Over the last ten years, anyone who has not witnessed dramatic changes in the used vehicle arena must have his head in the sand. Why is it then that so many franchised new vehicle dealers have thus far failed to effectively adjust to these changes? So that you understand what I’m talking about, I’ll just mention two of these impactful changes:  (1) the growth of the Internet as a marketing source; and, (2) the advantages available through inventory optimization technology. Even the language…

Several years ago one of my more enlightened and proactive client-dealers said to me, “I know I don’t really need more opportunities to do business; I just need to do a better job of measuring and managing the OTDBs I already have.” He then asked for my help to develop and implement a traffic management process for each of the five operating departments within his multi-rooftop automotive dealership group. Over the next several weeks,…

At most automotive dealerships the last two to three days of the month are typically a flurry of activity by department managers and their productive and support employees trying to get the last deal, the last R.O., and the last counter slip billed out and counted. It always has been, and always will be, the culture of the retail automotive business because, unlike most other businesses, the “counting and accounting cycle” is measured in individual months.

Why is it then that very few…

Over the last ten years, anyone who has not witnessed dramatic changes in the used vehicle arena must have his head in the sand. Why is it then that so many franchised new vehicle dealers have thus far failed to effectively adjust to these changes? So that you understand what I’m talking about, I’ll just mention two of these impactful changes:  (1) the growth of the Internet as a marketing source; and, (2) the advantages available through inventory optimization technology. Even the language…

“I don’t need another book on farmin’, when I ain’t farmin’ as good as I know how right now!”

I remember that statement like it was yesterday.  That’s what a dealer told me over the phone back in 1987, in the the early days of my consulting career.  It was right after I explained the services I could offer him. He made it very clear to me that he wasn’t interested in anything new and different. He knew that “magic bullets and shiny objects” wouldn’t provide the solutions he…

By now, many of you have verified your dealership’s profitability for 2011.  As most dealers, general managers and controllers understand, until we perform a final year-end reconciliation of each asset and liability account, the YTD profitability displayed on our income statement remains an unproven number.  For some of you, this verification process will result in an upward adjustment to your 2011 profitability. However, experience tells me that most dealers…

“It only takes one bug in the potato salad to ruin a picnic,” according to one of the little old ladies I went to church with as a child.  As I move further away from a precocious child and closer to being a sweet little old lady, I am realizing that she was not registering a complaint about church picnics but planting a seed of wisdom that would develop as I grew older.  One little bug can ruin the…

Since we initiated the Up To Speed blog, I’ve received numerous emails that suggest that one of the biggest road blocks to retail automotive success is the dealership (or department) culture. Because this is our first newsletter of 2012, I decided it opportune to tackle this thorny issue. “Culture” can be defined as the shared values and practices of the company’s (or department’s) employees, and it’s important because it can make or break your dealership. Business cultures…

If I wanted someone to just take my order and deliver, I would go to a fast food drive thru.  When I go to have my car serviced, I want service.  I believe that service advisors are more than just order takers or the message delivery system between a consumer and a technician.  Think about it?  An advisor according to …

I was once the bride of an enlisted sailor, who during the course of our marriage made the transition from enlisted to officer by finishing his college education.  Once he had become an officer; he tackled the challenge of completing flight school to become a Naval Aviator.  When he graduated from flight school and to represent his accomplishments, I had a pewter tankard engraved with these words,…

Seldom does some one board an elevator from an upper floor to ride the elevator up.  Most of the time, if someone boards the elevator from an upper floor it is to ride back to the first floor.  Therefore, when considering progress, why let someone impede your progression by not being on the project from the ground floor?

Please allow me to further develop this concept for you with a real…

When I was a teenager, I had to have some extensive surgery that landed me in a wheel chair for a few months.  Recently, one of my physical therapist from that adventure found me on Facebook and was compelled to share his story of that short part of my life.  He was a new therapist when he took on my case and had heard how hard teenagers can be in cases like mine.  He braced himself for a healthy dose…

Before class started on one peaceful Saturday morning, my yoga instructor made this big announcement with much fanfare that there was some huge event coming to our studio.  There were no additional details as to what the event was, when it might occur, etc.  Just a stay tuned teaser.  I was so excited that I could barely focus during class wondering what this event was, when it was going to occur and…

When I was a child, I was the question asking machine.  Now that I am an adult, I am the question asking machine.  Not because I want to be annoying.  I really want to understand why.  Knowing the why helps me deliver on the expectations.  Knowing the why gives me the follow through to see an opportunity to completion.  Understanding why gives me access to understand the process and how each…

I had an elementary school teacher who claimed that there are no dumb questions other than the question not asked, because you never know who might also have the same question and need an answer but lacks the courage to ask.  With all the great information available on sites like Dealer Elite, why do so many resist the temptation to take advantage of free tips, advice and road maps towards success? 

As an…

Best piece of advice I have been given as a manager:  Always be teaching others how to be you.  Inspire them to be gunning for your desk and to become you.  Humbly step aside when they replace you.  Without them to replace you, the opportunities of your advancement decline. 

Right after that tidbit of wisdom was imparted on me, I was asked to spear head a rather large project.  Enjoying…

During a department head meeting in which processes where being discussed, it became evident there was an information gap for our clients.  Our recruiting team was reporting a break down in information regarding who we are, what we do and what we have to offer.  The team shared how they answer certain questions over and over again.  They reported the funny misconceptions that they often hear.  I sat…

My youngest sister was born premature and as a result had pulmonary problems as a child.  Because she suffered from chronic asthma, there was little expectation for her to be a strong and healthy child.  One of the therapies she was subjected to in an effort to strengthen her lungs, was swimming underwater.  I am sure this started out as a…

As a sales manager, I hosted a daily sales meeting like every good sales manager should.  Like all good salespeople do, the sales team would come to the meeting with their list of “should-haves” and “could-haves” if only “blah-blah” was true.  This would often take the wind right out of my sails and tarnish the…

During a sales meeting, the question of why the company no longer has a stock pile of tri-fold brochures to hand out to potential clients came up.  I scratched my head and looked puzzled, since we have not used a single tri-fold brochure in over a year.  As a company, we moved away from outdated marketing tools and adopted high tech and interactive tools to meet the requests of our clients.  It was then…