Time to end the gong show
On the heels of a recent survey that revealed that millennials don’t see dealerships as the types of places they want to look for careers, I visited a dealership with a giant gong that rang out every time a new …
Category: Opinion
Sharing a laugh with Kathy Ward
The automotive industry calendar is particularly busy at this time of year. I look forward to the auto shows in Montreal, Toronto and Detroit and industry events like the CADA Summit. For the most part, these events are a lot …
Short (silent) and sweet
In a world filled with distractions, where more people consume their news in social media feeds, and take in info at a glance, advertisers — and not just car dealers — will have to find more innovative ways to interrupt …
Digital F&I transparency
Many Canadian dealerships have made great strides in boosting transparency, as you will discover from the feature story in this issue. But although steady progress has been made in sales and service, it hasn’t yet fully made it to most …
Electric adventures
It’s one thing to have someone describe swimming to me, but it’s another thing entirely to jump in. And I figured it was time to make that jump and assess the electric vehicle experience. To do this, the gang at …
Disruption and change
As you read through this issue of Canadian auto dealer, or any other for that matter, you’ll discover a consistent theme about the forces of change and disruption that are impacting Canada’s auto dealers. Our editorial team covers a lot …
Government out of touch on small business tax changes
Mistaken perceptions of business owners fueling outrage in business community In the middle of summer, when much of the country was in vacation mode, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau dropped a set of corporate and small business tax proposals that …
Bringing digital media into your store
It’s well known at this point that consumers spend time online before they step into your store. New research also proves that millennials will be attracted to digital displays in your dealership. While not surprising, there are few dealerships yet …
Raising the bar
A funny thing happened to me today when I walked into a health clinic. Ok, that’s not the start of a joke, but it’s a true story. I was suffering from inflammation in my elbow, and those around me know …
Anything is possible with Trump and NAFTA deal
Predictions are fraught with peril when it comes to new U.S. President With a new United States trade representative confirmed with a strong bipartisan majority in Washington, it is expected that a major renegotiation of the North American Free Trade …
Trading realities
There’s good reason to fear for NAFTA’s future, but better reason to let those fears go With a new United States trade representative confirmed through a strong bipartisan majority in Washington, it is expected that a major renegotiation of the …
Remembering a great man
I flew out to Victoria to visit Tom Harris, just two weeks before he died. I wanted to run some ideas by him. I wanted to pick his remarkable brain. And I was looking forward to the time together. Tom’s …
