It’s an odd thing to be human: we’ll put up with slow internet, screaming children on airplanes, and doctors who insist on asking if we’ve been “keeping active,” but the one thing we cannot tolerate, the final straw that sends us muttering into our steering wheel in the Safeway parking lot, is to be ignored. […] The post The Case of the Invisible Customer (and the Cost of Not Listening) appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Month-end in a franchise car dealership is a bit like hosting Thanksgiving dinner. You think you’ve got everything under control until you realize the turkey’s still frozen, the cranberry sauce is missing, and Aunt Linda has arrived two hours early asking why the table isn’t set. For controllers, it’s the same kind of scramble: dozens […] The post Month-End Checklist for Franchise Car Dealership Controllers appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Every dealership has its version of “everything’s fine.” It’s usually said just after someone asks a financial question that doesn’t have an immediate answer. The phones are ringing, the sales team is caffeinated, and the service dept has customers in the drive. On the surface, it looks like a well-oiled machine. But behind the office […] The post The Warning Signs of a Dealership Financial Crisis appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Bringing a CFO into your dealership can feel a bit like inviting a houseguest who goes through your medicine cabinet, your freezer, and your credit card statements, and then tells you what’s expired, what’s rotting, and why you’re broke. It’s unsettling at first, but if you’re smart, you’ll pour them a cup of coffee and […] The post When to Hire a Dealership CFO appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Anyone who’s been in the car business for a decent amount of time knows that the business is filled with uncertainty. It’s basically a masterclass in controlled chaos. But even by these standards, these new tariff threats feel like someone shook the Etch-A-Sketch we’ve all been trying to draw a stable business on. It’s enough […] The post In Uncertain Times, Steady Habits Win appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Throughout my dealership management career, I always relied on integrating workable systems, processes and policies to make everyone’s job easier and higher profits more attainable. When Kruse Control began offering social media and online reputation services for dealers, we stood out as one of the few companies advocating for clear social media policies to protect […] The post 3 Essential Social Media Policies to Keep Car Dealers Out of Hot Water appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
This week is a short week (Labor Day), and corporate taxes are due, so I thought I’d share a quick story with you that was inspired by the Rolls Royce SUV. If you’re not a car person, you may not even know such a thing exists. Indeed, when I saw it for the first time, […] The post Short Week Musings: When Luxury Meets Utility appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc