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Ted Ings’ Playbook

Practical articles for dealership teams on the service drive, the sales floor and in the F&I office.

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Is a 12-Hour Work Day Acceptable?

Many companies and employees welcome the work-from-home guidelines that have been adopted since the start of the pandemic. However, the retail automotive business has been mostly exempt from…

Ted Ings1 min read

People

What If You Don’t Train Them and They Stay?

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

People

Why We Need Women as Dealership Leaders

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

People

Where Are All the Women in Automotive?

In the retail automotive sector, there’s a workforce disparity. Look across all aspects of the industry, manufacturing, OEMs, and executive, retail dealerships, and independents. There are many more…

CPI2 min read

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9 Secrets to Recruiting Outstanding Automotive Technicians

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

People

How to Prevent Ageism in Your Dealership

They say age is nothing but a number, but in society, that’s far from true. Ageism is rampant everywhere, especially in the workplace. Your dealership may be promoting this form of prejudice without…

Ted Ings4 min read

People

Mary Barra: A Historic Choice To Lead

Mary Barra, Chairman and Chief Executive of GM is the first female CEO of a major global automaker, 34 years after she had started working at the company as an 18-year-old. Here she shares her life…

CPI4 min read

People

Are You Hiring Employees or Team Members?

We’ve all had an experience interacting with someone who makes it obvious they don’t want to be where they are. They’re in it for the paycheck; simply a warm body to fill a role. As a complete mirror…

Ted Ings1 min read

People

An Interview with Ask Patty’s Jody DeVere

The marked inequity between men and women in automotive has been a far-reaching topic. CPI scratched the surface in a previous article, Where Are All the Women in Automotive? With less than a quarter…

CPI3 min read

People

Does the Auto Industry Induce Divorce?

USA Today recently reported that 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. That’s a sobering statistic. That rate is nearly unchanged regardless of a couple’s faith…

CPI2 min read

People

Top Five Hiring Mistakes to Avoid at Retail Auto Dealerships

If hiring were easy our industry would be able to retain its talent and we would all be on top of our game. However, the truth is that hiring is not easy in the auto industry, noting that our industry…

CPI6 min read

People

Lexus Plus- The Retail Journey Through a Woman's Eyes

I recently wrote an article called Lexus Plus- Failure to launch? In this article, I questioned the program that Lexus launched two years ago yet has only had 13 dealerships sign up for and…

Katie Mares7 min read

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You Got Me At "Hello"

A customer’s favorite pick up line is…wait for it…"hello!" And if you can use their name in that same moment, you say hello you have their undivided attention! In a study I conducted, I surveyed…

Katie Mares4 min read

People

Lexus Plus: Failure to Launch?

Retailers and automakers are slowly making the switch to one price sales models with the goal to make the car shopping experience more comfortable, more streamlined, and efficient. But what does that…

Katie Mares6 min read

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Katie Mares: Women Are Customers for Life!

Gender defines the way a message is perceived; from sales and service interactions, marketing, and BDC scripting. All of these messages, moments, and service interactions sum up how your customers…

CPI5 min read

People

The Chief Purchasing Officer Drives your Loyalty and Referrals

Women not only hold the veto vote in the majority of household purchases (including vehicles), they also hold the power to make or break a very lucrative referral and loyalty stream. I have mentioned…

Katie Mares4 min read

People

The Decision Maker: Train for EQ!

Although the auto Industry is slowly moving away from attracting and hiring the typical 'car guy', and towards more customer service-focused employees, including women, the change isn't happening fast…

CPI2 min read

People

Katie Mares: Is Your Dealership Female-Friendly?

Creating a female-friendly atmosphere may seem like an obvious solution to making your female customer base feel comfortable in your dealership. However, it’s usually the most overlooked opportunity…

CPI2 min read

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