Been busy and away from the computer most of the time. I will look it up and reply..........Sorry.........
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I am having computer problems and am not on the computer much anymore. I would suggest you go to Boardwalk Porsche and speak with Bobby Rodriquez. Chet will not be the final decision maker in any hiring matters at the Ferrari store. He may offer input but will not make the decision. Believe me, selling a Ferrari is much different from selling a BMW. Although you may be selling to the same person, their buying decision in made in an entirely different manner. An affluent person purchasing a BMW will come in with his specs in hand, a price he can buy for and a timeframe for the purchase to happen in. If you cannot meet his expectations, he will walk and go across town to another BMW dealer. When this same person considers a Ferrari, they will know more about it that the salesperson with whom they are dealing and will be more willing to discuss price to get the right car. They will also wait to get what they want but will want to be kept informed as to any progress that is being made. I was with BMW from 1983-2000 and actually thought I knew quite a lot about the affluent buyer. It was only after going to work for Mr. Risi at FoD that I learned I knew very little afterall. I had been National champion twice in the now defunct BMW national product knowledge competition and thought I knew all there was to know about BMW. When I got to Ferrari it was back to the books and I had studied before I went. Be patient if going into exotics is what you really want to do. There are usually very few salespeople and they are long term. I was referred by one of Mr. Risis previous managers to take the job at FoD but it still took a year and six interviews, both in Dallas and in Houston, before Mr. Risi actually offered me the job. I believe he made the right decision. I really enjoyed my time there and developed some good relationships. I have even considered getting back into it myself...........believe it or not.....Any suggestions from any of you other guys out there on if I should give it another go????? Rob, Writerguy, George, Tillman, Dr. Tax or any of you other Metroplex guys who know me???? What do you think??? Oh well, good luck in your seach. Just be patient, earn their trust and respect and do not force yourself upon them.
James: Thanks so much for the input, you really made some interesting points that I had not considered before. I am still fairly young (24) so I have plenty of time to be patient and slowly work myself in. I am just very ambitious and sometimes feel like time is slipping away, lol. I still have a ton of questions but I hate to bog you down with them on a public forum, If you dont mind could we continue this thru pm? Btw, hows the grocery business treaten ya? I have some friends in management and whatnot and it sounds like a pretty tough industry. Are you still at the 360 and pioneer pkwy store? Thanks again and take care. emery
I most definitely do not work for the artist formerly known as FoD any longer. I have been gone for a month now. As far as employment there, I know that they currently have two positions in the sales department, and both are filled. Until they build their business a little more, I doubt that they will have the need for any additional stafff. Having said that, I don't work there any longer, and don't know for sure. And speaking to what Mr. Dunne said above, I interviewed four times over eighteen months before taking a position with FoD.
So, now that Boardwalk owns FoD, is Bobbly Rodriguez in charge of hiring or is Mr Risi still doing that? Thanks btw for all the help! emery
Chet, Good luck with the new position. I hope Putnam works out for you. GLIguy I believe that with the involvement that Mr. Risi had with racing, having won their class at LeMans in 1998 (333SP), won the 24 hour at Daytona in SP11 after setting the pole and never being passed the whole race, even during pit stops and capturing that years championship (2002-2002, I believe), his involvement in the Ferrari Challenge series and many other racing ventures, I think that this only strengthened what Ferrari meant to people when he owned FoD. See if you can find a copy of the Discovery Channel broadcast of "Fast Cars" and hear a lot more of what makes him tick. I remember one statement that he made to an interviewer during the broadcast after driving an F50 very quickly through the mountains. "There is a fine line between excitement and fear. When you are excited, you are smooth, fluid and very focused on what you are doing. When you make a slipup and become frightened by something it turns into fear and you lose your focus, tighten up your muscles and lose your edge". (paraphrased) I think that if Boardwalk does not also become involved in Ferrari/Maserati motorsport that they risk losing the mystique and air of secrecy that exists with the Ferrari name. Mr. Risi did a very good job of perpetuating this air. His involvement with Calpont in racing the 360GT and consistently being the highest placing non-Porsche entry in the major races and finishing many times on the podium although underfunded with a car that had unrealistic restrictions placed on it spoke well of Risi Competizione. That said, I believe that Boardwalk have a tough time of building their Ferrari business. But, that is just my personal opinion and we all know about opinions. Jim, thanks for the encouragement. I really, really miss the auto business but would not want to step back into just anything. Wow, I actually got to post twice in two days.......Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
