Practical articles for dealership teams on the service drive, the sales floor and in the F&I office.
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Service Drive
All too often, there’s confusion regarding a service advisor’s job description. Fortunately, we have a definition that makes the role crystal-clear. Global employment website, Monster, says a service…
Ted Ings5 min read
Service Drive
Service and parts have always been major money makers for dealerships Most locations count on these “fixed ops” departments to bring in a fixed income great enough to cover operating costs; hence the…
Ted Ings3 min read
Customer Experience
As you get older, you begin to realize it’s the little things that count, like a good book or a call from an old friend. And the same holds true in business. Customers pay close attention to the…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
You may think you know as much as the technicians in the back, and perhaps you do, but that doesn’t mean you should do their job. Diagnosing vehicles on the service drive is a risky habit that can…
Ted Ings4 min read
Leadership
Everyone has something they want to achieve. We all have professional and personal goals, and yet so many of us struggle to achieve our goals. This is not because our goals are unattainable, or…
Ted Ings6 min read
Service Drive
Tool Debt Hurts Technicians and Crushes Team Morale Most people don’t know a Snap-On toolbox can cost as much as a new car, nearly $20,000. High-end models can push $30,000 (Google the 144″ 26 Drawer…
Ted Ings4 min read
Service Drive
Hours Per RO is an important metric that indicates whether a service team is sitting back selling oil changes, or eagerly hunting down additional work. Mathematically speaking, it’s the number of…
Ted Ings3 min read
People
There’s no denying the fact automotive technicians are at a premium throughout the United States. Even “borderline” techs are getting scooped out of trade school well before they graduate. How can you…
Ted Ings3 min read
BDC and Marketing
The coronavirus pandemic has forever altered the retail landscape. Among the long-term changes, automotive retailers have invested in contactless ways for customers to shop and have their vehicles…
Ted Ings5 min read
BDC and Marketing
Vehicle software problems are on the rise, will you survive the digital age? Modern electronics and computer controls have made possible the reliable, efficient vehicles of today. But, as with any…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
Often when we speak, we are unaware of the message that we are conveying. In the digital age, we are becoming more and more reliant on written communication but in the car sales industry, face-to-face…
Ted Ings5 min read
Service Drive
In our previous article, we began discussing the seven essentials District Parts and Service Managers must check during a dealership visit. Today, we continue to explore the topic. What to check…
Ted Ings5 min read
Leadership
You’re a District Parts and Service Manager who must visit area dealerships. But the trips can be a waste of time, unless you know exactly what to check. That’s why Ted Ings and the experts at CPI…
Ted Ings3 min read
Leadership
Last time we discussed the importance of field team training, and how the best program is an interactive workshop, facilitated by Ted Ings at CPI. Ted recently performed his breakthrough training with…
CPI4 min read
Sales
Competition is fierce these days: companies spend millions on research, investment, and of course, training, to stay in the game. To remain relevant, you and your field team must continually work…
CPI4 min read
BDC and Marketing
Whether we love them or hate them, customer reviews are here to stay, which can make or break the dealer. More often than not, though, for those who do not capture the same volume of reviews as their…
Ted Ings6 min read
Technology
To reinvent your dealership in the age of Covid-19 you will need to make changes, and if you have any doubts about this, I would like you to consider the words of the great W. Edwards Deming: “It is…
Ted Ings5 min read
Wellness
Like most people, you’re probably stuck at home, sheltering in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. And that leaves you with too much time on your hands. What’s worse, the fear surrounding the…
Ted Ings3 min read
Leadership
Harry Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” If you truly want to be a leader in your field, whatever that may be, it is essential to read. Whether you’re a…
CPI6 min read
Service Drive
While the conversation surrounding the Service Business Development Center (BDC) is often about whether or not your dealership needs one, this conversation is about how to manage, develop and execute…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
One aspect of the Service Business Development Center (BDC) that is often overlooked is the relationship between the Service Advisors and BDC Agents. If the two teams do not work together it makes it…
Ted Ings3 min read
Leadership
Left hand, right hand, that is something we all understand. You have a left hand and you have a right hand and one is more dominant than the other. It’s simple, it’s logical. But what about the left…
Ted Ings5 min read
Leadership
You may have seen Mike Vogel on the cover of Fixed Operations Magazine. Known affectionally as The Coach, his impressive career spans several decades. Get to know Mike Vogel Mike Vogel has spent his…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
When you make a sales presentation, you need to connect with your customer and help them conjure up a positive image of the sales process if you want them to purchase a vehicle from you. This is…
Ted Ings5 min read