5 Essential Steps to Make Your Service Department Profitable
If you’re running a Service Department, or you’re a Dealership owner overseeing one, you’re probably leaving money on the table. I’m going to share with you the five essential steps that can transform your Service Department into a profit powerhouse. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune an already successful operation or seeking ways to boost your […]
Economic Downturns: What Dealerships Should Not Do
Dealership pre-tax profits are down 33%. It’s a significant hit, and it’s got a lot of Dealerships worried. But what concerns us isn’t the decline itself – it’s the potential for Dealerships to repeat costly mistakes we’ve seen in past downturns. The Costly Mistake of Panic Cutting When profits take a nosedive, there’s a knee-jerk […]
Unlock Hidden Profits: Tapping Customer Niches in Your Service Drive
The automotive industry is facing a significant challenge: overlooked customer niches. These untapped markets are costing dealerships serious money, but together, we can turn this around. The 14-Year-Old Goldmine Here’s a stat that’s changing the game: the average car on the road is now 14 years old. This isn’t a problem…it’s an opportunity the industry […]
Your Dealership’s Economic Survival Plan
Let’s talk about something most Dealerships don’t want to think about…economic downturns. They’re coming, whether we like it or not. The real question is: are you ready? The State of Dealerships Today Most Dealerships are one bad month away from serious trouble. Why? Because they’re stuck in old thinking patterns. All eyes on moving metal, […]
Kiosks vs. Humans: Lessons from McDonald’s for Your Service Drive
I saw something interesting at McDonald’s the other day. Those kiosks they’ve got everywhere now? They’re changing how people buy food. These things are upselling like crazy. They handle tons of customers without getting tired. And they even make every order feel personal. It got me thinking about our Service Drives and how we’re trying […]
The Financial Crisis in Fixed Ops: Why Service Managers Are Set Up to Fail
Most Service Managers can’t read a financial statement. Yeah, you heard that right. The person running your Service Department, often the backbone of your Dealership, probably doesn’t understand the numbers that keep your business alive. This isn’t just a problem. It’s a crisis waiting to happen, especially as Fixed Ops becomes more critical to Dealership […]
Rethinking Service Department Culture: Beyond the Happy Hour
Let’s talk about culture in your Service Department. And no, I don’t mean ping pong tables or pizza Fridays. I’ve been in this business a long time, and I’ve seen countless Dealerships get culture all wrong. They think it’s about making everyone happy, ensuring everyone gets along, or creating a “fun” work environment. But here’s […]
Embracing AI in the Service Drive: A Game-Changer for Dealerships
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s creating a lot change in our industry – artificial intelligence. Now, I’m not here to tell you that robots are taking over. Instead, I want to share how AI is becoming an incredible tool that’s enhancing our Service Departments and making our jobs easier and more effective. AI: […]
Mastering Service Drive Sales: 5 Strategies for Success
If you’re a new Service Manager or thinking about stepping into that role, we need to talk. Many talented folks get chewed up and spit out by this job, and it’s not because they lack skills or work ethic. It’s because they’re focusing on the wrong things. So, let’s break down what really matters and […]
Mastering Service Drive Sales: 5 Strategies for Success
In the fast-paced world of automotive service, making sales can often feel like an uphill battle. We’ve all been there – trying to explain additional services to a customer while juggling multiple appointments and dealing with the usual chaos of the Service Department. But what if we told you there are ways to make […]
5 Costly Mistakes Dealers Make in Their Service Departments
As someone who’s been in the automotive industry for decades, I’ve observed numerous dealerships make the same mistakes repeatedly. These errors, particularly in Service Departments, can significantly impact profitability. Let’s examine the five most critical mistakes and how to avoid them. 1. Prioritizing Metal Over the Curb (Vehicle Sales Over Service) Many Dealers focus excessively […]
5 Game-Changing Strategies to Attract Top Talent to Your Service Drive
The hiring game in our Service Departments has changed. Big time. For years, we’ve all been singing the same tune: “We can’t find enough Techs!” But guess what? Our recent coaching calls have revealed a surprising twist. It’s not just about Techs anymore. Advisors are becoming just as hard to find and keep. So, what’s […]
