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| As selected by Activengage |
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A true salesperson will figure out how to win 'lost' business the next time around. If you treat them like a customer, they may in fact become a customer in the future.
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Is your social media strategy 'kicking butt'? If not, you might need a little social media strategy tune-up. Click for four common areas where dealerships get tripped up in executing their strategy.
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As it becomes even harder to get in contact with Internet shoppers through email or on the phone, texting might hold a sliver of opportunity to get through.
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| How-to’s by industry experts |
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 Web Traffic is Up - Are You Ready?Traffic to dealership Web sites is up across the country. During the past year, reduced expenses affected many dealers’ marketing and advertising efforts, including their Web sites. Marketing and advertising your dealership has gone from mass channels such as radio and TV to a more personal and on-demand approach. Today people have more power and more choices. So what’s the best way to reach them? • Be Accessible.Whether it’s your Web site, your Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube or any other number of sites, there are more ways to reach more people than ever before. Can your prospects and customers engage you on multiple platforms? Some people prefer to submit a form, others prefer to call, many still use e-mail, and an increasing number would rather use Facebook or other social media sites. The lesson here is simple; don’t limit access to your dealership to your Web site and phone. • Be Active.You don’t have to sit at your desk and “tweet” all day. However, do post something regularly at least three to five times a week. More importantly, set up alerts to notify you when your dealership is mentioned. Make your posts interesting, entertaining or informative. Get a press release by your OEM? Post it and add your take. The point here is don’t just create accounts. Use them. • Be Short and Sweet.Because of all the ways to reach people today, this is more important than ever before. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to send long e-mails or post lengthy updates on your social media sites. Use just 10 percent of your message at a time. When people see long e-mail messages they tend to put off reading them. Rich Valenta is CEO and Co-founder of TK Carsites and can be reached at RValenta@AutoDealerMonthly. To read the article in its entirety, click here.
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| How-to’s by industry experts |
 Dealers: Echo Boomers Could Be On Your Doorstep – Now
A recent AutoTrader.com study found that Echo Boomers -- people who are between the ages of 19-35 -- view car ownership as an important and exciting event in their life. Seventy-six percent of Echo boomers in the study agreed with the statement that “Owning a vehicle is an important step to adulthood,” and 73% agreed that “Owning a vehicle is exciting.” There is no doubt you will want to capture the interest of this sizeable group of car shoppers. Click here or click on the image to find out what Echo Boomers want – and don’t want – in a new vehicle purchase!
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| auto dealer sales & marketing |
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 Dealing with Difficult Employees By Kevin Mehok
One major part of being a sound supervisor or manager is the ability to interact, direct and communicate with all your employees. Star employees will do what you want, when you want, almost always without fail. Others will try your patience endlessly. Let's look at these others to see if we can make them more like your star employees. We are all different Understand everyone is unique. How we act or react to any situation is based on our individual makeup. Some people respond to direct orders; others don't. It's part of your job as a supervisor to understand this fundamental reality and use it to your advantage. Set expectations The best way to resolve confrontation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The best way to do this is to make sure all employees know the rules of the game up front. 1. Create job descriptions for every position in the shop.
2. Set up and follow a progressive discipline regimen.
3. Create standard operating procedures for all aspects of the shop.
4. Treat every employee with respect and dignity.
5. Once the rules are put in place, make sure they're followed.Resolving the problem When confronting an issue with an employee, invite him into a private place to discuss the issue. Be direct and firm but don't become argumentative. Tell the person exactly what's wrong with his behavior and explain why it's unacceptable. Stand by your convictions and make sure everyone in the shop knows you will. Don't allow bad behavior. A difficult employee can cause you to lose customers, other employees and even your business. Command respect. Show strength in your convictions, be fair and communicate effectively with your employees. You'll grow, and your employees will, too. Kevin M Mehok is the CEO of Crashcosts.com. He can be reached k.mehok@comcast.net . Click here to read this article in its entirety.
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| bringing sales into service and service into sales |
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 Bosch Introduces New Diagnostic Tool
At a recent trade media press event, Robert Bosch LLC introduced the KTS 340, a dynamic new diagnostic tool for the North American market, providing technicians with greater efficiency and accuracy -- plus a reliable diagnosis -- when working on domestic, Asian and European vehicles. Bosch used the media event to introduce a number of new products and training events. Click here or click on the image to learn more about this great asset to the technicians in your service department!
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| driving technology in and around the VEHICLE |
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 Visit the Largest Indoor Showroom in the U.S.Eurocar secures new location, opening July 12, 2010Eurocar prepares to open new U.S. Showroom with over 55,000 square feet, making it the largest indoor luxury and exotic automotive showroom in the nation -- where else but in California! Costa Mesa, to be exact, offering prospective buyers the largest selection of inventory above any other retailer across the nation. Eurocar, located in Costa Mesa, CA, is owned and operated by Tilo Steurer, a master mechanic from Germany with over 25 years of experience with high-line vehicles. The company prides itself on giving the finest service to high-end customers at all times. Eurocar will host an elaborate grand opening celebration with media partner Riviera Magazine on August 20th, 2010. For additional information, please visit www.eurocaroc.com.
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| how to make & keep your delaership environmentally responsible |
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 Coulomb Technologies Offers Free Charing StationsNo one doubts that electric vehicles are widening their scope of mainstream consumer interest. But the big question has always been, once you buy an EV and take it out on the road, are you going to get "stuck" out there and not be able to make it home? So...up comes the ChargePoint America Program from Coloumb Technologies, in partnership with Ford, Chevrolet and smart USA. The program will provide 4,600 public and private charging stations at various cities across the U.S. by October, 2011. This is a start. Click here and then click on the image to learn more!
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