• ABYC / MRAA Service Management Certification helps dealerships improve their service department’s performance, while advancing their team’s careers.

To keep your dealership operating like a well-oiled machine throughout the market’s ups and downs, you need a service department that is performing at its best.

Whether you have one service manager leading that effort or a range of different positions contributing toward those results, you want to set them up for success, giving them the tools, training and resources to pull their department together to achieve next level outcomes.

That’s the opportunity presented by the Service Management Certification Program, built in partnership between the MRAA and the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC).

Here are seven reasons to sign up your key service leaders to become Service Management Certified.

1. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
When you become Service Management Certified, you gain training on how to help your team fix the customer first. We’re living in the customer experience generation! All of your service customers want the same reassurances of top-notch treatment, complete transparency and trustworthy results. This certification program is designed to improve your processes to deliver quality and consistency, while instilling trust. It equips your service management professionals with the tools, know-how and confidence to manage your customers’ expectations and drive up their satisfaction. Customer experience and retention is huge for your dealership, and your service teams plays a vital role in helping you win in both areas!

2. Improved Operational Efficiency
You want your service department employees, including your service managers, to be efficient and proficient because it help your business operate smoothly. The Service Management Certification program focuses on critical areas of success, including: key performance indicators, time management and facility management to streamline operations (and reduce employee stress). Help your managers gain valuable insights and training to tackle challenges with poise, purpose and adaptability.

3. Financial Benefits
Strong processes often lead to better results. However, service management also involves understanding the drivers behind key departmental metrics so you can work to improve financial performance. This program helps your team members generate cost savings and increase profitability.

4. Career Development
Supporting your employee’s professional development inspires higher levels of loyalty, while creating buy-in for positive change. By offering programs that advance their learning and growth, you’re investing not only in your dealership, but also your employee’s career with your business. While you’ll generate immediate returns, many of the program’s offerings will continue to pay off throughout their career, helping them set better goals, identify opportunities for continuous improvement and better coach and manage others. By offering them a chance to advance in their role at the dealership, it can help your business grow. Their newfound education, confidence and leadership can take everyone to new heights.

5. Better Communication Skills
Active listening is a strength that can benefit managers, employees and customers. This program offers education in effective communication strategies and tools to enhance results both internally and externally. By improving their communication skills, your service team can prevent misunderstandings, avoid delays and reduce confusion with customers, while creating better teamwork across dealership departments.

6. Proactive Management
Ready, willing and able! The Service Management Certification training helps transform your service department from reactive to proactive! Managers learn to help their entire team prepare for and even prevent issues before they arise. They have the confidence and attitude to help others improve while keeping operations running smoothly.

7. Comprehensive Training and Resources
Service managers benefit from an extensive list of tools and education, including an 11-course online training program, downloadable resources, printed study guide and proctored examination, all developed with guidance from experienced service managers. Once they earn their Service Management Certified badge, they can proudly share it with their team, customers and manufacturers to show their commitment to professional excellence. This investment in education advances the marine industry as a whole, one service manager and one department at a time. 

Strength & Stability in a Soft Market
By helping your Service Department get stronger, you provide stability to help your dealership navigate a soft boat market. Service Management Certification participants gain the training and tools to fine tune their results at a time when dealerships need it most.

The next training opportunity begins Wednesday, Sept. 18! Don’t miss the opportunity to fortify your department and dealership, getting them both on track for greater profitability and success. Enroll today to begin your journey to becoming Service Management Certified!