Last week I attended NCM’s semi-annual meeting of all its divisional directors, 20 Group moderators, Retail Operations consultants, and NCM Institute faculty members, who, along with our CEO set aside two and a half days to dialogue about what’s happening around the industry and within the company, and how best to address the needs of our clients.  As usual, it was a great encounter, with far too much agenda content and discussion for the overall time allotted.

One of the topics that…

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I wanted to share a story with you all that happened recently. So many times when working in an industry, we forget to look at the best practices of other industries and how we can apply them to our chosen professions.

 

My wife recently got hooked on blenders and purchased one that, after six months, did not perform to her satisfaction. I was promptly informed that we needed to upgrade. I did not fully understand why we needed to do this and the product she selected…

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Very few dealers are both aggressive and effective in selling Extended Service Agreements (ESAs) after the new or used vehicle has been delivered. If you are so fortunate to be among this minority, you don’t need to read any further. Since most F&I departments don’t seem to have the inclination or motivation to work these post-delivery opportunities, let’s explore an alternate strategy…structuring a process to have our service advisors aggressively and effectively sell ESAs in…

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In all of the training programs I attended as a salesperson, there was one question that was always brought up.  Can you guess what it is?  Here's a hint.  Every trainer who ever talked about it, called it the stupidest question you can ever ask.  Have an idea yet?  It's the age old - "Can I help you?"  How many of us had that pounded into our heads at every training session we ever attended?  And yet, the reason it's still talked about is that too many people are using it as a…

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Without spending too much time stuck on memory lane, I look back on some of the first cars I sold when I started in the business. There was a bill-of-sale, odometer statement for the trade-in, maybe a bank contract, and a buyers order. That was the entire paper process. You finished the deal by putting a stock tag on the trade (No FTC labels back then).



Within the year, there were added papers to verify that neither party tampered with the narrow gas tank h*** that was now standard… Continue

Way back in 1971, C.P. Snow wrote about technology in the New York Times. He said, “Technology... is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.”



Many dealers are voicing that sentiment these days. Far too few have done anything about it. Some have learned to use computer software with skill. They use the apps on iPhones, iPads, and Blackberries. They have created an effective Web site. They use FaceBook and Twitter and… Continue

The well-known poet, Maya Angelou, wrote something quite profound that I have never forgotten. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” It seems appropriate to remember it right now, after reading the growing discourse about whether or not ADM should have posted the article about the 10 Sexiest Women. It has revealed several interesting truths, especially about those who chose to comment. Not… Continue

Dozens of newly created automated menu systems are popping up on Internet sites and

through sales vendors claiming their use will vastly increase dealer profits

while limiting liability. Of course each system is “the best one available!”

Can you believe the advertising…

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For most dealers nationwide, a one-pricing sales strategy is a tough concept to accept. To even

suggest that their sales staff should be given the authority to finalize every

transaction at their desks and include the menu presentation without sending

any customer into “the box” is heart-stopping for them. What about banning the

F&I office altogether?…

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Time Management for a Better Bottom Line and Improved CSI

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Full Disclosure Menu Selling or Not?



You would think with the magnifying glass on car dealerships around the country today, F&I managers would take heed of the importance placed on full disclosure selling. You would think they would understand why disclosing a base payment, the APR, the term and all buying numbers prior to offering other product options is critically important.





Unfortunately, there is still confusion regarding “full-disclosure” menu… Continue