Articles by Mark O'Neil - CEO

Mark O'Neil - The past year has unequivocally been a challenging one for our industry, yet as the economy slowly recovers and consumer confidence increases, we can look forward to a brighter future.

Mark O'Neil - ...think about the most successful retailers across the country, operators such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Best Buy. One thing they have in common is they don’t leave much ...

Mark O'Neil - Take a minute and think about the most successful retailers across the country, operators such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Best Buy. One thing they have in common is they don’t leave much to chance; they use technology and tools (not instinct and yellow pads) to help turn their inventory rapidly and boost profits.

Mark O'Neil - Aftermarket products are an essential profit center for your dealership, but during an economic slump, boosting these sales is crucial. Although you may be seeing fewer buyers in your showroom, you can compensate for less volume by ensuring your F&I department is maximizing every deal.

Mark O'Neil - Compliance with the new Rule is mandatory by Nov. 1, 2008. Your program must be appropriate to the size and complexity of your dealership and the nature and scope of your activities, and your board of directors must approve the initial program.

Mark O'Neil - In tandem with analyzing your lead providers, you must establish a concrete process for working the leads you receive.

Mark O'Neil - Not just any customer is the right candidate for your sub prime program. This type of loan can be uncertain; it takes staff training, a solid software partner and a skilled eye to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

Mark O'Neil - Unlike traditional ink-on-paper documents, electronic contracts travel at nearly the speed of light. Since they move so quickly, they can be reviewed and approved faster. For dealers, the additional speed translates into ...

Mark O'Neil - Many front-line managers and sales consultants are skeptical of leasing, even though the lower consumer cost would make it easier to move more units per month. Why?

Mark O'Neil - Increasingly important to dealerships are the back end profits from the sale of aftermarket products...