I agree with everything you said especially the part about
“if said person is astute, conscientious and driven to succeed and grow.”
I would like to think those people are out their and those who’ve been
successful know how to spot them.

The EYES WIDE OPEN approach is usually possessed by someone who’s
been around, knows what it takes to succeed (all those things) and
has the compassion to assist the new creatives without regard for what they gain financially given they are themselves already financially secure. You
never throw money into a “sinking hole” as I told someone just yesterday.
The business model has to be viable, capitol managed conservatively/
properly and with growth and hard times considered.

Sometimes fear of loosing market share or income within the industry results
in what are good visionary products being pushed aside to maintain the
status quo and or security of known entities.

Would their be a Roland Sands w/o the support he has? I mention Roland
because he is one of the new crop of guys expressing things in ways others
haven’t and someone everyone has seen grow in the public eye. I doubt
many realize the endless hours it takes to design, create, continue learning
and growing, do the paperwork and all it takes to be successful.

I was given opportunities in my life by a couple people who looked beyond
what my resume said I should be doing and saw what I could do.
John Harcourt former VP of Electronic Imaging at Nikon was one whom without the opportunity and support he gave my life would have been different. Now as I’ve gotten older I’ve tried to return the favor to exactly those type of people you mention, however, they weren’t in the motorcycle business. For me it’s about the relationships we build along the way and the
great things that can come from them.

I have nothing but faith that many who now see the light at the end of the
tunnel fading with what’s going on at these plants/shops etc. will indeed
be smiling in the sunshine and laughing in the future.

I know we both see this the same way. I think.

Kevin Warren

I agree with everything you said especially the part about
“if said person is astute, conscientious and driven to succeed and grow.”
I would like to think those people are out their and those who’ve been
successful know how to spot them.

The EYES WIDE OPEN approach is usually possessed by someone who’s
been around, knows what it takes to succeed (all those things) and
has the compassion to assist the new creatives without regard for what they gain financially given they are themselves already financially secure. You
never throw money into a “sinking hole” as I told someone just yesterday.
The business model has to be viable, capitol managed conservatively/
properly and with growth and hard times considered.

Sometimes fear of loosing market share or income within the industry results
in what are good visionary products being pushed aside to maintain the
status quo and or security of known entities.

Would their be a Roland Sands w/o the support he has? I mention Roland
because he is one of the new crop of guys expressing things in ways others
haven’t and someone everyone has seen grow in the public eye. I doubt
many realize the endless hours it takes to design, create, continue learning
and growing, do the paperwork and all it takes to be successful.

I was given opportunities in my life by a couple people who looked beyond
what my resume said I should be doing and saw what I could do.
John Harcourt former VP of electronic imaging was one whom with the
opportunity and support my life would have been different. Now as I’ve
gotten older I’ve tried to return the favor to exactly those type of people
you mention, however, they weren’t in the motorcycle business.

I know we both see this the same way. I think.

Kevin Warren

I agree with everything you said especially the part about
“if said person is astute, conscientious and driven to succeed and grow.”
I would like to think those people are out their and those who’ve been
successful know how to spot them.

The EYES WIDE OPEN approach is usually possessed by someone who’s
been around, knows what it takes to succeed (all those things) and
has the compassion to assist the new creatives without regard for what they gain financially given they are themselves already financially secure.

Sometimes fear of loosing market share or income within the industry results
in what are good visionary products being pushed aside to maintain the
status quo and or product security of known entities.

Would their be a Roland Sands w/o the support he has? I mention Roland
because he is one of the new crop of guys expressing things in ways others
haven’t and someone everyone has seen grow in the public eye.

I was given opportunities in my life by a couple people who looked beyond
what my resume said I should be doing and saw what I could do. Now as
I’ve gotten older I’ve tried to return the favor to exactly those type of people
you mention, however, they weren’t in the motorcycle business.

I know we both see this the same way. I think.

Kevin Warren

Yes there is an availability of qualtiy personal and some not so highly thought of coming available, no quick fixes or hirings, run the traps. Hiring one with good experience most often pays off but not always,

Sometimes training one your way with no bad habits learned sometimes will serve your needs very well if said person is astute, conscientious and driven to succeed and grow.

From the investment side viewpoint do not throw your money into a money pit without; assuring yourself the business is viable, good business practices in place, a solid business plan is in place and solid forecastable gains measurable.

Business funding needs can/may also be assisted from SBA and may not have the controls that an individual or group entity may want if funding a portion of your growth.

Lot of ways one can skin a cat just do your research, way your options and use your common sense, EYES WIDE open always.

Adjust for the bad times we are now in, but plan and prepare for the good times ahead, take advantage of any opportunities the bad times affords you, work smart not hard.

Grayhawk

I liked this post and will speak on an observation of the state of the industry.

Currently plant closings announced in the U.S. are the Maryville operation of
Honda and Harley following suit with announced plant closings and reshuffling. That’s just the big guys.

This leaves a lot of highly qualified men and women whom our industry could
benefit from out of work. The technical skills of not only manufacturing but engines and
design will and are being put on the streets.

How can our industry benefit? New ideas and forward thinking should be aplenty
with this crop of skilled individuals soon being displaced.

Small business models may be the way to take these skilled individuals and
place them back to work. Can operations like Arlen Ness, J&P, and or their
clients help?

Clients who are buying 100K bikes could in reality fund small business startups
in the industry. The business experience of these clients could also be shared
as a quasi mentor program of how their own business is operated. Giving
guidance on financial management, strategic marketing and client care may
be a way.

The future is upon us with new engine technologies, electrical as it applies to
computer based on bike systems management etc…

Rebuilding the industry from the ground up taking advantage of the skills our
U.S work force has is something I’d like to see happen in these hard times.

So if you’re reading and are an industry vendor please look to these factories
to fill your workforce needs. IF you’re reading and are a successful business
man/woman with equity resources to invest consider networking with those
you deal with in our industry and seek out those who are looking for capital
with new ideas we all could benefit from.

Kevin Warren