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New technologies are changing the  construction industry for the better . To give you a better idea, here are some examples of the modern age of construction technology.     1. CAD   In the middle ages, master stonemasons, draftsmen, architects, and builders are coming up with the most astonishing infrastructures through the use of highly advanced construction and design methods.     Even though their traditional techniques haven't changed for years, slowly, computer-aided design is having a significant impact on the construction revolution. The issues we once had back in the days are just a thing of the past now. Aside from CAD, 3D printing has also been proven to be quite helpful. Not only does it reduce production time, but it has also allowed construction companies to come up with materials that are perfect for the project.     2. Mechanization   To fully understand the impact of industrialization, it's essential to see what the c...

Today one of five vehicles on the road are under recall. This year alone there have been 46 million vehicle owners notified of a recall; seven million of which are not related to the Takata airbag issue.   Recalls represent a significant revenue opportunity for dealership service departments. Whenever a customer comes in for a recall repair, there’s an opportunity to identify additional needed repair work. Our data shows that an average recall RO is $695, more than double the average RO amount of $335. Clearly that’s incentive to bring in recall customers.   Yet, the current completion rate for recalls is 75 percent. Manufacturers are not happy about it and dealers shouldn’t be either. As an industry we can do much better.   The primary reason consumers don’t bring their vehicles in for recall work is because they don’t know that a recall has been issued. This is proof enough that the current method for notifications is highly inadequate. Manufacturers are required ...

I frequently write about how, in my opinion, dealerships would be wise to expand their thinking and change attitudes towards recall customers … and not just recall customers, but all customers   The customer experience is key to building customer loyalty, increasing referrals and securing repeat business. It is also one of a dealership’s most important differentiators. But does that then mean you have to cater to every single customer, every single time?  For those of you that shape the “customer culture” for the organization, should you always yield to those customers that push boundaries and argue just to get something for free?   In a word, no!  Before you point out that I’m contradicting my first statement, let me explain.   A recent article in Forbes shares that many successful companies and leaders in customer service and the shopping experience have policies many view as counter to producing exceptional service. However, these companies are doing v...

It is widely known that Service is the lifeblood of all dealerships and, in many cases, keeps dealerships financially in the black. With the inundation of service requests by consumers, largely due to the increasing amounts of recalls that we’ve seen in the last few years, service departments are finding it more difficult than ever to accommodate all of the customers that need their attention in a timely manner. Shortages of technicians, and shop capacity diminishing due to demand, can easily see service advisors move away from a consultative selling mode and move towards a “get ‘em in and out!” mentality. While it’s easy to see how this could happen as service advisors – and dealerships – want to accommodate as many customers as possible, dealerships are skipping sales steps in the name of efficiency and customer experience and leaving money on the table.   So, here are a few tips that you can utilize when it comes to service recommendations. As a Dealer you should be holding yo...

Have you ever learned a new word, then for some strange reason you feel like you see and hear it everywhere? It’s not just you. It’s actually called frequency illusion, or the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. It’s another trick your mind plays on you (sucker), to pull you away from rational thought. It’s also the wrong ROI you […] The post appeared first on DealerRefresh . by Bill Playford via DealerRefresh

Since Facebook has exploded, businesses have all rushed to capture their audience’s attention and leverage the platform’s marketing potential. In the beginning, gaining business exposure on Facebook’s platform was relatively inexpensive. As Facebook continued to modify its algorithm to appease its users and better monetize the platform when it went public, Facebook page organic reach plummeted to where it seems to currently offer organic reach to about 1-2 percent of any given page’s fans. Pay to play has been in effect for some time with the only ways for pages to extend reach being via Facebook ads or engaging content. That, however, hasn’t stopped some dealers from continuing to post vehicles for sale on their Facebook walls even at the risk of alienating their audience.   The question of the day is: Do people actually shop for cars on Facebook’s platform?   In the past, it’s fair to say that consumers who were using Facebook in their car shopping journey were probably ...

Vehicle Values With Historical Performance Can Greatly Increase Accuracy in Claims Adjustments   Black Book, a division of Hearst that provides industry-leading used vehicle valuation and residual value forecast solutions, today announced its History-Adjusted Valuations (HAV) data and resources will be integrated into an interface with DIMONT, one of the largest providers of insurance claims adjusting and collateral loss mitigation services to the residential mortgage and auto lending industries. Under the agreement, Black Book’s HAV insight and resources are now integrated into DIMONT’s proprietary systems for claims adjusters to help in their work pursuing insurance claims on repossessed vehicles. History-Adjusted Valuations are a VIN-specific, analytics-driven resource that delivers Black Book’s most precise vehicle valuations, helping automotive professionals determine the impact a vehicle’s history has on its value. DIMONT is leveraging HAV as a precise independent data so...