I find it interesting that many dealerships blast a client with high-pressure sales tactics on maintenance items before they even diagnose the primary concern. If a customer brings their car in for a squeaking noise in the brakes, and they are offered $856 of other maintenance that is needed in the advisors mind before discussing their primary concern, this advisor is heading for trouble.

Many times technicians and advisors recommend services based on the latest…

As a husband and father to 5 daughters, the cartoon above is, at times, a pretty accurate description of my life. I’m sure all men in similar situations have found that couch or chair they inevitably get placed in while the females in their lives try on shoes, clothes or whatever they may need.  In reality, I shop more than my wife and kids… they just don't go…

I spend a lot of quality time with auto dealers, and am often surprised at the state of their online marketing programs. Sometimes I am even downright outraged at how some online marketing…

Remember the days when television actually closed for the night? In those days, if you were up late enough, inevitably you’d hear the Star-Spangled Banner followed by that creepy off-the-air snow that is a potent reminder of the movie Poltergeist.

Television has been a part of most people’s lives since the late 40’s. DVRs or online streaming weren’t even a…

Every now and then I find the automotive digital marketing controversies and handwringing on sites like LinkedIn, DealerElite.net and others to be both humorous and disturbing.

Humorous, because it’s really not all that complicated (yet some people insist on adding drama to everything); and disturbing, because no matter what the issue, the bad advice always seems to outweigh the good. (Usually because those creating the…

When I read these questions on the Careerbuilder site http://personified.com/faq (Frequently Asked Questions) this is what I see. Their FAQ section should stand for Frequently Averted Qualities!



Question:

Why doesn't Source and Screen offer a guarantee on a hire?

Answer: Because if you don't hire the people…

Our marketing universe is quickly becoming untethered as smartphones and tablets gain a broader share of web access to information and entertainment.  The mobile marketing world is still new to many dealers and we’re experiencing a learning curve about how to market, manage, and leverage this new landscape.  Here are 6 Quick Info Insights to help dealers get a quick course in Mobile 101.

1.     Mobile is Exploding

29% of web traffic page views are…

Free Online Video Training for Automotive Dealers

Are you an automotive dealer in search of an expensive, online, video training offering for which you can overpay and yet improve nothing? Well, my online video training is still 100% free and it’s helping dealers and salespeople all over the world sell more for more - so it's probably not a fit for you.

If you are interested in growing your business through actionable lessons that cost you nothing, here is a…

Training and consulting with America’s car dealers is both fun and frustrating. Fun, because selling cars at retail presents one of the most challenging and (yes) entertaining pursuits one can endeavor to undertake. Frustrating, because car dealers have been presented with so many “quick fixes,” “magic bullets,” and “game-changers” over the past 100+ years that most…

Think Twice Before Going Under the Knife

By: Alan Ram

Let me say at the outset; I love BDCs. Like anything else though, there are efficient, productive models as well as ineffective ones. Like plastic surgery, when done wrong, you can end up creating more problems than you solve. The acronym “BDC” does not have an absolute definition. There are several variations as well as activities that any BDC might be engaged in. Let’s…

The Importance of Building an Email List

If you are business owner, then you know that the number one thing required for a successful…

Car sales are booming and lenders are clamoring for indirect financing business. Now is a good time to dust off and review your Dealer Agreement (a/k/a lender master financing agreements) with your lenders, particularly the warranty, indemnification and repurchase provisions. Dealerships can, and should, review the terms of their Dealer…

     As I shined my shoes for work this morning I reflected on the many pairs of shoes I have shined preparing for a day's work on the car lot. The many different styles and brands of shoes I have been through. I reflected on the many things I have witnessed in all those pairs of shoes. The many lessons I have learned.

The many people I have met in those shoes. The many different personalities and faces.

The many deals I have sold, penciled, or closed.…

Recalls can be lucrative service work for dealerships. However, when recalls are announced, most consumers aren’t informed that their vehicle is subject to a recall. As a result, an estimated “46 million cars with unfixed flaws” are currently driving around, according to a recent article in Automotive News. A new bill proposed in the Senate would mandate that…

For many consumers, cars are a necessity. They rely on them to get to work so that they can feed their family. They take their children to soccer practice and their spouses out for nights on the town. Throw in an occasional long-distance road trip to visit a relative or take a vacation, and it’s easy to see how much consumers rely on them. Manufacturers integrate safety messages into their branding. The government tests the vehicles. Consumer agencies review them. And consumers use this data…

Twitter Can Be Used For Business Branding?

Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that has about 248 million active users as of 2014.  When using this program, people send short…

     Motor Matters introduces an engaging, easy-to-read article series geared to women car consumers called, "Women Auto Know."

     Interested in featuring this content on your dealer web site or newsletter?…

Welcome to this week's edition of Black Book Market Insights, with in-depth analysis of used car and truck valuation trends and insights straight from the auction lanes. Click here to download the full report.

 

In this week’s report, the Black Book editorial team reports on data trends straight from the auction lanes that may be showing signs of a tired tax season. Comments from the lanes and data show that used…

If you are a Manager or Team leader in your Dealership, how do you handle the car sales training process?  Do you coach your team members on how to set goals and carry them through to success?  Does your team rely upon you for guidance and Sales Training?  Are you using a training curriculum that is proven to create maximum results from your Salespeople and is specifically designed for automotive sales…