Comments on: Editorial: Time For Car Audio to Raise its Game https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/ News, analysis and comments on the car audio and electronics industry Fri, 24 May 2019 04:33:52 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.3 By: Keith McCumber https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17231 Fri, 24 May 2019 04:33:52 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17231 In reply to Paul Papadeas.

I love the way that you see things Paul!

]]> By: Tim McCarthy https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17230 Thu, 23 May 2019 02:12:29 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17230 Excellent editorial Mark! Professionalism, Credibility, Expertise, Technical Competence aligned to create sustainable Customer Experiences will be cornerstones of those businesses that thrive. There is limited time for those that fall short. Thank you for sharing your experience.

]]> By: Erich Mollohan - Autosport Plus https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17229 Wed, 22 May 2019 22:27:18 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17229 Great read. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Leigh Powell https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17228 Wed, 22 May 2019 19:28:39 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17228 Mark is the man! Couldn’t have said it better myself. Spot on.

]]> By: Ben https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17227 Wed, 22 May 2019 12:25:09 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17227 Very well said!!

]]> By: Jon Dandrow https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17226 Wed, 22 May 2019 03:34:25 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17226 Our industry which I passionately love is stuck in the past. Your comments are 100% on-point; the shops that do the best for us are invariably the ones that understand that THEY ARE THE BRAND regardless of what lines are selling, and take steps to present themselves that way to the consumer. It’s not easy and not everyone will be successful at it – you have to not just be knowledgeable and technical, but also have soft skills and general business and marketing savvy. But the industry members who do so invariably rise above the rest and I consider myself lucky to work with them on a daily basis.

]]> By: GDUB https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17225 Tue, 21 May 2019 22:50:46 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17225 Great positive article and absolutely nails the brief of what needs to be done.
I encourage you guys to check out some of the store refurbishments we started 10 years ago “down under”.
Tired images are what consumers are generally confronted with, stores that are in a time warp, it needs to change.
Use your image search for stores like “Air Sound and Vision Cairns” or “SSV Thomastown” and “MotorVision Toowoomba” then for premium level communication on faceb**k “Sound Garage Qld”, Just a few examples of dealers whom have successfully stepped up and modernised to change the perception of their stores the image of aftermarket to the consumer.
It’s funny how we’re happy to refurb our homes every so often to remain relevant and up to date yet the stores generally stay in the 1980’s?
We’re small (by population) in Aus but trying our best to improve the poor image aftermarket has had for far too long now, still a very long way to go but you need to start somewhere !
Thanks Mark for such a positive and frank article, the industry (globally) needs both a shake and a wake up to survive and remain relevant in the eyes of the consumer.

]]> By: Paul Papadeas https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17222 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:57:27 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17222 Kudos Mark,

Soundcrafters 3.0 (our third location) is a month away from our 41st anniversary. We have the edge in our market as we continue to subscribe to the posture of professionals in our expertise, appearance and demeanor. Like many other shops, we have had our challenges and yes, after 40 years, still have growing pains. Now that our industry’s demographics have morphed into an older, more “valued” clientele, professionalism is paramount to success.

While away from the office last week, I reflected much about our industry’s professionalism. Retailers, as well the entire supply chain, need to take notice of these matters if we are to elevate our stature above shade tree mechanics and professionally express the “modern-day” complexities of our craft to our clients. The “professional” brands should control who they distribute to, escalate tech support and support continuing education independently on their own and/or with the likes of Kfest. This is essential to nurture their retailer’s and their own profitability.

Professional auto sound shops are able to call their shots; we are able to command fees commensurate with the complexities of our craft and the escalating costs of doing business. As service providers, we must live up to the task in all manners of installation, sales and service; and our teams (should) have the knowledge and be equipped to present themselves as pros.

]]> By: Jeffrey Shultz https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17221 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:36:26 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17221 Mark,
There are men in business and then there are Business Men. You truly are a Business Man, you have always strived for professionalism and you are successful because you settle for nothing less. Great article and here’s to another 30 years of prosperity for you and your family.

]]> By: Christian Venn https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17220 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:26:03 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17220 Very well written! I love the insight and it will hopefully open some eyes and some minds.

]]> By: Amy Gilroy https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17219 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:21:03 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17219 In reply to Matt Meisenbach.

Happy to do that Matt. Thanks! I’ll be calling you 🙂

]]> By: Matt Meisenbach https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17218 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:19:17 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17218 Fantastic article and take on things as usual Mark. I believe it would behoove Amy to post more editorials similar to this one from industry leaders in this fashion. Complete with pics. I believe this only can help the industry as a whole to raise the level of service and appearance. Let others see what the most successful and seasoned business owners in the industry are doing and looking like.

I also believe that many of the top manufacturer and distributor reps have a great handle on what they see working and what just is not anymore. They visit more stores than anyone and see the gamut.

]]> By: Tony Dehnke https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17217 Tue, 21 May 2019 16:02:58 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17217 Really well said Mark. And great job in joining a “level-up” group – so much to learn from being the small fish in the pool with bigger fish, something we should all be doing to challenge ourselves and learn. Thank you for taking the time to put keys to keyboard! 😉

]]> By: Tony d https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17216 Tue, 21 May 2019 15:21:14 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17216 Very well said
I have been in Business since 1988 and what you’re saying is 110% true good job and a nice shop by the way

]]> By: Mark Cardoza https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17215 Tue, 21 May 2019 15:08:11 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17215 Mark,
Nice! Your time lines are nearly identical to my own. Good insight and article. I will share these thoughts w the retailers here in our market.
Thank you for investing time in the mind-space of what “we don’t know, what we don’t know”. There is certainly more of that space between our ears than most will admit. Thanks!

]]> By: Todd Ramsey https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17214 Tue, 21 May 2019 14:55:53 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17214 Well said Mark! I think one of the other elements to retailers conveying a professional image is showing your work space. When it’s clean, organized and well furnished with the appropriate (and necessary) tooling – that too says a lot to a client’s impressions.

]]> By: Jayson Cook https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17213 Tue, 21 May 2019 14:53:53 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17213 EXACTLY!!!! We need to be the professional!! This all starts from the very first interaction be it the phone, an event or coming into your store. You have to show them you are the expert, dress the part literally. What do they see when they walk into your location…do they see a guy that just crawled out of the trunk of the vehicle he was working on, or does he see a nicely dressed professional? If they walk into the garage what do they see, would they be comfortable leaving their vehicle with you to have you work on it? We as an industry do need to step up to the plate and stop being “cowboys” (as Bryan Smitt says) and actually be the professional. This is one of the reasons I along with a few other guys in the industry started a Facebook group called the 12V Sales Pros. I along with a few others really want to help change the face of the industry and transform us into the professionals that we are!!! Well said and I am so glad to hear that your shop is thriving and I wish you the best as you grow!

]]> By: Mark Giovannetti https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17212 Tue, 21 May 2019 14:43:38 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17212 Thanks for sharing your experience Mark. From you description of the consumer perception of the aftermarket car audio industry, to walking away from a job without a predictable outcome, you are spot on!

Mark
PRM/PNWCEE

]]> By: Rob Nelson https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17211 Tue, 21 May 2019 14:27:24 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17211 great story so true,your shop does look very professional and you clearly get it.awareness is big issue in our space something that needs to be addressed by our industry, as nice as your store is there must be something to get people to walk into your store ,that “something” is sorely lacking from an industry level

]]> By: Brian Layton https://www.ceoutlook.com/2019/05/21/editorial-time-for-car-audio-to-raise-its-game/#comment-17210 Tue, 21 May 2019 14:26:45 +0000 https://www.ceoutlook.com/?p=70449#comment-17210 Bravo!

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