Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/629268
www.BoatingIndustry.com 6 | Boating Industry | February 2016 AT THE HELM JONATHAN SWEET jsweet@BoatingIndustry.com Boating Industry EVERY YEAR, the Boating Industry Top 100 recognizes the best boat dealers in North America. And every year hundreds of companies start the application process, only to run out of time as business picks up in the spring with more sales, launches and more. We have a great group of companies on the Top 100 every year, and we're proud of those companies, but as with any good endeavor, we want to get better. We know that having more applicants means the best program. If you've thought about applying, or started to apply in the past, we'd like to encourage you to think about it again. With that in mind, here are five tips for making the most of your application. 1. START EARLY. Take advantage of the slower winter months (if you've made it through your boat show) to get the work done before you get swamped. Applications aren't due until June 27, but as those of you have applied (or started to apply) in the past know, it's going to take some time to put together your best application. 2. KEEP IT SIMPLE. One of our favorite pieces of advice is that "bullet points are your friend." In other words, not every question requires a novel. Give us the key info, but don't worry about how polished it is. We don't expect you to wow us with your writing skills. 3. PHOTOS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS. We try to visit as many dealers as we can every year, but we simply can't get to see every applicant. Your photos help you tell the story of your dealership. Show off and show us what your place looks like! 4. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BRAG. One of the most important parts of the application is the improvements you made to your business in the last year. No company is ever as good as it can be and the best dealers keep striving to get better every year, and we want to see that. Tell us what makes you stand out from the crowd. 5. ASK FOR HELP. Every year, I meet dealers who tell me they had questions about the application but were afraid to ask us about them because they thought it would reflect badly on them. Don't worry about it – we know it can be quite an endeavor. You can always contact any of us with any questions. You can find more information and apply for the Top 100 now at BoatingIndustry.com/top-100/application. Make 2016 the year you get the recognition you deserve. Your year to be recognized EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jonathan Sweet (jsweet@boatingindustry.com) SENIOR EDITOR: Liz Keener (lkeener@boatingindustry.com) MANAGING EDITOR: Brianna Liestman (bliestman@boatingindustry.com) ASSOCIATE DIGITAL PRODUCTION EDITOR: Shauna Spencer (sspencer@boatingindustry.com) MANAGING ART DIRECTOR: Dodi Vessels PRODUCTION ARTIST: Kelsey Houle (khoule@boatingindustry.com) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Schmieg PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Cherri Perschmann NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR: Kathy Johnson 480-988-3658 (kathyjohnson@boatingindustry.com) SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, EAST: Chris Pelikan 954-964-8676 (cpelikan@boatingindustry.com) CEO: Marion Minor SR. VICE PRESIDENT/FINANCE & OPERATIONS: Gerald Winkel SR. VICE PRESIDENT/MARKET DEVELOPMENT: Joanne Juda-Prainito VICE PRESIDENT/MARINE, POWERSPORTS, BEVERAGE: Amy Collins AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Tim Morgan SENIOR SALES ADMINISTRATOR: Bernadette Wohlman BOATING INDUSTRY (ISSN #1543-4400) is published nine times per year – January, February, March, April, May, July, August, October and December – by EPG Media & Specialty Information, 10405 6th Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55441. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Free to qualified members of the boating industry. Annual subscription rate is $99 per year for U.S., Mexican and Canadian residents and $149 for residents in other countries. All paid subscriptions must be paid in advance and in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Boating Industry, P.O. Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Visit www.BoatingIndustry.com, call (845) 856-2229, fax (847) 763 9569, email customerservice@specialtyim.com or write to Boating Industry, P.O. Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. EDITORIAL: All manuscripts, materials, photographs and artwork submitted are at mailer's risk and must include self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return. No responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. Boating Industry is a registered trademark of EPG Media & Specialty Information. © 2016 by EPG Media & Specialty Information. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited unless expressly authorized by publisher. For more information on e-prints or reprints from Boating Industry, contact Bernadette Wohlman, 763-383-4400 x2464 Printed in U.S.A.