I recently asked Dealer Elite Members what they thought of using Groupon to sell cars- no matter what we all think the idea seems to have fallen flat.  REad the complete article at…

Nicki Allen of Classic Mazda and Classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Denton gives new perspective to some traditional ideas in the automotive business.  A focus on new technology defines a new attitude for these Texas dealerships. Click the image above for the full feature.

I popped open my DealerKnows email this morning and saw that Google Analytics sent out a Benchmark Newsletter.  (See below).  If you recall, when signing up for your Google Analytics account, you were offered to "opt-in" to anonymous data-sharing with Google.  Well they've consolidated the data and are making some modifications to their standard benchmarking report.  The information is revealing, but how does the…

Do you remember the ad you answered for your first sales job at a dealership?  What was the minimum education level they wanted?  PhD?  Masters?  Not likely.  Most have listed that you need a high school diploma for consideration.  And, as I recall, no one ever really checked.  If that's the minimum, what if they told you that to be really successful you'd need the equivalent of five college educations? …

Have you ever heard someone say …

“it’s not MY job”

Or….

Finger point at another employee,……..

thus blaming them for the shortfall??

Or better yet, make up an elaborate story to simply cover their butts??

These people suffer from “victimitis”….

They feel they are the victims in every situation. They never hold themselves accountable and everyone else is…

Create Your Own Positive Path

Your attitude influences your world and everything you do in it.

It defines the energy you send out and, in turn, takes shape and color in your circumstances.

If you…

The Penske Automotive Group is catching up to AutoNation in the total revenue department. A few years ago, AutoNation was generating about $20 billion in annual revenue, while Penske was at about $8 billion.

Penske has narrowed the gap considerably generating $10.6 billion last year to AutoNation's $12.4 billion ($12.5 if you round up). And now Penske has added about $257 million worth of revenue with today's acquisition of Crevier BMW in Santa Ana, CA. Crevier is the fifth…

“What is the number one challenge most dealers have with improving profits?”  1) Employee Turnover, 2) Capital, 3) Inventory, 4) Process, and 5) Recruiting Talent.  Of those polled, 30% answered “Recruiting Talent”.

It is not rocket surgery (it is easier to build a rocket than trouble shoot and repair one) as to how talent affects the dealership’s bottom line.  What puzzles me is why…

Our recent poll, "What is the number 1 challenge most dealers have with improving profits?" shows that RECRUITING TALENT and PROCESSES are the #1 challenge to improving our profits as dealers. The question now becomes:

• Are RECRUITING TALENT and…

Both automotive management and…

You have everything you need to be an impact player in this world. You are equipped with unique talents to reach your potential. When you discover your talents and and refine your skills,you become unstoppable. There are no extraordinary people out there, only…

Here's a question -- what's the craziest or most clever marketing scheme you've seen from a car dealer?

Some of the old giants in the industry -- Jim Moran, Cal Worthington, Earl Muntz andcountless others -- put together some wild and over the top marketing schemes. Moran probably was the first dealer to advertise on TV with a variety show and his sponsorship of a wrestling show in Chicago long before he created JM Enterprises, the largest Toyota distributorship in the…

How do you desk your deals? Maybe you don’t even desk deals. Either way, it is inevitable that you get to a point in the sale, where you have to talk about the deal and the make-up of the deal. If your process is set up where you send a salesperson back and forth, two and three times, ask yourself why?  Does it make you feel good after the third time, you come out from behind the desk, go in the deal, talk…

I love watching good, strong short motivational videos.  I just watched the Steve Job commencement address at Stanford, though it was 15 minutes long it's Steve Jobs...So I was entertained.  My personal favorite under ten minutes is Anthony Robbins telling the Sylvester Stallone Story.   I am curious who might have other great motivational stuff for me to listen to (Short and to the point to get my day going) and share with everyone here.  Thank you in advance for any thoughts and…

BDC, Internet Department, Web Sites.  Yes it seems that dealers are really jumping in on doing business in the 21st century.  Me too.  I am always looking for ways to spread the word, promote, solicit, and generate business using the power and the economy of the Internet.  In fact, just this morning, I sent out a small blast to 500 select dealers promoting a new service offering.  I was amazed and shocked at what I learned.

Our…

They don't make them like Red McCombs any more. Billy Joe (B.J. or Red, as he known) is a legend -- not just in automotive retail -- but in the history of American business.

When you have a few minutes, check out Brad Wernle's profile of MCombs in Automotive News. Wernle is one of the top reporters in automotive and does an awesome job of capturing…