First, let me say thank you for allowing Goodson to earn your shop supply business. We really do appreciate it, and look forward to earning that business each and every day.
I was in Ohio in April working the territory with Jon Kukowski our field sales representative. We made a lot of sales calls, and it was good to be back out in the street seeing the real world of engine building. One stop in particular was at the new training facility of the Power Sports Institute located in North Randall, Ohio. Campus Director, Bernie Thompson met us at the door and welcomed us into this vast training center. I must say, “WOW” I was impressed. They have over 300 students being trained in the smaller displacement engines, electrical systems, fuel systems, and of course engine building.
Now this place is brand new and they have put a lot of work into both the faculty as well as the curriculum. Hands-on is the theme each and every day at this place. I liked the fact the each brand had its own section. Yamaha, Polaris, Kawasaki and, yes, even Harley Davidson. Plus they had road bikes, jet skis, snowmobiles, ATV’s and those new side by side off road machines. I think I was most impressed by the fact that each student not only was receiving all the technical skills required to work on as well as rebuild these various engines, but they also had role playing as part of this curriculum. I mean they each had to play the role of customer, service manager, service writer, and technician and warranty inspector. Yes you heard it right, they also were teaching people skills. Too many times there is an imbalance in a person’s technical ability and their people skills. I am totally behind this much needed aspect of training. There is nothing worse than being somewhere getting a repair or engine over-haul and the person you are dealing with has absolutely no people skills at all. This is very refreshing in today’s business world.
If you are in need of a new machinist or technician and you are chasing these smaller displacement engines I suggest you contact this faculty and look at the caliber of people they are producing. Check out their website at www.psi-now.com.
I also want to thank all the other shops that gave us tours and especially for the time you gave us from your busy day.
I also attended a technical conference at Sunnen Products in St. Louis, MO. This technical conference was hosted by Sunnen Products and Mahle Engine Parts. It is part of the ongoing regional Technical Conferences that AERA is promoting. The conference had over 70 engine builders in attendance. It was raining most of the day, and that made it even more justifiable to give up a Saturday to do some work. Bob Dolder introduced us to the many aspects of honing. Now I have known Bob for many years and I guess I made the comment at one of his previous speaking engagements that he really likes to use to word “OK” and Bob even asked prior to his time slot that I should count the “OKs”in his presentation. I have to admit he only said “OK” maybe 4 times at most. I remember one of Bob’s speeches that must have included at least a 150 to 200 OKs in it. If you think its easy standing up in front of a bunch of engine builders and talking about real technical aspects of this business you are mistaken as this is a learned skill and I tip my hat to Bob for delivering a very good presentation.
Steve Fox from AERA brought everyone up to speed on the “new” Prosis software that is now available. I think this new version will really take off as it has some elements that I know you guys will like and use. Bill McKnight of Mahle/Clevite delivered details of bearing failure. I think Bill has probably seen just every kind of component failure. He works with some the most creative minds in engine building. NASCAR, NHRA, and more and he’s on his game when it comes to knowing how and why stuff fails. Sunnen fed us all a delicious lunch and provided very detailed tours and demonstrations of their faculties, history and of course their machines. I know I learned a bunch of new stuff and look forward to applying that new knowledge in my day to day activities when talking to you guys on the phone. Keep a sharp eye out for when one of these AERA Technical conferences come close to your shop. Take the time to attend; I know it will be worth it to attend!
At this midpoint of this year I seem to find myself wondering if I have done all I could do to make my goals. I mean here we are its June, half way through the year. Summer is tugging at me to slow down and enjoy the weather by boating, fishing and riding the back county roads on my Harley. What have I accomplished? What did I not accomplish? What could I have done different. Do I have enough time left to achieve all the goals I set upon myself at the start of this year? I take my job seriously; I am one of those guys who actually like my job, heck I look forward to being at work. But did I achieve my goals, and if not why? What am I going to do about the rest of my goals for this year?
Yes, the economy is getting better, and the business is quite good right now, however here I am at the half way point of the year and I feel like I could have achieved more. How are you doing? What is going well, and did you accomplish your goals so far? I know I have six months left in this year, and I will give it my best to complete my goals, and yes I will get on that boat, and I will ride that bike, and I will be out fishing.
Well first, I am going to take a nice vacation. Then I am going to come back to work and attack this market with all of my skills and enthusiasm. I want to earn your business….not just today but every day. I want you to worry about your business and not have to think about shop supplies. I want to make it so easy to rely on Goodson that your full concentration is on your business and on you….. Growing your business!
We have been busy working on a lot of new products. I am proud to say that our new
Hyper-Finish Diamond Valve Guide Sizing System
Hyper Finish Diamond Valve Guide Sizing System is really the hot ticket right now. I am also proud to say we just finished releasing a bunch of new sizes of diamond mandrels. We now offer sizes from 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, and 6.5mm. If you haven’t had a chance to see our new Diamond Hone, go to our website and have a look at the tool online. I am so confident in this tool that I will guarantee you too will like it or just send it back for a full refund. No harm no foul! This way you can have the new Diamond Hone in your hands, in your shop, working on your valve guides. Prove to yourself that this new tool is worth the investment by ordering the kit today.
See ya on the web!
Dave
Shop Life
