Women play an important (and traditionally undervalued) role in dealerships. At least half of all car-buyers are women, many of whom prefer to deal with other women during the sales process. And female managers…
Drive to Success: Hiring Quality Talent
The business of auto sales isn’t just about moving metal. It’s about fostering a culture of committed employees devoted to the long-term goals of the dealership. When employees take pride in their jobs, they…
Drive to Success: Challenge Margin Compression
Margin compression in auto sales is a problem that’s been building for years. And, unfortunately, it’s not going away anytime soon. But there are several things dealerships can do to mitigate the negative effects…
Drive to Success: Enhance Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty that leads to repeat visits to sales and service departments is the goal of every dealership. But loyalty doesn’t come easy. It’s earned by developing a reputation for exceptional service and finding…
Drive to Success: Keeping an Efficient Service Lane
In an age of slimming profits and increased competition, having an efficient service lane is more important than ever. Whether competing with quick service shops or finding ways to synergize sales and service efforts,…
Drive to Success: Search Engine Optimization
Millions of people search the internet every day for car dealerships, hoping to find more information about a specific product or service. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process by which search engines filter…
Drive to Success: Improving Digital Retailing Processes
Nearly all consumers begin the car-buying process online. They come to the dealership having decided what they want and how much they’re going to pay. And, in many cases, the in-dealership experience is a…
Drive to Success: Managing Change in the Dealership
From implementing new technology to adjusting company culture, managing change in the dealership is difficult. Because change is usually met with at least a little resistance from employees, it’s important to have a change…
The Future: Open, Integrated Systems
The Internet of Things is here. Consumers are starting to expect that their refrigerator can talk to the stove and their GPS knows where to take them based on calendar appointments. These innovations require…
Drive to Success: Dealership Work Culture
Creating a positive workplace culture affects more than employees. When dealerships establish a positive work culture, it impacts turnover, sales, and efficiency, as well. When employee morale improves, a dealership’s business results and bottom…
Drive to Success: Bottom Line Efficiency
In an industry as competitive as auto sales, dealerships must think creatively to find efficiencies and increase profits. From a focus on fixed ops and F&I to hiring and retaining the right employees, dealerships…
Drive to Success: Improving Social Media Presence
Today’s customers turn to social media to inform their car-buying process. They read reviews, browse vehicle selection, compare prices, and find out what others have to say about a particular dealership. A strong social…
