A problem shared…

By Steve Carter



Can you remember what you were doing at this time 5 years ago?

I can, I was getting very concerned about what covid might develop into, where it might lead me in my personal life and what might happen in my working life. I was also getting pretty concerned about what was happening with our, then, main wholesaling partner.

Yes, that was 5 years ago, hardly seems possible, does it?

Let’s stop and think for a moment about a few things that have happened and the resulting changes during that time, including lockdowns, furlough, local tier structures, hybrid and flexible working to name but a few. As I have said before, if I had a pound for every time that I have heard the words ‘when things go back to normal’ I could buy a season ticket at Spurs and even get a pint before the game; ok may have stretched it a bit far with the pint. It is just my view but, as far as the workplace is concerned, I think we are now in the new normal. Backsides on seats in the actual workplace are fewer, but those backsides are perched somewhere. Those people are carrying out the same roles in different locations and, as an industry, we have to develop new and innovative ways to reach those people.

The reason that I am mentioning this, as an example, is that we are all in the same boat. What concerns one of us is likely to concern all of us, so how do we raise those concerns, challenges, issues collectively and come up with solutions? The answer is easy.

In 2023, BOSS set up a new Dealer Group Leaders Forum, with all dealer groups represented, to enable the members of that forum to discuss and act upon any challenges that, as an industry, we are facing. This is where I would ask you to raise any challenges or concerns with your own dealer group leader and they will bring them to the table on your behalf. We can then work through them together.

I appreciate that some dealers reading this will be independent and not be a member of a dealer group and that is fine. I have just started my 2 year stint as chair of the forum so, please by all means contact me, or any of the other dealer group leaders with any challenges or concerns that you may have.

Remember, we are all in this industry together and whatever challenges may lay ahead, we are far better off facing them and finding solutions together.

Now where was it that I got this soap box from; I need to put it back.

If you’d like to know more about how you can become part of the wider Advantia team then please do contact us today for a friendly chat.