itor From the Editor From the Editor From the Editor From the Editor From the Ed

From the outside, most people have a pretty simple view of what a dealership does. They see the showroom, the equipment lined up out front and maybe a quick in-andout transaction. But that’ s only a fraction of it.

What they don’ t see is everything happening behind the counter and beyond the service doors— the backand-forth on parts that aren’ t in stock, the adjustments to schedules when something runs longer than expected and the problem-solving that happens when a machine doesn’ t behave the way it should.

They don’ t see the conversations that happen before BRIAN ETHRIDGE the doors open or after they close, the quick decisions that keep things moving or the experience it takes to recognize an issue before it becomes a bigger one.

Most of the real work in this industry isn’ t especially visible. It’ s layered, it’ s constant, and it’ s often handled without much recognition.

What makes that behind-the-scenes work matter isn’ t just the effort— it’ s the outcome. Every adjustment, every extra step, every quick conversation in the shop eventually shows up somewhere the customer can see. It’ s the difference between a piece of equipment being ready when it’ s needed or sitting idle; it’ s the difference between a one-time transaction and a customer who comes back because they trust how things are handled, and it’ s the difference between a small issue staying small or turning into something that costs time, money and frustration.

That’ s part of what makes this industry unique. There’ s a level of coordination required that doesn’ t always get talked about, even within the business itself. Everyone has a role, but the way those roles overlap and support each other is what keeps everything running.

During the busy stretches, that coordination gets tested. Things may not always go perfectly: timelines shift and expectations need to be managed. But the dealerships that handle those moments well are usually the ones that have built strong habits behind the scenes— communication, adaptability and a clear understanding of how each part of the operation connects to the next.

It’ s not always the work that gets noticed, but it’ s the work that keeps everything else possible. It’ s also the part of this industry that we don’ t always do a great job of showing.

So this month, we’ re asking for your help. Send us photos of your dealership— not just the front of the building, but the parts counter, the service bays, the team in the middle of the work. Share the moments that customers don’ t usually see but define how your operation actually runs.

Those are the stories worth sharing and they’ re often the ones that resonate the most. And who knows, maybe you’ ll even see your picture in a future issue of OPE +!

Photos can be submitted to bethridge @ epgacceleration. com.

+ STAFF Sr. Vice President / Sales Managing Editor

Associate Publisher / Editorial Brand Director

Art Director

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES David Voll Sr. VP of EPG Brand Acceleration Phone:( 763) 383-4421 dvoll @ epgacceleration. com

David Voll Brian Ethridge

John Kmitta Lindsay Zigan

Edwin Rosario Marketing & Engagement Sales Executive Phone:( 763) 383-4495 erosario @ epgacceleration. com

Roberto Almenar Sales Executive Phone:( 763) 383-4494 ralmenar @ epgacceleration. com

AD MATERIAL & QUESTIONS ads @ epgacceleration. com

DIRECT MAIL LIST SALES Kris Grauer NPS Media Group kgrauer @ npsmediagroup. com( 203) 822-7933

REPRINT SERVICE For more information on e-prints or reprints from OPE Plus, visit epgacceleration. com / marketingservices and contact us today or email us at info @ epgacceleration. com

EDITORIAL OFFICES EPG Media & Specialty Information 7760 France Avenue South, Suite 810 Bloomington, MN 55435 Phone:( 763) 383-4400

CIRCULATION For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call 763-383-4492 or email customerservice @ epgacceleration. com

Publisher’ s Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in OPE Plus. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by OPE Plus or EPG Brand Acceleration, or preference over similar products not mentioned.

BRAND ACCELERATION

4 OPE + May 2026 www. OPE-Plus. com