Operations
There are a million different ways to run a business, most of which have been attempted by a small business owner like yourself. MRAA membership offers a valuable benefit – collective experience. We provide a list of resources compiled by dealers and suppliers for your use. Share your ideas to help others run their business better.
Cybersecurity & Defense Strategies
Cyber threats are a growing risk to your dealership, your team and your customers – one wrong click can lead to costly breaches. You need practical, expert-driven strategies to strengthen your dealership’s cyber defense. We understand you need actionable insights to help you protect your business. Cybersecurity expert and Dealer Week Online speaker Robert Siciliano (Safe.me/ProtectNow), shares best practices in his Dealer Week Online course, “Protect Your Dealership from the Growing Cybersecurity Threat,” along with an accompanying slide presentation and 11 PDFs. With the right knowledge and best practices, you can empower your team to detect and prevent cyber attacks before they happen.
Members Only:
As an MRAA member, you download these supportive resources below from Robert Siciliano.
- Cyber Security Policy and Training Plan Outlines
- Cyber Security Threats and Fraud Facing Marine Dealers
- FTC Safeguards Rule Impact on Marine Dealers
- How to Detect and Prevent Synthetic Identity Fraud
- Resources to Help Dealers Achieve FTC Safeguards Rule Compliance
- How to Maintain a Secure Data Environment to Protect Against Fraud
- How Training Combats Synthetic Identity Fraud
- Key Components of a Fraud Prevention Strategy
- Questions to Ask Cyber Security Vendors
Members Only:
Not a member? Become one today!
Cybersecurity Knowledge
No matter the size of your dealership, you and your team face numerous cybersecurity threats. That’s why you must train your employees, establish policies and create a system of resilience to help your dealership withstand the steady bombardment of cyber-attacks. Installing robust cybersecurity practices can help your dealership continue to outperform. Read blog.
Cybersecurity Insurance Types & Compliance
Gain more knowledge of this growing troublespot by downloading these resources from Global Marine Insurance, an MRAA Education Champion.
Cyber Defense & Manual Processes
A cyber-attack on your dealership can not only create financial loss, but also damage your reputation, create legal trouble and allow unlawful access to your private data and intellectual property. That’s why it’s vital for your dealership to have proactive and retroactive cybersecurity plans in place to help alleviate the undesirable risk. MRAA Education Champion IDS helps you identify and minimize threats at your business while also offering you guidance for installing manual processes. Read blog.
Manual Processes Guidance for Marine Dealers
How to Dial in the People and Processes in Every Department to Help Transform Your Customers’ Experience
Poor communication is hurting dealerships in customer loyalty and profitability, as customers frequently complain about a lack of communication in service. The issue stems from either employee deficiencies or a lack of business processes to ensure proper follow-through. To enhance customer trust and improve dealership performance, honest and proactive communication at every customer touchpoint is necessary.
Mini-Guide to Peak Season Readiness
When customers start rolling into your parking lot or pulling up to your dock, you want to provide the best experience possible right out of the gate, whether you are making a first impression on a prospective buyer or welcoming an old friend to a new boating season.
Get prepared with a free mini-guide (less than 20 minute read) that outlines the 5 key things your dealership needs going into spring.
FTC Identity Theft Prevention Rule
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) “Red Flags” Rule is specifically meant to prevent identify theft from occurring. The rule requires auto dealers, and others, to establish and maintain a written Identity Theft Prevention Program (ITPP) that is designed to detect, prevent and mitigate identity theft.
Red Flags of Risky Business
Regulations require a dealership to not only be a good citizen, but to be a cop as well. There’s no two ways about it, if red flags are detected during a transaction, certain proactive steps are required that will create extra work and slow down the deal process.
Online Privacy Policy
All retailers who do business through their website must have a published privacy policy on the site. Bellavia Blatt PC has developed the template for your use. Simply add your dealership’s name where indicated on the form and post the text under the words Privacy Policy on your website.
Write Your Business Plan
Writing and following a business plan is crucial for success in your business. A plan is needed by banks to provide loans, employees to understand success strategies, and by you to track profitability. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers an interactive, eight-step business planning tool that can be accessed through this link. Save your work and return to it later, but prioritize creating a plan to benefit your business.
Sample Document & Record Retention Schedule
Every business should know its requirement for retaining documentation relating to all of its business dealings. To assist the members along these lines, the MRAA worked with Bellavia Blatt PC, to create an all-encompassing schedule that outlines how long you should retain individual documents.
Ask The Expert Webinar
This resource is an extension of Robert Siciliano’s How to Keep Your Dealership Safe, “Ask the Expert” Webinar.
MRAA Silver & Gold Members Only:
Not a Silver Member? Become one today!
Crisis & Emergency Management Resources
As a marine business owner or manager, you have probably weathered a lot of unexpected events, from storms, fires and flooding to pandemics, recessions, low water and even health issues experienced by you, your team and your families. You know the benefit of being prepared and having a place to turn for assistance.
ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities – Recreational Boating Facilities
Everyone, including those with disabilities, should have access to recreational boating facilities. Whether it’s an elderly family member, a child, or someone with a disability, all people should be able to enjoy boating. To ensure accessibility for everyone, use this checklist to make necessary modifications to your facility.
Yard Management Checklists
The yard manager maintains the balance of operations between service, sales, safety, customer care and facilities. Heading into busy season, we need to revisit the processes and role for the yard manager to raise efficiency and proficiency, lower repair event cycle times (RECT) and improve customer satisfaction throughout the dealership. Use these checklists as you prepare your dealership for the approaching peak season.
