7-6-09 Apex, NC
If you think about it, a fixed operation (service) has to drive every sale for both the dealership and the customer. The days are long gone when the customer left with a vehicle, never came back and we simply didn’t care. We’d just go get another one. With sales way down in the car business, June was considered a sales “success” because numbers were just plain bad instead of horrific; these still are times for the automotive record books. The last time the car business had nowhere to go but up was way back in 1981. And we also know nothing happens until a vehicle is sold, but that second buy, from an owner- based client, is based solely on that experience in the service lane.
I was in Knoxville TN over the weekend and I drove past the GM “ghost town” dealerships; yep, the ones that are done for good. In Knoxville, like in every town, the dealerships that survived this sales tsunami are combining efforts for marketing and advertising and they are working hard to achieve outstanding customer service, during and after the sale. The good stores get it when it comes to service and customer pay.
Service is the key term here. People are holding on to vehicles longer and they are considering pre-owned vehicles as they assess their transportation needs. It is the service and parts departments across the country that keep the business afloat. The service writer and the parts counter person are integral to this success. I take four vehicles in for service at the GM dealership closest to me. I trust them to do the job I need and to do it right. But sometimes they are jammed full of oil changes and rotations and I get lost in the shuffle. When eight people show up at 8 a.m., someone has to wait.
Waiting around when there is disorganization and overbooking is the death wish of any service department. The dealerships are leaner than turkey burgers now and one solitary advisor might be the only one in the lane as the customers line up on a Monday morning. People often get whizzed, and CSI suffers. In service, CSI is now the only raise the employees will ever see. These employees are commissioned –based and pay themselves. So it is a double-edged sword when service breaks down. The customer and the service department both suffer.
I ran across a product for Fixed Operations that works for the customers and the advisors. I endorse it 100% because it works. It is simple, and easy to understand. That is why I want to mention it here. It is called SHOPTRAK and can be assessed at www.shoptrak.net
If an old sales guy like me endorses a product for simplicity, it is something you just have to assess for yourself. Drop SHOPTRAK an e-mail. sales@shoptrak.net
I am into the customer big time. It is the only thing to focus on. I like making a profit and I like saving my customer time and money. And I love SHOPTRAK as a software tool for both ends. It is win-win in today’s market. Let me know what you think.
You can reach me (Jim Vogel) at www.vtrconsulting.com
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Requiem for a Heavyweight
Flint, MI… 6-01-09
When Dinah Shore sang “See the USA in a Chevrolet”, GM was rolling solidly on all four wheels; over 600,000 were employed globally, and they had a fat 51% market share. Now, GM stock is the price of a newspaper and soon to go away, market share is 21%, and when things shake down, only about 40, 000 people will be GM employees world-wide. Being in the broken heart of the GM bankruptcy this week and being surrounded by a very somber state of Michigan is very tough to take. Today is a day to remember.
Because today the headlines should read, Detroit R.I.P.
Not rest in peace mind you. No. The RIP stands for “Results in Politics.” I drove past and around Buick City today. I spent a couple hours in Flint. I will be in Detroit in the morning and for the rest of the week. I want to be a witness. This is my home. But things are changing with lightening speed. The factories closed by GM will be someone else’s soon. All the car songs will change. It will now be “See the USA in your Hyun-dai!’ Instead of Mustang Sally, we will dance to “Tata Sally”. The Beach Boys classic will shout “she’s real fine my hybrid mine”.
Like a heavyweight champ, Detroit was left hooked. Knocked out cold. The people of the United States will now own 60% of General Motors. Our choice to drive what we want will soon be over. Smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles will be the norm. It is not without coincidence that gasoline is rising at a record pace, again forcing people into considering small vehicles. Here is the sad truth. Americans do not want small cars. They want cars with good gas mileage.
Ford, Honda, Toyota, and all the smaller companies will listen and watch this week. Notice there is no comment from them today. Chrysler and General Motors are in essence, nationalized. It does not make any difference if we agree or not. This is the new reality.
When we go from 16 million to 10 million units sold, very ugly things can and indeed do happen. One thing for sure is the Big Three is changed forever. Detroit, the once Arsenal of Democracy is forever a much smaller shadow of itself. Re-invention must come from within. And it will quickly come from being without. Those working and those retired are just hoping to keep what they have.
The days of Detroit as the Motor City are modified forever.
This is the result of car sales that melted to nothing. And consumer confidence will not improve overnight, unlike the gas prices approaching three dollars AGAIN.
When Dinah Shore sang “See the USA in a Chevrolet”, GM was rolling solidly on all four wheels; over 600,000 were employed globally, and they had a fat 51% market share. Now, GM stock is the price of a newspaper and soon to go away, market share is 21%, and when things shake down, only about 40, 000 people will be GM employees world-wide. Being in the broken heart of the GM bankruptcy this week and being surrounded by a very somber state of Michigan is very tough to take. Today is a day to remember.
Because today the headlines should read, Detroit R.I.P.
Not rest in peace mind you. No. The RIP stands for “Results in Politics.” I drove past and around Buick City today. I spent a couple hours in Flint. I will be in Detroit in the morning and for the rest of the week. I want to be a witness. This is my home. But things are changing with lightening speed. The factories closed by GM will be someone else’s soon. All the car songs will change. It will now be “See the USA in your Hyun-dai!’ Instead of Mustang Sally, we will dance to “Tata Sally”. The Beach Boys classic will shout “she’s real fine my hybrid mine”.
Like a heavyweight champ, Detroit was left hooked. Knocked out cold. The people of the United States will now own 60% of General Motors. Our choice to drive what we want will soon be over. Smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles will be the norm. It is not without coincidence that gasoline is rising at a record pace, again forcing people into considering small vehicles. Here is the sad truth. Americans do not want small cars. They want cars with good gas mileage.
Ford, Honda, Toyota, and all the smaller companies will listen and watch this week. Notice there is no comment from them today. Chrysler and General Motors are in essence, nationalized. It does not make any difference if we agree or not. This is the new reality.
When we go from 16 million to 10 million units sold, very ugly things can and indeed do happen. One thing for sure is the Big Three is changed forever. Detroit, the once Arsenal of Democracy is forever a much smaller shadow of itself. Re-invention must come from within. And it will quickly come from being without. Those working and those retired are just hoping to keep what they have.
The days of Detroit as the Motor City are modified forever.
This is the result of car sales that melted to nothing. And consumer confidence will not improve overnight, unlike the gas prices approaching three dollars AGAIN.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
MESSellaneous Idle Thoughts
Apex, NC 5-17-09
The Apex High Women's Lacrosse Team took home the NC state title after a thrilling 13-12comeback win over Charlotte Catholic yesterday. Great Job!!
I have been thinking that the deflection of incompetence is a growing art form within poor leadership.
Raising gas prices two cents a day, every day, is not good for anyone but big oil. As the economy gets healthier, let it naturally rise based on usage. NO NEED to hurry it up.
Airlines are raising stowed baggage fees again. Why not? Captive audience and easy money make profit.
President Obama and Notre Dame.
Domino's Oven-Baked Sandwiches are just plain yummy.
My beloved Detroit Tigers are in first place. Please pinch me in a non-usable part.
Have you ever had anybody walk out of your life leaving you with all the bills? When dealership tax bases cease to exist; they are coming after us!! And you know who the THEY are.
Former Governor Easley sure has his challenges today. As any good farmer will tell you, you have to dig deep for the richer soil.
GM + Chrysler = 100,000 - X. Whether we want to or not we are solving for X. I cannot even get into the algebraic reality let alone the calculus. But 100,000 fellow Americans still is 100,000. It is the constant not the variable we have to worry about.
On Memorial Day, before you crack open a beer or slice open a bag of hot dogs, get on your knees and pray for our troops, our veterans, and our history of freedom and heroes. There is only one country like the USA.
No one will ever fly into one of our skyscrapers ever again because of our brave men and women in the Armed Forces, the CIA, the Secret Service, and the FBI. Keep them in our prayers. Their business is Freedom and their product is Bravery. Godspeed.
Finally, here is career advice. Find out what you have a wild passion for. Plan honest profit from that passion. And then draw customers to your passion.
But remember changing careers can sometimes be a simple process, BUT it is never an easy one. If someone recruits you and promises you easy money, turn and run... FAST!
Have a great week and happy selling!
The Apex High Women's Lacrosse Team took home the NC state title after a thrilling 13-12comeback win over Charlotte Catholic yesterday. Great Job!!
I have been thinking that the deflection of incompetence is a growing art form within poor leadership.
Raising gas prices two cents a day, every day, is not good for anyone but big oil. As the economy gets healthier, let it naturally rise based on usage. NO NEED to hurry it up.
Airlines are raising stowed baggage fees again. Why not? Captive audience and easy money make profit.
President Obama and Notre Dame.
Domino's Oven-Baked Sandwiches are just plain yummy.
My beloved Detroit Tigers are in first place. Please pinch me in a non-usable part.
Have you ever had anybody walk out of your life leaving you with all the bills? When dealership tax bases cease to exist; they are coming after us!! And you know who the THEY are.
Former Governor Easley sure has his challenges today. As any good farmer will tell you, you have to dig deep for the richer soil.
GM + Chrysler = 100,000 - X. Whether we want to or not we are solving for X. I cannot even get into the algebraic reality let alone the calculus. But 100,000 fellow Americans still is 100,000. It is the constant not the variable we have to worry about.
On Memorial Day, before you crack open a beer or slice open a bag of hot dogs, get on your knees and pray for our troops, our veterans, and our history of freedom and heroes. There is only one country like the USA.
No one will ever fly into one of our skyscrapers ever again because of our brave men and women in the Armed Forces, the CIA, the Secret Service, and the FBI. Keep them in our prayers. Their business is Freedom and their product is Bravery. Godspeed.
Finally, here is career advice. Find out what you have a wild passion for. Plan honest profit from that passion. And then draw customers to your passion.
But remember changing careers can sometimes be a simple process, BUT it is never an easy one. If someone recruits you and promises you easy money, turn and run... FAST!
Have a great week and happy selling!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
(Scarier) Idle Thoughts
4-29-09 Apex, NC
This is the time of month to go get a car; the deals have truly never been better for you the customer. The salespeople already know tomorrow is the end of the month. Hope both parties take advantage of it.
Pontiac going bye-bye does not mean your warranty and your service disappears. My daughter's Oldsmobile visits the Cadillac store on a regular basis.
Someone will buy HUMMER. Someone will buy Saturn. Saab will survive. The main companies will go to the Toyota model very soon. Toyota-Lexus, Honda-Acura, Nissan-Infiniti, Cadillac-Chevrolet, Ford-Lincoln, Chrysler-Fiat; oh this will happen sooner rather than later. Volvo, Dodge, Mercury, GMC, maybe even Jeep will go the way of nameplate heaven. Gosh I loved Ramblers.
Actually I want a big block turquoise 1964 Tempest coupe... The fastest pre-GTO type of car.
Now the fun stuff...
OctoMom the Musical started auditions today in L.A.
We now must time the washing of our hands to the tune of "happy birthday" twice... Sense the irony? Man, I cannot make this stuff up... In an aside, the President was filmed eating cake. Honest AND...
YES... You can eat pork. Just cook it to 160 degrees. Swine Flu has nothing to do with PIGS... dang I need a RED hot dog STAT. And a big fat juicy pork chop...
How can the Feds give big banks stress tests? I thought a human heart was a necessary ingredient.
Check out companies like Macy and JC Penney. They know the 4th quarter will bring buying consumers. Look at the stocks. Anticipate a strong holiday season. Retail stocks rise in recovery.
The President has been in office 100 days. I have seen situation comedies less crazy. Press conferences almost six days a week, aggressive agendas, stimulus and BIG spending, health care, energy, General Motors, Pelosi, Reid, nominations, re-nominations, re-re-nominations, education, whew... what is next waterboarding corporate bonuses? I have never, ever seen a more interesting administration. I have to get that list of campaign promises! Lots of things to keep my thoughts IDLE.
Check out tinyurl.com
Hockey Prediction... Red Wings win against the Canes in 6 games for the Lord Stanley Cup.
Baseball Prediction... The Red Sox will be strong all year.
Basketball Prediction... Cleveland needs to win something.
Football Prediction... The Detroit Lions will win four games!
Gas Price Prediction... We will not see $3.00 a gallon in 2009.
Social Media Prediction... Twitter will be off the charts by summer. @salestherapist
Automobile Sales Prediction... 12.6 Million in 2009
Happy selling!
This is the time of month to go get a car; the deals have truly never been better for you the customer. The salespeople already know tomorrow is the end of the month. Hope both parties take advantage of it.
Pontiac going bye-bye does not mean your warranty and your service disappears. My daughter's Oldsmobile visits the Cadillac store on a regular basis.
Someone will buy HUMMER. Someone will buy Saturn. Saab will survive. The main companies will go to the Toyota model very soon. Toyota-Lexus, Honda-Acura, Nissan-Infiniti, Cadillac-Chevrolet, Ford-Lincoln, Chrysler-Fiat; oh this will happen sooner rather than later. Volvo, Dodge, Mercury, GMC, maybe even Jeep will go the way of nameplate heaven. Gosh I loved Ramblers.
Actually I want a big block turquoise 1964 Tempest coupe... The fastest pre-GTO type of car.
Now the fun stuff...
OctoMom the Musical started auditions today in L.A.
We now must time the washing of our hands to the tune of "happy birthday" twice... Sense the irony? Man, I cannot make this stuff up... In an aside, the President was filmed eating cake. Honest AND...
YES... You can eat pork. Just cook it to 160 degrees. Swine Flu has nothing to do with PIGS... dang I need a RED hot dog STAT. And a big fat juicy pork chop...
How can the Feds give big banks stress tests? I thought a human heart was a necessary ingredient.
Check out companies like Macy and JC Penney. They know the 4th quarter will bring buying consumers. Look at the stocks. Anticipate a strong holiday season. Retail stocks rise in recovery.
The President has been in office 100 days. I have seen situation comedies less crazy. Press conferences almost six days a week, aggressive agendas, stimulus and BIG spending, health care, energy, General Motors, Pelosi, Reid, nominations, re-nominations, re-re-nominations, education, whew... what is next waterboarding corporate bonuses? I have never, ever seen a more interesting administration. I have to get that list of campaign promises! Lots of things to keep my thoughts IDLE.
Check out tinyurl.com
Hockey Prediction... Red Wings win against the Canes in 6 games for the Lord Stanley Cup.
Baseball Prediction... The Red Sox will be strong all year.
Basketball Prediction... Cleveland needs to win something.
Football Prediction... The Detroit Lions will win four games!
Gas Price Prediction... We will not see $3.00 a gallon in 2009.
Social Media Prediction... Twitter will be off the charts by summer. @salestherapist
Automobile Sales Prediction... 12.6 Million in 2009
Happy selling!
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