Team Insight

W e are surrounded by new ideas every- where we go. From the way we consume n e w s – i n c l u d i n g this magazine – to the way we interact with the rest of the world, new ideas dictate our very existence. The world of team sports is certainly not exempt from all of this newness swirling about, but sometimes we are so traditional that we fail to recognize it — or take advantage of it. We see it as our job here at Team Insight to bring some of you kicking and screaming into the 21st century. So this month you are invited to come along for the ride in this High Tech, High Touch issue. The journey begins with a look at the ideas in selling Specialty Sports or, in our view in the editorial offices, anything but football, baseball, softball. soccer and basketball. There is just so much opportunity in these niche sports – many of which are not really niche any longer – that dealers ignore them at their own peril. And we would be remiss not to provide ideas on how to become a specialty player. Pickleball anyone? Then, thanks to the good folks (?) at NFHS, NOCSAE and the various rule- making authorities who keep changing their own regulations, it is a good idea for dealers to get ahead of the curve to become the go-to guys for their custom- ers confused about what's legal and not this season and next. It's always a good idea to be that go-to guy. Then comes an inside look at how four of the best team dealers in the country are utilizing technology to, in some cases, increase their sales by double digits by simply making it easier for their customers to buy from them. These forward-thinking dealers knew a good idea when they saw it a few years ago and their online sales have thrived ever since. With all that as a backdrop, our final set of good ideas goes beyond product, sports and selling into the world of busi- ness advice and tips on how to run a better team dealer. In a two-part series that begins this month and will conclude in the November issue of Team Insight, we provide 12 solid pieces of business advice for dealers. This advice ranges from the obvious – how to compete with Amazon, how to make sure your business carries on to the next generation, how to manage your roadmen – to the esoteric, with ideas on becoming an international seller, managing your Millennials and writing a business plan. We even delve into the question of whether you should sell your business, merge with a com- petitor (ADA/NBS saw the benefit of this avenue this summer) or even buy someone else's business. Yes, you can buy someone else. All of this change and the cornucopia of new ideas can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting. As the saying goes, you can either lead, follow or get the heck out of the way. We are here to recommend the first option. It is, indeed, a brave new world out there. But don't be afraid, we will be here to provide the new ideas and to help guide you every step of the way. That's our best idea so far. n What's the Big Idea? "It is, indeed, a brave new world out there. But don't be afraid, we will be here to provide the new ideas and to help guide you every step of the way. That's our best idea so far." Welcome to an issue full of great ideas you may never have thought of until now. 6 Team Insight / September 2018 teaminsightmag.com MICHAEL JACOBSEN TI0918 STAHLS.COM | 800.4.STAHLS Speed up production at bit.ly/stahls-prespaced ACHIEVE PERFECT PLACEMENT STAHLS' PRESPACED TEXT & NUMBERS • Arrives pre-aligned, ready for application • Available in 1 or 2 colors • Choose from popular materials, fonts, and layouts TIME-SAVING UNIFORM DECORATING OPTIONS FOR ANY SPORT.

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