May 2009
Notes from the Editor
I recently read that close to 82% of the overall dealer profit comes from the Fixed Operations end of a business. As a guy that looks at the glass half full, I think this recession is the perfect wake up call for all of us to realize how truly important Fixed Operations are to your business.
It has always been the most profitable part of the store, yet it has received the least amount of resources (advertising, marketing, and human resources). We coined the term "90-10" rule when it came to dearlership advertising. This rule means that 90% of the entire advertising budget is spent on the New Car department, leaving only 10% for the rest of the dealership. I am happy to report the we may have finally turned the corner to the new "80-20" rule. Who knows, maybe by the end of 2009 we may be at "70-30"! A happy and regular service customer is 17 times more likely to buy a new car from your dealership! Keep up the great work.
Remember nothing stays the same forever. We will come out of this economic crisis stronger and more agile. The businesses that keep their heads and are smart with their marketing will not only survive but will thrive!
Keep the faith and Happy Servicing!
Andrew Wolfe and the rest of the Dealer Concepts, LLC. Family!
866.GET.IDEAS (438-4332) x117 or Email Me
Retaining Your Customers for Life.
In the News
With customer retention and owner loyalty being the top industry buzz words, we were very excited to get picked up by the Automotive News and Dealers Edge - Service Managers newsletter over the past couple of months. See links below for both articles.
Points, Points, Points
If you would like to learn more about Loyalty marketing and see a live demonstration of our industry leading rewards program, simply click here to register for a FREE demonstration.
What's New?
Wouldn't it be nice to push a couple of buttons and know that a communication piece can go out AUTOMATICALLY on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis? Now you can with Timed Events! Our Loyalty Rewards Program can do this for you. It can automatically send out a birthday greeting monthly, a miss you (lost customer) quarterly, and a points balance statement to current customers every 90 days. This feature is a brand new addition to the industries BEST Loyalty program.
Tip of the Month
Looking to collect more e-mail addresses? Here are a few tips that many of our stores have given us:
Create a simple information card for your customers to fill out and place in a bowl in the customer waiting area.
Put together a contest among employees. For example, give away a gift card to the employee that collects the most e-mails in a month's time.
Give your customers a reason to give their e-mail address. Such as checking points balances or online specials.
Make e-mail address a required field in your DMS.
Web Access
Besides having a rock solid rewards program, the most important thing you can do to achieve success is to PROMOTE your program. Our I.T. geniuses have put together a promotional web page for every one of our customers.
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When installed on your website, these pages do three things for your customers:
It teaches them all about your program. We are able to customize your page's copy and color.
It allows your customers to request their own Key Tag and have it sent directly to them.
The consumers are also able to log in and check their points balance and transaction history if they are a Loyalty Rewards customer.
How much easier can it get!
Contact Info If you need to get a hold of us with a new idea, referral, or any comment what-so-ever, please feel to use any of the following e-mail addresses: | Rate this Newsletter!     |