Industry Leader: Ram Jack Distribution's Ron Davidson

It doesn't take any prodding to get Ron Davidson to talk about his success secrets. Davidson is responsible for dealer development at Ram Jack Distribution, Inc. in Ada, Oklahoma, a network of dealers who repair foundations throughout North America.

"Deal with people honestly, give your best effort, and continually study new ideas," notes Davidson.

Honesty is at the top of his list. After four years in the Air Force, then college, he worked 16 years as an insurance adjuster and then 12 years selling foundation repair to both residential and commercial property owners. In these roles he interacted with thousands of people, often at a time of crisis: their home was seriously damaged and needed repair. "People can feel what I call the Hooey Factor (like the BS Factor). They can see through people who are only telling them what they want to hear," notes Davidson.

"Don't promise things that can't be done. Give customers the facts, try to meet their expectations, but also try to educate them on their realities. It is like surgery, there is going to be a scar."

Giving one's best effort also rates high with Davidson. In the Air Force, he made each grade promotion in the minimum time. He was promoted to E-5 within three years of joining the Air Force. The insurance company he worked for was losing money in salvage. The company was spending too much time and money bidding out each salvage job. He recommended going with one company that would get all the salvage work on a percentage basis. This is now standard practice at the insurance company to this day.

Davidson is on the constant lookout for new ideas. He enjoys reading what is helping people in other industries be successful and figuring out how Ram Jack can implement similar ideas. "I have a marketing mind-set and get new ideas from everywhere, looking for a connection on how it might help a Ram Jack dealer grow his business."

Davidson believes the future will go to those who innovate: "In the 80's quality was the trend, in the 90's it was building big conglomerates and financial deals. I believe the future is innovation. Don't go to sleep, constantly improve. Once you think you know it all, you're in trouble."

It is no surprise the type of Ram Jack dealer Davidson looks for. "I look for people who already have a successful construction business that foundation repair would compliment. People with solid ethics, a good reputation in their community," he noted. "These people want to do a good job for themselves and for their families."

Davidson has lived in Ada, Oklahoma, a town of 18,000, since the first grade. He was born in Plainview, Texas. "Ada is a place where people know you, and you know them. But I'm still a Texan at heart. So you can tell me a little, but you can't tell me a lot."

One thing Davidson doesn't need to be told is that his job is changing. He currently spends half his time recruiting new Ram Jack dealers and the other half supporting existing dealers. But recruiting will be a smaller and smaller part of his job as territories get snapped up, and it won't be too long before dealer support is his total job function. That is just fine with Davidson.

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