Well, maybe not, but I will if you’re not at the NADA Convention in just a few days. So, if you’re not going I’m wondering why? Why would you not go? Short on staff? I guess that’s a maybe. You went last year? Ugh, I guess that might be a maybe also. Can’t afford the expense? Another maybe goes up on the board. Those excuses and most others are not great reasons for not going.
Some of you live in a little box and wonder why things never change for you. With all that’s gone on the last 12 months with GM, Chrysler and now Toyota I cannot think of another time in history when it’s so important to open your mind and shoot some WD 40 into your brain to loosen things up a bit. It’s winter, it’s cold and if you’re not careful your brain will freeze up and not thaw until sometime in August.
If your mindset is “the Convention is always the same” then you are dead wrong. The only reason the Convention is the same is because you’re the same. If you’ve gone to the Convention in the past to rub shoulders with the factory guys and attend the parties then I guess it would be the same for you. You get out of something what you put into it. If you go to the Convention and are determined to take real ideas back to your dealership and make things happen the odds will be in your favor of making things happen.
Think about what just happened to the city of New Orleans. Four years ago the City was totally wiped out. One of the worst disasters in the history of our country had knocked the city to its knees. Most would have said it’s over and the city will never make a comeback. Rumors of the team leaving the city were rampant.
This past Sunday the Saints won the Super Bowl. Given the history of the Saints and the city somebody had to have an incredible vision. Someone had to see the possibilities. That doesn’t happen by sitting on one’s hands. It took hard work and a vision.
It’s hard for your vision to change when you sit there and stare at those same walls and same people day after day. It’s a cancer that eats away at your soul. That’s why you need to go. You need inspiration. You need to see the possibilities. You need to go and learn something.
It’s not too late. Airfares to Orlando are never all that expensive and for sure you can get a room.
If you show up and find me I’ll even give you a little book titled “The Little Used Car Book.” My little book is not a cure all for your used car business but it’s guaranteed to give you some ideas and wisdom to help your bottom line.
By helping your bottom line, it will more than pay for your little trip. I’ll be hanging out some at the vAuto booth (booth #1631) so look me up. I’d hate to miss you this year. That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs