cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Is it time for less Marcus

ctpres
Explorer
Explorer
His picture is just about everywhere in CW and related enterprises. If he is planning on a political run - OK I understand - but maybe it's time change. How about the employees? I am sure some have made significant achievements in donating their time and effort. Maybe saved a life or some other heroic action. Veterans. How about our input on outstanding employees. Considering the number of employees - there have got to be some really amazing stories.
A "Retired" Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Chuck USNR, USAF & USCGA and Suzie
Challenger Owners Club

2015 Thor Challenger 37KT
2014 Ford Fiesta
2011 Sea Eagle 385 FT kayak
2009 Polaris RZR
2014 Zenetto Stealth road bike
52 REPLIES 52

beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
jwmII wrote:
You gotta admit that Marcus came along at a good time in the life of the Good Sam Club. They were on the skids and he has pulled them back. It may be time to loosen the reins and use the Co. talent whether it is @ Good Sam or Camping World.


I have to disagree with your opinion. The Good Sam Club was doing fine, it was Camping World, Freedom Roads, and various other AGI entities that were struggling.

I really wish that the Good Sam Club would be split from the rest and made independent. Unfortunately it won't happen because the Good Sam Club is considered a "marketing tool" to sell various RV related goods and services. Those are the boss' own words.

As for more or less Marcus, I don't care, I have never seen "The Profit". I wish him success in all his endeavors, I just wish he would make the Good Sam Club a separate and independent entity. Changing the name of AGI to Good Sam Enterprises is nothing but another marketing strategy to take advantage of the well earned reputation of the Good Sam Club.
Build a life you don't need a vacation from.

2016 Silverado 3500HD DRW D/A 4x4
2018 Keystone Cougar 26RBS
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900

crudeman
Explorer
Explorer
Ron3rd wrote:
I hate those guys like Marcus that are driven to succeed and work 70+ hours a week, something the rest of us are unwilling to do.



You know this about the rest of us, really?
Steve & Pat
Hannah - Sophie

2006 HR Ambassador PDQ
2010 Silverado

crudeman
Explorer
Explorer
dspencer wrote:
downtheroad wrote:
Good grief...who cares what Marcus does.
In no way what Marcus does affect what I do or think or the price of potatoes.

My understanding is that he has lots of energy and likes to stay busy. Good for him. He still puts his pants on one leg at a time.


X2 for sure!!




How do y'all know that for sure, maybe he sits on the bed and puts both legs in at the same time. :B jus saying!
Steve & Pat
Hannah - Sophie

2006 HR Ambassador PDQ
2010 Silverado

FunnyCamper
Explorer II
Explorer II
ctpres wrote:
Hi OP here! any executive that is working hard to turn a business around might be well served to recognize the people that really can implement his plans.

So my question was - who can best finish the job - Marcus or the employees? If the answer is employees - where is a good place to start?


OP, what are you asking? that CW have more employee stories/charity help etc. out in the public for people to read? and if so WHY? this just doesn't make sense to me 🙂

finish what job? a company is a combination of management and work force employees.

my father was a turn around executive. hired by companies to save them basically. he was president of 4 major food distribution companies on the east coast. he came in and did what needed to be done to get the company profitable. fire employees, of course. dead weight in a biz was the first situation addressed. total reorganization of management, distribtuion, company contracts, etc. absolutely. and all that goes with it.

So what are you actually saying? you want less of Marcus' face out in public? why? it is the path this exec. chose to continue his career.

I honestly don't get the point of your post.

you are saying to Marcus that you want employee stories on a poster in the store saying something like 'Joe volunteers at the animal shelters on weekends' blah blah, so you can read that while waiting in line to buy something in one of his stores? huh....

send a letter to Marcus explaining what you want. as with any company a customer can request all kinds of crazy things that they implmenet into their biz.

nothing says you get any satisfaction from asking, but hey, it can't hurt ya 🙂

SCVJeff
Explorer
Explorer
That's an interesting comment about Marcus having no problem laying people off. As a CEO or leader of any company one must know when to cut bait, which is why as was mentioned, some of those looking for help get in trouble. Someone has to be the bad guy, but at the same time has made it clear he's about people and keeping the jobs. Then there is the reality spin that only he can comment on.

I have also seen him spar with Kevin O'Leary (Sharktank) on CNBC over this issue, and Kevin makes no secret that money comes first over everything and everyone else. The rest of the panel poo-poo'd Kevin too, but if I remember it was Marcus that got in his face pretty hard.
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

Dick_A
Explorer
Explorer
ctpres wrote:
Hi OP here! It is not my intention to find fault with the way Marcus runs his business. Lee Iacocca was, I believe the first executive to serve as spokesman for his company and I think he did a great job. What Marcus is doing is really nothing new. It is just my humble opinion that any executive that is working hard to turn a business around might be well served to recognize the people that really can implement his plans.


I have followed Marcus's business practices since he became involved in what was Steven Adams AGI Corporation. At the time I researched as much of his background as I could find; most of which I will not detail here. In a very brief detail, Sources have indicated Marcus grew up in a long time automotive dealership environment and did well in school.

Lee Iacocca was / is a close family friend of his parents and grand parents and probably help open a few doors early on - not to say Marcus did not earn any help provided. I have been told that Lee suggested Marcus become involved in the RV business and did so. Although as I understand the first venture did not go well, he picked up the pieces and has become successful.

I started by business very humbly and like Marcus worked very long hours to become financially successful. That was enough for me as I have family and am very involved in our local Elks Organization which provides much needed charity to those in need. (Oh I was given a little plastic badge stating I am the board chairman- rarely do I wear it as the commitment is about serving others and not wearing a plastic badge indicating you are supposed to be in ?important? person.)

The other option in life is to build a big ego, be on television, post your picture everywhere (kind of reminds me of Lenin & Stalin) but I digress to perhaps more practicable sensibilities and marketing.

We each have our important achievements worth driving for and seldom are they the same.

Probably the biggest difference in our career style is/was the treatment of staff people. Some employers treat their human resourced similar to a line item of inventory. If that piece of inventory doesn't garner at least six turns a year, it's time to remove it from the shelf and replace it with a product which is expected to turn faster thus providing more return of investment.

Another way to view the employee asset is the same as a piece of capital equipment purchased for many thousands of dollars. In this case the manager has a very vested interest in the equipment and is encouraged to keep the equipment in good order and also keep the employee trained in emerging technologies and encourage personal advancement. This style of management insures both your technical problem solving equipment is always in working order but also the technical staff is constantly trained to provide the most comprehensive service available to the company.

Each operational model has it's place in certain applications. However, in these days of rapidly changing marketing conditions, one should perhaps integrate a few points from each model.

Dick A
2009 Tiffin 43QBP Allegro Bus
RoadMaster Sterling Tow Bar
US Gear UTB
Ford Explorer Sport Toad
WA7MXP
"Pisqually" the attack kitty :B

soos
Explorer II
Explorer II
mlemonis wrote:
interesting discussion.

LOL!

Love the show, by the way.
Sue
soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com
Fulltiming since 2009
2012 Mobile Suites 36 TKSB4 pulled by a
2011 Ford F450
2005 Lance 1181 TC- our Vacation Home

Us_out_West
Explorer
Explorer
Yak wrote:
Of course this forum is paid for by Marcus


What's your point???

Remember this Is America with free enterprise choices...some make it some don't.

Enjoy the privilege.
Our Trip Journal

2012 Jayco Pinnacle (View)
36 KitchenPantryTripleSlide
MorRyde pin box and suspension, Curt Q24, Dual Pane windows, Auto Levelers, 2 AC's,and more.

2009 Silverado 3500HD 4X4 (View)
CC, Dura-Max 6.6/Allison,LB ,DRW,Amer. Tank 65 gal. Aux Fuel

Yak
Explorer
Explorer
Of course this forum is paid for by Marcus

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
kcmoedoe wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Does it not occur to folks that anyone who calls themself a "profit" is either delusional or an ego-maniac?
It does not occur to anyone who had enough education to understand that "profit" and "Prophet" are homonyms, words with different meanings but the same phonetic pronunciation. It is not delusional or egomaniacal to seek a profit.


I was going to expand on your comments but do not find it necessary due to your excellent analysis.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

Water-Bug
Explorer
Explorer
I've never had any dealings with Marcus. He has never interferred with any of my purchases at CW or edited any of my posts here. To me he is transparent. So what exactly would "less Marcus" mean? He only enters your life if/when you let him in. If you want "less Marcus" ( whatever that means) shop and surf elsewhere. How much "Marcus" you get is completely within your control.

tsetsaf
Explorer III
Explorer III
I think the op made a really good point. I have nothing against Mr Lemonis but he does not represent "us". He is a very successful professional businessman who has created an empire out of affinity and now moved on into other arenas. While this is great it does not speak to "us". From a marketing perspective it is a really good suggestion to personify the people that work within the empire. The folks we may deal with on a day to day and the ones we would most likely relate to. To bring this into real world I had a friend that was just getting into RVing. I pointed them to rv.net and on the home page is the pic of Mr Lemonis. My friends first statement was "who's the suit?"
2006 Ram 3500
2014 Open Range
"I don't trust my own advise!"

kcmoedoe
Explorer
Explorer
ScottG wrote:
Does it not occur to folks that anyone who calls themself a "profit" is either delusional or an ego-maniac?
It does not occur to anyone who had enough education to understand that "profit" and "Prophet" are homonyms, words with different meanings but the same phonetic pronunciation. It is not delusional or egomaniacal to seek a profit.

ScottG
Nomad
Nomad
Does it not occur to folks that anyone who calls themself a "profit" is either delusional or an ego-maniac?

jwmII
Explorer
Explorer
belfert wrote:
Marcus seems to be too much about money above all else. He has no problem laying off people at those businesses he visits on The Profit. Of course, the reason some of those businesses are in trouble is because the owners see the employees as real people and won't lay them off to save the business.

I believe Camping World at this point in time is making money so why would they cut prices? Now, if they treated customers better and did better service work they could make even more money. I have on occasion found items at Campingworld.com that are lower than elsewhere, but not often.







Where's it written that Camping World or any other Affinity endeavor is a not for profit operation? Any Mgr. is right in holding people's feet to the fire to make a profit. If they are not producing then layoff should be eminent. It's time to fish or cut bait.
jwmII