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Powersports Business • January 2025 • 13

FROM THE EDITOR INSTA TIPS

Is your dealership capitalizing on the top-of-mind marketing ease that Instagram offers ? Did you come up with an ideal way to showcase your customers in an effort to help spread the word about your shop and its employees ? If so , let us know . Powersports Business will highlight Instagram posts from a variety of dealerships in upcoming editions of the magazine .

Dealerships featured all follow the Powersports Business Instagram at @ powersportsbusiness . All posts featured will be photo or video in nature , with content from Instagram Stories not considered for this piece .

It ’ s the title of a 1969 song by Chicago , one of their most popular tunes , and it has been playing in my head since the start of the new year . If I knew the time , really , I ’ d probably go back to bed or have written this column two weeks ago . But here we are , and that

BRENDAN BAKER time is now .

My internal clock says it is time to turn things around and take an honest inventory of the situation . I need to take stock and identify the areas that need improvement . And there are many areas . So , where do I start ? Just thinking about this issue has led me on the path to being accountable , right ? Are you accountable ? I ’ m not talking about being accountable when you screw something up , although that is also part of it . I ’ m talking about setting the bar and putting your expectations forward .

When I was racing , I had to analyze every aspect , from the car to my driving technique . Everything was under a microscope in the name of going faster . Even if it was only a tenth of a second quicker , dissecting the problem and finding a solution was still necessary . That racing mentality has served me well in business for the most part because I can look at the situation with more detached emotions instead of running in whichever direction feels right .

I ’ ve heard from other racers turned business owners who say they are still racers at heart -- they race businesses now instead , like our Best-In-Class Leadership Award winner , Sam Nehme , a Jet Ski racer . Racing is racing , and the lessons learned in the heat of competition can also teach us to be better in business .

In Sam ’ s case , he started racing after he got into the powersports industry as a teenager . He became a Jet Ski champion because his boss offered him an opportunity to race and showcase the dealership . Sam used that determination to win and be competitive to his advantage when he started Broward Motorsports years later . Sam knew it was time to strike out on his own when he happened upon a dealer shutting down . What unfolded was that he got together with a business partner and took over his first dealership . His knowledge about selling the powersports lifestyle and his racing pedigree gave him the confidence to jump into the dealer principal seat .

Sam ’ s story should inspire anyone who starts at the bottom and works their way to the top . Today , Broward Motorsports has grown into a powerhouse dealer group based in Florida with goals to continue expanding . We recently sat down via Zoom with Sam and our resident F & I guru and Accelerate speaker , Rob Greenwald , at Sam ’ s home in South Florida .

Today , Broward Motorsports is Florida ’ s largest powersports dealership group with locations in Miami , Hollywood , Fort Lauderdale , Palm Beach , Hobe Sound , and Tequesta . Sam has assembled an incredibly talented team to run his stores , with several members having won PSB Honors Awards , past and present .

One of the things that stood out about our conversation was that Sam trusts the process . Rob has been a long-time consultant and friend of Sam ’ s , and he works with all the F & I managers at Broward . Sam says Rob holds his managers accountable for their success and sometimes failure . The key is to look at the data and find ways to improve , even if it is uncomfortable at times to look in the mirror .

That racing mentality has served me well in business for the most part because I can look at the situation with more detached emotions instead of running in whichever direction feels right .

Having learned the ins and outs of the F & I business from his time working in the automotive sector , Rob is well aware of the upside of selling to your customers based on their needs . He taps into the emotional side of selling , and Sam has empowered Rob to be their coach . The two friends are also old racing competitors . Rob also raced Jet Skis and has a similar mentality and approach to business as Sam .

When we meet in Charlotte later this month , Sam and Rob will join a few other industry heavyweights for a roundtable discussion about Generational Transfer . We are saving this for the closing session on Wednesday , January 22 . We hope you know what time this one is ( hint : 11 am ). We ’ ll have Jesse Amato from Hanover Powersports , Ken Fancher from APEK Holdings ( four powersports and a marine dealership ), and Montana Bolin from Hubbard Powersports . Rob and I will be moderating , but we also want feedback from the audience .

We ’ ve seen more and more dealerships change hands in the last few years because many founders are getting out of the business and going into retirement . Some pass the company to a relative or a whole new ownership group . But passing the torch is not always easy . We will discuss the issues the younger generation has with GMs that are still hanging on . Sometimes , the old ways are better , but oftentimes , we need to be open to new ideas and processes that are more efficient , or that connect better with customers .

If you really want to know what time it is , it ’ s time to get your business on track for success in 2025 ! Come chat with me if you see me in Charlotte , Louisville , or Vegas in the next few weeks .

Got an Instagram tip that works at your dealership or one with which you do business ? Feel like raising the collective industry tide ? Let us know at mhubbard @ epgacceleration . com .

WILKINS HARLEY-DAVIDSON @ wilkinshd

Followers 12.9k Posting the awards and recognition your dealership receives on social media is a great way to build credibility and showcase dedication .

Celebrating achievements highlights the hard work of your team and reinforces why customers can trust your dealership . It also fosters a sense of pride and connection within your community , showing customers that they support a reputable business . It ’ s an opportunity to stand out from competition . Wilkins Harley-Davidson recently shared , “ Today we were awarded the 2024 Best of the Best Award as an ATV and Motorcycle Dealership . This wouldn ’ t be possible without all the support from our fellow riders . Thank you !”

PERFORMANCE EAST @ performanceeast Followers 44.3k Highlighting your inventory around holidays like Christmas and Valentine ’ s Day can inspire gift ideas for riders , whether it ’ s a must-have gadget , a stylish upgrade or a gift card . Sharing gift suggestions can encourage customers to visit and buy a gift for the powersports enthusiasts in their lives . Make your dealership a destination for holiday shopping like Performance East recently did . The dealership posted images of products in its parts department with the caption , “ Our parts department has just what you need in parts and accessories ! Christmas time is coming up , be sure to come by and get the best deals for your Offroad enthusiast !”

OWEN MOTOR SPORTS @ owenmotorsports Followers 1,244 Including your dealership ’ s logo on social media images is an easy and effective way to build brand recognition . A consistent logo presence makes your posts recognizable , ensuring customers think of your dealership when they ’ re ready to shop or service their powersports vehicles . It also adds a professional touch to your content and a polished look across all platforms . Owen Motor Sports does just this . A recent post includes the dealership ’ s logo with a caption that reads , “ Congrats to Troy and Debbie on their new 2024 Polaris Xpedition ADV 5 Northstar ! Thank you for trusting Owen Motor Sports and welcome to the family !”