Boat dealers likely assume they can positively affect what happens to them politically whenever it becomes necessary. The truth is, they usually cannot, meaning they must depend on the power of a marine trades association to get things done.
Small-business owners have very limited ability to influence public policy on almost any level — local, state or federal. Small businessmen simply don’t have the deep pockets of the big corporations that can hire lobbyists, make big campaign contributions and play political games. But when dealers unite, the picture changes. Enter our industry’s marine trade associations.
I chuckle at the position of the Federal Trade Commission, that business trade associations exist to fix prices and restrain trade. That’s like thinking the dial telephone is still popular. In fact, ranked at the top of virtually every member of a trade association is the role the organization plays in addressing legislative and regulatory matters. For marine dealers, it’s the recognition that they can’t get things done alone.
It’s easy to imagine that every dealer wishes they had the expertise and contacts in local, state or federal levels. But for obvious reasons, their influence is extremely limited because dealers are addressing the myriad daily issues in their businesses. Time to consistently run off to their state capitol, never mind Washington, and knock on the doors of lawmakers or regulators to establish a relationship is unrealistic. But that doesn’t reduce the urgency to get something changed, or something new, or simply prevent lawmakers and regulators from adopting damaging policies.
This calls into play the importance that every dealer be a member of both their local/state marine trade association, as well as their national group, which for dealers is the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas.
Look at it this way: You go to a doctor when you’re sick, so when you need to affect laws and regulations, you need to turn to and support the trade associations that will carry the water for you. It means setting aside competitive business interests and jointly getting things done, not just for your dealership but for the industry as a whole.
It’s important to note that while you may hold memberships in the appropriate trade associations, your work may not be done. While your organization may have a full-time staff and even lobbyists on retainer, there can still be an effort you may be called to make. Sending letters or emails or making phone calls, when directed by your association team, are things every dealer should be prepared to do in support of the lobbying effort. In effect, you are a lobbying partner with your association team.
It’s also important to realize that legislation and regulation are often incremental. These processes can move slowly and in pieces. A busy dealer doesn’t have the time to constantly follow the process. So lobbying isn’t for the short haul; it takes time to effect change, especially with government regulation.
It reminds me of the one about the tourist who was standing next to a park ranger, peering into the Grand Canyon. The park ranger says: “Do you know it took 3 million years to create this canyon.”
The tourist replies: “Government job?”
Maintaining or renewing your association memberships should be a no-brainer for every dealer. It’s the kind of commitment that’s needed in today’s unpredictable political times, if for no other reason than to protect and advance your business.
I’m not sure who said this to me first, but I’ve recalled it since childhood: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
