RVDA Help Desk Offers Free Hour on Risk & Compliance – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
In January, the RV Dealers Association (RVDA) launched its Help Desk and Solution Center aimed at helping dealers meet changing business and regulatory challenges.
In response to a 2024 survey of members, RVDA created the center for member dealers to make confidential inquiries if they hit legal hurdles or unexpected business complications.
RVDA Director of Partnerships Patrick Calpin explained during a Zoom webinar Wednesday, April 23, that the center relies heavily on the expertise of staff members at the association to help dealers decide how to proceed.
But if there is no consensus at RVDA, the association can refer members to RVDA-endorsed partner Tom Kline of Better Vantage Point, a Maryland-based firm that offers risk mitigation services to dealerships. Kline will provide up to one hour of his services at no charge to members to help them solve issues.
“Tom’s company does happen to be one of these companies helping to protect and safeguard dealers,” Calpin said. “He really helps dealers avoid surprises.”
The help desk is designed to help members with topics related to RVDA member benefits and services, manufacturer and supplier questions, human resources, compliance obligations, insurance issues, consumer dispute resolution, industry/RV consumer data and dealership operations.
It also includes best practices information and offers instant chat and quick responses.
“So, I’m here to help solve problems, mitigate risk and protect wealth,” Kline said. “That can mean preventing problems before they happen, which is usually the least expensive way to resolve them. Once the problem is before you, it’s usually more expensive.”
Kline said there are several main challenges dealers face: people and culture; dynamic regulation in the face of new legislation; siloed processes or lack of teamwork between partners; inadequate technology; and poor visibility or transparency.
Those issues lead to the need for risk mitigation, he said.
Dealers need to identify risks, prioritize them by level of danger, reduce risk by being proactive, create procedures that lead to compliance, be proactive, be responsible and accountable, track their progress and regularly review all of these tasks.
“What does it feel like to run a dealership? It feels like trying to tuck an octopus into bed. But the tentacles keep flopping all over for the place,” Kline said. “The octopus is an analogy of what it feels like when you wake up in the morning and what you’re expecting once you go to work isn’t the way the day goes.”
Kline added that dealers also need to be aware of the risks that come from online advertising.
It is important for dealers to know what is being offered in the ads and to make sure those offers are being accurately met for the customers. This can help avoid accusations of bait-and-switch tactics or even fraud.
Calpin encouraged members to take advantage of the center.
“We are in the member services business here, folks,” he said. “We help dealers connect. We help them to be more successful and discover resources they didn’t know about to find new ways to help manage issues and to help you be a more successful business owner. We want to help you be more profitable and to be a good employer and help flourish in your community.”
To visit the Help Desk or submit a confidential request, RVDA members can visit https://www.rvda.org/RVDA/Membership/RVDA_Help_Desk___Solution_Center.aspx, email [email protected], text 227-254-8890 or call 703-591-7130 extension 113.
