have been hip.
A few years ago my lovely daughter was home from school and invited me to go shopping. She advised me at the start that she was shopping for jeans. Since this was a rare invitation and an opportunity for a father-daughter special occasion, I really got interested in the goal – purchasing a pair of jeans. It seemed simple enough. Waist and length, right? I walked into the store and proceeded back to the shelves for jeans. They covered an entire wall, top to bottom. I could not believe my eyes. In no particular order and doing an injustice, I'm certain, to the brands I began to read the labels. To wit: regular fit, relaxed fit, full fit, low-riders, boot-cut, elastic waists, pocket flaps, stone washed, pre-washed, pipe stem, petite, tall, added padding for flat butts (I didn't make that up), stretch panels, zipper fly, button fly, holes, ragged hems, and I'm probably missing another 25 or more. It was flabbergasting, at least to me.
My friend Dan is a big time corporate attorney. We like to attend ballgames together, especially college basketball games. Dan is literally the man who has everything. Thus, when it comes to holidays and birthdays he gets beautiful sweaters from his family. I stand in line for his hand-me-downs. On one such recent occasion, I was to meet Dan at the game. I pulled on my best cotton sweater, wool slacks, and nice loafers. I got to the game and saw Dan in a gorgeous cashmere sweater. One that I had never seen before. Of course, Dan still has sweaters that haven't seen the outside of the gift box. As we moved through the crowd to greet one another I noted his selection of pants-wear. My look of horror must have been evident as he just smiled and said, "Bob, get over it." He could have been barefoot for all I know as I could not get past his ragged blue jeans with that beautiful sweater. Ugh!
When we would attend meetings with our manufacturer in later years the dress code in the agenda memo would state, "business casual.” My old boss would grouse and say to anyone listening, "Which is it, business or casual?" Amen. I was once summoned to the offices of our auditor at their prestigious downtown address. I got up that morning and put on the "blue suit" (as previously referenced regarding my grandfather). I did not take particular note that it was a Friday. Boy, was I overdressed.
And once at a Twenty group meeting, we were advised to bring our published dress code policy for discussion among the group. Everyone but me showed up with a massive tome. It was an easy assignment for me. I never had to write one. Never. Everyone in our company knew what was ( or more important) what was not appropriate. Questions were answered promptly but there were rarely any questions.
Well, I guess there are "clean out the files day" and "inventory days" but past that I can't think of "jeans day" in any context. It somewhat relates to the young man that was told by his boss one day to get a haircut. The young man protested to "deaf ears.” But the boss did pause long enough to leave the young man with this admonition, "Work really hard, observe all corporate policies, work your way up the corporate ladder, become the CEO, and then you can wear your hair at any length you desire." That's how I feel about blue jeans.
|
 | Tales from the Front By Carol Schrader, Director of Development for The AED Foundation » 02/04/2010 8:16 AM
|
"What have you gotten us into?” screamed the subject line of the email that I received this morning from rookie bloggers, executive Don Chambers and recently certified AED manager Becky Partin of Unified Equipment Resources, after asking them to put their heads together and provide a bit of commentary on the significance of becoming an AED certified manager.
Well, better them than me, right? Any member of The AED Foundation can talk your ear off about the benefits of AED management certification, but we thought that our message would pack more punch if we went straight to the front lines:
 Becky Partin, AED Certified Parts Manager Says:
As a mother of three, extended education was far from my mind when I was presented the opportunity to take AED courses to become a certified manager.
As a child in school I was always eager to learn and very competitive. I wanted to make sure that I always made the highest grade and came out on top and this has carried over into my professional life. Still, I didn’t think that I was quite ready for more education because life these days mostly consists of putting out fires followed by evenings filled with "What's for dinner?” and "I don't understand this homework; I don't want to do it.” With all of this, I wondered how I could ever find the time in to take courses, review and study materials, and takes tests.
However, once I began taking The AED Foundation’s courses, I began to look forward to them. Some were harder than others especially when I had to step outside my comfort zone to learn. For someone with an accounting background and working in the parts department, Service 101 sounds like Greek! Having the opportunity to takes courses in areas outside of my expertise, though, gave me a new perspective on our company as a whole organization.
The courses that I was able to take that related specifically to my department brought up ideas and new perspectives that I had not thought about before. When questions and challenges came up, I began to think "How will this affect the company over all?” and I had the knowledge from my AED courses to be able to truly use a systems perspective when considering ideas and initiatives.
So, for all of the managers out there: Don't let everyday challenges get in the way of furthering your education, your career, and your company. Take the plunge and takes the courses - you won't regret it.
 Don Chambers, Chief Operating Officer and CFO of Unified Equipment Resources Says:
What we focused on with Becky and our certified service manager, Doug, was to get them thinking beyond the transaction and their departments and towards a more collective way of thinking with emphasis on common industry metrics and long-term strategy as well as customer care. Our certified managers as well as those still working towards certification have learned best practices for customer service, staff development, operations management, and long-term strategy. This enables executives and mangers to speak a common language, which is invaluable when working together to further the growth of our organization.
With all that said, we also make sure to keep a life-work balance for all our team members. As Becky suggests, managers have to find time and dive in to the content – but it’s up to executive leaders to positively reinforce the company’s commitment to professional education, make sure managers have fun in the process, and allow managers regular opportunities to show what they know.
So, there you have it. If you’d like to learn more about improving the professional competencies of your managers and getting everyone in the dealership speaking the language of growth and profitability, please call me, Carol Schrader, for more information: 630-468-5113.
|
 | Ignore Your Teeth, They Will Go AwayBy Dave Gordon, AED Vice President of Sales » 02/03/2010 4:18 PM
|
I can't help but remember seeing this message every six months when I would sit in the dentist's chair and look up while my teeth were being cleaned. For some reason the sound of a dentist's drill scared me way more than most doctor exams and shots. Might be something to do with the old movie Marathon Man with Dustin Hoffman. You remember the line from Laurence Olivier: "Is it safe?"
As a marketer, do you maintain a consistent message in your marketing pieces, whether it's in print or online? As a salesperson are you only calling upon the customer when you think your business with them is “on the rocks?" Bottom line is, are you ignoring your customer?
Are you keeping your customers up to date on new products or services that can benefit their company, or have you cut most every dollar out of your marketing budget? Are you positioning yourself in such a way that when business picks up, your consistent marketing message and follow-up calls will keep your customers with you?
Do you really think your customer wants to take a chance on a new company and new salesperson when they already have confidence in you and know what to expect?
My point is, are your customers safe or have you ignored them? As a salesperson, or as a marketer, are you a model of consistency? If you're consistent in the way you operate, you will limit competitors from taking away your customers. And if you cannot retain business with the majority of your customers, you will undoubtedly find it impossible to substantially grow your company.
Ignore your teeth, they will go away.
|
 | Maximizing Customer RelationshipsBy Bill Hermanek, AED Staff Vice President, E-Commerce & Technology » 02/02/2010 12:41 PM
|
We'd all like to have a dedicated, loyal customer base – the kind that never once considers making purchases elsewhere, but the reality is that nearly 63% of your clients are indifferent. Here today, perhaps gone tomorrow. That cold hard fact means that it is essential to do what you can to maximize valuable customer relationships. A small upswing in customer retention can mean a dramatic boost in profits.
One area that can certainly aid in that important customer retention is paying close attention to the usability and functionality of your company Web site. Your business may close at the end of the day, but your site is out there 24/7. And if the site is not a natural extension of how you do business, it may be sending out the wrong message that could divert those potentially indifferent clients to your competitor. Make sure information is current, easy to use and that contacts (phone and e-mail) are readily accessible.
Consider having an outsider evaluate your site, as well. That's one of the most effective ways to get an honest take on how well the material is presented. Just because you know how to find your rental rates doesn't mean an average user will be able to, and an evaluation is one major step in the process of using your Web site to help maximize those vital customer relationships.
If you'd like our web development team to perform an evaluation on your site at no charge, let us know: http://www.aednet.org/webdesign/analysis.cfm
|
|
|
|