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| As selected by Activengage |
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Is Social Media the next big thing, just another lead generator or worse just a big waste of time? Keith Shetterly posted a great blog that will really get you thinking.
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This is a great mashup of social media marketing videos and charts. So if you are new to the concept or just looking for some additional education this is a great place to start.
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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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| How-to’s by industry experts |
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 The Value of People in CRM
When the subject of automotive CRM is mentioned, thoughts of computers, software, and technology first come to mind and for good reason. Strong technology is vital to drive the right processes that attract and close significantly more business in the showroom and service drive. The right people are the difference between a CRM product and a true CRM solution. In short, they make all the difference. • Project management—CRM touches every part of your dealership, or at least it should. It’s a big deal. It’s why every store needs a personal project manager. • Deployment specialists—These highly-knowledgeable personnel work with project managers to get the technology, integration and data working at optimal performance. • Trainers—Buy-in happens here! Make no mistake; this cannot be where-to-go and what-to-click training. You should see highly-qualified individuals glowing with enthusiasm about the solution. • Account managers—Your field account manager builds the ongoing relationship by working with you and your management to identify business goals, processes in need of improvement, and new opportunities to build the greatest return on your investment. • Managed Service consultants—Many dealers seek that cutting edge and find it with a managed services approach to CRM, especially in terms of their database marketing. • Support technicians—Let’s not forget the certified team members who are there to help when the need arises. Bryan Anderson is the founder and general manager of Autobase. For more information, call 888-396-5911 or visit www.autobase.net. To read the entire article, click here.
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INDUSTRY NEWS IN THE LAST 24
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 Automakers Tweak Midsize Cars to Boost Gas Mileage Automakers are using advanced technology to improve mileage, especially on their sedans, in between model changes as it gets closer to changes in federally mandated standards and to comply with consumer preferences. Forbes.com, July 13, 2010
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 AutoPacific Reveals Ideal Vehicle Awards Ford was honored in 11 of 27 of the categories, and GM in 3, in the AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards presentation. Ford was also named "Ideal Popular Brand" and "Top Brand Overall." Nice going, domestics! AutoRemarketing, July 14, 2010
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 Toyota Blames Driver Error for Some Unwanted Speeding Although the DOT has not confirmed the findings, Toyota says some of the claims of unintended acceleration have been attributed to driver error, pushing gas pedal instead of brake. Info based on early results of government analysis of dozens of data recorders. Reuters.com, July 14, 2010
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With new car pricing incentives ramping up, this webinar offers key strategies and takeaways for keeping your lot stocked with profitable pre-owned inventory. This Webinar will feature presenters from Black Book, Manheim & SmartAuction. Sign up today!
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Daily clicks to increasing dealer revenue & profits
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 Patented Software Program Unifies Auto Lending Process AppOne offers new "one-stop shop" method for dealers, lenders and service providers for handling vehicle sales by unifying the transactions, mitigating risk, and decreasing complexity and costs associated with indirect auto lending. AppOne’s method offers dealers full-spectrum lending options and helps financial institutions increase loan portfolio performance while ensuring compliance. For more information contact www.appone.net.
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 Fiserv Enhances Automotive LOS for Ease & Productivity
Fiserv, Inc, the leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, announces enhancements to the Automotive Loan Origination System (LOS) to provide lenders with improved functionality and help them better serve their customers. Simple, easy-access format, provides real-time access to key data throughout the entire funding process. For more information visit www.fiserv.com.
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 Autobytel Launches AutoPilotSM Lending Tool Autobytel Inc., a leader in marketing resources for dealers and manufacturers, launches AutoPilotSM, a new car buying service for consumers who receive financing from their local credit union or bank. process for both consumers and car dealers, AutoPilot provides consumers with VIP dealer service and no-haggle pricing, and car dealers with pre-qualified buyers. AutolandDirect will be AutoPilot’s premier partner and will also help power the program with its call center technology. Visit AutoBytel for more information.
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| How-to’s by industry experts |
Make the Most of Your in-House Warranty Administrator
You may discover he or she is one of the lowest paid and lowest trained employees in your entire dealership. Their job function is generally viewed as clerical in nature, but in a warranty audit, all eyes are upon this person -- responsible for between hundreds of thousands and millions of your dollars every month. From the manufacturer’s view, functional training for this person stopped about 10-15 years ago. So they are pretty much self-taught. In the final installment of a 3-part series on Warranty Compliance, the writer discusses the scope of the in-house Warranty Administrator. Click here or click on the image for some fascinating insight into what this administrator should, or should not, be doing!
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| auto dealer sales & marketing |
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 Fixed-Ops Fundamentals in the New EconomyBy Kevin RootDealers are turning to fixed ops—more than ever—to regain profitability following the economic meltdown. But there is an imbalance on many dealer websites in the amount of real estate devoted to fixed ops and service marketing. It is essential that dealers start leveraging the power of today’s effective Internet marketing tools to increase service marketing profits. I suggest dealers focus on the three R’s of Internet marketing: 1. Relevancy: Publish fresh, relevant content for your fixed operations on your dealer website. Focus the content on the true benefits for the consumer. 2. Reputation: Today, the reputation that matters most is the one your customers read about online from other customers. Vehicle service providers deploying automated reputation management services today will gain competitive advantages over competitors who look past social media. 3. Results: Internet marketing gives dealers the unique opportunity to measure what works to increase return on investment. Kevin Root is Senior Vice President for Product Strategy at DriverSide. Click here to read this article in its entirety or call 877.463.3560 to learn more about using your website to drive more business to fixed operations at your dealership.
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| bringing sales into service and service into sales |
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 Waterborne Paints -- Is There an Issue?
Some predicted the low-VOC mandate (CARB Rules 1151 and 4612) would be the nail in the coffin for shops already struggling to remain open. Limiting the volatile organic compounds in paint, or the switch to waterborne finishes has also been likened to the Y2K frenzy. But, alas, the paint companies are coming along and some are preparing for a move to mandated low-VOC they anticipate will be rampant beginning in 2012. So click here for a great interview and learn more about the issues in "The Greening of America" right inside the service department. Then click on the image for additional information on VOC compliance.
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| driving technology in and around the VEHICLE |
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 New Technology Complies with Hands-Free LegislationEven Limo Drivers Can Now Keep Hands on the Wheel and Eyes on the Road Intelligent Mechatronic Systems announces forthcoming availability of Prompt(TM), a voice activated dispatch solution to enable the For-Hire-Vehicle industry, such as Livery, Black Car and Limousine Services, to outfit drivers with a hands-free solution to communicate with the dispatch center. Prompt(TM) is a sleek, portable unit which plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter or any 12V outlet, enabling drivers to communicate with dispatch and conduct their business entirely hands-free via simple voice commands while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. "Read more..." "Allowing professional drivers to safely manage their communications via simple voice commands is essential in the current legislative environment," said Tony Cassetta, Chief Operating Officer, IMS. "Prompt is the ideal solution for organizations with drivers on the road who must be able to communicate on-the-fly in order to conduct business."
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| how to make & keep your DEALERSHIP environmentally responsible |
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 Toyota Turns a Blight into Something "Green" and Beautiful
The Exide Battery Plant in Allentown, PA lay dark and dormant for more than 20 years. Today, it is in the process of re-opening as the new site of Bennett Toyota/Scion -- a 46,130-square-foot facility will be the only car dealership in the mid-Atlantic region certified as a green building by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.Rob Bennett, whose family has owned the dealership since 1969, is really big on Toyota, spending $1 million an hour on R & D and totally committed to its customers. Click here to read more. Click on the image to learn more about the LEEDS program.
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More Top 10 Blogs
