“A good first impression can work wonders.” – J.K. Rowling There are a number of things affecting the auto sales field that you have absolutely no control over, ranging from the overall economy to the weather to the marketing whims of your make’s manufacturer. So, when it comes to the things...
How did Bryan Honda spend $150 on a campaign and sell seven vehicles — with more leads still being worked — in just seven days? Let’s start by saying that this was in Fayetteville, North Carolina during the recent hurricane. They had flooded cities all around them and I-95 was...
What was your last really great retail experience? Did it involve technology? Did you feel valued as a customer? Perhaps a better question is, what was your last awful retail experience? What made it so bad? Just like you, your customers are measuring all of their retail experiences, including those...
If you’ve followed my columns about reconditioning best practices, you know my drumbeat is time-to-market (TTM) frontline readiness, workflow and accountability, all which describe nonnegotiable processes for turning recon operations into a profit center for the dealership. Dealers using reconditioning workflow software to reduce their TTM or cycle time...
The automotive industry is standing toe-to-toe with several marketplace disruptors — all of which affect your dealership. Among consumers, there is an increased demand for ride sharing and in-vehicle technology, and overall vehicle needs are changing. Autonomous cars are coming closer to being a reality for everyday drivers, and consumers...
By hiring better-quality employees, your dealership — and your customers — benefit in the long run. Top-quality employees provide a better customer experience, allowing you to inspire repeat customers, referrals and a positive online reputation. Customer experience is increasingly the differentiator between high- and low-performing companies. Especially in the...
Automotive News recently reported that September 2016 sales fell about 2 percent, a decline for the second consecutive month. J.D. Power and LMC Automotive reported that this is the fifth month in the past seven to show an overall retail sales decline. As we head into the final quarter of 2016, auto dealers...
Have you noticed how “customer retention” is the new buzzword? For many years, it was “improved CSI” that manufacturers pushed for via incentives. Dealers quickly complied and, after a while, realized that improved CSI scores were good for the manufacturer (which is why they are willing to pay incentives), great...
Consumers want to love the car buying experience just as much as the vehicle they’re purchasing. There is no sacrificing one for the other. Transparency is crucial in making the experience worthy of their trust, their confidence and, ultimately, their business. However, newly released data tells us that there is...
As the Thanksgiving season draws near, my thoughts center around things for which I am grateful — family, loyal friends, my work family and our clients and business partners. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with the automotive community and dealerships. Time is...
