As an invited guest to the NAS Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum, I had the honor of attending the "winging" of a group of young aviators.  Rear Admiral Mark Vance was the guest speaker to address this assembly of recently graduated Navy and Marine aviators with a welcome to the fleet speech.  I found myself feeling like I too was being given a "charge to order on the tip of the spear".  The…

Dealer Specialties is excited to announce a nationwide educational summit titled Inventory Control:Drive Results to Your Showroom through Analytics and Merchandising.  This new summit is designed to help dealers accelerate their inventory management program by sharing best practices for new and used vehicles around internet marketing as well as pricing and…

(originally published 6/3/2011 on Dealer magazine)

The other day, I started thinking about all the friends I’ve made that I met because they bought a car from me. I’m not talking about acquaintance-type friends, I’m talking about people that are involved in my life, and have been for a long…

Today wasn’t any different from any other- just another day. One salesperson is on the verge of divorce; another is separated from his wife and two kids; another was late today due to a bad dialysis treatment; the other one didn’t cover his draw last month and doesn’t know how he can make ends meet; another had to be picked up while walking down the road after his car broke down; and another is shocked having made a follow up call to a customer -no answer; the customer is on the run…

May Sales Drop – A Blip or a Trend?

Just when we were beginning to feel good about the auto industry following eight months of sales growing by percentages in the double digits, sales plunged in May, down 4% from May of last year.

The question is whether the drop will be a trend the rest of the year or a “minor” disruption for a couple of months. The major challenge is lack of inventory resulting from the earthquake in Japan earlier this year. The lack of inventory has led to…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/grant-cardone/dominate-dont-compete_b_610484.html

DOMINATION by Grant Cardone

Finding common ground is the next step after professionally introducing yourself to a customer. (You do that don't you?) Some people, like my mom, have a natural knack for being able to talk to anyone; if you are like me, I struggle in this department. I am an introvert by nature and an extrovert by profession. When I worked in surveillance for…

The Jeweler 

I joined a family member this weekend as she went to the famous Jewelers Row in Philadelphia in an attempt to sell back her diamond engagement ring from a relationship that ended last year. It was the final nail in the coffin that she needed to hit in order to move on.

She asked me to go along with her for emotional support, and who am I to turn down a family member? Especially…

In a make believe world, If dE bought a dealership and we had these 6 Automotive Legends (in their prime) 

Who would be the Best Dealer? Why?

Jackie B. Cooper / Joe Verde / Jim Ziegler / Dave Anderson / David Lewis / Grant Cardone…

Christy Roman, CEO and Founder of Now Marketplace will be sharing her automotive marketing and expertise at the upcoming PCG Pit Stop Conference in Chicago.

Chicago is the first stop in the seven city tour planned for 2011. The Chicago…

I love reading Jim Ziegler’s articles there is a lot of hard core truth in what he writes, most of all you can bet he is passionate and believes and lives every word. While reading this latest article “Coffee’s for Closers” it floored me that we still see this connection between the “PRICE” and the "Close". What’s even more ironic is that is that what actually “CLOSES” a car sale is as old school as it…

With summer here and hot weather with it, what is proper attire for dealership employees? At our dealership our sales, parts , and service are allowed to wear polo style shirt with our company logo but no jeans and no shorts. The first dealer I ever worked for required dress shirt and tie (and they still do). Some other dealers in our area allow shorts and polo shirts. So my question is what is professional attire in todays market? Does it depend on what…

Friends and Colleagues,

There was some exciting news shared with me, and I think it is going to have a big impact on our industry in the near future.  



Briefly let me explain:  I have been using this system to take care of my automobile clients since October of 2007; and I think it is the perfect tool for a salesperson in the automotive industry to keep track of their clients, send cards to congratulate them on their new purchase (with a photo or…

Start with your presentation. Be yourself. Having a game plan will be fantastic. Put your everything into the customer, you  presently are working with. Put 100%, into listening, presenting, closing. Know now, this customer, is your future. Remember, you never know who you are really talking to. Use positive word tracks, at all times. Nothing is so difficult, that you cannot overcome. We are in the people business. A canned presentation, gives no flexibility, to the customer. This is very…

Disappointment

Hey dE! I don't get to blog much since I'm always working on making dE the best website ever, but since I'm working my 3rd 8:30-9er, I figured I can spare a few minutes.

I was sitting here doing my work as usual when hunger struck. Was thinking a Snickers bar would do the trick. So I got up to walk to the vending machine. Mind you, I love Snickers! So I got out my dollar bill and saw…

Want to really screw up your car? Start messing with it without having a clue what you’re doing.

Doing your own tune-ups is a great way to save money and get…