Making predictions in this uncertain climate is a mug’s game, here’s a snapshot of what unraveled in 2011 Late in 2010, I was fortunate to participate in an event sponsored by Canadian auto dealer that looked at predictions for 2011. …
Dealers must adapt to changes in demographics North America is going through a rightsizing that is based on economic realities. In recent weeks, the U.S. government came woefully close to defaulting on its debt payments. They did not escape a …
There are great managers and great leaders. Which are you? Over my 25 years as an observer and advisor to the automotive retail industry, the partnership between automotive vehicle brand owners (VBO) and their independent dealers has amazed me. From …
There’s never a bad time to work on succession planning Over my many years of practice I have witnessed many different ways that dealers plan for the road ahead. One thing is true — when ahead becomes now, very few …
But social networking was clearly the overriding attraction I have just returned from attending NADA 2011 in San Francisco, which was a better conference than those of the last two years. Surprisingly, a little of the wild, wild, west seems …
In the dealer game, the money is real. A few months back I wrote about the possible outcomes arising from the Canadian dealer network rightsizing initiatives that had just been announced. As that downsizing now begins to unfold, activity is …
But we won’t be left blowin’ in the wind It seems that you can’t pick up a newspaper, watch the news or check out your favourite all-news website these days without reading about the first of the baby boomers turning …
Make meetings at NADA give dealers a look into their future With NADA taking place in San Francisco in early February, I have been doing some thinking about what might be the topics discussed in the various make meetings. Depending …
Looking to sell your dealership? Learn who your buyer is With the arrival of fall comes the excitement of new beginnings. Kids are back at school, summer vacations are a distant memory, and dealers all over the country begin to …
Serve your new-vehicle customers well and they’ll stick around We are living through a transformation in automotive retailing, the likes of which haven’t been seen for generations. Ownership transition is at a heightened level, brand transition is as pronounced as …
How to corral your online prospects The last year has been crazy in automotive retail in Canada. With all the negative talk in the past 18 to 24 months, auto retailers are now feeling the pinch from increased volumes and …
The growing diversity of the Canadian market is a business opportunity Not long ago, in my corporate days, I remember attending diversity training. Before, the focus was on sameness. Thankfully those days are gone and we realize now the sophisticated …
