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
The following story seems unbelievable, really. But it’s true. How do I know? Because it happened after I left one of the big dealerships I used to manage. It’s a case study for what not to do when it comes to dealership management. It’s evidence that employee training is crucial and by telling this story, […] The post How to Learn the Hard Way that Employee Training Keeps Money in the Bank appeared first on Kruse Control Auto.| Kruse Control Auto
It’s a strange time in the car business. You walk into some dealerships and it’s like nothing’s changed since fax machines were cool. Meanwhile, the| Kruse Control Inc
Poor leadership practices cost companies millions of dollars each year by negatively impacting employee productivity, staff retention, and customer| Kruse Control Inc
These days, managing your dealership’s online reputation is a bit like trying to keep a balloon from touching the floor using only your head—exhausting, slightly ridiculous, and oddly competitive. One minute, you’re coasting along with five-star reviews and a coffee machine that works, and the next, your CSI score has been torpedoed by someone who thinks […] The post What’s a Five-Star Online Reputation Really Worth? appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Running a car dealership without understanding your financial statement is like driving blindfolded—you might keep the engine running, but you won’t know when you’re about to crash. Whether you’re a dealer principal, GM, or department manager, understanding how to read your dealership’s financial statement is one of the most powerful tools you have for making […] The post How to Read a Dealership Financial Statement: A Practical Guide appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
There’s a certain kind of paralysis that sets in when everything feels like it’s falling apart—like when your phone pings with a “low storage” warning and your accountant texts, “Can we talk?” So I almost didn’t write this post. It felt indulgent, like rearranging throw pillows during a house fire. But then, a few things […] The post Top 10 Financial Concerns Keeping Dealers Up at Night appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
Car dealerships have an accountant problem. Namely, they are running out of them. Over the past two years, I’ve been writing about the growing shortage of dealership controllers, and the situation has only deteriorated. Not only is it increasingly difficult to find knowledgeable controllers, but the crisis extends to dealership accounting talent as a whole. […] The post Car Dealerships Face an Accountant Crisis appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
It’s clear that many dealerships are actively searching for experienced controllers. In Driving Blind: The Shortage of Seasoned Dealership Controllers, I discussed how this shortage has been developing for years, worsening over time. Now, we are witnessing its impact firsthand. Running a dealership without a firm grasp of its financials is like driving without being […] The post 12 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Dealership Controller appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
You’d be surprised what’s lurking in car dealership accounting records and financials. I’ve written and spoken about this a lot and nothing really seems to change that much. I’ve seen the same mistakes repeated again and again, with little progress toward improvement. While some dealers and general managers are aware of the issues and work […] The post Car Dealership Accounting “Worst Practices” That Jeopardize Profitability appeared first on Kruse Control Inc.| Kruse Control Inc
I've spent my entire life in the car business, so when I walk into a service department, I see it differently than the average female customer. My focus| Kruse Control Inc
The list of skills that every dealership marketer needs to succeed continues to grow and evolve. It's true now and will continue to be true throughout| Kruse Control Inc
Let’s paint a picture. A dealership is hemorrhaging money, the books are in disarray with likelihood of many pending write-offs, and employees are| Kruse Control Inc
The car business is a high stakes gambit. The average consumer believes manufacturers just build cars and dealers sell them - simple as that. But it's| Kruse Control Inc
My grandfather was a Buick dealer in downtown Los Angeles in the 1950's-60's. His majority partner was Charles S. Howard, a pioneer car dealer and early| Kruse Control Inc
I got into the car business after working at a bank in college where one of the customers was a car dealer. I wanted to earn more money and he offered me| Kruse Control Inc
In today's full-speed, take no prisoners online reputation landscape, where one misstep can spell disaster for a car dealership's reputation, it's crucial| Kruse Control Inc
I am an observer. I like to explore and examine certain trends and follow my instincts where they take me. When I was a CFO at dealerships, this kept the| Kruse Control Inc
I've been in the car business my entire life so my view of the Service Dept in any dealership is unique compared to the average female customer. Whenever| Kruse Control Inc
Women buy 54% of the cars in the United States, and influence 84% of all vehicle purchase decisions. Yet most women dread the car buying experience, with| Kruse Control Inc
Have you ever heard about The $517,000 customer? It comes from Carl Sewell’s iconic book Customers for Life. In it, he teaches a simple credo, “Find out| Kruse Control Inc