15 Reasons Service Advisors Fail (And How to Fix Each One)
Ever wonder why service advisors fail, even when the team seems strong on paper? It often comes down to more than just product knowledge or a packed schedule. Missed opportunities, rushed conversations, and a lack of real customer connection can turn good advisors into underperformers. When little things get overlooked—like skipping a proper vehicle walk-around […]
Morning Routine of a High-Performing Service Advisor
Ever notice how the first two hours on the service drive set the tone for everything that follows? When mornings get hectic, mistakes and missed chances start piling up. Without structure, it’s easy to lose control—trust slips, the shop slows down, and hitting revenue goals gets harder. Now that’s where a solid service advisor morning […]
How to Motivate Technicians in Fixed Ops (Part 1)
If you’re a SERVICE MANAGER, you’ve probably asked yourself this at some point: “Why can’t I get my technicians more motivated?” It’s a common frustration—and one that directly impacts everything from productivity to profitability. In Service Drive Revolution #353, Chris Collins and the team break down what really drives technician motivation—and why most dealerships are […]
How Can Dealerships Win Modern Car Buyer Trust Today
Modern car buyers’ trust isn’t automatic anymore. With buyers now weighing dozens of options and researching each move online, many dealerships struggle to stand out. When trust isn’t present, even strong leads can quickly fade, and repeat business feels harder to secure. Dealers who build relationships rooted in transparency and show they value buyer confidence […]
The Hidden Costs of Misaligned Service Incentives
You roll out a shiny new compensation plan, hoping for record-breaking results, yet the exact opposite happens. Dashboards light up green, and bonuses go out. But behind the success metrics, customer churn creeps up, and profit margins shrink. That disconnect rarely comes from poor execution. Instead, it often stems from misaligned service incentives that quietly […]
How Can Dealership AI Automation Transform Fixed Operations
Ringing phones used to mean new business. But look at it now, they often signal missed appointments and frustrated customers. Many dealerships struggle to keep up with a flood of calls, messages, and web chats, leading to dropped leads and negative reviews. Communication slip-ups are costing real revenue and hurting reputation. The good news? Dealership […]
Is Your Service Capacity Really Full or Just Mismanaged
Your service department isn’t struggling with demand—it’s struggling with service capacity. Phones keep ringing, advisors are stretched thin, and appointments fall through the cracks. It’s not just frustrating. It’s costly. Missed calls mean missed revenue. Overloaded staff leads to burnout. And a backlog of appointments hurts both efficiency and customer satisfaction. The thing is, you […]
14 Proven Ways to Elevate Dealership Customer Service
Walking into a car showroom or service center often triggers anxiety instead of excitement for many buyers. Consumers constantly worry about overpaying for repairs, and they feel unsure about the exact wait times for routine maintenance. Many car owners completely stop returning to their original selling location after a negative interaction. Poor communication and a […]
Why Are Dealership Internal Controls Crucial for Finances
Running a dealership involves juggling countless moving parts—vehicle sales, trade-ins, financing, parts, service, and more. With so many transactions across different areas, there’s a higher potential for mistakes, gaps, or even fraud to creep in. A missed step in accounting or a lack of oversight can lead to big problems, from financial losses to damaged […]
AI in Fixed Ops: What Service Managers Get Wrong
Walk into any dealership today and you’ll hear the same buzzword: AI. Everyone’s talking about it. Vendors are selling it. OEMs are hinting at it. In Service Drive Revolution #352, Chris Collins and the team dig into what AI actually means for dealerships—where it’s falling short, where it’s creating real opportunity, and why most businesses […]
How to Fix Common Bottlenecks in Auto Dealership Operations
Running a dealership involves a lot of moving parts. From managing service bays to keeping the sales and finance teams connected, dealership operations can easily become chaotic. Bottlenecks in communication, disorganized workflows, and delayed deliveries are just a few issues that can frustrate both staff and customers, ultimately cutting into profits. Organizing these operations doesn’t […]
How to Boost Dealership CSI Scores & Customer Loyalty (2026)
Surprise, bad surveys hurt. Dealerships often face terrible ratings right after customers seemed fine. Daily operational chaos—like unanswered calls, long holds, and zero updates—kills your numbers. The resulting drop costs stores hundreds of thousands in lost OEM incentive payouts and wrecks customer loyalty. Fixing the root causes will change that narrative. You need a systematic […]
