Most of this, however, is reality today. For example, when I checked into my motel on a recent trip to Grand Bahama Island, a wonderful woman at the front desk was not only eager to answer any questions, but anticipated…
Donna AskewFebruary 2, 2009
If things ever seem tough in the dive retailing business, consider the farmer's life. If you were selling wheat, you would either have to accept the "going" price (or less) for your crop, or continue to store your product until…
Donna AskewJanuary 23, 2009
Conquering the scuba dropout rate continues to be the holy grail of scuba marketing. The guy or gal who solves that problem for good should receive some kind of award at the DEMA Show, or at least a couple rounds…
Donna AskewJanuary 22, 2009
Tanks need to be filled, a dozen regulators and BCDs are queued in the repair department waiting for service, classes are filling up, requiring good instructors, and several trips are scheduled and filled. Oh, yeah, and someone has to be…
Donna AskewJanuary 22, 2009
If your customers have trip insurance, they may be reimbursed for some or all of their losses. If they are uninsured, an unfortunate event can become even more costly and distressing. As a dive center owner or manager, you want…
Donna AskewJanuary 22, 2009
Close your eyes and dream. You are going to a place where you can dive all day, every day. Spectacular scuba diving is literally at your feet. You are surrounded by your best customers, who are delighted by the service…
Donna AskewJanuary 22, 2009
Many people learn to dive so that they can travel to dive. Going places to dive keeps them active, and that activity helps make dive retail work. It also adds the third leg to dive retail's stool, which is in…
Donna AskewJanuary 22, 2009
Between dives, get them talking about other trips and classes they have been a part of. You don't want to do all the talking, but it will be to your advantage to make sure the topics of the day are…
Donna AskewJanuary 21, 2009
Broach the idea of hosting a fundraiser to build dive retail business, and you can raise a few eyebrows among the uninitiated, and even among some of the stores that have done them. It's not that most retailers don't favor…
Donna AskewJanuary 15, 2009
