November Newsletter

November ushers in the official holiday season for many; that comes with a packed schedule full of to-do lists, dinners, trips, etc. Amid all the usual holiday chaos, many of you are expected to wrap-up the current year of business as well as lay out budgets, strategies, and forecasts for the coming year.

This November also brings national and local elections to us. One of the greatest gifts we have as Americans is the ability to get out and vote. Sadly, for a myriad of reasons, many Americans (about half of eligible voters) choose not to vote in mid-term elections. A lot of people only think about voting every four-years when the presidency is on the ballot. Fact is, there is a tremendous amount being done at the state, county, and local level. State representatives, judges, city council, etc. are most likely on ballots in your area. Please get out and vote this November.

As we evaluate 2022 and the successes or opportunities we have had, we must turn our attention to 2023 and what lies ahead. As with 2021, and 2022, there is much uncertainty in the economy, supply-chain, monetary policy, etc.

Here are a few questions being asked…

Although nobody knows for certain what the future holds, we do know there will always be consumers looking to purchase vehicles. The number of consumers and the prices they are willing to pay may vary, but the founding principles of our industry will remain strong and the dealers who provide the best experience will create the greatest value.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s to another great month for everyone!

To view, our entire newsletter follow the link https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/november-newsletter.

October Newsletter

Fall has arrived and October typically brings us ghouls, goblins, and ghosts. This year our industry is dealing with more tricks and treats than normal…

A few of the “Tricks” dealers are facing:

There are still a few “Treats” to be found:

  • Dealers for the most part are still experiencing record, or near-record profits on the vehicles they are selling.
  • The American consumer is proving resilient despite key metrics signaling reason for concern.
  • Fixed Ops continue to be a bright spot in most dealerships, with many stores and dealer groups posting record results.
  • The NADA Mid-Year analysis shows a healthy and vibrant dealer body that continues to feed a significant portion of our overall economy.

Additionally, ADS has a few “Treats” for our dealers to take advantage of:

  • We are hosting an AFIP Certification Course October 4th and 5th in Strongsville, OH. Be sure to check out the information below and register early to secure your seat.
  • This year, ADS is a proud sponsor of Live2Lead in conjunction with one of our favorite charities, Changing Lives Foundation. This is a tremendous opportunity to take leadership lessons from some of the most recognizable names in leadership, coaching, and mentoring. Be sure to check out the information below and reach out to your ADS representative to secure either heavily discounted, or free admission.

Here’s to another great month for everyone!

View the full newsletter https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/october-newsletter.

September Newsletter

September starts off with a long weekend to recognize many of the individuals who built this great country… The Laborers! The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. Without the efforts of the millions of American laborers, we certainly wouldn’t be the country we are today. Although the jobs being performed may look different today, it is still the labor force that keeps this country moving forward. 

To learn more about the history of Labor Day click here.

ADS has some great events planned and some exciting news… 

https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/september-newsletter

Women In Leadership

Gina Cocking is the CEO of Colonnade Advisors and represents the 2% of women who are CEOs at financial institutions. She brings 20+ years of experience in investment banking and executive leadership to the table including experience as a CFO in multiple companies.

When Gina was recently interviewed by Ryan Nelson of the Advanced Principles Podcast, Ryan asked Gina what advice she might have for other women looking to enter the competitive and male-dominated industries like automotive, technology, and investment banking.

Gina (23:00)

“I think 15 years from now, 20 years from now, the guys better watch out. Women are going to college at a higher rate than men. Something like 60 to 65 percent of the incoming college class is female.” 

The pandemic was extremely challenging to the women’s leadership movement. With schools closed and much of the infrastructure for working women disrupted, many families had to make tough decisions and compromises. Homeschooling became the norm, and many women had to shift their schedules.

So what is Gina’s top advice for women that want to make it to the top echelon of the career ladder?

Gina: (28:00):

Marry well. And I don’t mean marry wealthy.

Find a partner who supports you, who gets that your career is just as important as his career. 

Throughout your lives together, know that you’re going to have to make trade-offs. There are some things that are not going to be fun, but you do them together.

If your partner supports you, you can get through it. It’s important that your partner does not feel like their career path is more important. That is the number one key to success.  

About the podcast episode featuring Gina Cocking

Advanced Dealer Solutions is a premier F&I development agency specializing in the automotive, RV, and powersports industries. Advanced Dealer Solutions works to maximize the purchasing experience as well as increase F&I sales and profits as well as increase service sales and retention.

Advanced Dealer Solutions has assembled one of the most sought-after F&I training platforms in the industry. We have a passion for increasing dealer profits by providing industry-leading technology and implementing an F&I selling system that is guaranteed to elevate performance. Advanced Dealer Solutions is driven to provide dealers with products and solutions that result in increased production, profitability, customer retention, and most importantly, customer satisfaction.

Advanced Principles Podcast was created to be an outlet for like-minded individuals to share in the broader conversations on leadership, retail market updates, and incredible success stories.

Colonnade Advisors has deep experience in the automotive dealership services industry. Please see the pre-event interview series here for more information about Colonnade in the industry, M&A drivers, and more.

Colonnade Securities is a leading investment banking firm that has completed over $9 billion in M&A transactions for clients in the business and financial services industries.

View the full interview here, Episode 34 With Gina Cocking.

ADS Receives “Agency Growth Award” From Axiom

We are delighted to announce Advanced Dealer Solutions was presented the 2021 Agency Growth Award from Axiom Product Administration. We were able to spend some time working with part of the Axiom team learning about different product updates and going through processes. We also found ourselves taking some time to get to know each other a little better through friendly and competitive gaming.

August Newsletter

It is hard to believe we are already in the month of August! The recent heat waves across the country surely reminded everyone we are in the dog days of summer! Hopefully, everyone was able to find some comfort near a pool, lake or in the comfort of their air-conditioned home. 

ADS is excited to make a few big announcements… 

View our newsletter to see all the exciting things happening soon!

https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/august-newsletter

July Newsletter

This weekends celebration of America comes at a time when we may need to celebrate the birth of our independence and unity more so than in years past. 

The courage our Founding Fathers showed 246 years ago by forging ahead for what they believed in, as a better and more equal way for Americans to live and prosper, leaves us awestruck and inspired still to this day. Their courage and resilience continues to pay dividends for all of us fortunate enough to live in this amazing country. 

Although much has changed over the last quarter of a millennium in terms of technology, social norms, communication, etc., the core tenants and beliefs the Founding Fathers fought for are still relevant, alive and vibrant today. 

God Bless America!

We hope you all have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

To view our full newsletter https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/july-newsletter.

June 2022 Newsletter

We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend and found time to honor and recognize all who have, and are serving this great country of ours! 

The more things change, the more they stay the same…

Another month has come and gone and it feels like the story of the last year and a half just continues to repeat itself.

– Inventory concerns, check.
– Staffing issues, check.
– EV adoption rate questions, check.
– Inflations concerns, check.
– Industry consolidation, check
– Global/social unrest, yep, check that one as well! 

Dealers persevering and finding ways to win, CHECK, CHECK and CHECK! 

To read our full newsletter follow the link https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/june-newsletter.

Advanced Dealer Solutions May Newsletter

The month of May brings us to the eve of summer, and later this month, many Americans will celebrate Memorial Day with friends and family around a lake, at a barbecue or watching a parade. 

For a huge swath of the country that endured a long, cold, wet winter, summer cannot come soon enough and hopefully May brings us the sunshine and warmth we have been anxiously awaiting since late October 2021. 

Typically the warmer weather and sunshine bring increased vehicle sales. Summer sales, new model introductions, etc. all lead to more customers purchasing new, or new to them, vehicles. Although most dealers are still dealing with little to no inventory, there have been some signs of improvement. Many questions remain about what the new normal will be, and when we will all settle into it. For now, dealers continue to enjoy demand outweighing supply.

With increased volume, specifically F&I production, means dealers are generating more F&I reserve dollars than ever before. And for many dealers, participation in their F&I underwriting profit, or reinsurance, is seen as a retirement plan, or a method to generate capital to help fund their business. We have worked with too many dealers through our careers who are placed into structures that are clearly not the best option for them and their goals. Please take a moment to read through the article on navigating the myriad of options available to dealers today. 

And last, but not certainly not least, Happy Mothers Day to all the amazing and wonderful mothers in each of our lives. 

To read our full newsletter follow the link https://mailchi.mp/advdealer.com/may-newsletter