BR10 Business Radio Connects Harley-Davidson Dealership

When shopping for a new vehicle like a motorcycle, customers expect swift, personable service at the dealership they're hoping to purchase from. Communication plays a large role in coordinating a positive customer experience.

Midland spoke to the sales manager at Worth Harley-Davidson in Kansas City, Missouri about how license-free business radios are streamlining operations for their team.

ABOUT WORTH HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Worth Harley-Davidson has been around in Kansas City 1978, operating at its current location since 2010.

A Kansas City staple, the dealership has everything bikers need to get started and then some. It's a destination for riders in the area.

"We sell motorcycles, we sell parts, we service vehicles so things like oil changes and new transmissions, and we also sell moto clothes like t-shirts or jackets...anything a biker would want," Sal Occhipinti, Worth's sales manager said.

Worth also runs a riding academy for new riders and hosts summer events.

WORKING TOGETHER

The dealership consists of 4 departments- sales, parts, service, and motor clothes.

However, according to Occhipinti, all departments are intertwined.

"The departments are very interconnected. If we don't sell bikes, service doesn't get any business. It's the same with parts and then moto clothes- nobody is going to be buying helmets if they don't have a bike. We all need each other, we all lean on each other."

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

Because the departments are so closely tied to one another, Occhipinti said communication is vital to ensuring everyone stays on the same page.

"Communication is a big deal. Whether that's just letting people know what's going to happen or giving one of our fellow employees a heads up about what's coming back there. If we have a customer coming back that's maybe a little bit mad, we need to let them know what's going on."

Poor communication could also easily impact a customer's experience at Worth, something the team constantly looks to avoid.

"If a customer is getting taken care of and they feel like their needs are being met, they're always going to leave here happy for the most part. If a customer never gets talked to or doesn't get the help they need, then that's going to impact customer satisfaction for sure."

IMPLEMENTING BUSINESS RADIOS

Worth began using Midland's BR10 BizTalk® Heavy-Duty Business Radio in the Spring of 2024 to streamline communication processes.

"When we're super busy, these are awesome to have around."

Occhipinti said the BR10 license-free business radios are convenient and quick, two things they were looking for in a communications solution.

"It's so much easier than bringing out my cell phone, writing a text, waiting for it to go through, and waiting for a response. If another employee is in the middle of something, they can still hear me come through on the walkie. The radios just bring quicker communication. It's just instant."

With business radios, Occhipinti can reach multiple members of the team all at once, cutting down on the time spent relaying messages to multiple people.

"If I have 4 of those radios on and we're all on the same channel, someone will get my message. It's an easy way to reach a lot of people at once. If things are getting busy, I can get on the radio and let people know that I need 2 or 3 more sales guys up here to help."

USING BUSINESS RADIOS AT BIKE NIGHT

Worth hosts Bike Night every Thursday during the warmer months of the year, typically April through September.

Bike Night brings the riding community together, often bringing 500-600 people out to Worth. The night includes a live band, drinks, BBQ, and more.

"It is just so busy because you're outside here, in the warehouse, in the showroom. There's just hundreds of people that are just roaming this place all at one time. Having those business radios and constant, instant communication is crucial."

MIDLAND'S BUSINESS RADIOS- CLEAR AND EASY TO USE

Occhipinti says with Midland's BR10s, communication couldn't be more simple.

"The business radios are so easy to use. I was actually so shocked by how easy to use they are. It doesn't really require any training."

License free, the BR10 is ready to go out of the box, cutting down on time spent learning a new communication device.

For Occhipinti, the BR10 business radios don't just make for easy communication, but high-quality audio as well.

"What I really love about them is how crisp and clear the communication is. I could be out in the shack talking to someone in the back warehouse and it would sound like we are sitting right next to one another."

Moving around the dealership also puts gear to the test and for Occhippinti, the BR10 business radios more than stand up to everything each department throws their way.

"The radio itself, it feels sturdy. Nothing about this radio feels cheap. Radios I've used in the past haven't felt good when I've held them. These feel nice and high quality."

He'd recommend other dealerships use the BR10 business radios, but encourages them to add on accessories like headsets.

"If you want to have good communication that'll reach everyone, these are the solution."