All Blog Posts (12,555)

Can Modern Solutions Protect Against Old School Practices?

Much has been written about Automotive Online Reputation Management and, fortunately, there are a number of companies and consultants now available to assist dealers in getting a handle on this crucial subject. Reputation and customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to dealers and there is little doubt that many negative online postings are either questionable or do not reliably portray the true culture of the dealership.

However, I believe that a dealership’s reputation is… Continue

Added by Jim Radogna on June 17, 2010 at 2:54pm — 1 Comment

Would You Remove Safety Items from a Vehicle Because the Customer Requests It?

I know this question seems ridiculous; of course you wouldn’t. This would not only be harmful to the customer and any of their passengers, but would also affect unsuspecting future owners who will be impacted by a decision they did not make. And then there are the legal ramifications! There is legal precedence for the customer not being held responsible for making safety-related decisions; one court in California ruled that the customer is not qualified to determine what is safe and unsafe, and… Continue

Added by David L. Newman on June 15, 2010 at 3:47pm — 1 Comment

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

When was the last time you worked with a manager and said, “that person is a great leader”? Early in my career, I can honestly say I learned more about what kind of leader I didn’t want to be rather than the kind I do want to be. Unfortunately, I found myself learning and practicing management traits of those poor leaders. It wasn’t until someone cared about me enough to tell me “you’re a prick to people at times” that I realized I needed to do something about…

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Added by Hoss Devine on June 13, 2010 at 8:30pm — No Comments

AdAgencyOnline.Net Uses Social Media To Teach Automotive Advertising Agencies About Automotive Advertising On The Internet

Automotive advertising agencies don't know what they don't know and they are turning to social networking communities like http://AdAgencyOnline.Net to listen and learn about the increasing role of social media in automotive advertising. Philip Zelinger, the President of Ad…

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Added by Philip Zelinger on June 11, 2010 at 2:26pm — No Comments

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD TV SCRIPT FOR YOUR DEALERSHIP

If you are advertising your dealership on television, you are likely more successful than the car stores in your market who are not using TV. There is no better advertising medium for selling automobiles than television. But, before you call the production crew to shoot your store and prior to…

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Added by Tom Letizia on June 11, 2010 at 12:25pm — 2 Comments

I Will Close You. Today.

When I woke this morning,

I ‘strapped on’ a correct, positive mindset,

Much like a soldier going into battle.

Which is what being in sales today is like.

(That is no disrespect to our true heroes.)

I took stock of yesterday’s successes &…

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Added by Scott Colley on June 10, 2010 at 2:00am — 2 Comments

Future F&I Office - No More Paper!

When I started reading this article I was agitated, thinking that electronic deal jackets, electronic signature pads, electronic document archives and electronic transmission of forms to lenders and vendors was a step towards reducing the F&I Manager's responsibility to a clerk. As I continued reading though, it became clear that the future (paperless) F&I office has been developing over time and based on the reliance of electronic convenience today, it's inevitable. With less time…

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Added by Cathy Aron on June 9, 2010 at 1:00pm — 2 Comments

Sales Consultants

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Added by Anna Corbett on June 9, 2010 at 9:20am — No Comments

7 Easy Ways to Generate 400% More Online Leads - Part 1

The Good, The Bad ... The Opportunity!

There is so much good to focus on when we look at how the car biz is amping up and accepting the formally fear inducing world on online marketing. That's why I hate focusing on the negatives, but alas, how can we ever grow unless we admit, identify and analyze our failures. Website conversion is one of those failures.

Now, we aren't talking about selling cars online here ... cuz that just… Continue

Added by David G Briand on June 8, 2010 at 1:50pm — 1 Comment

AdAgencyOnline.Net Links Social Networking Sites For Automotive Advertising Agencies On Auto Industry Insiders

AdAgencyOnline.Net is one of many online automotive advertising resource / networking portals that have formed to share best practices for automotive advertising agencies using social media. Philip Zelinger, the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and the host of the blog talk radio station…

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Added by Philip Zelinger on June 8, 2010 at 11:28am — No Comments

Leadership and Waiting: It Won't Get You Where You Want to Go

I have the privilege to work with the service department of a mid-sized dealership. The Service Director, whom I will call Bill, has a very aggressive plan for fixed operations. Bill wants to raise the bar on recruitment and selection, training, leadership, processes and sales. His ales initiative is the focus of this article.

Bill shared with his management team all operational date. The Service, Parts and Body Shop Managers pored over inventory costs, gross profits, process maps and… Continue

Added by Ron Terry on June 7, 2010 at 10:54pm — 1 Comment

The Technology Twister

When someone is given the task of starting up an e-commerce business for an automobile dealership they are bombarded with what to do and what not to do. It can be so discombobulating that your head will literally start spinning. Let's start with wondering which vendors to use when it comes to things like your website, data feed management, and the where to and which places to effectively market your inventory. Now throw a wrench into it with the all the different companies…

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Added by Bradley Belford on June 5, 2010 at 4:38pm — 1 Comment

Automotive Sales Training - Death of the Traditional Dealership - Part 2

Do you feel like you are missing out on something? Are you confused as to what the next step is in making your dealership successful? It’s a different ballgame than it was even just a few years ago. The traditional dealership is dead and you must bury it to prosper in the future.…

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Added by Mark Tewart on June 5, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Be a Leader of Change

Process improvement initiatives and change projects have become major milestones in many organizations’ history. Due to the dynamics of the external environment, many organizations find themselves in a continuum of change. The scope reaches from smaller project changes in particular sub-business units up, to corporation-wide transformation processes.

Unfortunately, not every process change leads to the expected results. There are multiple reasons for potential failure. Typical… Continue

Added by Bradley Belford on June 3, 2010 at 11:59am — 1 Comment

AdAgencyOnline.Net Promotes 2010 NIADA Convention and TARP Lending Program To Automotive Advertising Agencies

Philip Zelinger, the President of Ad Agency Online, L.L.C. and host of the automotive advertising resource/networking portal -- http://AdAgencyOnline.Net -- promoted the 2010 NIADA Convention and the TARP Lending Program on his blog talk radio station featured on AdAgencyOnline.Net --…

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Added by Philip Zelinger on June 2, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

#8 ON AMAZON RIGHT NOW

IF YOU'RE NOT FIRST, YOU'RE LAST WAS ON FOX TV SATURDAY AND

IS NOW #8 ON AMAZON AND WE EXPECT TO HIT #1 TONIGHT!!!!!1

Second, third and fourth tier players will suffer long after economy recovers. You have to

take on the attitude to dominate…

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Added by Grant Cardone on May 30, 2010 at 9:32pm — No Comments

AdAgencyOnline.Net Interviews Brian Pasch On Automotive Advertising Experts To Review Automotive Advertising Network - AAN

AdAgencyOnline.Net is a nationally recognized automotive advertising resource / networking portal that hosts a blog talk radio station -- WAAOL, All Automotive Advertising News All The Time…

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Added by Philip Zelinger on May 27, 2010 at 9:53am — No Comments

Close or Lose Memorial Day

Now is the time to get your troops ready for Memorial Day. Special Event are about closing not just about selling. Management you should start now by drilling your people on the following objections throughout the day to prepare them for the weekend.

Not Buying Today

Shopping Best Price

Best Price on the Lot

Price too High

Payments too High

Down Payment Too Much

Not Affordable

Not Enough for My…

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Added by Elena Rosaia on May 26, 2010 at 12:00am — No Comments

The New Breed of Shakedown Lawsuits

It seems like dealers just can’t catch a break when it comes to lawyers and lawsuits. Back in 2004, California businesses won a hard-fought battle against “shakedown” lawsuits with the passing of Proposition 64. Previously, the law had allowed any party to sue a company regardless of whether the plaintiff was directly affected. For example, lawyers were able to review car dealer ads in the newspaper, spot a violation of the Vehicle Code and file a lawsuit against the dealer, without any client… Continue

Added by Jim Radogna on May 25, 2010 at 7:59pm — No Comments

Conversion Rate Optimization for Your Dealership Website

Dealership website traffic is very important and there are many articles and blog posts about driving more people to your site whether it is SEO, SEM, Social Media or any other online marketing techniques, but today I want to talk about something else that is just as important. In fact I think it is more important. Focusing on your dealership conversion and how to optimize it is the real half of the equation that you need to… Continue

Added by Todd Smith on May 21, 2010 at 11:15am — No Comments