Dockmaster Blog

Co-Authored by Kirsten Schuchardt, Program Manager, Brunswick Dealer Advantage and Boater’s Choice Insurance

The established and rich tradition of the marine industry goes back generations, and today with a U.S. population of approximately 327 million, the marine industry faces the same challenge almost every labor market is facing; a rapidly aging work population. By later this year, about 25% of the U.S. workforce will be composed of older workers ages 55 and over. According to the Special Committee on Aging report by the United States Senate, the number of persons working past the age of 55 is at a historic high. Older workers are shaping the American labor force. Participating U.S. workers 25-54 are 64% of the workforce, while ages 55-64 represent 22%. The math is very simple; 86% of the participating workforce is getting old. It’s called “The Silver Tsunami”, and the marine industry needs to start thinking about its future workforce.

As 2019 comes to a conclusion, it’s time to reflect on what DockMaster has managed to accomplish in the past year. With many new enhancements to our software, we’d be remiss if we didn’t thank our clients for having a hand in these improvements.

One day, perhaps the email marketing platform might go the way of the dinosaurs, but for now this established and reliable tool isn’t going anywhere. In an age where the reach of digital media is everywhere; in blogs, social media and various types of content vehicles like case studies or whitepapers, our old friend email is still delivering results that are trackable, can measure a return on investment and is affordable. Now, let’s dive into how email is still a crucial area of marketing in the marine industry.

Many professionals in boatyards, a boat dealership or marinas share a common bump in the road on occasion; the management of a challenging customer situation. An old saying “The customer is always right” is a motto that was popularized by many early pioneering retailers like Marshall Field at his Marshall Field’s department stores. Today, the customer isn’t always right, however we can’t make them wrong, as this ends up turning into a bad customer experience that can be shared online and damage your brand. Dealing with marine customers in a positive manner is crucial in ensuring your business maintains a stellar reputation in regards to customer service. Managing your business will come with its challenges, which is why implementing the right [management software]() is important. But what about you as a professional dealing directly with a customer? Here are some tips to ensure you can properly handle challenging customer situations.

DockMaster successfully relaunched its annual User Conference (DMCON), connecting clients with DockMaster experts and partners. Holding this event reassured DockMaster’s dedication to its customer base and gave experts a chance to reconnect with the marine professionals that form their clientele.