July Wholesale RV Shipments
13.7% Above July 2003

Brilliant inventor behind this year’s “must have” accessory 

History is resplendent with people who leave their mark on our world, yet they never seek the fame, publicity, or recognition that instinctively follows their accomplishments. They just do things that come naturally, and that somebody has a need for. One such man is Dean Kamen, a self-taught physicist and entrepreneur. 

Dean Kamen is the Chairman and Founder of Segway LLC, the company that developed and manufactures the increasingly popular Segway® Human Transporter (HT). Kamen was already known as a prolific inventor of medical instruments and robotic devices. Kamen invented the first portable insulin pump, improved the stent used to repair the heart of Vice President Dick Cheney, and the INDEPENDENCE™ IBOT™ Mobility System, a wheelchair that allows users to climb stairs and raise themselves upright. 

Stoner Gets Mileage from Segway™ Scooter

Editorial
The problem that won’t go away . . . . . 

How quickly some things pass … like this summer for instance! With the leaves ready to showcase their fall colors and autumn splendor, RVers will continue their travels which inevitably will take them to more shows and more rallies. The problem we speak of is the inability of dealers and manufacturers to reach a solution to the perennial problem of national rallies staffed by out-of-state dealers. The debate rages on between dealers, manufacturers, and show promoters as the industry struggles to find a solution. I thought of a few crazy ideas that just might work if everyone wanted to try and find a resolution to this problem. The beneficiary of anything that is done to change the system must be the consumer who ultimately decides to buy a new coach at a national rally and then is treated like an unwanted cat in the neighborhood. Can’t we all just get along and make this work?

Salesmanship
Take good notes! 

We don’t always have the luxury of closing the sale the first time we meet a new prospect. Knowing that, it becomes very important that sales people have good record keeping systems and the ability to capture the discussion and tone of the meeting with excellent notes for any follow-up activity with the prospect. Hopefully, many have now computerized their sales activity with one of the many excellent contact management and customer relationship management programs that are available at your local computer store or big box electronic retail store. Unfortunately, there are still many sales people who haven’t quite figured out what the computer can do to enhance their productivity, efficiency, and sales commissions. These folks may still be using scratch pads of paper or the infamous 3X5 index cards that have been their staple for more years than they would like to remember. It all starts with taking good notes, and asking good questions. Read what’s new in note taking importance and technology..