April 2016
CED
Construction Equipment Distribution Published by AED: Business Fuel for a More Profitable Dealership
Train Like A Pro
Tips and Tools To Become An Effective Trainer n Emerging Leaders Jamie Carson’s unique path to the construction industry
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n A Closer Look
EPG Insurance caters to the industry’s many unique needs
n Content Marketing 2016 is all about the customer
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>> EMERGING LEADER
BY DAYNA MAEDER
Jamie Carson:
From ‘Reveille’ to Rentals
Former U.S. Marine’s road to the construction industry has been anything but typical. Jamie Carson, general manager of rental operations and fleet at Road Machinery, spent the first 13 years of his career path moving throughout seven states as a U.S. Marine. After his service, the Oregon State University graduate wanted to stay close to his family. In keeping with the “get stuff done” mentality of the military, Carson felt most at home in the construction industry. He was quickly recognized for his success and was recruited by Highway Technologies as an operations manager. With that experience, working with equipment was a natural fit, and he began working at Road Machinery. Starting out as the business manager and now holding the title of general manager, Carson continues to excel in his field. To diversify his expertise and learn other sides of the business, Carson was sent to AED’s Business War Games conference, where he became well-versed in the dealership side of the industry in addition to the rental side he was already working in. “(This) opened my eyes to the whole package,” Carson said of the two-and-a-half day course sponsored by AED. “It is done very well and gives a broad view (of) how a business can flow. It shortens that learning curve.” Carson’s heart belongs in the hands-on work at dealerships, where he can work with the customers, the equipment and his group of employees. “I really like what AED is doing now, seeing what the future customers are looking for and how educated the customers are,” Carson said. “(With) the technology, the equipment, and how advanced it is, AED is really catering to growing dealership professionals.” Carson says the most satisfying part of his work to date is taking his business and growing it
into something special, and also raising brand awareness. But he contends that his favorite part of the job is on site. “I know the best days that I have are when I’m with salesmen on customer sites and I help solve issues with machinery — and it clicks,” he said. “Being outside and helping the customers meet their needs is incredibly cool.” Invited by AED to join the Emerging Leaders Council (ELC), Carson readily agreed, and the Council’s vice chair says he enjoys networking and the ability to have an open forum. “The timing is perfect; there Jamie Carson, 41, is a are a lot of dealerships struggling former Marine who transito find people,” Carson said. tioned to the construction “Business War Games and other industry after 13 years of training are crucial to fill those serving the United States. gaps. People are still going to buy machines and still do construction. We need those positions filled; the customer base is there.” Carson hopes that, through these programs, people will be able to learn through education instead of hard knocks, and will learn the ins and outs of dealerships, key performance indicators, financials, how scoring is done and more. “It takes a lot of people pulling in the same direction,” he said. “The learning curve can be pretty painful, and AED is helpful with the continued training, certification programs and online training programs. Everyone is looking for talented people; this helps close that gap.” Carson’s company is rapidly growing, expanding into larger machines and securing long-term large-scale projects. It has quadrupled twice in approximately four years. AED is assisting by training people and bringing in key players who are smart in the rental game and how it should look in a dealership. “I’ve been extremely fortunate over the years to work for some really incredible people and bosses that have allowed me to grow and make mistakes and form teams, and I’ve had some incredible people that have worked for me over the years that have made some things that shouldn’t have been possible, possible,” Carson said. “If you’re looking for the key to success, it’s finding…people that can do the right thing.” To learn more about Road Machinery, visit their website at www.roadmachinery.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RoadMachineryLLC.
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CED
Construction Equipment Distribution Published by AED: Business Fuel for a More Profitable Dealership
Construction Equipment Distribution (CED) is published by AED, whose membership is primarily comprised of leading equipment dealerships and rental companies in the U.S. and Canada.
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