What can dealers expect in 2012?
A gaze into the crystal ball reveals ups and downs on the road ahead No one has a crystal ball but it seems like there are no shortages of individuals willing to make predictions each and every year, acting like …
Category: Columns
Test your live chat to avoid car sales crashes
Canadian auto dealer recently had a less than stellar chat experience with a Canadian dealership. Many experts suggest chat is an excellent way to engage customers. We agree. But make sure you test it out from time to time to …
New pressures and new opportunities lie ahead
Global events in 2012 will continue to have a big impact on the health of Canada’s automotive sector As we enter 2012 there is likely as much going on outside of the automotive industry as inside of it, which will …
I am not being rude, but are you an a#@hole?
Difficult managers and employees are easy to spot, but hard to fix. I have just finished reading a great book by Robert I. Sutton Ph.D called the “No Asshole Rule.” Sutton is a professor of management at Stanford University and …
Digital leaders gather to swap best practices
This past October, hundreds of the nation’s most progressive auto dealers converged in Las Vegas for the 2011 DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES). The event was roiling with progressive thinking and tactical battle plans. I could write pages about the CEO …
China’s growth equals our gain
China’s demand for resources has fueled Canada’s economy Bound as we are by geography to the United States, it is easy to assume that our entire economic fate is tied to the Americans. There is some truth to this — …
A dealer’s perspective on the year ahead
AutoCanada executive shares his insights on used car market To kick off the shiny new year of 2012, I wanted to get some observations from an industry leader and I had to look no further than Canada’s largest public dealer …
Analysis: Should Canadian dealers be excited by NAIAS?
Monday January 9th marked the first media day in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show. Most brands have increased their exhibits from the past few years. The show is very upbeat, the brands have invested heavily in their …
Extend a helping hand across the border
Jim Bell launches Mechanics Beyond Borders and needs your help Our Focus on Fixed columnist Jim Bell is spearheading a major new initiative called Mechanics Beyond Borders. We caught up with Jim and asked him what it was about, why …
Keep pace with vehicle technology changes (Part 2)
In our October issue, writer Huw Evans discussed the challenges of new vehicle technologies and how sales staff are learning on the job. In part 2, he looks at new product introductions. One thing most vehicle manufacturers are generally very …
Can we be secure and economically competitive?
Assessing the impact of more cooperation on trade and security between Canada and the U.S. On February 4th, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama ceremoniously announced their Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness in …
The view from the trenches
We talk with some industry experts about the trends and opportunities in the used vehicle market Here we go again: another year coming to a close and I have the irresistible desire to look back, fondly or otherwise, on what …
