In previous commentaries, I have written about a few of the core elements that describe the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA). These elements characterize the value that MBCA delivers to members and have become non-negotiable basics of the re-imagined 21st-century MBCA. An aspiration that I hold is for our club to be recognized as the undisputed authority on Mercedes-Benz automobiles past, present and future. This month, my topic is “expertise.”
According to the popular reference source, Wikipedia, “Expertise consists of those characteristics, skills and knowledge of a person (that is, expert) or of a system, which distinguish experts from novices and less experienced people.” Because of their enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz marque, many MBCA members have contributed to an extensive database of information. The breadth of member expertise includes driving, restoration, historical data, and technical instruction, to name a few. Much of their expertise is the product of personal experiences.
The subject experts on the MBCA Technical/Restoration Committee monitor TechTalk at the website, www.mbca.org, responding directly to questions posed by participants. In addition, the website includes an active forum in which members and guests can request information and respond to others’ posts. It is an important means of sharing member experience and knowledge. The forums are searchable by keyword and facilitate the exchange of information among forum participants.
Every issue of The Star® includes technical information and a buyers guide. Clearly, the accumulated information contained in many years of Star articles is copious. The MBCA website includes an index of Star articles dating back to 1983 and enables members to search a database for more recent articles by keyword. The searchable Star database not only facilitates access to useful information, on demand, but it contributes greatly to the sustainability of the MBCA.
The MBCA demonstrates driving expertise by featuring a defensive-driving program for participants in its national events and includes a spectrum of driving-skills instruction. A syllabus that describes the defensive-driving course is available as a club resource. In addition, the MBCA Educational Foundation introduced the “Safe Drivers, Safe Families” teen-driving course at StarFest® 2012. This program is designed to help less experienced drivers develop effective defensive-driving skills.
For the members who restore and display vintage and collectible automobiles, the National Concours Committee is a valuable source for automotive expertise. There is a deep reservoir of information available about preservation and restoration of Mercedes-Benz automobiles through the MBCA.
Through the club resources such as the technical sessions, forums, TechTalk, The Star magazine articles, the biennial StarTech event, defensive-driving programs and member-to-member information exchanges, participants benefit from the collective and enthusiastic expertise of the MBCA.
Let’s drive ‘em,
Steve
According to the popular reference source, Wikipedia, “Expertise consists of those characteristics, skills and knowledge of a person (that is, expert) or of a system, which distinguish experts from novices and less experienced people.” Because of their enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz marque, many MBCA members have contributed to an extensive database of information. The breadth of member expertise includes driving, restoration, historical data, and technical instruction, to name a few. Much of their expertise is the product of personal experiences.
The subject experts on the MBCA Technical/Restoration Committee monitor TechTalk at the website, www.mbca.org, responding directly to questions posed by participants. In addition, the website includes an active forum in which members and guests can request information and respond to others’ posts. It is an important means of sharing member experience and knowledge. The forums are searchable by keyword and facilitate the exchange of information among forum participants.
Every issue of The Star® includes technical information and a buyers guide. Clearly, the accumulated information contained in many years of Star articles is copious. The MBCA website includes an index of Star articles dating back to 1983 and enables members to search a database for more recent articles by keyword. The searchable Star database not only facilitates access to useful information, on demand, but it contributes greatly to the sustainability of the MBCA.
The MBCA demonstrates driving expertise by featuring a defensive-driving program for participants in its national events and includes a spectrum of driving-skills instruction. A syllabus that describes the defensive-driving course is available as a club resource. In addition, the MBCA Educational Foundation introduced the “Safe Drivers, Safe Families” teen-driving course at StarFest® 2012. This program is designed to help less experienced drivers develop effective defensive-driving skills.
For the members who restore and display vintage and collectible automobiles, the National Concours Committee is a valuable source for automotive expertise. There is a deep reservoir of information available about preservation and restoration of Mercedes-Benz automobiles through the MBCA.
Through the club resources such as the technical sessions, forums, TechTalk, The Star magazine articles, the biennial StarTech event, defensive-driving programs and member-to-member information exchanges, participants benefit from the collective and enthusiastic expertise of the MBCA.
Let’s drive ‘em,
Steve