21 Ways to a Great 2008
Ok so everyone gets goal setting happy in the New Year and we’re no exception. Here are some ideas on how to have the best year ever!
- Set 3 big goals for this year e.g. Lose 20 pounds, run five miles, read 11 books, gain an important skill, repair a damaged relationship.
- Set out to achieve 2 important tasks every day. We all have a variety of tasks to accomplish everyday. You know what’s hard and important and what’s not. Do the hardest and most significant first. Before any thing else.
- Don’t check your e-mail first thing in the morning. Do one of your important tasks first, and then you can check your e-mail.
- Most people socialize too much. Talk to others, be pleasant then, get something done.
- Watch less TV. Replace 30 minutes of your evening TV (don’t tell me you don’t watch it!) with something that is of high value. Read quality material (books, newspaper or high quality magazines like Motorcycle Product News!) or go for a walk or run, or spend time with family or getting organized for the next day. This will have a huge impact on your life and face it … you’ve seen that Seinfeld episode.
- Write your objectives down. Almost every expert says if you write your goals down you radically increase the likelihood you will reach them.
- Action removes fear. Do something anything to get the ball rolling in a positive way.
- Ever notice people often say, “I don’t have time to work out.” Yet we never hear anyone say, “I don’t have time to eat.”
- Spend less money. Most people spend all kinds of money they don’t even think about. For example that daily Starbucks Latte, if you invested that 5 buck per day in a growth mutual fund you’ve have a ton of dough. $5 buck per day for 350 days per year is $1750. Put that away every year for 10 years earning just 8 percent return would give you $27,379.60. Make coffee at home!
- Understand that jerk at work has problems too. Acid destroys the vessel that carries it. Be more forgiving. I know I will.
- Use TiVo or other digital video recorder and watch only what you want on television. Fast forward through the commercials.
- Set shorter deadlines. The Parkinson’s principle: Work expands to fill the time allotted. It doesn’t take a month to rearrange the showroom, plan a promotion, or put together a job description.
- Eat better. Mental and physical energy propel you towards you towards your goals. You know what’s healthy and what’s not. Put down the Taco Bell.
- Get more sleep. Experts in the country say most adults today are sleep deprived. It has the same effect on mental acuity as drinking. Regular times help.
- Vision quest. Imagine yourself being successful. When you can picture the success in your mind, your subconscious goes to work to create that success. So spend some time thinking your way to success.
- Remember when you were successful. When you think about the times you were successful you gain confidence. When you think of when you failed you erode your confidence. Which to you think is better?
- Listen more than you talk. When you ask others for their opinion you learn different perspectives and different vantage points.
- Spend time with those you care about. You can always make more money. You can’t make more time. When someone you care about is gone. They’re gone. Spend time with them now.
- Read something you normally wouldn’t.
- Spend some quiet time. We are exposed to great amounts of stimuli. Podcasts, radio, television, in store music, banner ads on the web and on and on. Humans were not really designed for this constant barrage. Spend some time every day in the quiet.
- Do the math, experts say if you get one percent better every day in 70 days you will be twice as good.
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| Do You Delegate Effectively? |
Do you worry about protecting your own turn as a dealership manager? According to James E. Neal Jr. in Job Survival Strategies: A Guide for Turbulent Times, you’re not alone.
Many managers fear upper management might realize that lower paid employees can handle at least some of what is entrusted to middle managers.
Neal provides more reasons managers don’t delegate:
- A lack of trust in their subordinates.
- A fear they will lose control.
- Hanging on to the feeling that “doing” something is the only way to get things done the right way.
- Hanging on to the feeling that “doing” something is the only way to prove themselves.
- Clinging to the idea that “doing” something is the only way to get any personal satisfaction from work.
Neal also noted managers who don’t delegate can seriously weaken an organization by passing over capable subordinates. He feels that non-delegators often put in long hours and try to do everything themselves while others in the office keep normal hours.
To be an effective delegator, first clearly define what tasks are involved and what objective needs to be achieved. Then you must hold others accountable for accomplishing what needs to be done and give others the authority to carry out those duties. |
| Harley-Davidson Dealership Shoplifter |
Reported in the December 28, 2007 edition of The Chronotype – Rice Lake Online:
A woman has been ordered to stay off eBay as a condition of a $5,000 cash bail set in a fourth criminal case recently filed against her.
That’s because she was allegedly caught by Barron County Sheriff’s Department detectives trying to sell items she stole from the Rice Lake Harley Davidson store on the popular Web site.
She was arraigned in Barron County Circuit Court last Thursday and pled not guilty to two counts of misdemeanor theft and four counts of felony bail jumping.
Earlier this month detectives, who were familiar with this person from previous theft cases, received a tip that she was selling stolen items on eBay.
The detectives accessed the site and found 99 items that were still in their packages allegedly offered for sale by Davenport.
Many of the items were Harley Davidson products, so the detectives contacted store personnel who matched at least 11 of them as items missing from the store. A photo line-up confirmed that Davenport had been in the store. And surveillance tapes showed Davenport allegedly stuffing items into her pocket and then leaving the store without paying for anything.
The detectives went to her residence in the Town of Arland and talked to Davenport, who allegedly admitted that she had stolen the items. |
The contest is heating up ...
Are You a Dealership Superstar™? |
If you are it could be worth big bucks!
Peak Dealership Performance® and Motorcycle Product News Magazine want to reward your sales and customer service excellence … with CASH! … And yes ego enhancing publicity!
Participate in this contest and you might be a big winner!
- First prize: $500
- Next five runners up: $100 each
- Winners will be featured in Motorcycle Product News Magazine!
- Contest starts December 12, 2007.
- The contest ends on January 25, 2008.
- Winners will be announced 11:00 a.m. February 8, 2008 at www.PeakDealershipPerformance.com
- All store personnel are eligible.
- Must have dealer owner permission to participate.
Dealership Superstar Contest |
| Steven Tyler Launches Red Wing Motorcycle Company |
 Steven Tyler (lead singer of Aerosmith), in collaboration with Mark Dirico and AC Custom Motorcycles, today launched Red Wing Motorcycle Company. Red Wing Motorcycles are the fusion of rock and roll artistry and superior engineering. Imbued with Tyler’s sense of style, each motorcycle is as comfortable to ride as it is sexy.
Tyler’s artistic vision drove the outrageous design of the custom motorcycles, each hand crafted and hand signed by the legendary rock star.
“You get on one of these bikes and you can ride for days,” Tyler said. “These bikes are sick, rugged, and just damn cool. And they’re amazing to look at.”
These motorcycles were made to ride. With a 35% increase in horsepower to the rear wheel compared to a stock Harley Davidson, and every inch handcrafted and tailor engineered, they are as hot to drive as they are to look at.
The ProStreet model focuses on the beauty and finesse of Tyler’s unique design while never losing sight of critical comfort and performance. The Retro model has the look and feel of a classic Harley Davidson with new components that ensure the best riding experience possible.
Red Wing Motorcycles are backed not only by Tyler’s brilliance and style but by decades of engineering and motorcycle experience. Engineered by internationally renowned master engineer, Mark Dirico, each facet of the bike was purposefully crafted for a smooth, beautiful ride. Each bike is hand built by the team at AC Custom Motorcycles, with more than 300 years of combined experience building and perfecting motorcycles.
Red Wing Motorcycles debuted at the New Hampshire International Speedway’s Sylvania 300 and are now available to the public. Exclusive viewing of the bikes can be found at Manchester and Nashua, NH Harley Davidson dealerships. Each bike is backed by an extensive warranty and can be fully serviced by local Harley dealers.
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