Plan the Work, Work the Plan Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tony Noland How would you rate your performance this year for sales, gross profit and most important net profit? If we, as an organization, have not performed at
How to Make Sense of Metrics Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Don Ray As I read 20 Group composites, factory financials and even reports from Wall Street analysts, I've learned what may of you have known for some time. There
October Is a Significant Month Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Tony Noland What's different about this month than any other?
We know with a degree of certainty based on historical evidence that actions we take or choose not to take in October will affect our business not only for the balance of the year, but also the first quarter of the next year.
The (Blue) Sky's the Limit Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Don Ray Having recently joined the world of dealership financing, I have become involved in blue sky lending, a concept that should be useful to know about for anyone overseeing the finances of a dealership group.
Old IRS Rule Creates New Fuss Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Wayne Fortier Recently, there has been a lot of buzz in the industry regarding the Internal Revenue Service and its electronic record keeping requirements for car dealers.
Features
Benz Store Uses Radio Frequency ID to Track Its Inventory Dec 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business
A new Mercedes-Benz dealership, RBM of Atlanta North in Alpharetta, GA, is using radio frequency identification (RFID) to track inventory. It is among
High Employee Turnovers Hurt Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Steve Finlay Las Vegas When it comes to staff turnover, some auto dealerships might consider installing a revolving door marked Employees only. Dealership turnovers
The 21st Century General Manager Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks Close your eyes and pause for a moment. Think about some of the qualities you believe would characterize the perfect general manager — the person you want running your dealership.
We asked several dealers, consultants and trainers what they thought would be the important characteristics of the general manager as the industry settles into the 21st century.
Some of the answers are interesting; perhaps none more intriguing than the one from John Hawkins, the current chairman of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn. His response? “A guy that runs a pizza store.” More on that later.
IT's Do's, Don'ts and Alerts Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Mac Gordon Veteran dealer CPA Carl Woodward warns. veteran dealer CPA Carl Woodward lists several vendor IT pricing tactics dealers need to know when negotiating a new contract.
Valley Automotive Group Converts to New System Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Ward's Dealer Business, By Cliff Banks In late July, the Valley Automotive Group converted the last of its four dealerships from the Reynolds and Reynolds dealer-management system to the Auto/Mate platform.
