Practical articles for dealership teams on the service drive, the sales floor and in the F&I office.
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Industry Leaders
Think the Fixed Ops Roundtable is just another meeting? Think again! This event is a powerful platform for automotive retail experts to learn and be heard. Don’t miss out on this once opportunity! The…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Do you know what your service department actually sells? Many automotive professionals have no idea what the service department sells. Is it parts? Knowledge and skill? Indeed, all of these are pieces…
Ted Ings2 min read
Industry Leaders
“Treat the customer how you would like to be treated.” - Carl Sewell When we say someone wrote the book on something, we are generally talking figuratively but in the case of legendary US auto dealer…
Ted Ings5 min read
People
You may recall having a mentor while in school, or perhaps on the job. That person was undoubtedly an older individual, tasked with teaching you years of accumulated life lessons. But what if the…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
It isn’t rocket science: the quicker you can get cars in and out, the more successful you’ll be. Yet many service departments have inefficient practices that slow workflow, reduce profit and waste…
Ted Ings3 min read
Leadership
When you need to see a medical doctor, you don’t just arrive at their office, you make an appointment, and you arrive on time. This ensures that everyone can plan their day and utilize their time…
Ted Ings5 min read
Service Drive
Being promoted from service advisor to service manager can be both exciting and intimidating Now you’re the one at the helm, in charge of the entire department. Obviously, you want to do the best job…
Ted Ings3 min read
People
Many dealerships fear training employees who may ultimately leave. But what they need to be afraid of is untrained employees that stay. It seems like every time I visit the local dealership service…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
Many consumers think they’re getting a better deal on oil changes at the quick lube shop. But are they really? An oil change is an oil change, right? At least that’s what many consumers mistakenly…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
The Peter Principle states that in a hierarchy people tend to rise to “their level of incompetence.” This basically means that as people are promoted they become less and less effective because…
Ted Ings6 min read
Service Drive
Make the most of your real estate: decide how many bays your shop needs The number of service bays in the United States has steadily been on the decline. In 2011, a study by Digital Dealer found there…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
Do you want to outperform the competition and be the top salesperson or service advisor in your company? Or better yet in your industry? One, simple step could be the move that pushes you over the top…
Ted Ings5 min read
Service Drive
If you were ever on a sports team, you probably recall the coach walking around with a clipboard, hastily scribbling notes. Your athletic performance was dutifully noted with each stroke of the pen…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
With the renewed focus on keeping vehicles on the road longer, customers now realize they have more choices for auto repair than ever before. Competition is fierce and you must work extra hard to earn…
Ted Ings3 min read
People
It is no secret that women account for only a small part of the retail automotive industry. Posing the question in its simplest form, why? Why is there a shortage of women represented in the…
Ted Ings6 min read
Service Drive
A customer hands you the keys to their car expecting a brake job by EOD. Although you have good intentions, time slips away and suddenly, it’s closing time and their vehicle remains untouched…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
If you want to make long term connections with your customers and build brand loyalty, you need to learn to speak their language. It sounds easy enough, but every customer is unique and you need to…
Ted Ings5 min read
Leadership
“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.” Attitude is everything. When you walk into a dealership…
Ted Ings5 min read
Service Drive
Business is good. Really good. Unfortunately, all that work has saddled you with a four-week backlog. What’s a service manager to do? Get caught up with a backlog of work Shops across the country are…
Ted Ings3 min read
Sales
A long time ago, in a faraway galaxy, there was a Star Cruiser dealership located on a planet riddled by intergalactic turmoil. The cosmic unrest stressed out the dealership’s customers, causing them…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
A long time ago, in a faraway galaxy, a Star Cruiser dealership was struggling to meet service and parts fulfillment. The problem stemmed from supply chain issues brought on by intergalactic turmoil…
Ted Ings4 min read
BDC and Marketing
Let’s be honest, fixed ops doesn’t get a whole lot of love online. Most dealership landing pages are awash in new car promotions, while the service and parts departments are relegated to an…
Ted Ings3 min read
Customer Experience
Are your CSI scores tanking? Take charge and turn things around with these strategies. The Customer Satisfaction Index is one way manufacturers rate their dealerships. Bigwigs at the very top pay…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
So, your top service advisor is a Rockstar when it comes to selling. Unfortunately, they’re also surly and impolite. To make things worse, because their sales figures are so high, they’re cocky and…
Ted Ings3 min read