First up today, I'd like to draw your attention to a fantastic new video that our amazing Video Dude, David Comiskey, has shot and compiled following the recent Service Dealer Conference and Awards.
It acts as a superb summation of the event, encapsulating what Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke describes as a thoroughly enjoyable day. The short film recalls all our amazing speakers who presented during the Conference and offers a flavour of the joyous celebration that was the gala Awards dinner.
Duncan concludes the video by saying, "We've had some great feedback. Thank you so much to all our sponsors. We really hope to see you all here next year. It's an event not to be missed." Watch it now.
Break time!
One of the feelings that our Conference and Awards always gives me, is that sense of the industry collectively letting its hair down at the end of term. Yes, there's plenty of serious topics covered during the daytime, but once we complete the important business of the Awards in the evening, then it's time to relax - mostly in the bar!
This moment of kicking back with friends and colleagues genuinely feels important to me. It's a golden opportunity to chill, laugh and have fun with contemporaries - which let's be honest, doesn't happen nearly often enough during the course of a long, challenging season.
With this in mind as the Christmas period is coming up, I do hope our dealer readers are able to take a proper break from the business, even if only for a few days (but hopefully more!). The phrase 'work/life balance' can be bandied around quite freely these days, perhaps without being taken seriously enough. But I think experts who know way more about this sort of thing than I do, would say it is genuinely something to be mindful of. A switch off and a step back, is vital.
It's a subject I saw our friend Sara Hey, of dealer training experts Bob Clements International in the States talking about recently - specifically in relation to how important it is to take a temporary break from all work-related matters for members of a family business - of which there are many in our sector.
Sara, who herself grew up in a family business, said what a "game changer" it was for her to set clear boundaries. "Over the years," she said, "I’ve learned that the clearer we are on separating work from family, the smoother things run." She continued, "It’s all about knowing when to switch gears and focus on the people who matter most, not just the business."
One of the points that Sara made regarding why it's important for dealers to truly try to switch off during a holiday period (she was talking about Thanksgiving, but it obviously applies to Christmas too), is because, as she put it, "the next generation is watching."
This struck me as an incredibly important observation, especially when we consider just what struggles many businesses in our sector face with matters of succession. Sara said of younger members of the family, "They’re picking up on how you talk about and engage with the business, even in the middle of family gatherings. If they see the business as something that pulls you away from quality time or adds stress, they’ll remember that. But if they see it as something that unifies and strengthens your family, that positive impression will stick with them."
She summed up by saying, "If they hear conversations that highlight the pride, growth, and goals the business brings to the family, they’re more likely to see it as something meaningful and exciting, not just a job."
Everyone has moans and complaints with their work, that's natural. But as Sara says here, if those can be put aside for the upcoming break for a proper period of rest and recharge, it will help not only one's own state of mind, but crucially avoid a negative impact on those who we'd like to follow in our footsteps.
