Amberly Allen is the Managing Partner of Dealer Merchant Services and President of DI Marketing.   Over the past 18 years she has worked with the very best in the automotive industry.  

In 2005, she started DI Marketing – a dealer centric marketing firm and grew it into one of the fastest growing businesses in the country.   She has received numerous awards including the INC 5000 fastest growing company – two years in a row, Top 50 Fastest Growing Women’s Businesses in Houston, Top 40 under 40 for the Houston Business Journal, an international Stevie award for Best Entrepreneur, a 3X finalist for the NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Business owner of the year, a finalist for Ernst & Young Winning Women Award and the youngest member (at the time) of the Women’s Presidents Organization requiring $2Million+ in annual revenue.  DI is also an FCA approved vendor, a Lithia approved vendor and some of the first dealers she worked with are still her customers today. 

During her time with the decision makers, maximizing profitability was always the most important topic.  She began learning more about one of the largest, and oftentimes, overlooked expenses – credit card processing fees.  She spent several years researching the legislative changes as it pertains to these fees and created Dealer Merchant Services.  Dealer Merchant Services focuses on dealerships and uses a unique and proprietary method, backed by a US Patent, to help dealers recoup an estimated $5k – $15k per month, per rooftop without jeopardizing CSI.  Dealer Merchant Services is now the fastest growing Merchant Provider that focuses solely on dealers and her goal is to help save dealers $35Million + in the next 5 years. https://dealermerchantservices.com/

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The Driving Sales Executive Summit is on in a BIG way Oct 9-10 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The industry is currently in a very dynamic yet super profitable state, but for how long? Change is just a supply chain kink or governmental policy away. Innovations are being introduced all the time, and now is the time to decide which ones are worthy and which ones are half-baked. Bottom line, it all comes down to people.

Is your dealership culture a positive, winning one, and are you and your team prepared for the next market phase that’s on the horizon? No one saw the Covid crisis coming let alone that it would usher in an era of unparalleled profit…we may not be so lucky next time…but we’ll be ready. This summit is focused to help you handle whatever is next.
Reg here and use Kelley100 to save $100:-): https://bit.ly/3RI7E0b

The post The Driving Sales Executive Summit – Expectations are Super High! appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

The Driving Sales, Three Day Executive Retreat in Q4 designed to study retail innovation with world-leading experts, to help you write your business plan for next year. Save $100 by using code Kelley 100

For: Executive Teams, Owners, GMs, Marketing, GSMs, Fixed Ops

When: Oct. 8-10, 2022

Where: The Bellagio, Las Vegas

The post Driving Sales Executive Retreat is Oct. 9-10 at the Bellagio – It’s Gonna Be Big Time! appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

It’s commonplace for the children of successful business owners to run the business into the ground. They inherit the business but don’t inherit the struggle and learning curve it took to build the business in the first place and move it forward. According to Inc.com, 60% of 2nd generation owners, and 90% of 3rd generation business owners tank the business. Steering the ship isn’t the same as building it and knowing how it runs. This is not unusual to the car business and Mr. Robert Voltmann, CEO of NIADA, understands that there are many such owners in his membership body that need the guidance, coaching, and proper direction that his organization is willing to give. This video series gives you insight into the unique leadership skills that Mr. Voltmann exudes as he takes the NIADA into unchartered waters in the hyper-competitive, “Era of the Used Car.”

The post CEO of the NIADA: Why 2nd and 3rd Gen Dealers Fail appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

Ken Hill is the Managing Director of 700Credit, the largest provider of credit and compliance products in the automotive industry. During his 12 years with 700Credit Ken has been responsible for the leadership and growth of the company. In 2007, Ken started with 700Credit when they had a respectful 700 customers and 5 affiliate partners. Fast forward to 2019 and 700Credit is now the largest in the industry, providing credit and compliance solutions to over 11,000 automotive dealerships, and integrating with 150 affiliate partners.

The post Data Breaches Can Cost Dealerships Millions in State Fines and Lawsuits appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

The post Is the Computer Chip Shortage End In Sight? appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

The Lewis Black of Almonty Industries Interview

Kelly

So let’s talk about the fun stuff. And that would be mining in the United States. And there needs to be a political will. But I would assume that there also has to be environmental impact studies that need to be annulled. And that’s got to take some time as well. Do they have the testosterone across both sides of the aisle politically here, the United States actually started doing this here in the US? What’s your take on that?

Lewis

No, I don’t believe it’s going to really be feasible for either side, you know, to really get behind this, because ultimately, neither of their bases are pro mining.  Mines had that day, and they’re now seen as a very 19th century kind of, you know, throwback to history. They, you know, there is no appetite to now push domestic mining, you know, yes, there’s regulations. Yes, they’re the, you know, this is normal in every democracy, but they don’t want it in their backyard. I read this thing the other day, about wind farms of Cape Cod, that you have an enclave of people who are very environmentally active. And yet they don’t want to look at the wind farms. 

So it is apparently, according to the candidates who were there, that it’s difficult to land your plane with a wind farm, which, you know, I suppose, is one rationale. But ultimately, you know, I think that really sums it up. There are some communities still in the Appalachians and some communities that are pro mining, but it’s not on a national level. And it’s I don’t think that I think that what we’re looking at, there’s a bill going through now called the Irie shore act, where it classifies say tungsten as a rare earth. And they’re basically saying that if you’re in the defense contractor business in the US, you can’t use Chinese sourced rare earths and that includes manganese, lithium and tungsten, and then all the rare earths 17 of them, that I can’t even pronounce the atrium and the opium and, and so on. 

But it also talks about stockpiling commodities, strategic minerals and government offtakes, and I think that’s the direction they’re gonna go. They’re going to basically say, Look, you know, you’ve got to build it, where we can see transparency. But we’re not going to say you should build it here. We’re just going to say, here’s a government contract, if you meet these conditions of ESG, we’ll buy for you. And I think that’s probably the most creative approach they can take.

Justin

Yeah, so Louis, a little bit lighter of a question, how much earth do you have to move to get enough tungsten to make, let’s just say, one semiconductor and I know you’ve already mentioned they’re very, very small.

Lewis

Well, I mean, to be honest, not a huge amount. Because we use, you know, the Tungsten is used in a semiconductor is crushed down to a nano sized fraction, which is then injected into a gas because you can’t smelt a tungsten. And then the gas is pumped into each semiconductor, the coat on a microscopic level, a coating of tungsten, because one it’s very conductive. And secondly, it dissipates heat. So you don’t have to worry about, you know, a cobalt in anodes, they combust you know, a battery can go up and it burns, what 48 hours, you put tungsten on that same anode, it’ll get as hot as the sun and it won’t smelt,the temperature of the sun, it will smelt tungsten, but noncombustible. So it can take the heat. So you don’t need a huge I mean, the entire planet, we only produce about 90,000 tons a year of tungsten. That’s it. So it’s very dense, same density as gold. But we don’t mind. We don’t move a lot of Earth.

Justin

When a mine is kind of fished out, so to speak. Is there a reclamation process that you guys do around the globe? I know you have mines elsewhere, and I would assume that that process would be different in the United States due to our regulation. Can you elaborate?

Lewis

You’re working in a democracy, that’s all pretty much the same thing. Yeah, yeah, it’s, it’s, you know, you have certain, you know, different like in Canada, for instance, now you have first nations as well and have to be consulted. In Australia, you have indigenous Aboriginal people. So you have these additional layers, but ultimately, in terms of reclamation, environmental compliance, the international standards are just that now that they’re pretty much across the board. I think the main difference in the US is that even if you comply with all of the regulations, and all the laws that exist, you can still run into trouble if the political will is against you. So there’s the legal framework in the United States, there’s also the emotional framework and that can also impact you so that’s something to also consider in the US.

Justin

Yeah. So which has more impact on the land is it oil drilling, strip mining? What what has more impact on the environment?

Lewis

Strip mining. I mean, you know, drilling for oil is your drilling drill, it’s a hole and they kept the hole after you finished and that’s the end of it. When you strip mine, I mean, we hard mine, we strip mine, the strip mine, you have to when you finish, you have to fill in the hole. It’s a big hole. But in that time where the hole exists, it’s very visible. The mining in South Korea is underground. And we’ve developed systems where we put all of our waste and all of our tailings back on the ground. So that we know evidence that we’re there. And that’s the future. But strip mining has a lot more of an impact on the environment. Well, optically, environmentally.

Kelly

Yeah. So that’s a big nay nay. So um, I, for one, I’m in favor of the bill. I’d like to see it actually increased the amount of money that we put towards some of the most absurd things that just defies logic. Our dependence on China is ridiculous. It’s costing jobs. It’s blowing up prices left and right. And if we have the ability to eat more of the semiconductor pie, we may as well open our mouths. That’s the way I look at it, though.

Lewis

You  in the United States are the biggest consumer of semiconductors? I mean, it’s a classic example of how globalization has put everyone sort of, you know, in a precarious position, the US consumes more semiconductors than anybody else. And yet, you really don’t produce any semiconductors. But that doesn’t really make an awful lot of sense. But then you can say that about many, many industries. I mean, the car sector in the in the Europe right now, they have problems with wiring looms that you know, they have companies that make the wiring looms and then ship them to the cloud plants have installed, they have problems because over the years, they’ve been pushing that the subcontracting that out further and further east because they’ve been following the cheap labor and then are done by Ukraine. Of course, now Ukraine is rather busy to be making wiring looms for Volkswagens. So you know, you have, you know, car plants that are sitting idle because there’s no other, they don’t have anyone else right away that can now replicate that job. So I think this is probably a good wake up call to say, You know what, globalization is a wonderful idea, but you’ve got to remember, sometimes chasing, you know, the cheap route can cost you a lot more in the long run.

The post Will Environmental Issues and Lack of Political Will Keep the Supply Chain of Semiconductor Chips In Enemy Hands? appeared first on DealershipNews.com.

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December 16, 2020

Rockville, Md.- Autosled, Inc., the digital vehicle logistics marketplace for automotive dealers, transporters and consumers, has partnered with 20 Group Dealer Trades to provide exclusive transport support for the new and used cars traded amongst its members.

Autosled’s online logistics platform enables nationwide shipments with contactless delivery, real-time GPS tracking, and direct contact with Transporters. Through 20 Group Dealer Trades’ dealer direct platform, Franchise and Independent dealerships trade vehicles amongst its members. As the exclusive transportation provider for 20 Group Dealer Trades, Autosled’s pre-vetted network of transporters across the United States supply both open and enclosed transport.

“We appreciate the opportunity to align with cutting edge industry partners such as 20 Group Dealer Trades”, said David Sperau, ceo of Autosled. “As hard as it is to acquire frontline ready inventory, this is a no brainer for today’s automotive dealers. We look forward to supporting their growing network of dealers with the most reliable vehicle transport platform on the market”.

“20 Group Dealer Trades was created to increase dealership profitability and dispose of overage, pre-owned inventory through a Dealer to Dealer direct ecommerce model”, said Santosh Viswanathan, founder and ceo of 20 Group Dealer Trades. “We have now decided to incorporate new car inventory due to the same aging issues that retailers face with used cars. Instead of paying locator services for half of the hold back cost for each vehicle, automotive dealers pay a flat rate of $199 through 20 Group Dealer Trades. Thank you to Peter Fong, chief growth officer for Autosled, who has helped launch this partnership.”

About 20 Group Dealer Trades

20 Group Dealer Trades is the first members-only, dealer-direct platform that enables dealers to turn reconditioned inventory in an efficient and convenient way. 20 Group Dealer Trades was founded by Santosh Viswanathan, owner of Ford and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram stores, for dealers looking to trade reconditioned, frontline ready units. Comprising both Franchise and Independent dealerships, 20 Group Dealer Trades provides full mechanical inspections, vehicle transport, ACH payments and floor planning. For more information, or to become a 20 Group Dealer Trades member, please visit: www.20groupdealertrades.com.

About Autosled

Autosled provides dealers, transporters, auctioneers, brokers, and individuals that are relocating with seamless, efficient, and digital vehicle transport options. New and used cars, trucks, motorcycles, classic and luxury vehicles are all regularly shipped nationwide. Autosled offers enclosed and open transport as well as door-to-door shipping to both residences and businesses. The software allows dealers to reduce paperwork and miscommunication- allowing dealers to save time and move inventory off of their lots quicker. Autosled’s services include: custom price quotes, secure online payments, electronic accounting and invoicing, vehicle shipments scheduled online, verified transporter insurance and a vetted network of transporters. Every vehicle shipped through Autosled is protected, with real-time GPS vehicle tracking, and an instant communication with transporters throughout the shipping process. For more information, visit: www.autosled.com.

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TIP #1 OPTIMIZE YOUR GOOGLE MY BUSINESS PAGE

Many business owners search for their own businesses and are surprised to find that they aren’t in the top handful of businesses listed, let alone page one. What’s worse, they aren’t found in the all-important #Google search “local 3-pack” which is in that map box just above the fold on the results page. Some can’t even find themselves in #AppleMaps, #Waze, #Siri, or any other typed or spoken search apps that provide directional and listing information. It drives many business owners mad.

What makes matters worse is that if you’re not on page one, you are virtually and literally cloaked. Few people searching for businesses make it past the first page of search, and 89% of them are ready to buy when in search mode. YOU HAVE TO BE ON PAGE ONE! There are several reasons for lack of ranking, but over time and at a relatively low cost, you can become visible north of the fold in the Google 3-Pack search block.

#SocialOrdeals has mastered the technique for business ranking using a suite of products in their platform that SMBs from Veterinarians to Car Dealers, Restauranteurs to Attorneys, Carpenters to Retailers, Franchisers and Associations of all shapes and sizes can utilize to grow their business’ visibility and sales volume. There are other companies out there that offer platforms with a similar suite of services but few are as affordable and for lack of a better description, credible in the execution as is Social Ordeals.

Tip #1: Google My Business is responsible for 25% of your ranking in search. The days of a dominant webpage are over. It’s Google’s plan to control as much of the web as they can and want you on their property for as long as possible – so we need to play by their rules.

Step 1: Claim the page as your business and make sure all information on it such as Business Name, Address, Telephone #, and Web Address are 100% correct. Google will send you a postcard verifying the location at the outset of claiming your GMB page.

Step 2: Load it up with your businesses specialties so people can see what differentiates you from competitors. If you’re a medical specialist, make sure prospective patients can see what you focus on, laser therapy, surgery, MRI machine on premises, etc. I suggest the most profitable products and services be spotlighted. If your a restaurant, post some of your specialty dishes, so on and so forth. Post pictures of the facility as well, along with smiling employees and customers if they oblige but not in the business’s products and services section.

Step 3: Pre-load popular questions and answers in the appropriate section given so the public can research you right then and there, and click to call instantly. The Q&A section is public so if you don’t answer any questions that come up without warning, someone from the public will, and you may not like the response. Keeping a vigil on this section is crucial because it’s so forward facing to a public likely in buying phase. Putting revised hours of operation here is a good idea because so many governments are vacillating on who opens and who doesn’t. Some only offer curbside so…you get the idea.

Step 4: Drive as many positive reviews to your GMB as possible. Reviews account for 15% of your search ranking score so make sure to have a review generation and reputation management strategy bought and paid for before you open your doors OR, get one in place if you currently aren’t employing one. Almost everyone looks at business reviews before making a decision. If you aren’t pulling 4.5-5.0, you are a B business in the eyes of the public. But it’s not just high scores that count, rather the volume of reviews that will lift you on any of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) of which Google gets 70% of the traffic.

Step 5: Drive all of your social media posts to your GMB page. Consider it a crucial social media element to your businesses positive visibility to the public. After all, the GMB page is one click away from the customer’s search engine operation so put your best content forward. Hashtag all of your social media posts (as well as your specialties) as you would on any social media platform because those hashtags WILL help you rank in search on Google. It may be a lesser known fact, but we’ve seen it applied.

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