Who doesn't like a nice front-end gross profit? Most of us would be lying if we said otherwise. In the last three years, things have been different, right? For the first time in years, we consistently held a healthy front-end gross profit on new vehicles. Something that seemed to be of a bygone era. Previously, we'd focus on how much we're willing to lose to hit the stair-step program from the OEM. It has been…

Difficult phone customers are the most nerve-wracking thing to deal with as a sales agent or customer service representative. Even if you have years of experience, having someone get upset or yell at you can just ruin your day. Luckily, there are skills that you can develop that make these calls easier and can even help you deescalate the situation successfully. …

We'd be lying if we said we didn't enjoy the stint when cars drove off the lot faster than we could purchase more inventory. But as that winds down, we must ask ourselves, "are we prepared to sell cars again?" Let's be honest; in the last three years, we could easily overcome objections, and more so, we could even hold record levels of gross. But did we actually follow a sales process in this frenzy? Most will…

There is nothing better than a well-oiled machine when it comes to working efficiency. On a dealership level, by that, I mean - everyone has a set of specific tasks, they focus on completing while co-workers perform separate/similar work for the greater good as well. In theory, this is the way a great business operates and succeeds. But is that truly the case when it comes to phone etiquette and process at a…

There are a few points to consider when debating on adding a service BDC. How big is your shop? What are your primary appointments being made? Are your advisors overworked, or can they handle making their own appointments? These are all important things to consider when determining whether a service BDC is right for your shop. 

A large shop should be bringing in much work. That statement alone…

It's hard to believe that March 2020 will soon be three years behind us. Digital Retailing became more than just a call to action on our websites three years ago. Many dealers quickly responded to the pandemic by offering customers the ability to purchase their vehicles online. Or in some cases, dealers provided at-home delivery. But just because dealers offered customers the ability to purchase their…

Over the past few years, managers have been working to turn every stone in the dealership regarding opportunities. One phenomenal idea created is called an “upgrade” or “exchange” program. If you’re not up to speed, a sales associate spends time in the service lane, and their job is to speak to potential service customers and work to convert that customer to a new vehicle sale AND retain a trade from the…

What Does the Future of the Automotive Industry Look Like?

The automotive industry may feel like it is in constant flux, but there is actually a lot more stability than you might otherwise think based on the news reports. That doesn’t mean that the industry isn’t experiencing some major developments. Technology is constantly changing how the world operates, and car dealerships…

For The First Time in DrivingSales Executive Summit. two DSES Best Idea Winners Co-Present at DSES2022



Join Bryan Armstrong and Myself on Oct 10 from 11:00 -11:40 AM PDT for our session on:



Setting Up Your Service Advisors for Success Online Like You Do Your…

Anyone can have work-related goals, but not everyone will achieve them. To achieve goals, we have to better ourselves. And to better ourselves, it takes practice and training.

So, while we often try to motivate our Sales Consultants and BD Agents by asking about their goals, we aren't always assisting them,…

https://youtu.be/IqxP3u3EzW0

(8/24/22) Morning Minute:

The phone screeched with a piercing, unavoidable ring!

This was not part of today’s plan. I had 2 appointments scheduled for this morning and did not need this interruption.

As I answered the call, Bob introduced himself. One of my clients referred him to me. His son had turned 16 and he wanted a used…

If automotive dealers know that a car with unattractive photos receives zero clicks and ultimately fewer leads, why are they still having so many problems?  

I get asked all the time “Why do I need to shoot from a specific distance?”, “Why do I need to move the car for the light?”, and “Why does this detail matter?” 

That’s why I wanted to point out the five most common mistakes I STILL see dealers constantly making with…

Have you ever pulled one of your Sales Consultants or BD Agents into your office because a lead didn’t get answered? And that lead just so happened to be a mystery shop? And instead of your Sales Consultant or BD Agent saying, “we did miss this one, and I will get with the team to review our process,” they said, “we didn’t get that lead”? 

If you don’t think this happens, then you’re losing…

What Experts are saying:

We all know that the mix of low inventory and higher prices on vehicles has affected sales. The world, after all, doesn’t revolve around gross alone. What wasn’t expected was an 11% drop in new car sales from April to May. This has some experts concerned about an upcoming economic downturn. “The market appears increasingly concerned about the economy, inflation, rising interest rates, and a recession,” Joseph Spak, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a…

If the current economy is worrying anyone else, welcome to the madhouse. This isn’t the first-time interest rates have traveled north and buying power and disposable income are low, however when things like this happen businesses struggle to stay afloat. The only thing that’s different this time around is we are also navigating the tail end of a global pandemic that has turned many industries on end and shuttered businesses in its wake.…

The most important thing a sales associate can do for a customer right now is listening to their needs. Customers have been shuffled through the proverbial cattle shoot recently; with the current market availability and the automotive industry needs to remember that this is just a period were moving through, not an industry standard. There have been insane markups and a “take it or leave it” mentality that will cripple the dealerships that have adopted this mindset as permanent. …