Sell Like It Was Yesterday

I have loved the automobile business since the day I sold my first car in 1987.  I remember collecting that commission check, as an 18 year old kid, who was in shock and awe that someone would pay me that kind of money to do something that I loved.  It was a simple time; look out the window, make sure you never miss an up, do the walk around, the demo drive, the service walk and make sure if you cannot…

As a salesperson, there are a thousand different theories on how to talk with your customers to help them find the right vehicle. Entire books have been written on the subject, but the overwhelming majority say that the most important task is to know your customer. And the best advice I’ve heard on this task–learning about people I’ve met for the first time–comes from the classic sci-fi series Babylon 5. Confused yet?…

A long time ago I read a book called "Death by Meeting" it was a great book written by Patrick Lencione.  Although the book was filed with great concepts and ideas, I remember taking away one thing from it; Don't meeting yourself to death. Instead, actually go do something. 

I teach everyone around me to actually ask themselves in any down time of the day at all "What should or could I be doing now".   Have the one minute manager meetings, get the heck out of them and go put…

Don't commit digital Suicide.   

Sitting in a few conferences over the past few weeks, I have been able to confirm my suspicions.  There are many dealers and vendors that think tradition media is dead.  They are on the road of committing digital suicide for dealers all over the country.  If you are lucky enough not to be infected by this yet, you will be able to dominate your market easier than ever.  I should mention…

Those of you who know me at all know I do not dabble in little projects often.  I like to spend my days breaking records, thinking big and planning attacks on the competition.  That said, it is always good to have a plan in place to follow that has been carefully crafted to do all those things.

This is my plan for 2013 and you are welcome to…

As a manager, and a business owner I am constantly amazed at how people hold themselves back.   One thing I noticed recently and I think is probably an epidemic in this country, is that people get very very caught up in their comfort zone.  I have developed a speech for these people and have had much success with it. ( especially sales managers)   Simply take your employee that is living in COMFORT and tell them that what you want them to do for the next 30 days is just focus on getting…

I am going to cut to the chase here because your time is valuable and reading on and on....and on the ramblings of a “expert” is not really how you make money.  I will show you how to DOUBLE your business and it is no joke.  With no reservation I will tell you I have done it time and time again.  It takes two main ingredients and a commitment to the “success recipe”.  

The ingredients are the hardest to find really.  I have walked away from many a deal…

I thought it might be a nice gesture to share what I think are three major mistakes made by dealers when buying direct mail.  

1st.  Buying for the budget.  Many dealerships buy just because they have budget left to spend.  This on it's own is not the problem.  The problem lies in the fact that normally when this is the case they will just buy any piece that has a current theme on it and expect it to win.  An example would be, right now November is coming up and dealers who…

I have been asked multiple times in my life how do I make every dealership I go to head in the right direction?  I think the answer is really simple and always hope it comes across as humble as possible.  Here it goes.

There are three key elements…