Blog Spotlight

Earlier this month I wrote a blog for Boating Industry titled “The Free Trade Question.” After the blog was published I received several great comments and questions about free trade, and, as teachers everywhere say, “If you have questions, others probably do too.” So, this blog will share some thoughts triggered by the comments and questions I received related to ...

A company’s long-term sustainable growth is largely dependent on the investment that it makes in several aspects of the business. For IGY Marinas, we strive to continually search for ways to work with the local communities daily, whether it be through training or employment opportunities, economic development initiatives or philanthropic events. The outcome of investing in this way is the ...

As a business partner to dealers and OEMs, the boat buying process has always been a bit different for me than if I were a regular consumer. Our company, LotVantage, helps dealerships manage their online presence and in turn, strategically guides their prospects into customers. I have more insider knowledge of the full buying process than the majority of consumers. ...

No one likes getting a bad review. Not only is it disheartening ­– especially when you feel you have worked hard – but it makes earning future business more difficult when you’re not rated well. But for better or worse, reviews give today’s consumers important insight into your business and they will look for that information before they ever walk ...

Two weeks ago while driving through my suburb of Minneapolis, I passed the local bicycle shop. I’ve spent money there before, mostly tuning up a Trek bike I’ve had for 8.5 years, and I am signed up to be notified about their ride events (someday I will have a free weekend and attend). As I looked at the marquee, I ...

Social media platforms are a goldmine for reaching your customers. According to data from Statista, 81 percent of Americans use social media, and that includes Americans of all ages. Not only is social media popular now, but it’s only expected to increase in popularity with time. While it’s not likely that your parents or retirement-age neighbors were actively using social ...

Between working as CEO of a company in the boating industry with global distribution (70 countries) and serving, until recently, as co-chair of the Manufacturing Council’s Trade, Tax Policy and Export Growth Committee (a group of business leaders who advise the U.S. Secretary of Commerce), I have spent a fair bit of time thinking about global trade. Trade was a ...

There’s nothing like a quarterly earnings call to pique a trade press editor’s morning interest. It’s my view a conference call filled with data and industry insights from one or more company leaders rivals the jump-start a really good cup of coffee provides, especially if the call in question is one of the first items of the day. Perhaps a ...

Pretty much any time a group of my fellow CEOs get together, the discussion will eventually head toward what many of us describe as our biggest challenge – finding good employees. At Correct Craft, we have manufacturing plants across the U.S. and we offer competitive pay and benefits; however, it is still a challenge to find the employees we need ...

While a niche segment, the marina business is very much a part of a wide spectrum of industries, including hospitality. IGY Marinas has already played in this space, expanding our F&B restaurant brand, Fat Turtle and owning/operating Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina in the Hamptons/Montauk area. Taking this further, we’ve recently launched our hospitality division, as our team has ...