Transparency is supposed to cure the excess profit that dealerships make on selling a “commodity”. We’re discussing a platform that promises “upfront pricing” as the “new world order” but cautions “its arrival heralds a bona fide tipping point in automotive retailing”. Transparency offers the customers an “upfront pricing” that is “non-negotiable in an environment defined by net margin compression”

Some say, we don’t want transparency suggesting instead that we prefer deceit and…

During MARKIT Group social media training sessions, we discover that in an effort to be efficient, training classes often have a wide range of participants - some very experienced, others totally new to social media.  On that note, we will be posting weekly social media tips in an effort to provide some quick and easy tips that users of all experience can utilize.

Friday Facebook Social Media…

Anything that helps you sell cars long term is a good thing,short term not good.As far as TRUE CAR goes I encourage you to get your salespeople to go to the site and try it. At least they they will know what the consumers are seeing. Paying 295.00 for a new car lead and 395.00 for a used car lead doesn't say much about the dealership. Low gross and no gross does not help a salesperson or a dealership. The consumers should see the TRUE CAR presentation to the dealers. They remind you of all…

If you have been around long enough, you'll remember that when the Internet first came to national attention, it was often called the Internet Highway.  Business owners were told that they needed to get their business on this promising new road.

I chuckled last year when Sean Wolfington showed by a vintage automotive marketing that…

NCM® Associates has been facilitating 20 Groups since 1947. And even from those early days, our moderators and member dealers have focused on the Net Profit to Gross Profit Percentage (Net-to-Gross %) as a key metric of perfor­mance measurement. Over at least the last three decades, the NCM 20 Group community has established 30% Net-to-Gross (BOT*) as the “best practices…

One of the toughest decisions that most business owners struggle with is deciding whether to commit to training programs that are not associated to a capital investment.

Unfortunately, this resistance stems from the poor track record that many of these training programs have in producing measureable results. Although these concerns are often unspoken, it explains why many business owners are hesitant to commit to outside training solutions even though they know that it is desperately…

I personally can't imagine not performing a walk-around.  A walk-around is where I start building rapport with my customers and most of all start my upselling.  Also, when you have your customer join you in your walk-around it elimates policy claims on scratches and dents as well.

Results for me have been high CSI scores, 50% increase in sales (wipers, tires, recommended maintenances, filters, rotates, and most of all, building…

Good morning,

I wanted to share an article written by Paul Long, explaining the way companies can express their appreciation to their customers, and how inexpensive it can be. Take a look, and see how you can thank your loyal customers in an easy and effective way.

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‘Putting a Lid on Loyalty – Little Things Can Mean a Lot’

Since we are in the business of loyalty marketing – and indeed it is our only…

At times I feel like a newspaper reporter on the Google "beat" just trying to stay up with the latest changes in Google search, Google Places, Google paid search, and their social strategy.  

This week I noticed that Google is exposing the details of the Google Places listing on a search that…

Continuous Improvement Team (CIT) - I have seen many dealerships in the United States with CIT teams and a lot of dealerships without CIT teams.  I must admit there is dealerships that also have CIT teams and not utilized to the fullest potential.

Structure on building a CIT…

There is a distinct taste of irony to this post. I made my feelings known about cross-posting on all of the social networks earlier this month. Now I must break my own personal rule.

This time, I have good reason.

We're trying to compile a…

One of my most favorite sayings in the world goes like this:

“A sale, like a war, is won by many battles and lost

by one”

This is true across every industry and business and why there is no single ZMOT (Zero Moment Of Truth). There are multiple events that take a…

I know, I know some things never change, Right?! ... WRONG.  I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that are going to disagree with me on what I'm about to disclose – and that's okay; as long as they have put them both to the test like I have.  I have been in the auto industry for just a few months short of 12 years. I have consistently been reading, and scouring the Internet for the best training information I could find to improve my automotive sales career.  I wanted to share with…

(as appears on our Car Chat 24  blog today).

Once you saw “Tis the Season” in the title, did you get a little scared? Don’t worry, I cringed a bit writing it. Alas, I do have an…

Got a stack of magazines on your desk? Tear out relevant articles and ditch the rest. You will get through it faster and feel better.  

If you want to fancy it up, separate your articles into folders or files.

If you are digitally savvy, scan them in, fax them to yourself, or take a photo with…

Good afternoon,

I wanted to share another blog post Paul Long wrote, in regards to the value customers find in staying loyal to your brand. 

Have a look, and see what your customers may be thinking when they walk into your dealership.

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What do I get for staying loyal to your…

 I just came back form a work shop in Michigan. I said lets talk like friends and ask any question you want. Before I got started a guy in the back said,is this one of those motivational deals that you go home all fired up and don't know what to do? Before I could answer a guy up front spoke. He said, I don't need to know that I should get my name out there as much as possible. Are you going to show us how? I told him I will show you how to spend one dollar per customer and get your name…