Wrap it up with gratitude
An attitude of gratitude brings great things.” — Yogi Bhajan
Here we all are — closing in on the end of another year. During this time of year I hear lots of folks saying “wrap it up.” I’d bet that many of you might be saying the same thing. After all, it’s the Ho, Ho, Ho season with Jolly Saint Nick leading the way.
Wrap it up; make those presents look good. Oh, the planning this takes. Ribbon has to match the paper; don’t forget bows. You’ll need extra Scotch tape of course, and better get some help to make sure it all gets done by the appointed time. Sound familiar? What still needs to be wrapped up in your dealership? What’s on your wish list for the coming year?
It’s pretty common to be reflective at the end of the year with “what ifs.” You start looking at what was on that wish list for last year and find yourself putting the same items on it again, for this year. What you thought was all wrapped up never was, and another season has passed. You just didn’t get what you were expecting.
You can keep putting the same items on your wish list year after year, and never receive what you’re asking for. Just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s going arrive. Maybe there is something to “have you been good this year?” that we’ve been asked since we were little kids.
Have all the departments in your dealership been as good as they could have been this past year? Did you get what you expected, or not? You can wish all you want, but if you don’t act, it doesn’t matter how naughty or nice you are, it’s not going to happen, and there’s coal in your future.
If I was that jolly ol’ rotund guy looking at wishes and what was wrapped up for you, if I was putting these things under your dealership tree, here are some of the gifts you’d find:
Gratitude for another year. Our industry is growing again and that in itself is a great present to receive. Industry growth and actions that cause growth work hand in hand. Under your tree is a business plan that will help this.
Gratitude for your team. One of the most important investments you can make is in the folks that represent you. Don’t forget that an occasional pat on the back for a job well done is a wish that most elves would appreciate. Under your tree are job descriptions with expectations on performance, and the accountability for each position in the dealership.
Gratitude for your clients. Clients that come first are clients that will last. Clients will develop trust and loyalty when they know you care about them, and they want to be listened to more than just once a year on someone’s lap. Under your tree are monitored follow-up programs for each department that let your clients know this.
Gratitude for opportunities. You might not have gotten that shiny Acme Transformer Dealership Improvement kit this year, but you can keep doing your best to obtain it. Under your dealership tree is greater prosperity in the New Year, and a wish that you accomplish all that you set out to do, with gratitude for the opportunity.
Wishing you and yours all the peace and joy of the holiday season. See you next year! MM
Mark Mooney is director, retail performance for Pied Piper Management Company LLC, a Monterey, Calif., company that works with motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers to maximize performance of dealerships. One of Pied Piper’s most popular services for the powersports industry is Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index (PSI) sales mystery shopping to help turn more motorcycle shoppers into motorcycle buyers. Learn more about the Powersports Business Institute @ AIMExpo sessions here, and click here for free registration to AIMExpo.
Contact: mmooney@piedpipermc.com
Website: www.piedpiperpsi.com
