Car sales CAN be a career! The other day there was a humorous discussion about the old movie Glengarry Glen Ross and how the sales meeting scene was a fairly typical type of Friday morning sales meeting for many of us who have been at this for more than 15 years or so. After the conversation I started thinking about the people who have entered into the business in the last few years and the image of salespeople they were presented with in movies and TV shows and its really stopped me in my tracks. I have heard many complaints about the attitude and since of entitlement that today’s work force has but really; its not all their fault. Think about the last movie you saw that had a salesperson in it, more than likely the salesperson wasn't portrayed very nicely. TV shows the same, most salespeople are one of two stereotypes; greedy cutthroat slime balls or lazy ignorant losers. How can we expect a new generation of employees to be the professionals they can be if the only perceptions they have had of salespeople have been negative ones? As managers we know that the car business can in fact be a very rewarding and profitable career without sacrificing honor or integrity. Yes there have been a fair amount of folks working in car sales with questionable ethics but the same is true in many, many fields that aren't blanketly labeled as bad choices for work. As managers it is up to us to lead with integrity and provide the positive motivation that will inspires those coming in to the car business to continue the effort of raising the image and expectations of what it is that we do. Lets face it, few people started out wanting to be car salesmen but thousands and thousands of folks are. We work each day in one of the most important industries in the nation, in fact it was the auto industry that helped the most to turn the economy back in the right direction and as it has been said by many wise people; “nothing happens until a salesperson sells something!” I would advise you to start this year with a new approach, sit down with each of your salespeople and ask them to write out where they think they are now and where they would like to be in three and five years. In your talk try to find out their own feelings about what they do, if a person doesn't feel like they are working in alignment with their own value structure you have big problems as they are probably just hanging out until the opening becomes available at the truck driving school! Do your best to remind your staff, and also show them with your leadership that sales is not a job to be ashamed at working in, rather it can be a career to be proud of! Until next time, Sell Something :)
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For the last year and a half or so I have been chomping at the bit waiting for the arrival of the next generation of America's favorite Pony, the 2015 Ford Mustang! To commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Mustang Ford held a huge premier event here on the west coast at the world famous TLC Chinese Theater and I was incredibly lucky enough to get an invite and be there! There were hundreds of celebrities and members of the world auto press, and just like a famous star it is the new Mustang even left its 'foot print' in the wet cement out in front of the theater to be displayed next to stars like Steve McQueen! After starring in over 3,000 movies and TV shows the new Mustang had a LOT to live up to and it does NOT disappoint! From the outside its obvious that the new Mustang is breath taking and the performance is too! As I checked out each of the drawings, renderings and concepts that popped up online I found many features I liked about many of them and the magicians at Ford seem to have read my mind and pulled together the things I liked about many different versions of the new Pony into one simply stunning package. The new GT is powered by a freshened up Coyote 5.0l V8 that develops 420hp and will also be available with the Launch Control feature previously only available on the Shelby Cobra's! At the other end of the spectrum is an all new 4 cyl, DOHC Turbo Charged EcoBoost engine that makes 305hp while also returning class leading exceptional fuel mileage! Out back the rear suspension is all new and fully independent, which means the new Pony will change the way you feel about the letters IRS forever! Quite simply the only thing the designers kept from the current platform is the way they spell Mustang! The 2015 wasn't styled, it was engineered with an intent to stir the soul, provide an intense yet incredibly satisfying driving experience and be the center of attention wherever it goes for a long, long time! The first 1000 editions of this gorgeous new Mustang will be 2014.5 models to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first Mustangs and there is already much anticipation, contact us at Raceway Ford for more information on how to get your name on the waiting list and stay tuned here for more info on this amazing new addition to Ford's history of amazing cars! |
Mike theCarGuy
Hey there, I'm Mike theCarGuy and here are some of my thoughts about cars, the car business and sales! Take a look around, maybe you will learn something or at the very least find your self smiling, and if you do... leave me a comment so I know I at least did something right! Thanks for stoppin by...
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March 2024
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