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The second session of the three-part Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Virtual Series took place Feb. 18 with attendees from across the U.S. and around the world.
The central presentation, by Charlene Clark, Signature CanvasMakers, was called, “Scaling Your Business: Keys to Achieving Sustainable Growth.” Clark touched on the key elements needed to help effectively scale a business for growth. Scaling, Clark says, is about capacity and capability. It means setting the stage to enable and support growth in your business without negatively impacting it. “You need to spend more time working “on” your business rather than “in” your business,” says Clark. “You need a long-term vision and to ask yourself, ‘Do I want a successful business or a really expensive hobby?’”
Clark says scaling is an ongoing process that requires strategic planning and a big vision. It means brainstorming ideas of how to achieve that vision by carefully setting goals and timelines. “You need to set SMART goals to focus your energy and achieve your vision,” says Clark. “These goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.” Clark says this intentional, strategic approach is critical to achieving that vision. “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.”
The session included exhibitor spotlights with Julie Tinsman from Continental, Keith Purves from Trivantage and Bas Jan Veldhoen from SUREFAS. Tecsew, a high-tech boat cover manufacturer located in the United Kingdom, presented an impressive virtual tour of its facility. The session also included product giveaways, networking and gave attendees the opportunity to view the submissions and congratulate the winners in the remaining categories of the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards.
The final session in the MFA Virtual Series will take place March 18 and will include a presentation by Darren Arthur, Nautilux Custom Canvas, on “Next Generation Technology.” The session will include more giveaways, exhibitor spotlights, shop tours, networking and Tools, Tricks and Tips submitted by fabricators. It will take place from 3–5 pm EST, and is free to MFA members. For more information, and to register for the remaining session, visit https://marine.ifai.com/virtualseries/.