Going back to school...often a "resolution" for the New Year.  Several free sites exist, all well know and well respected exist where we can all go to improve our knowledge.  While you won't get a degree from these sites, you can get a certificate of completion.  I for one am not necessarily a "Certificate collector" and value the information much more.

Here are three site I am aware of:

MIT online: …

As 2012 approaches, we face the usual uncertainty about what will happen to a slate of federal income tax breaks that are scheduled to expire on December 31. If you pay attention to tax issues, you know this has become an annual ritual.

What could happen to all these tax breaks?

• In some cases, Congress may extend them -- but they just haven't gotten around to it or they can't agree on what should be included in a proposed law. So on some tax breaks, there is a good…

Social Media Tip #105~ FACEBOOK TIMELINE



This week's social media tip is specifically for personal profiles: Facebook's new Timeline feature was just recently rolled out to the public, and it has a lot to offer, both for personal use and for professionals looking to increase awareness of their business.



To get Timeline for your Facebook profile, visit the Timeline Facebook page and follow the…

Jim Zeigler has really brought to light for us with TrueCar deal . Bobby Compton has to be one of the kindness people in the world. There are little women on here but they have some powerful info from time to time. I think they should be noticed as well. There are some really cool people on here and I think should be noticed in some way for there effort.  What do you think? Happy New Year.

Truecar , Truecar , Truecar ...... blah blah blah .... it has been shoved down our throats now for the better part of the last month and I for one am tired of the crying , belly aching , and worrying about the collapse of an old school dealership world that believe it or not collapsed years ago and is currently in the stages of rebuilding . States are questioning ethics and tatics used , dealers that pay a nice chunk of state taxes (coincidence?) are complaining about DMS data and…

What a year we've had.  There were ups and downs, but I'm so looking forward to next year.  I had the privilege of working with enough dealers to see an even bigger need for training in 2012.  But, my challenge is not that I see it, but getting dealers to see it as well.  As many in my industry know, the most common objection to training of any kind is that the dealer has it handled.  They just don't see a need.  In my opinion, many of them just don't see!

For example:  Follow-up. …

     Every one of us has seen it. We all know someone if not multiple people who just dont get it. We have all had days that we were just in a lazy mood, or just didnt feal like doing any real work. We have all had at least one incident where we were with a customer and got a little too cocky, or told ourselves that there was no deal there. We are all guilty of not performing at our full potential.

     The truth is that success can be achieved by anyone who wants it. Notice…

As I’ve written previously, the two most important elements of effective Accountability Management are 1) measuring what you need to manage and 2) inspecting what you expect. In the Service Department, the repair order analysis process is one of the essential steps in executing these two accountability elements.

The R.O. analysis is intended to provide information about Customer-Paid (C-P) sales that is supplemental to that available in the typical DMS. The proactive Service Manager…

10)  Anyone discussing TRUECar will have their membership revoked

 9)  Profile pictures must have been taken within the last five years

 8)  For a kinder, gentler site Jim Ziegler will now be referred to as "The Omega Butterfly"

 7)  Craig Lockerd to be fully clothed in any and all videos

 6)  Bobby Compton to reveal some kind of flaw... I mean really dude there's gotta be SOMETHING!

 5)  Any video posted by Brad Alexander to be mandatory viewing and…

About a year ago, I stopped messing around with the occasional work out and and the I "think" I eat well program.  I went crazy, 6 days a week of workouts, eating lots and lots of chicken, rice, and fish, protein shakes, and loads of supplements to include, Ginko, fish oil, borage oil, flaxseed oil, massive antioxidants, etc...  Bottom line is that I am looking forward to 2012 now and feel I am in the zone. I feel awesome.  Might look like 100 bucks but I feel like a million...lol Never been…

The people being interviewed are interviewing you too. So what do you have to offer that is better than the dealer down the street? You will never attract and keep good sales reps without having a good pay plan and training.  We know the problem and here is how to fix it. Start with what you have. Pay bonuses on increases of productivity only. Pay on the increase and you never have to pay unless you make your money first. All departments should be envolved in this bonus.Whoever wins the…

You Have Social Media Marketing Plan for 2012.....Right?

Social Media is marketing and everything we do on-line reflects our “brand”. You need to think through the process about what you want to achieve in your Social Media efforts and set goals and objectives to know how effective your efforts really are.

Used properly it will achieve your branding goals…

You cannot manage what you can’t measure.  As more and more consumers flock to your dealership website, you must focus your attention to optimizing the ease of which your prospects obtain information about you. …

By now most have their wish list for the New Year …?

Annual Forecast should be turned in as well…

That doesn’t mean taking last years and simply changing the date either!

Along with the forecast should also be a well thought out game plan of attack.

How much thought do we really put into that plan?

Is it a punishment?…

Recently I started consulting for an automotive group.  A few of their stores were in serious trouble with warranty claims that were aging and an outstanding accounts receivable that just seemed to keep growing.  They had a wonderful person performing the claims input.  She was a very nice person.  Always on time.  Never took a longer lunch break than was allowed.  They told me that she never once called in sick the entire time of her employment.  Matter of fact, she didn't even join in…

Are you interested in improving yourself? or are you only interested in changing your circumstances? - Dave Blanchard

Real Honesty Check here for sure....

Are you opened to the possibility that you can't do the second without doing the first?

In 2012 I am committed to a healthier lifestyle.  I'm committed to being the best father I can be.  I'm committed to giving, giving, giving more value to my clients than they pay for.  I'm committed to feeding my brain positive…

QR CODES FOR BUSINESS ~ Have you used one lately?

Quick Response Codes – commonly known as QR Codes – were first invented in Japan over a decade ago, where they were used by automotive…

I have always believed there is a valid reason why dealership website designers include a “Used Vehicle Specials (UVS)” page in their master plan. Because if I were a used vehicle prospect cruising dealers’ websites, when I click on “Used Vehicles” and a drop-down appears with one of the choices being “Specials” (or “Featured Vehicles”), I would certainly go there first before taking a deep dive into the overall used vehicle inventory. However, most dealership managers must not think that…

Hopefully many dealers have had their strategic planning meetings with their staff and set goals for next year.  Identified their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats...established the tactics they will use to accomplish their goals. Mind maps are helpful tools you might consider...many free or inexpensive mind mapping tools are available online or as apps for ipads and such.  I use ithoughts on the ipad.  A good friend prefers the web based …