Last year it was reported that the automotive industry would experience a shortage of 25,000 technicians in the coming months. This was based on a recent survey that showed the demand for auto mechanics is expected to increase by 9% within five years.

This shortage affects vehicle service operations across the board from boats and RVs to buses. Often dealers…

Make sure your salespeople stay on your customer’s radar through a scheduled follow-up plan. Don’t leave your monthly earnings up to chance by hoping for the best. Evaluate your current follow up process. Here is a sample schedule of what we’ve seen work well:

10 “Touches” Per Year

• Set up calendar…

Get potential customers to be less combative and more receptive to their trade-in value with a planned trade walk prior to serving them the proposal.

It’s said that around 65% of potential automobile customers have a trade-in to discuss, and most all of them have a higher price in mind that they want to get for that trade-in.

As we get into the…

The rapid development of communications technologies in the last quarter of a century has indeed transformed how people interact with each other — unfortunately, sometimes new technologies introduce inappropriate behavior. Sending sexually explicit text messages is one of these behaviors, it is called sexting.…

Convenience is one of the biggest factors that influences customers when choosing where to take their vehicles for service. For the younger generation it even trumps price. Independents know this and it is one of their key marketing messages, along with speed of service.

Dealers tend to fall behind in this type of messaging in general and have to fight…

Black Book, a division of Hearst Business Media that provides industry-leading used vehicle valuation and residual value forecast solutions, announced its latest Used Vehicle Retention Index figures, with the index listed at 113.0 at the end of March, a 0.8% decrease from the previous month’s mark of 113.9. Click here to obtain a copy of the latest index data.

The Black Book Used Vehicle Retention Index is calculated…

All progress starts with an idea. Industry titans such as Henry Ford or Thomas Edison both started with an idea. The idea centers on an individual observing a need and thinking through a solution that would solve it. Although there is never guarantee in every idea being successful. It is essential to…

When deciding how to get rid of your old car, you have a few options: sell, trade or donate. While donating seems like one of the easiest and most appealing ways to rid of a burden and contribute to a good cause, it takes more than just handing your keys over to an organization advertised on a billboard. Find out what makes a reputable charity, how your donation qualifies for a tax deduction, and much more with The Road Map to Car Donation. …

Digital signage is everywhere. If you go shopping, you see it on menu boards. If you go on a journey, you see it on big digital billboards. If you go car shopping, you see it in the dealership waiting room. This kind of advertising has become a normal way of engaging customers. Pretty straightforward as well. “Look at what we can offer you!” And people…

I absolutely love unsubscribes my from email list!

They are amazing, and I high five my team whenever I get some!

Why?

Because it means I’m getting noticed!

Let’s think about it… You only unsubscribe from…

It’s time to start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. So many times we avoid networking opportunities and meeting new people because it can lead to uncomfortable situations.

But, on this week’s Think Tank Tuesday, I give you 3 easy ways you can meet your new and potential customers. …

In the wake of the backlash from the recent United Airlines incident, it has been widely reported that many airline CEO’s salaries are, at least in part, connected to customer satisfaction scores. In the case of United’s CEO Oscar Munoz, poor customer satisfaction ratings can cost him…

Dealer Marketing Service is a San Francisco Bay Area agency representing companies that provide service contracts and other Finance Office products to new and used car dealers.  I am looking for someone to assist me in servicing my existing dealers and to call on other dealers to generate new business.  We represent truly outstanding F&I companies and products.  I will train you for success.  Unlimited earning potential with recurring commission.

Applicant must be well…

Initial thoughts on working in car sales after my first month: Honestly? I love talking with the guests. Getting to know them and find out what vehicle fits their needs is exhilarating, and rewarding. They walk in a guest, but leave as a friend.

While communicating through email is extremely commonplace, we want to highlight why the traditional phone call is still of immense value. The personal touch of a voice call shows customers that you care and connects them on a more personal level. Taking the time to make calls to your customers shows them that you place them before your lengthy to-do…

Prior to delivering the proposal, get your salespeople, especially your newer ones, to role play the figures with you as if you’re a customer. Everyone can benefit from having a rehearsal. With this strategy you can develop trust in your sales team through this verification process. You’ll be impressed with how this strategy can improve your closing ratios with just…

When you think to buy a used car, you got a lot of questions in your mind. Its body condition, color, speed, engine and the cars history. You got a lot of doubts in your mind that if there are any accidents or if this car is used in any illegal work, in short if the car is legitimate or not. Many of these questions arise in your mind. Sometimes a used car run in your favor or become your biggest mistake. So, to avoid any future difficulty first check the used car history…

Black Book, a division of Hearst Business Media that provides industry-leading used vehicle valuation and residual value forecast solutions, announced its latest Used Vehicle Retention Index figures, with the index listed at 113.0 at the end of March, a 0.8% decrease from the previous month’s mark of 113.9. Click here to obtain a copy of the latest index data.

The Black Book Used Vehicle Retention Index is calculated…

While many companies have entered the retail automotive space trying to capitalize on the experience customers want but are not getting from dealers, the biggest threat is actually looming on the horizon: The Tesla Model 3.

Until now, Tesla has bucked the system while pushing its direct-to-consumer sales model. However, their past vehicles were limited in…