All Blog Posts (12,642)

A Case of the Mondays - A Lesson in Finding the Passion in your Job

Anyone else kind of slugging through the day? It's Monday in the East Coast (well, everywhere, I suppose), and it's hot. I'd like to be at the beach sipping on Gatorade and reading a raunchy novel. But, it's a work day for me.

5 years ago to the day, I was sitting in my cubicle, going through thousands of leads and sending them in for credit to our lead source vendors. 5 years ago, I was a manager/operations director of a BDC in New Jersey. The powers that be also… Continue

Added by Katie Colihan on August 9, 2010 at 12:57pm — 5 Comments

What Are You Thinking When You Start Your Day?

I was traveling recently when I noticed a young man standing in the same line as me for the San Diego flight. Like many of you traveling and spending a lot of time in airports, I become a "people watcher" to pass the time.

As I have "aged" (a kind word for getting old) I find myself watching younger people, especially the kids. I think that children, who are mostly excited to be traveling and filled with boundless and seemingly endless amounts of energy, are the most fun to watch.… Continue

Added by Leonard Buchholz on August 9, 2010 at 11:25am — 4 Comments

Employee Performance - Measuring Strategic Contribution

The strategic contribution of individual employees can and should be measured. Why? Too often, companies invest heavily in articulating their Mission, Vision, and Values, but stop short of clarifying and clearly communicating how each employee can play a roll. A company’s employees execute that company’s Mission, Vision, and Values on a daily basis by virtue of their daily activities. Those activities are the strategy…and ultimately enable the company to realize its Mission, Vision, and…

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Added by Richard W. Burke on August 8, 2010 at 1:25pm — No Comments

Automotive Advertising Agencies Promote Training To Help Them Sell More Cars And Service

To train -- or not to train -- is not the question according to automotive advertising agencies who understand the importance of investing in the people part of the sales and service process by providing training before, during and after the sale. Training has often been considered as an afterthought by auto dealers who have enjoyed the luxury of having more customers than cars with a never…

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Added by Philip Zelinger on August 7, 2010 at 1:04pm — No Comments

Looking For GM for Luxury Store in LA

Dealer is looking for experienced, aggressive GM for luxury store in LA.

Do not send me a resume and do not respond on this network.

Your inquiry will be kept confidential.

Send me brief email to grant@grantcardone.com.

This is a great position!

I will put you in touch.

Grant…

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Added by Grant Cardone on August 7, 2010 at 11:36am — 1 Comment

DROID & BLACKBERRY OWNERS

Members of Dealer Elite. Many of you have asked that I build my Close the Sale App for Droids and Berries. Within 36 hours we are ranked #29 of the 50,000 apps at Itunes. Thanks to all of you who have already downloaded and reviewed it and are using it.

Help me get this app to #1 by downloading on your itunes account and giving it a review. Then share the link below with your friends so they do…

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Added by Grant Cardone on August 5, 2010 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Eliminate Turnover in 3 Simple Steps

Eliminate Employee Turnover with 3 Simple Steps

Foster Employee Loyalty Using Proven Techniques

Ever wonder how successful companies inspire loyalty and motivate employees to perform at peak levels while others struggle to retain mediocre… Continue

Added by Kevin "Friend Me" Bradberry on August 5, 2010 at 2:00pm — 3 Comments

Marketing 101: How to find out what works and what doesn’t work in Internet Marketing.

I have been in Internet marketing for many years now and I have seen it evolve. Though, I learn something new everyday. I am a Professional Internet Business Consultant. I work with many different industries from Landscape Contractors to Dentists and Lawyers. I have sold all types of Internet Marketing from Sponsored Links (Adwords or Pay Per Click), Local Map section or One Box placement, Local Organic Customer Connection Pages, Social Media, News Articles, Blogs, Web Design, and Search Engine… Continue

Added by Eric Dean on August 5, 2010 at 1:35am — 1 Comment

Affordable Marketing That Really Works.

As a veteran of the Automobile business I understand the pressure on Managers to deliver on every up that visits the property. Some Dealers say each up or opportunity has a cost of about $350 in marketing expense. I certainly remember some of those opportunities, desking the loss leader first thing Saturday morning.

I also understand, from 10 + years of Internet marketing, dealers I have worked for are spending as much as 15K monthly to pay for leads. Those leads are also…

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Added by Craig Darling on August 4, 2010 at 4:32pm — No Comments

"Retention-Proof"

What are your "Retention-Proof"
numbers for Variable and Fixed? What is your plan to "Retention-Proof"
your Biz in this 11M market today? Think About It!
Tom Wiegand
A Synergy Coach, LLC

Added by Tom Wiegand on August 4, 2010 at 2:14pm — No Comments

Close the Sale App by Grant Cardone NOW Available!

I assure you this will prove to be one of the most useful apps you ever have.
Go to itunes and get Close the Sale App and have in your hand a close for EVERY situation. Click here and download it now!

Close the Sale App by Grant Cardone

Added by Grant Cardone on August 3, 2010 at 11:17pm — No Comments

Spin it like a politician! Its a new Month...

Good morning to all.

This morning I was remembering the sales meeting I would have with my "troops" at the beginning of every month.

Since last month is over and it is so easy to say "i'm tired", "no one comes in after the close of the month", we do two thirds of our business in

the last two weeks. It seems acceptable at times for the energy, the

fire , the passion to make a deal to fall off to almost nothing for @…

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Added by Troy Spring on August 3, 2010 at 10:16am — 1 Comment

Automotive SEO Tips and Strategies

It's been a while since I published some "how to" articles on link building and Automotive SEO strategies. Many people have said that that "Content is King" and I would like to append to that adage "and links are the Queen". Car dealers who would like to increase the number incoming links to their primary domains can read further to see if any of my suggestions are new ideas. If so, add them to your digital marketing strategy to increase the search…

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Added by Brian Pasch on August 3, 2010 at 9:42am — 2 Comments

Online Chat. Love it. Hate it. Understand it?

I am a litte miffed. Why would a dealer not want 100% engagement of their web site visitors in real time? It's like having a salesperson on your lot 24 hrs a day seven days a week "upping" every customer and getting vital sales info from them. Are dealers afraid of the cost? Do they think it works? had a bad experience? I don't know. And that is the reason for this post. I really would like everyones opinions and thoughts (even if not the most glowing recommendations or comments) Don't get me… Continue

Added by Rick Wuest on August 2, 2010 at 7:41pm — 4 Comments

Crunching Your Service Numbers

It is not enough to measure.

That's right, I said it.

Measuring your numbers is a waste of time if you don't do anything with the numbers you measured. In order for the numbers to mean something, you must do something with them. It is not enough to just gather and store the information.

"You must measure what you need to manage".....and...."you must inspect and evaluate the efforts of your people daily" says Don Reed, CEO of DealerPro Training… Continue

Added by Leonard Buchholz on August 2, 2010 at 2:43pm — No Comments

Who’s your daddy GINA?

How do you describe someone who in a 17 year period as Design Director of BMW…

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Added by charles bayer on August 2, 2010 at 3:34am — No Comments

Mentoring

Never be mentored by someone who has missed their moment- for they will molest you with their jealousy.

Added by Marsh Buice on August 1, 2010 at 7:01pm — No Comments

Addressing the objections to chat on your website

For as many dealers that are gung-ho about Automotive Live Chat and having dealer chat software on their website, there are just as many dealers who are reluctant to add this feature. The reasons range from price, to…

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Added by Ryan Thompson on July 31, 2010 at 10:36pm — No Comments

10 Favorite Money Closes FREE to ALL

Thanks to all of you who took interest in this poll. Do NOT invest anymore of your time or energy or attention on the poll as their appears to be some problem with it.

I thank all of you who became interested here regardless of who you were voting for.

Regardless of which of the contestants you voted for send me a direct email to gc@grantcardone.com and we will send you 10 of my favorite money closes in a PDF format for your involvement here at Dealer Elite. The closing… Continue

Added by Grant Cardone on July 31, 2010 at 7:29pm — No Comments

Don't blame me I voted for Ralph:)

So sitting here reading all the exchanges on DE and FB the past week I am not surprised by some of the tactics a couple of the contestants utilized to win.

I have to admit, in my years in retail I never took a JZ course, wish I would have so that I can speak to his content and knowledge base. I did take a course of GCs... Is there any doubt to either of their knowledge and expertise? None, but would I vote for them? I would have to say no... I look for expertise,…

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Added by Micah birkholz on July 31, 2010 at 6:36pm — 3 Comments