What was your September like?  Or how do the year-to-date numbers look?  How is the sales force working out?  How many are left?  How is inventory?  Do you have enough of the right stuff?  How did you feel reading your last aged unit report?      

Those questions could have good answers or bad answers.  The future depends on what you're ready to do regardless of the answer.  This also applies to your entire operation.  How you answer the tough questions determine how you fare…

October 1, 2012 - New York, NY  Major NY Publisher Announces New Auto Sales Book - John Wiley & Son, the oldest professional publisher in the United States has announced another edition to add to it's highly successful "Dummies" franchise.  The "Dummies" books have sold millions of copies on a variety of subjects from technology to small business.  Their highly recognizable yellow and black covers are instantly recognizable and mean that the selected authors were…

I don't know about you but I'm a sucker for classic westerns.  Even though about 10 minutes into the movie, you can pretty much figure it out, I always enjoy the "old west" from Hollywood's perspective.  It was a simpler time.  Or was it?      

Back then, at least in the movies, there was always a point when the good guys were surrounded.  It always looked like there was no way out.  Or, as the cliche goes, "It looks like the end of the line."  Yet, seemingly out of nowhere a…

There is a statement we've all heard over the years in the car business.  It usually comes from the dealer or a senior manager.  When I hear it, it makes me crazy.  Now, I know that some of you will say that driving me crazy is a short trip, but this one makes me glad that I'm not on a roof when I hear it.  I might jump.      

It usually happens when I'm talking to a dealer.  We may be discussing a hiring campaign, an idea for advertising, a specific sales practice or even a way to…

Part of our marketing is to monitor help wanted ads for sales people.  I've seen some that should be very effective, but far too many are less than acceptable.  The only way to describe them is pure laziness.  The only other possibility is that the dealer is still running the sales department on "The Warm Body Theory."  That's where dealers who are stuck in the 1980's still believe that if they keep hiring warm bodies, eventually they'll end up with some "natural" sales talent.…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Additional Information - Email dealerresourcegroup@gmail.com.

DIGITAL DEALER CONFERENCE BRINGS AN INTERNET EXPERT BACK

WILMINGTON, NC  August 17th, 2012 - The Dealer Resource Group is pleased to announce that…

Every time they come on I'm drawn in.  I root for people in sports I either have never seen before or still don't understand.  But, my favorite part of the Olympics is when they share the journey that each athlete had to make to get there.  When they share how obstacles had to be overcome, sacrifices had to be made, and most importantly, goals that had to be set.  When one hears the stories of these special athletes, it's difficult to complain…

That first day at the beach was always exciting.  It was a TOO day.  Too much food.  Too much water.  And way too much sun.  It often made the second day at the beach a depressing stay in the house day.  Everyone new you were burnt and would try to slap you on the back or grab your arm to watch you cringe.  Yet, we did it every year because we knew the effects would only be temporary.  In a couple of days the burn turned to a tan and then by vacation's end, you began to peel.  It was as if…

Flying is a part of the job.  Even dealers have to fly to auctions, meetings, conventions, etc.  Over the last 17 years I have noticed a remarkable lack of courtesy, kindness and even basic service toward passengers.  What kind of training are the employees receiving?  More importantly, what type of leadership by management are they seeing?      

I had the pleasure to need to book two trips on a major (U.S.) Air line.  My daughter was taking a trip that took her from…

One of my long-term connections is looking for a dealership to purchase.  Location isn't important.  What is needed is a dealer with a PP of about 450 - 600 new units per year and an equal used car potential.

Cash ready and everything in place for a smooth transition.  Email me at dealerresourcegroup@gmail .com and I will pass the info along.

Confidentiality is assured.

I just returned from my nephew's wedding.  He is the first of our family's next generation to marry so the pressure was on to create a standard to follow.  Being my brother's son, I was excited to go, visit with family that we don't see often enough and most importantly, to honor my nephew and his new bride.  From the rehearsal dinner to the church, and ultimately to the reception, it was perfect.      

Not just for all it had.  It was perfect for the things that were…

You've decided to go outside your dealership to get something handled.  After a lot of thought, you realized it would be better to spend money with the right experts and handle things once, than to save money on paper and take your people away from what they do best for you.  Many times that's exactly what you should do.  But how do you know you have the right company for what you really need?      

To help you see how to rate a company or service, I will be using…

That question often depends on who you ask.  Salespeople will talk about the dealer up the street or across town who is absolutely giving the cars away.  F&I will talk about lenders who seem to favor other dealers and cost them deals.  Managers will discuss factory incentives, advertising, and the like.  But is that what we're really up against?

 

After 33 years in the business and over 15,000 salespeople and managers trained, I think there's more to competition than we…

January 1979 I sold my first car at a small dealership in North Jersey.  Since then, a lot has happened.  I've personally trained over 15,000 sales professionals, written 10 books, spoken literally around the world, and now work with top dealers to fill their sales needs.  I have seen and participated in three "worst ever" downturns in our industry.  Each has taught me lessons on how to deal with the struggles and what to improve on as business gets better.  There was one lesson…

     All this technology is becoming very popular around and among dealers.  Sales people can pull up apps and show customers all the details about a particular car in stock.  Customers can shop and research before they get to the dealership, and an Internet staff can track web visits and initiate contact with potential customers.  All at the speed of light.

     Thanks to the innovation of Steve Jobs and Apple, we can "i-anything" we want.  But there is one important ingredient to…

Addy's Harbor Dodge in Myrtle Beach, SC has just jumped into the top 5 of all Dodge dealers in the US.  It just shows that having the right programs, the best managers and top sales people, will make great things happen.  We are pleased at this great dealer's success and even more thankful that we have been along for the entire ride.



When we first came to Addy's they had 8 sales people and were doing average numbers.  Rod Ricciardi had just become the GM and brought with him a…

As we reach the mid year time, many of us make decisions.  Some even make commitments to change certain aspects of their life and their profession.  Unfortunately, far too many change absolutely nothing because they believe that their career is subject to the mercy of the markets.  They boast about how they were a top producer during the market high points, and continue doing the same things they did when customers simply showed up with checkbooks in hand.

     Case in point.  A good…

You've evaluated the numbers.  Met with your managers.  Decided the goals for the rest of the year.  Now the only question is, how and when should you hire additional sales people?  Is there actually a best time to put new people on your floor?  Let's look at the possibilities.

HIRING WHEN THINGS ARE SLOW

When things are slow there are two huge benefits to hiring new people.  First - You cna take your time and make sure they get their feet under them.  Let them…

Studies show that the average salesperson is into negotiations within 3 minutes of saying hello.  Three minutes and they're talking numbers and hoping to close a deal.  What's amazing is, I heard that exact statistic when I went to my first sales training seminar in 1980.  So, nothing has really changed in over 30 years. 

Think about it this way.  Some of you have been reading my articles since I began.  That being the case, could you send me a check for $1,000?  You've received…

You arrive at your dealership and notice that the outside is appearing a bit drab.  To fit with the brand and the neighborhood, you determine that a great paint job would do wonders for the entire building.  So, you make the decision.  Here are your choices:

• You call the top commercial painters in the area and get an estimate.
• You hire a couple of college kids give them a truck to pick up paint and turn them loose.
• You pull your managers off the desk and other…