| |
|
|
2012 IADA OFFICERS
Chairman
Jim Lombardi
Lombardi Chev Buick
Wilmington
Vice Chairman
Gary Knight
Carmack Car Capitol
Danville
Treasurer
Mike Mangold
Mangold Ford
Eureka
Secretary
Dave Taylor
Taylor Chrysler Dodge, Inc.
Bourbonnais
President
Peter Sander
IADA
Springfield
IADA Staff Contacts:
Ph# 1-800-252-8944
Pete Sander
President
Ext. 103
psander@illinoisdealers.com
Larry Doll
Legal
Ext. 105
ldoll@illinoisdealers.com
Mark Harting
Administrative Services
Ext. 110
mharting@illinoisdealers.com
Mike Healey
Member Services
Ext. 107
mhealey@illinoisdealers.com
Joe McMahon
Legislative
Ext. 113
jmcmahon@illinoisdealers.com
Meghan Sander
Member Communications
Ext. 109
msander@illinoisdealers.com
|
|
| |
|
|
Your
IADA
Partner
Moving Vehicle Registration Into The Future
(click logo for more details)
Upcoming Webinars
August 16th
Eric Nachbahr
How to Safeguard Your DMS - FTC Enforces Against Georgia Dealer Because of "P2P" Software Exposed Consumer Data (12PM)
August 23rd
Rob Campbell
Strategies & Tools to Shrink WIP and Unapplied Labor (12PM)
|
|
|
August 10, 2012 Vol 2012, Issue 11
| |
ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN MEETS WITH ATD MEMBERS IN NATION'S CAPITAL
|
|
| |
U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) was one of the featured speakers at the American Truck Dealer’s (ATD) summer meeting in the nation’s capital with ATD commercial truck representatives. Schilling, who is serving his first term in Congress, was elected in 2010. During his remarks, Congressman Schilling discussed his efforts to reduce taxes and federal regulations on small businesses. More specifically, he highlighted his support for the elimination of the estate tax, which unless Congress acts, is scheduled to revert back to its pre-2001 levels (a 55-percent rate and a $1 million exemption) beginning in January 2013. He also discussed legislative activity that is likely to occur after the November elections in a lame duck session, including expiring tax cuts, debt and mandatory federal budget cuts. Source: ATD Legislative Affairs
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REPEAL OBSOLETE MANDATE ON DEALERSHIPS
|
|
| |
On July 23, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 585, which would repeal an obsolete provision for dealerships regarding insurance cost reporting.
The bill repeals a requirement that dealers make available to customers a booklet called Relative Collision Insurance Cost Information. Currently, dealers are required to provide the NHTSA-issued booklet to prospective buyers upon request, or face penalties of $1,000 per violation.
In a recent survey by NADA of 815 dealers, it was found that for 96% of dealers, no customer had ever asked to see the insurance cost booklet.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE PRESERVES EXEMPTION OF SERVICE ADVISOR
|
|
| |
Earlier this month, a House Appropriations Subcommittee voted to reinforce that service advisors remain exempt from overtime pay requirements. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) attempted to reverse its own opinion, in effect since 1978, and roll back the longstanding exemption. DOL currently cannot enforce any change due to an identical restriction in the department's current funding law.
NADA has lobbied extensively on behalf of dealers to stop the DOL's efforts to overturn the exemption, arguing that these changes would be disruptive, force dealers to make potentially costly compensation and staffing changes.
Next, the bill goes to the full House Appropriations Committee for consideration. IADA will continue to provide updates on this bill as they become available.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
MARKETING TO MILLENNIALS: MAKE IT ONLINE, FAST, EASY
|
|
| |
Ivelisse Rosa is the new face of car-buying. The 25-year-old social media director at Spitzer Automotive Group in Cleveland admits to doing hours of online research and having many conversations with friends and family before buying her first new car last October. Her buying experience was the type many millennials prefer: haggle-free with plenty of input from her parents, who made sure they were present at the delivery. According to Automotive News, dealers had better get used to catering to Rosa and her Gen Y contemporaries. They are coming of age. And they demand a level of transparency, tech savvy, and barter-free buying unseen in previous generations. Today they represent two of five car buyers, according to a study last year by consulting firm Deloitte. Some estimates have them purchasing 75 percent of vehicles by 2025. Millennials take online shopping considerably further. They visit an average of 25 sites before buying a vehicle, according to Google. They also tend to have less brand loyalty than baby boomers and Gen X shoppers and are willing to switch models and brands if they see value. Read about what dealerships must do to capture today’s young buyers here.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
QUAD CITY DEALERS HOLD FUNDRAISER IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSMAN BOBBY SCHILLING
|
|
| |
The Quad City Automobile Retailers held a congressional fundraiser for Congressman Bobby Schilling on Tuesday, August 7th. The event took place at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, IL. Special guest included Congressman Mike Kelly, who is serving his 1st term in Congress, and is also a Chevrolet automobile dealer from Butler, PA. Our special thanks to the Quad City dealers for hosting this event.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
GOVERNORS AUTO CAUCUS LAUNCH
|
|
| |
A bipartisan group of governors announced the formation of the National Governors Auto Caucus on Wednesday, August 8th. The Governors Auto Caucus was created to support a vigorous auto manufacturing sector that is essential to a healthy U.S. economy. The founding governors launching the Caucus are: Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI), Governor Jay Nixon (D-MO), Governor Bill Haslam (R-TN), and Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL).
The Caucus will be a forum open to all governors, where bipartisan, non-controversial issues relevant to the auto industry can be discussed. The Caucus will explore policy frameworks, initiatives and developments that impact the industry overall, and are consistent with a strong, positive auto manufacturing presence in the country.
“With Ford’s growth from one shift to three shifts and Chrysler’s surge from 200 jobs to more than 4,200 jobs, it is clear that the auto industry is alive and well in Illinois,” Governor Pat Quinn said. “We have seen tremendous growth and new jobs created over the last few years and that’s in part due to our strong workforce and efforts to make Illinois a great place to do business.”
“In Michigan, collaboration is one way we are reinventing our state. A lot of our economic success has to do with the auto industry and Michiganders coming together to work and win,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “Michigan has a proud automotive heritage. Detroit put the world on wheels. As governors, we can be even stronger working together and sharing ideas and programs that have proved successful.”
"Missouri has always been an automotive state. It’s who we are, and it’s one of the reasons that Missouri works. We have an unprecedented opportunity to grow and expand the auto industry and its supplier network through supporting policies that prepare workers for high-tech careers, jumpstart innovation and sell more goods overseas," Governor Jay Nixon said.
“Our Jobs4TN economic development strategy includes a strong emphasis on the automotive industry, which has a rich history and successful track record in Tennessee,” said Governor Bill Haslam. “Thousands of Tennessee families rely on high quality jobs in advanced manufacturing, and we are always looking for opportunities to grow the automotive supply chain here.”
“Autos drive America forward by providing powerful manufacturing presences in communities, providing paychecks for millions of families and generating substantial tax revenues,” said Mitch Bainwol, President & CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. “We commend these four governors for their leadership and commitment.”
The auto industry at large is a massive employer. Nationwide, 8 million workers and their families depend on autos. Each year the industry generates $500 billion in paychecks, while generating $70 billion in tax revenues from across the country.
For information on the impact of the auto industry by state, visit www.JobsFromAutos.com.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
RESTRICTION ON EMPLOYER ACCESS TO EMPLOYEE SOCIAL-NETWORKING SITES
|
|
| |
Last week, Governor Quinn signed legislation (Public Act 97-875) that will prohibit employers from requesting or requiring employees or prospective employees to provide access to the employee’s or prospective employee’s account or profile on a social networking site such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or similar sites. This legislation will take effect on January 1, 2013.
Public Act 97-875 does not impact an employer’s ability to maintain a policy governing the use of the employer’s equipment, including Internet use, social networking site use, and e-mail use, or to monitor employee use of the employer’s electronic equipment or the employer’s e-mail.
Additionally, Public Act 97-875 does not prohibit an employer from obtaining information about an employee or prospective employee from a social networking site if that information is in the public domain. However, caution is advised. A casual search of the public information on an employee’s or prospective employee’s social media account can often reveal that person’s age, ethnicity, and religion. Viewing that information could put an employer at risk of being sued in an anti-discrimination lawsuit for illegally screening prospective employees. One solution is to use a third party vendor to screen job applicants and relay to the employer only that information that is related to the job for which the applicant is applying.
The full text of P.A. 97-875 can be found at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=097-0875&GA=97
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
17 WAYS TO IMPROVE FACEBOOK ENGAGEMENT
|
|
| |
Are you having trouble engaging your community on Facebook? Nearly every day I'm asked how to build fans and engage customers on Facebook.
Fundamentally, people want to know more about you before they decide to buy. They want to see what values you share with them and how they align with you. You do the same when we're considering a purchase, right? We all reflect on our trusted network to see who can help us find the best deal, the best person to buy from.
Today's social business develops its community on Facebook to mirror its community in real life. Engaging with your customer, online or offline, has the most impact on sales. Here are 17 steps to help you attract and engage your community on Facebook:
1. Define your marketing goals. Dissect how you want your customers to think of you. Describe at least six components of your brand that make you unique.
2. Identify and describe your customer. What are they interested in? What problems can you solve? What fun things are happening in your area that they'd want to know about? How can you help them buy from you?
3. Commit time, people, and a budget. I see many companies hiring a dedicated "community manager" to handle social media and digital marketing. Content that drives stellar engagement does not grow on trees. It takes a lot of time and talent. You'll need a mentor to guide you, as well as a budget for training and Facebook ads.
4. Post high-quality content regularly. It can be content you write yourself or content from others that's relevant to your audience. Posting times matter, too; test what works for you.
5. Make your updates more interactive. Ask thought-provoking questions to get people talking. Stick to subjects that are relevant to your audience, and always reflect your store's personality.
6. The "like," "comment," and "share" buttons are powerful tools. Include these on your website and blog to foster sharing and make it easier for your customer to engage with you and their network.
7. Make use of landing-page apps. Hire someone to guide you in the design, and make sure your marketing language is front and center. Getting people to connect with you does not happen on its own; you must ask.
8. Sharing is caring. Recognize and promote local heroes, members of the community, and causes you support. If those causes or heroes have Facebook pages, "like" their page and connect with their community members.
9. If you have a dealership blog (and you should) syndicate it on Facebook. It builds credibility and boosts your online influence. Blogs are the next frontier when it comes to SEO. When you hear talk about "search and social," blogs are at the core of it.
10. Everyone likes free stuff. Infuse your content with coupons, discounts, and service specials, but don't overdo it. It's about community engagement, not broadcasting.
11. Deal with negativity openly and clearly. This is your chance to show the community how you make things right for your customers.
12. Include Facebook links and tags in all your traditional media. Make it easy for customers to find you.
13. Take advantage of the awesome power of Facebook ads. There has never been a more specific way to laser-target those you want to reach. With the use of ads manager, your Facebook ads are efficient and use your budget wisely.
14. A.M.: Always measure. Social marketing goes like this: Create, post, analyze, repeat. When you know what your audience likes, supply them with more of it. Analyze your results to improve your customer's Facebook experience.
15. Know that social media (like all other marketing) is a work in progress. If you make a mistake (and you most certainly will), take responsibility. I've seen some pretty big social media failures, and in every case the response has been handled poorly.
16. Encourage your offline customers to join your Facebook community. Post signs at all the conspicuous places, and train your staff on how to promote your Facebook page. Recognize and reward them for contributing to your social media success.
17. Listen. Know how to spot a lead when it comes your way. Always respond to comments quickly. It's a conversation, and people expect a timely reply.
Source: Ragan.com |
|
|
Top
|
 
|
