Big enough to make a difference
As I write this, some of the U.S. tariffs aimed at Canada are temporarily on hold. What’s next? Things will continue to evolve on that front. That’s about all we know. There are so many lenses to aim at what’s …
Category: Opinion
Don’t be the sub guy
As an occupational hazard, and it truly can be hazardous to my health, I can’t just turn off the news. For the better part of 30+ years, I’ve had to stay abreast of current issues, report on them, and even …
Be the “I” in DEI
These are scary times. I’m not impossibly naive enough to believe that progress on social issues, like diversity, equity and inclusion, will always move steadily upward, and that any gains that are realized will be maintained. The truth is, human …
Strange and concurrent realities
We’ve just come off my favourite weeks in the automotive calendar. The second week of February includes the CADA Summit, media day at the Canadian International AutoShow and VIP night, perhaps the most concentrated networking event of the year. It …
Are you the next Brian Benstock?
There aren’t too many people who can be the last presenter at a two-day conference with eight hours plus of speakers a day and can still energize and light up a room. Mix in all the networking, social events, late …
Year-end musings
My last publisher’s note of the year. Another year in which it’s been my great pleasure to work in and contribute to this amazing industry. So what’s on my radar at year end? I’m just back from the Los Angeles …
Get an AI information edge
There has been a lot written about how the auto retail world will be impacted and disrupted by artificial intelligence, or machine learning. With so many overly-hyped predictions, amid some self-serving promises of tech vendors hoping to make a quick …
A little bit of, well, a number of things
Iattended the Empowering Automotive conference last week in Toronto. Empowering Automotive has the mission to recruit, retain, and grow women and their allies in the auto industry. They seek to accomplish this through the annual flagship conference, mentoring, student outreach, …
The people challenge
Getting the right people in place, and keeping them happy and productive is the surest proven path to dealership success, better customer satisfaction and profitability. But why do so few dealerships get it right? Why are so few dealerships able …
It starts and ends with you
Yes, the industry is facing a wide range of changes. From ICE to EV, new retail business models, new brands, new technologies shaping (and sometimes threatening) your businesses, the pace of change on all fronts is greater than it’s ever …
Just communicate better with customers!
As an editor who covers the auto industry, sometimes I have an experience with a dealership that reminds me what it’s like being a typical consumer. Sadly, sometimes, the experience isn’t that great, and it reminds me our industry still …
Striking a balance
I was interviewed by the CBC recently for a story focused on what might seem to be competing goals: On the one hand, protecting domestic automotive manufacturing in Canada; on the other hand, supporting the drive to go green and …
