Most dads’ have a toolbox.  Some fathers actually use their toolboxes and other toolboxes collect dust.  Some fathers have giant roll around toolboxes and others have small handled boxes.  When you open up a father’s toolbox, the variety of tools varies from father to father.

As salespeople and management, we all have a toolbox so we can “fix” things. Our toolboxes may…

This week, two American luxury brands, Lincoln and Cadillac, began rolling out facility redesign initiatives, at significant expense for their dealers.

The question is, do facility redesigns help dealers sell more vehicles?

Ford Motor Co. began talking to its Lincoln dealers last year about the investment they would have to make in their stores if they wanted to continue selling Lincolns. A meeting last week in Detroit with approximately 120 Lincoln dealers…

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I just finished reading Arnold Tijerina's great summary of this week's Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, which made me think about changes that will undoubtedly occur when most…

I am not qualified to write on this subject of leadership, but my heart is. Everybody has an idea of what leadership means to him or her personally. Leadership to me is simply this: stoop first, then lead. How can you lead someone from something if you don't feel it first? Do you know what it is like to lose a child; stoop and imagine your own child never again…

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Take on your biggest challenge. No matter what that is, take it on, now. Do not put it off another minute. Why? The reward will be more then you can ever imagine. After you have overcome this challenge, everything will become easier. You will be able to deal with anything and everything life will throw at YOU. You are now positioned, to give more, to try harder, take on more…

There are forks in the road in everyone’s lives.  The pathway we choose when faced with at fork can sometimes dramatically alter our journey.  I stood at one of those forks when I was invited to participate with The Landmark Forum.  I heard about the cult rumors about this organization, but participated anyways.  I was born, raised and…

The Automotive Customer Centricity Summit, hosted by Thought Leadership Summits (ACCS) was on June 14th, 2011. I had the privilege of reporting on this event on behalf of DealerElite. This event is a one-day event that runs from 7am-7pm. The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in…

Throughout the day think about how many times an outside influence has attempted to stop your momentum?  One can’t even turn on a radio station without enabler’s who are intent on imposing their agenda; spew their negativity.  Can’t even buy a box of Cap’n Crunch cereal without being harassed by impatient Iris complaining about the cost of her…

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I have to get something off my chest.  I am really tired of hearing people tell me how bad the…

Meat and Greed is good….at Outback and when playing a game of Monopoly,but has no place in a dealership. Are we doing a Meet and Greet or Meat and Greed when working with customers?  Ask yourself, how do you service your customer; based on commission or profession. Why are we patient and understanding with the customers who “paid…

Hold your horses!  We might just be in jeopardy of a recovery breaking out!!! 

After two years of struggling and scratching, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the automotive industry as the Seven Horsemen of the Recovery have been spotted in cities and towns across the United States.  Below is a brief description of each of the Seven Horsemen of the Recovery.  Be…

 People like to be noticed for a job well done. When you advertise promote your people by putting there picture on the net or in the news paper along with there accomplishments. Congratulations to Mr Smith for new car salesman of the month. used car salesmen of the month leasing , truck sales,  top producer and any technician that won a award , most improved and so on.                                                                                                                             …

       Teach it, feel it, do it. If you are willing to talk the talk, then walk the walk. If your process is very easy for your staff, and seemless for your customers, then life in the auto industry is fantastic. The desk system, should be pumping out, 6 or 7 payments, on every deal. Sales staff, should be running back to their customers, with HUGE smiles on their…

San Francisco, CA -- June 14, 2011 -- izmocars (http://www.izmocars.com), the leading business solutions provider for the automotive industry today announced that its vehicle photography division, izmostudio (…