Semper=always

Why Semper Gumby?

It is well-known that the motto of the Marine Corps is "Semper Fidelis" (Or "Semper Fi"): "Always Faithful."

Well, it is often said that the motto of the Marine Spouse is "Semper Gumby" or: "Always flexible."


Make 'Semper Gumby'
Your Business Motto
Most everyone knows the old and proud United States Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis.

As all good mottos are, the Marine version is Latin to give it a bit more serious weightiness. The motto means Always Faithful, a mantra that has guided the Marine Corps to success for 225 years.

But when I was a young Marine corporal with an infantry battalion, we had a slightly different slogan to reflect the ever-changing nature of our lives in the USMC: Semper Gumby - Always Flexible.

A joke, certainly. Of course there's always a kernel of truth behind such jokes. Last-minute changes to our plans were as natural and predicable as gravity. We needed to be flexible in order to succeed and do our jobs well (and stay sane!).

The ability to be flexible is a skill, a way of thinking, a way of doing business and it's necessary if you want to survive in the world - the Marine Corps world or otherwise.

Take your own business for example. I suspect there are very few parts stores and WDs that operate today the exact same way they did 20 years ago, even a decade ago. And if you're smart, you will probably run your business in 2001 a little differently than you did in 2000.

Follow another Latin motto, Semper Eadem, and you're bound to have problems. Semper Eadem, by the way, was Elizabeth I's motto and means Always the Same - probably a good thing for 16th century English queens, but bad policy for modern-day businesses. If you operate your business the Semper Eadam way, you'll be unprepared for the changes that are bound the hit our industry in the coming year.

Semper Gumby - always be flexible, and you'll be well prepared to tackle the challenges of the 21st century aftermarket and beyond.

On a related note, Counterman too is following the Semper Gumby motto. There are a few new sections in the magazine that I'd like to point out.

New Counterman contributor and author John Rogers brings his unique look at small business trends to Business Beat. Business Beat will appear monthly.

New Niches will examine new opportunities for parts stores to expand business. This month, Associate Editor Melanie Deitch takes a look at the light truck and SUV parts market.

Throughout the coming year, we will add even more technical, sales and store management content to the pages of Counterman to help you stay Semper Gumby!