Hi David and thank you for the kind words.
Believe me David, there is always someone who is ready to tell me what they don't like and how they could do it better. But they never do. So the compliment is well received.
There are also many very qualified people who stop by here and are very willing to lend a hand. And many more who are 'Lurkers', so feel free to jump in at anytime! Okay?
I have targeted auto dealers for quite some time. Robert Campbell who will drop a post from time to time here used to sell cars if I recall correctly and we have discussed 'Car Guys' on different occasions.
They are a different breed of people and I LOVE them! Great guys!
What I have found over recent years is this. Many family owned operations are now becoming very corporate. Multi-dealership owners and multi-state locations seem to prevail in today's car marketplace.
General Motors is placing extremely high demands on their franchisee's and you may be seeing new dealerships being built near you. A GM mandate. 5 million dollar plus mandates in some occasions! OUCH!
I would tend to target the high-end used car/truck lots, and secure a number of 'accounts' for whatever it is you decide to do. The large new dealerships, in my travels seem to have almost everything done in-house. Some are going so far as to becoming a Windshield Doctor among other things.
Car prices, namely profits to the dealer, are becoming very narrow. Most of their money is coming from the Finance/Insurance guy in-house. And the 'Backend' as it's called, the shop, creates another income avenue for them.
With the advent of easy to use software, many create their own window stickers. Many also paint their own windshields.
(Although there has been a few posts concerning how to make money painting on vehicle windshields. I would think it would be a tough market considering your price points and potentially low profit margin.)
Here is a little research project for you to do. Walk into one of the new dealerships in your area and look for a publication entitled 'Auto Industry News'. It's a trade publication put out for dealers and ancillary service industries. You may need to request an older copy forma salesguy or event he owner in some instances.
Leaf to the back and check out the classifieds and display ads. Jammed packed full of sticker software for $97.00, "How-to's" on hiring and firing, management seminars, hiring agencies, dealerships for sale, executive recruitment going on, and more and more!
Use this as a reference point and leverage something which interests you into a business for yourself. Especially if you want to be in the car trade area.
Heck. Sell cars yourself to get a feel for things. Get 'inside' of the business and learn it from the inside out. Only then will you know what is really needed in a dealership. Their needs and wants.
Shoot! Maybe one day I'll walk in a new car dealership and it will be
YOU sitting behind the desk with a big, fat Cuban Havana clenched between your teeth!
Success and Regards... Mike
http://www.CrashCourseMarketing.com - Another tremendous resource!