Don't mind me. Just venting.

[DealerProfit]

Ever thought of just saying NO? Build your forecast, hit your numbers, add your staff.

Just a thought, the new conservative net profit estimates industrywide suggest 55% of dealership net profit is anticipated to be derived in fixed ops! I think No is an appropriate word here and there.....

[ZOOM1]

DP-I agree,we need to stand our ground,and as long as the numbers are there to justify it,should be no problem.But there are a lot of dealer principals out there who "lay down the law", and will not accept "NO" from a department manager.

[KevvyG]

I'm with DP. I have no problem saying no. When a directive comes off the mountain, and I know it's a pile of crap, I gather up my supporting documentation and pay a little visit to the big office. You don't always win, but at least you've done your due dilligence by making the effort. Of course, always helps if your DP/GM can understand the numbers. Our last GM was great in that regard, if I could show him...and then BACK IT UP..he always supported me.

[Old Irish]

Our DP, who, in truth, is a swell guy, is actually pretty good about letting dept managers run their departments with minimal intervention.

But.....once he gets a notion in his head he's pretty much like a dog with a bone.

[texaslp]

Sometimes the best way to respond is to agree. (Remeber they're expecting resistance.)
"Certainly we can manage without so-and-so.(long pause, maybe even a day or two) I do have some concerns though about how that would affect [insert appropriate concerns here].

It's also helpful if you can offer other ways to shave expenses instead of personnel.

[Old Irish]

Good advice, and appreciated....but you're preachin' to the choir here

At our dealership we live by the words "This, too, shall pass"

Cheers and thanks
DD

[INTEGRA552]

MANY PEOPLE IN THE SALES DEPARTMENT DO NOT RECEIVE A SALARY, THEY ARE ONLY PAID ON WHAT THEY SELL, SO IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THERE ARE FOUR OR FORTY OF THEM SITTING THERE. IF THEY WERE PAID AN HOURLY WAGE IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT, YOU DON'T NEED FORTY X HOURLY RATE, P;US BENEFITS. THE ONLY WAY SALES SAVES MONEY IS BY REDUCING THE HOURLY EMPLOYEES, MAYBE IN THE BILLING DEPT, THE GET READY DEPT AND SIMILAR JOBS. THAT IS WHY NO ONE CARES IF THE SALESMEN SIT THERE AND PLAY SOLITAIRE ALL DAY, THEY AIN'T COSTING ANYTHING.

[Old Irish]

True enough. Our salespeople, though, are on a monthly guarantee.....

Anyway, I'm over it now

[skittlecar1]

We only have 2 salespeople. They make REAL good money. They don't have to compete with each other.