We got a call from the MIC about our coverage of Textile Street Apparel this month. They told us that they will be offering free Gear Up University online courses that will teach you how quality motorcycling gear can not only save a life but enhance your customers’ riding experiences so they can ride through all sorts of road and weather conditions while staying safe and comfortable.
“We are excited to deliver the next generation of Rider Gear Training for retailers,” said Eric Anderson, MIC Rider Safety Subcommittee Chair and CEO of VROOM Network, “We’re confident this online training will offer powersports retailers the ability to more efficiently and easily train an entire workforce as well as new hires. The members of the Rider Safety subcommittee are always looking for better ways to help dealers and powersports apparel professionals succeed in their careers. This educational curriculum is good for retailers and good for the increased safety and comfort of our enthusiasts.“
Gear has never been as safe or fashionable than it is today. MIC says that students will learn about the newest safety technology and can earn a “Certified Apparel Specialist” certificate upon completing all four core courses. Gear Up University delivers a flexible and interactive learning experience. Students who successfully complete the four core courses can also be rewarded with incentives and/or spiffs from members of the MIC Rider Safety Subcommittee.
Hurrying to Help Harvey Victims
Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic damage when it made landfall in Houston and surrounding areas last month. Many areas received more than 40 inches of rain as the system meandered over eastern Texas, causing major flooding. We talked to Rick Fairless of Strokers Dallas who has family in Houston. He and some other dealers jumped in to help.
“It’s really bad down there,” said Fairless. “My brother and his family, as well as my youngest daughter, are in Houston – it’s unbelievable devastation. We are collecting all kinds of supplies that victims can use while displaced by Harvey. If anyone wants to make a monetary donation please do that through the Red Cross. We will be making several trips down there starting late this week and back again early next week. We’ll keep going as long as people are donating and we can help!”
Internet Lead Effectiveness
Fran O’Hagan of Pied Piper says they have been publishing “In-Dealership” PSI studies for the motorcycle industry more than 10 years, but 2017 is only the second year for PSI-ILE (Internet Lead Effectiveness) for the motorcycle industry, where they measure dealer response to customer inquiries to a dealer’s website. He says this part of the business is a BIG DEAL and becoming bigger every day, but it’s a challenge to get right. Dealers say that today between 20% and 40% of their new customers first contact them through their website.
For younger customers that percentage is even higher. Today motorcycle industry performance leaves plenty of room for improvement… O’Hagan says the good news is that it IS POSSIBLE to do at least an acceptable job handling customer web inquiries by following a few basic steps.
