Google +

First I got a headache trying to figure out Facebook.  How do I create more friends???

Then it was blogging.  As you can see by past blogging post that didn't last to long.  As for Linkedin  I seem to lack in networking skills.

Now I  Twitter.  Everyday I try to post something and read what is going on in my "Twitter world".

If that isn't enough I have to learn google+.  The jury is still out on it but we have to be on the cutting edge so hey I have an account.  No one else that I know, nor the companies that I deal with, do.  But we do!  I must say it is pretty lonely there.

Doing a review of our SEO status with the boss I hear heavy sighs.  Knowing that my feelings are hurt easily with criticism he has to come up with a way to say that things suck in our social media department.

Besides having sensitive feelings I hate giving up a task I was told to do (stop laughing kids and be quiet)so  I ask for another few months to see if I can do better.  

Hence this post.  It doesn't include any information about the product we sell, or an update of store activities, but it allowed me to vent and start thinking of a game plan.  

Boat Show in Gananoque

For what I believe will be our last boat show this spring George's we will be attending the 1000 Islands Boat Show in Gananoque.  We are looking forward to meeting with past, present and future boat owners from around this area.  Our favourite family boating is in the 1000 Islands and the on the Rideau System.
Our family of four kids and two adults has changed to 6 adults.  Needless to say the size of boat equals the level of enjoyment for all involved.  Remember if you want a boat for delivery by May or June it should be purchased now.  Drop by our booth #B5 and say hello to our staff.

Back To Work

We returned back from a two week work/vacation trip spent in Hawaii.  Long distance trips always kill us and it is hard to get back into the groove.  With this trip I booked our return on a Friday.  We landed on Saturday morning and most of us (ok the people over 40) went immediately to bed for a sleep and a rest only to get up for dinner.  I heard from some of the kids that travelled with us that they went out (or was that just one child?).  Everyone had Sunday to do laundry and rest some more.  It is Monday morning and I know 3 of the 6 were able to go to work at the usual time - I usually don't check on the students because some questions I just don't want answered.

What every business needs... Peer Support

As a business we commit to a group called 20 Group. Every 4 months 20 marine dealers get together to discuss challenges and successes as a marine dealer. This group is facilitated by a group called Spader Business Group. I am not an advertisement blog but I believe this is an important commitment that some of us as marine dealers make to our business and to the customer.
"Several times a year we network with non-competing peers from across Canada and the US under the guidance of a Spader Business Management group consultant". One interesting part of this group is the peer review done on the business whose location we are visiting that trip. A group of like minded owners give an honest and helpful critique of the business being visited. This allows you, as the business being reviewed, to take the critique and make changes that will allow your business to stay or to get on top of your game. A successful business means you are offering and delivering to the customer product and services that they want and in a way that they want.

Economy update

The Ottawa Boat Show was considered to be very successful by George's Marine & Sports.  By the response at the show it appears that consumers want to take advantage of the manufacturer deals (only available for a short period of time).   This allowed many to purchase the boats and pwc's of their dreams.  At our booth we were lucky to have the Regal Boat rep Peter Hanna and the Bayliner rep Bryan Downs.  When making a boat purchase it is nice to be able to ask the manufacturer's representative questions about their boat line.  Unfortunately, the Sea-Doo reps were in San Diego at their yearly Ski-Doo sales meeting.  I think though all working the Sea-Doo booth were able to hold their own when answering questions about the product.
Staff had to work into the evening to tear down the display and we got an early start this morning moving boats in this crazy weather.  It is much easier when we know that all of the efforts put into the show were worth it.

Getting Ready For The Boat Show

The Ottawa Boat Show is, for us at Georges, a strong indicator of how the boat season is going to unfold.  With manufacturers no longer playing the supply and demand game but instead the demand & supply one, consumers come to the show because they want to be guaranteed their boat's arrival for the long weekend of May or early June.  Because of the importance of this show much consideration is given to the size of booth and the display that will showcase the boats brought to the show.
This year we decided to leave the main building so we could have an area that would let us showcase Regal Boats properly.  So we are in the Coliseum building which caused sleepless nights worrying if this was the right move or not.  The following is a pictorial on how the move to the show works.

This gives you an idea of how many boats are involved and the number of trips we make from our Ottawa location to the show location.  Before this shot is even taken there are trips done prior weeks to get all the boats at one location.  Every trip from Eganville to Ottawa meant 

travelling with a boat behind you.

Shrinkwrapping the boats mean that cleaning a boat at the show involves less time. Walking onto the showroom floor is sometimes intimidating for the first time staff member.  Without our seasoned pros the move into the show and the building of the display could not go as well as it does.

The following pictures shows that measuring off by steps is still an accurate way of working.  Really?

Unlike children the boats stay in one spot until the are positioned into the display area.

We bring in extra people to work the booth from Thursday to Sunday.  Some sale some control the flow of people on the cruisers.  All show up from Monday to Thursday to help build, clean and organize George's Marine & Sports display.  (Yes a shout out to Western University and St. FX students.)

Thursday was the regular type of day for a boat show.  I am awaiting Fridays update.  Not hearing is usually a good sign.  Today it is cold and sunny outside and a nice day to for people to get out and go to the show.  I will post tomorrow on how the boat show is going.

Eganville Race Weekend

Nothing is more enjoyable than watching the snowmobile drivers with their trucks and trailers (and sleds) come into Eganville, Ontario for race weekend. 

We might not have the snow but we have one super track and cold weather so it should prove to be one of the best race weekends on the circuit this year.