Holistic Business Approach (HBA)

A form of mindset that concentrates on assisting automotive dealerships in recognizing, questioning, and altering negative cognitive patterns to enhance the emotional well-being and overall performance of their team. A strategic approach that unifies all departments as a cohesive unit to achieve a common objective.

Any alternative methodology will merely yield temporary positive outcomes. The entire team, ranging from sales personnel to management, must possess the appropriate mentality to thrive. Maintaining this level of consciousness is what distinguishes us.

Every decision, whether made or not, originates from a thought. These decisions have guided you to your current position. The question is, are you content with your current circumstances?

Every business commences with a thought; thus, it is imperative to identify, challenge, and modify those cognitive patterns to redirect them toward the correct path. Nevertheless, there are certain fundamental principles that a business owner can integrate into their framework to promote a comprehensive approach.

•     Broad Perspective Thinking
•     Employee Well-Being
•     Transparent Communication
•     Growth Mindset
•     Company Culture and Core Values

We take great pride in our audacity to embrace this aspect of business and trust us, once you align yourself with the same energy and understanding, you too will feel an immense sense of pride.

Dealer's Floor Plans & Economics 💵

A revolving line of credit is provided by a floor plan company to automotive dealers, with the car's title as collateral. Consequently, the floor plan company assumes the role of the lien holder for the vehicles, which are subject to depreciation. The contractual agreement necessitates submitting minimum payments, referred to as "curtailments," on the specified due date, regardless of whether the vehicle has been sold. In the event of a sale, the vehicle must be paid off within a designated timeframe. Lack of comprehension regarding the operational procedures of various floor plan companies, as well as the absence of knowledge on effective negotiation strategies and dealership application qualifications, can swiftly lead to business failure.

It is imperative to grasp the mathematical aspects of future projections and possess the necessary mindset and financial management skills. The selection of an appropriate floor plan company is of utmost importance. We have extensive knowledge of the majority if not all, major floor plan companies operating in the United States.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to catch up on payments, are in default, or have been referred to the risk management department, it would be beneficial to consult individuals with expertise and prior experience in this field. In such dire circumstances, we can provide valuable assistance to help you achieve the most favorable outcomes.

However, our ultimate objective is to guide you towards a pathway where such circumstances do not arise. Our services extend beyond merely instructing and advising on obtaining a floor plan or resolving related issues. We also offer guidance on managing your finances, cash flow, and debts. It is crucial to place trust in our expertise, as many dealerships fail to do so due to an attitude of overconfidence and a lack of ongoing education.

Inventory & Sales

You may possess exceptional cash flow, an appropriate floor plan, a solid organizational structure, a well-conceived strategy, and a specialized market segment as a dealer. However, if you lack the essential elements within your team and fail to attract suitable individuals, all your meticulous planning and financial resources will quickly become futile. Allow us to provide an illustrative example. In the automotive industry, there is a widely recognized saying that a car is sold the moment it is purchased. Why is this the case? Understanding the critical factors involved in inventory procurement and comprehending the optimal methods, timing, and locations for purchasing are of utmost importance. Irrespective of the strength of your sales team, a single buyer has the potential to make or break your business.

How many poor purchasing decisions can your enterprise endure? Given the substantial turnover rate of employees in automotive dealerships, a business must possess management personnel with the wisdom to assemble a team characterized by imagination and courage. Unfortunately, many individuals lack the fortitude to transcend their egos and limitations. How far can one progress without goals and a visionary mindset? Gone are the days when visiting an auction, making a purchase, advertising the vehicle online, and waiting for a buyer to arrive at your lot sufficed. The industry has undergone significant changes, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuous education is indispensable for both you and your employees to achieve success. What does ongoing education entail? Does it involve understanding the market, emerging technologies, and trends? Should we pay attention to the housing market, treasury policies, and interest rates? Is it necessary to meticulously analyze and research our data? As we have emphasized in our (HBA) approach, we firmly believe that a harmonious team attitude coupled with a positive mindset is the only viable path forward. When everyone progresses collectively, success naturally follows.

Through our immersive and hands-on training methods, we will equip you and your employees with the necessary skills to reach their full potential.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "Tell me, and I forget; teach me, and I may remember; involve me, and I will learn."

California Dealership Lawsuits 

It is worth noting that when searching online for dealership lawsuits in California, one would come across numerous pages from the perspective of the plaintiff or their attorneys, boasting about the number of dealerships they have sued and the amount of money they have "won." However, there is a noticeable absence of articles or information from the defendant's point of view on how auto dealers in California can prevent such ordeals.

It is not an overstatement to acknowledge that nearly every auto dealership in California has either been sued or is aware of a dealership that has faced the distressing experience of being targeted by multiple attorneys in the state, supposedly acting on behalf of consumers. Unfortunately for the dealers, it is not unreasonable to assume that these lawsuits are not primarily for the benefit of consumers but rather for the use of the lawyers involved.

There have been numerous instances where such lawsuits have had detrimental effects on the survival of dealerships, particularly those classified as "small businesses." However, it often takes years of collective efforts at the dealership level to gather enough opposition and advocate for improved laws and guidelines that promote fairness in these practices. Nevertheless, should one remain passive and wait for such lawsuits to occur?

When faced with such situations, most dealerships are taken aback, and their initial response is to seek the services of another attorney. This, of course, leads to further depletion of financial resources.

The most significant tool or loophole available to plaintiff attorneys is the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), a consumer statute outlined in the Cal. Civil Code §§ 1750. This law enables plaintiffs to initiate private civil actions against companies that engage in "unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in a transaction."

Several methods exist to rectify CLRA violations, including product repair, replacement, or refund, addressing issues caused by services, and providing customers with additional information about goods or services. 

California is renowned for being a state that prioritizes consumer protection, as evidenced by Section 1780(d) of the CLRA, which grants attorney's fees to plaintiffs who successfully pursue their claims. Furthermore, obtaining an injunction against a business is considered a victory under the CLRA, which can result in significant financial losses for the defendant. 

Knowing how to avoid such legal battles can save businesses from incurring substantial expenses and potential closure. Take proactive measures and contact us for assistance in preventing such hardships.

Software & Advertising

It is widely agreed that a dealership's software must possess premium features such as a robust accounting system, sales and prospect management, and advanced technology. However, we must go beyond these basic requirements and inform our clients about the more dynamic tools available. While finding a suitable software program may be easy, settling for a mediocre one is not advisable when an all-encompassing one-stop-shop program is available.

Franchise auto dealers' websites and CRM often need more imagination, simple creativity, and navigation and are mostly sold on the gibberish told by software companies. This is evident from the convoluted nature of their websites, which visitors cannot wait to leave.

Without delving into how a system should operate, web-based software is the way to go. The ideal software should have the CRM, DMS, Inventory Management, advertising tools, and website with back-end access all under one roof.

For instance, some dealers may hesitate to invest in Google Ads due to the "paid" aspect. However, a recent study by Google revealed that $1,000 financed in Google Search Ads produced results for up to nine months from the initial sale, ultimately impacting the decision of 6.5 car purchases. Can your software achieve such results with just a few clicks?

We have been offering guidance and ideas to both auto dealerships and software companies for more than ten years. It is noteworthy to mention that these recommendations have been extended beyond the automotive industry, encompassing the transformative impact of TikTok, as well as other social media platforms and AI applications. These technological advancements have revolutionized customer experiences by effectively analyzing extensive data from various sources such as the dealer's CRM, DMS, and other data hubs.