Dealer Insights

Showing 273–288 of 347 results

  • Dealer Digest

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 442

    Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” highlights a Foresight Research survey showing the importance of the dealership in the consumer’s car-buying decision; a Wells Fargo/Gallup survey revealing dealerships’ continuing caution in regard to hiring; and closed dealerships that have converted their facilities to car-care centers.

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  • Start cross-training your accounting staff

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 580

    Abstract: The benefits of cross-training accounting personnel outweigh the investment in the time it takes to get these employees up to speed at handling one another’s responsibilities. This article shows the benefits of cross-training in regard to both productivity and employee morale, and lists the areas of accounting that can benefit most. A sidebar briefly discusses the importance of encouraging supervisors to informally reverse-train within their respective departments.

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  • Rescuing orphaned parts and service customers

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 800

    Abstract: This year offers a treasure chest of potential customers orphaned by the closing of the dealerships that serviced their cars and trucks. But dealers who want to gain market share in the parts and service arena will need to offer potential customers what they want, or a competitor likely will win them over. This article offers tips for rescuing — and keeping — this valuable business.

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  • The expense-savvy dealer – 10 cost- and tax-saving tactics to consider

    September / October 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 743

    Abstract: Given the challenges of the recent recession, many dealerships may feel they’ve already looked into every possible corner to save money. But this article offers 10 often-overlooked cost-saving strategies, ranging from getting a property reappraisal to controlling health care costs to changing corporate structure.

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  • Dealer Digest

    July / August 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 476

    Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” looks at the tax break now available for hiring certain employees under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. It also discusses three vehicle-related tax credits that have been created or expanded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

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  • Hiring a top-notch finance manager – Personality mix and motivation are key

    July / August 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 668

    Abstract: Finding a finance manager who can help lead a dealership to profitability is challenging: The person must have a special mix of traits and skills and be able to negotiate purchase prices, payment terms and service contracts with customers day in and day out. To get such top-notch talent, dealers should offer this pivotal player an income that’s both motivating to him or her and fair to the business. There are several ways to design an attractive incentive-based plan.

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  • Buy-sell agreements make sense

    July / August 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 759

    Abstract: A buy-sell agreement minimizes surprises and prevents expensive lawsuits by addressing dispute resolution, valuation and buyout processes — while the parties are still on good terms. An attorney can draft a buy-sell agreement, but often a financial expert is called to fill in details and arrive at a definition of value for the company. He or she will also look at buyout terms and their tax consequences.

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  • Background checks – Be safe, not sorry

    July / August 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 895

    Abstract: Part of the classic recipe for fraud lies in opportunity, and even with strong internal controls at auto dealerships there’s plenty of opportunity for “bad apples.” Complete background checks are one of the best ways to make sure an applicant’s job performance doesn’t later disappoint. But they need to be performed without violating privacy rights and other laws, which are always evolving. This article discusses legal factors and what to look for in a background check company, while a sidebar lists information frequently examined in background checks.

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  • Dealer Digest

    May / June 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 404

    Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” offers suggestions for moving used-car inventory; looks at truck donations to Haiti; shows trends in leasing and repossessions; and illustrates negative tax consequences of early retirement distributions.

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  • Dealerships in distress – Out-of-court workouts are among their options

    May / June 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 706

    Abstract: While the worst ramifications of the recession may be over, many dealerships continue to fight for their survival in a frail economy. There are telltale signs that a dealership may be headed toward bankruptcy — but there are several relief methods available to distressed dealerships. An out-of-court turnaround may involve renegotiating debt terms, cutting service hours or combining administrative positions. In a Chapter 11 “reorganization” bankruptcy, the dealership retains its assets as a “debtor in possession” and remains open. As a last resort, there’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy, involving voluntary or involuntary liquidation.

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  • LIFO lessons learned

    May / June 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 643

    Abstract: Many auto dealerships use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuing their inventories of new and used vehicles, parts, and accessories. Typically, this costing method can save on tax bills. But, for dealers who end the year with inventories far below their normal levels (as was common in 2009), LIFO can be costly. To avoid a tax hit, it’s important to understand when to use LIFO and when to forgo it. This article looks at LIFO’s quirks and examines other common inventory accounting methods.

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  • Drawing an effective budget

    May / June 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1021

    Abstract: Some dealers may live without a budget, putting all their emphasis on sales goals and projections. But setting one’s sights on sales alone is wearing blinders. Realistic budgeting allows a dealer to pay bills, fund commitments and invest in new opportunities when the timing is right. A budget should reflect the business plan, and should include realistic projections of all expenses and revenue. A sidebar briefly discusses the importance of comparing the store’s actual income and expenses to its budgeted projections on a monthly basis.

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  • Dealer Digest

    March / April 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 464

    Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” spotlights a recent Grant Thornton survey indicating executive concern over the cost of employee benefits; how to use social media to build relationships with customers; and a J.D. Power survey showing increasing use of the Internet for vehicle shopping.

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  • Accent on foreign accounts

    March / April 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 615

    Abstract: The IRS is offering guidance on how to fill out its annual “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts,” commonly known as FBAR, as it gears up for 2009 returns. Investigators use FBARs to help identify, or trace, funds used for illicit purposes — or to identify unreported income kept or generated abroad. Teaming up with the U.S. Department of Justice, the agencies say they’re prepared to assess civil and criminal penalties for violations. This article discusses who must file, and when.

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  • AR management – Step up to the plate

    March / April 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 756

    Abstract: Strong accounts receivable (AR) management can help dealerships hit home runs — and stay in the game. There are a variety of collection techniques dealers can use for vehicle accounts receivable, parts and service receivables, contracts in transit, factory receivables, and warranty claims.

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  • Dealership financing – It’s hard, but not impossible, to uncover

    March / April 2010
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1010

    Abstract: The auto industry may show signs of recovery, but financing isn’t expected to return to normal anytime soon. And funding a floor plan, other operations and future capital expenditures is likely to remain a challenge. But there are steps dealers can take to convince lenders they’re a worthy risk. It’s important for a dealership to sit down with their accountant and develop a presentation that will help convince the lender of their creditworthiness. If the primary lender is unmoved, there are four additional sources of funding that might be available. A sidebar to this article lists eight questions to ask a lender about loan terms.

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