Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/231507
LAUNCH CHECKLIST EASY WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS l f e Join the club . e o f e n e r s - e - n e s - Team-based strategic planning » In the past, the owners of Hayes Marine handled the annual strategic planning on their own. In 2013, though, they decided that due to the growth of the business it was a great opportunity to have a strategic planning session and meeting. Topics covered included action items for 2013, best practices, the Hayes Marine culture, new pay plan ideas and more. Results of the session included the employees directing their pay plan selections as well as the rotation of their schedules. The employees also presented physical improvements for the shop to improve efficiencies, a list of needed supplies/ tools/equipment and were able to hear a report of the company's financials and how they impacted these results. Boat show theater experience » MarineMax knows that many of its owners and prospects take boat shows as their opportunity to see what's new with the company's premium brands and at MarineMax. To stand apart from the crowd at boat shows, the company introduced MarineMax Experience Theater. The theater was set up within its boat show booths across the nation, and gave attendees the chance to watch videos about the MarineMax and boating lifestyles. The new format focused not only on the product, but the lifestyle of owning a boat, and drew many people into the company's booths that otherwise may not have stopped. » To help its customers feel like they're part of an exclusive club, Deep Creek Marina started a marina club complete with gym, kids activity room, pool table, game room, restaurant (outside and inside dining) and paddleboards, kayaks and a pedal boat for use by club members. Customers can come to the restaurant by car or by water. The restaurant is only open for customers who purchased boats from Deep Creek Marina and there are no membership dues if the customer stores their boat with Deep Creek Marina. The club members also have access to special parts sales and are the first to hear about new boats coming in for sale. Virtual consultation with iPad Minis » MITO Corp. is taking customer service to an entirely new level by using iPad Minis. President and CEO Marvin Metzler says there are times the company's tech support team needs to see exactly what the customer is trying to explain over the phone. So they came up with a creative solution: The company ships an iPad Mini next-day air to the customer who is having a technical problem. The iPad is already turned on so that when it arrives, the only thing the customer has to do is take the iPad out of the box and call MITO's toll-free number telling the company they are ready for tech support help. "Then we call the mini iPad from an iPad here in our office using the FaceTime app," Metzler said. "The customer answers the call and now we can see exactly what the customer is seeing. Our tech will be able to see and talk to them via FaceTime to help them solve their problem." The customer then ships the iPad back using the prepaid label provided. It costs less than $100 round trip and makes for a happy customer, Metzler said. What's on your checklist? Email your ideas to jsweet@BoatingIndustry.com. www.BoatingIndustry.com P06x11-BI14JAN-Launch.indd 11 January 2014 | Boating Industry | 11 12/18/13 9:57 AM