What is Gross Profit, Why Does it Matter, and How Can You Make it Work for Your Dealership?

  Hey Sara, I keep hearing about gross profit, but whenever someone explains it, I feel like I need a translator. What is it, why does it matter, and how do I actually make it work for my dealership? ----------------------------------------------------------- Let’s talk about gross profit. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times in meetings, podcasts, or random conversations that make your eyes glaze over. Maybe you even nod along, pretending you get it, while your [...]

By |2024-12-19T10:18:19-06:00December 19th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Management, Training|

Tackling Negative Reviews Without Losing Your Cool

  Hi Sara, We’ve been hit with a few negative reviews, and it’s dragging us down. How do we respond and turn things around? ----------------------------------------------------------- Negative reviews are like that annoying fly at the summer barbecue — they’re a pain, but they don’t have to ruin the whole event. The reality is that most people who walk into a dealership are already in a bad mood. Why? Because something they need is broken, and simply [...]

By |2024-12-11T13:44:35-06:00December 11th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Management|

Keeping the Peace: Balancing Family Time and Business Talk During the Holidays

  Hi Sara, With the holidays coming up, our family’s dealership and the state of the business seem to sneak into every gathering. How do you balance family time with business talk during the holidays? ----------------------------------------------------------- Oh, the joys of family business and holiday gatherings! If you’re part of a family-run business, you know how quickly a Thanksgiving dinner can turn into a board meeting. I get it — my dad started Bob Clements International [...]

By |2024-11-25T10:32:16-06:00November 25th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Management|

4 Critical Questions to Ask Before Investing Another Dollar in Your Website

  Hi Sara, I'm getting ready to leave my website company, but I found out that they have locked me into a long-term contract and are threatening to delete my data. How do I make sure that I don't get into a situation like this again?  ----------------------------------------------------------- Are you confident your website provider is truly working in your dealership's best interest? In this video, I'm guiding you through choosing the right website company while avoiding potential pitfalls. From data ownership to [...]

By |2024-11-20T07:47:14-06:00November 19th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Video Blog|

How Can We Prepare Sales to Succeed Next Season?

  Hi Sara, We want our sales team ready to hit the ground running for the next busy season. What should we focus on now to make sure they’re prepared to close sales when it counts? ----------------------------------------------------------- Great question! There’s nothing better than a sales team that’s pumped, prepared, and ready to rock when the busy season hits. Think of this time as the preseason training camp for your dealership — what you do now [...]

By |2024-11-13T14:12:40-06:00November 13th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Sales, Training|

We’re Hiring a Service Manager—What Pitfalls Should We Avoid?

  Hi Sara, We’re ready to bring on a service manager for our dealership, but I keep hearing about common pitfalls. What should we not do when hiring for this role? ----------------------------------------------------- Oh, I love this question! Hiring a service manager is a big deal and can make a world of difference for your dealership — but only if you’re strategic about it. I’ve seen all kinds of moves in this area, and let me tell you, [...]

By |2024-11-06T09:24:36-06:00November 6th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Hiring, Service|

How can we find reliable, long-term technicians?

  Hi Sara, We’re struggling to find reliable technicians for our dealership, and when we do, it’s hit-or-miss on whether they stick around! What’s your best advice for finding skilled techs and making sure they’re the right fit? ----------------------------------------------------- Hey there! Great question — and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way! Dealerships everywhere are facing similar challenges, and finding (and keeping) top-notch technicians is like winning the hiring lottery these days. But the [...]

By |2024-10-30T12:23:04-05:00October 30th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Hiring, Service|

How Can We Manage Inventory Accruing Interest?

  Hi Sara, We have some inventory sitting around that’s started accruing interest, which is eating into our profits. Do you have any strategies for managing or moving this inventory? Thanks, Mark from PowerPro Equipment ----------------------------------------------------- Hi Mark, Ah, inventory accruing interest—the ultimate dealership headache! When it comes to paying interest or making a buck, I’d say take the dollar every time (especially if you can keep getting more of that unit). You don’t want [...]

By |2024-10-17T16:02:05-05:00October 17th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Sales|

Make Margins Work for You (Even the Big-Box Stores Do It!)

Hi Sara, We want to increase our parts sales, but I’m not sure what we’re missing. Do you have any tips on how to drive more parts sales? Thanks, Laura from Urban Equipment & Power -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Laura, Great question! It’s awesome you’re looking to rev up those parts sales. Here’s a little trick that’s like finding loose change under the couch cushions—except it’s way better for your bottom line: your service department. They’re probably [...]

By |2024-10-10T12:50:33-05:00October 10th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Parts|
Go to Top