{"entries":[{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:page:home","displayName":"IM@CS | Automotive Marketing for Dealership Owners & GMs","description":"Strategy, creative, media and sales process for dealership owners, general managers and dealer groups. 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[&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/sales-leadership-effective-communication/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS: Transforming Sales and Leadership Through Effective Communication\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS: Transforming Sales and Leadership Through Effective Communication\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:leadership-driven-results","displayName":"Leadership Driven Results","description":"Discover the Path to Success: Join Jake McCracken at the Driving Sales Executive Summit Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Do you want to attract and retain exceptional talent that drives your organization’s growth and success? 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The report sites lack of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/no-surprise-pied-piper-psi-internet-lead-effectiveness-report/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"No Surprise: Pied Piper PSI® Internet Lead Effectiveness Report\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"No Surprise: Pied Piper PSI® Internet Lead Effectiveness Report\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:transparency-marketing-and-dashboards-but-but-but-it-sells-cars","displayName":"Transparency, Marketing and Dashboards (But, But, But It Sells Cars!!!!)","description":"There has been more attention to accountability of dealership marketing recently, which is a good thing, however it’s always been important and something we here at IM@CS have been doing for eight years. Simply put, you need all of your digital reporting to come down to your own review, independent of vendors and their dashboards. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/transparency-marketing-and-dashboards-but-but-but-it-sells-cars/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Transparency, Marketing and Dashboards (But, But, But It Sells Cars!!!!)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Transparency, Marketing and Dashboards (But, But, But It Sells Cars!!!!)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:volume-fiasco-titles-consolidation-arrogance-and-big-decisions","displayName":"Volume, Fiasco, Titles, Consolidation, Arrogance and Big Decisions","description":"We are at the next crossroads, for now let’s call it the end of 2015 and the beginning of a new year. There’s more road crossing later. Wow, the past year had a lot of ups (and ups) and downs. 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The way things are done at dealerships has gone near-completely political and, oh [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/broken-is-as-broken-does-were-so-frickin-broken/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Broken Is As Broken Does…We’re So Frickin Broken!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Broken Is As Broken Does…We’re So Frickin Broken!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-state-of-automotive-digital-advising-more-vanilla-please","displayName":"The State of Automotive Digital Advising: More Vanilla, Please!","description":"Anyone who regularly reads our blog knows a few things. One, we tell it like it is. Two, we educate from fact and passion, not from the heart of from the pocketbook. Three, we do and cover what nobody else does across the entire scope of services. Four, we affect a sliver of the industry [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-state-of-automotive-digital-advising-more-vanilla-please/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The State of Automotive Digital Advising: More Vanilla, Please!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The State of Automotive Digital Advising: More Vanilla, Please!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:branding-a-call-to-arms-and-phones-marketing-websites-email","displayName":"Branding: A Call To Arms (And Phones, Marketing, Websites, email…)","description":"BOOM! It happens and you’re left without a net… Damaged image. Damaged perception. Damaged goods. Unless you have a brand. Unless you’ve been under a rock or have been too ‘busy’, the amount of evidence, chatter, discussion and conference-data hinging about branding has been nearly deafening. And still, undeniably, the majority of dealers put all [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/branding-a-call-to-arms-and-phones-marketing-websites-email/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Branding: A Call To Arms (And Phones, Marketing, Websites, email…)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Branding: A Call To Arms (And Phones, Marketing, Websites, email…)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:still-ignoring-the-c-word-will-cost-you","displayName":"Still Ignoring The “C Word” Will Cost You","description":"The “C Word”. You know, that word. The one that makes dealership executives’ skin crawl, makes sales people laugh, has trainers’ mouths drool and absolutely keeps your store from its true potential. It even has female staffers cringing, question working at the dealership. Say it with me….CULTURE. Ignored by only the bravest of souls who understand the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/still-ignoring-the-c-word-will-cost-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Still Ignoring The “C Word” Will Cost You\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Still Ignoring The “C Word” Will Cost You\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:homogenization-is-for-milk-if-you-drink-that-sort-of-thing-not-dealers","displayName":"Homogenization is for Milk (If You Drink That Sort of Thing), Not Dealers","description":"“If digital were that easy, everyone would be doing it” said no automotive OEM executive, ever. But somehow, over the past few years, it seems as though they did. Meaning, for the most part, they don’t do anything digitally and yet…they expect their franchises to through some very forceful measures. The dealers don’t win. The [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/homogenization-is-for-milk-if-you-drink-that-sort-of-thing-not-dealers/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Homogenization is for Milk (If You Drink That Sort of Thing), Not Dealers\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Homogenization is for Milk (If You Drink That Sort of Thing), Not Dealers\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:websites-why-your-smallest-investment-still-pisses-you-off","displayName":"Websites: Why Your Smallest Investment Still Pisses You Off","description":"We’ll let you in on a little secret. For years, decades really, you’ve been able to throw some words and photos onto recycled trees, shoot a check out for $5,000 a week and create a line so long out your front door you were laughing. And now you have a virtual ad up every day [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/websites-why-your-smallest-investment-still-pisses-you-off/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Websites: Why Your Smallest Investment Still Pisses You Off\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Websites: Why Your Smallest Investment Still Pisses You Off\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-the-watch-will-have-you-watching-as-youre-not-watching-what-you-need-to-watch","displayName":"What The Watch Will Have You Watching as You’re not Watching What You Need To Watch","description":"Not paying attention to mobile, tech and search is about to get more annoying…and costly! What time is it? Really, what time is it? It’s not hammer time or time to get ill, although you may after reading this. It is time to consider where you SEE what time it is. For a lot of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-the-watch-will-have-you-watching-as-youre-not-watching-what-you-need-to-watch/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What The Watch Will Have You Watching as You’re not Watching What You Need To Watch\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What The Watch Will Have You Watching as You’re not Watching What You Need To Watch\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:a-blueblack-dress-a-whitegold-dress-a-car-sold-whatever","displayName":"A Blue/Black Dress. A White/Gold Dress. A Car Sold? Whatever…","description":"Expose your business. Better yet, expose yourself!!   It’s not about who bares it all. No, the game is about who gets the exposure at the right time. And most of the time, we perform poorly.   Marketers have been talking for decades about exposure, impressions, brand recall and market share. And while nobody (at [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/a-blueblack-dress-a-whitegold-dress-a-car-sold-whatever/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"A Blue/Black Dress. A White/Gold Dress. A Car Sold? Whatever…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"A Blue/Black Dress. A White/Gold Dress. A Car Sold? Whatever…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:misunderstanding-the-misunderstood-a-post-nada-perspective","displayName":"Misunderstanding the Misunderstood (A Post-NADA Perspective)","description":"Too often, we mix messages. We misconstrue. We miscount. And most often, decisions based off those actions lead to more of the same. There is a lot of “data” out there: actionable, validated, accurate data, and damaging, paralyzing, inaccurate “data”.   Last year IM@CS was fortunate to be involved with a Mercedes-Benz project around lead [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/misunderstanding-the-misunderstood-a-post-nada-perspective/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Misunderstanding the Misunderstood (A Post-NADA Perspective)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Misunderstanding the Misunderstood (A Post-NADA Perspective)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dses-can-you-feel-me-or-is-it-the-customer-experience","displayName":"DSES: Can You Feel Me Or Is It The Customer Experience?","description":"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2014 is officially in the books. It was a sold out event once again that enveloped the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas for the better part of three days. 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Like it or not car dealerships, at a minimum, are hubs of logistic activities: connections to the factory and engineers, DMS uploads, inventory pushes and pulls, secure financial documents and [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/logistics-ill-take-what-is-a-dealership-for-1000-alex/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Logistics: I’ll Take “What Is A Dealership?” For $1000 Alex\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Logistics: I’ll Take “What Is A Dealership?” For $1000 Alex\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:lets-remember-who-its-about-not-you","displayName":"Let’s Remember Who It’s About: Not You!","description":"Have you ever listened to a profressional salesperson? No, no, really. Have you ever listened to a proferssional salesperson? Those skilled in the trade are fantastic about doing one thing extremely well: allowing the customer to understand that it's about them, what's in it for them and how important they are. Those with truly exceptional [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/lets-remember-who-its-about-not-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Let’s Remember Who It’s About: Not You!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Let’s Remember Who It’s About: Not You!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:want-roi-on-anything-start-using-anything-or-settle-for-bs","displayName":"Want R.O.I. on Anything? Start Using Anything! (Or Settle For B.S.)","description":"One of the first questions that is asked of us when engaging a dealership is “what is the R.O.I. of (fill in the blank)?” Well our friends, from leads to software, to websites and PPC, the question that is being asked is wrong.  If you ask what is the R.O.I. of a product, let me [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/want-roi-on-anything-start-using-anything-or-settle-for-bs/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Want R.O.I. on Anything? Start Using Anything! (Or Settle For B.S.)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Want R.O.I. on Anything? Start Using Anything! (Or Settle For B.S.)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:consulting-conundrum-you-can-do-whatever-you-want-as-long-as","displayName":"Consulting Conundrum: “You can do whatever you want, as long as…”","description":"Yes, this is opinion. However don't take it as fable. It’s the consistent vicious circle in consulting: do it all as long as it’s what is wanted at that moment, backed up by someone else, doesn’t bite back at the factory stance, mostly makes sense and when you can grab the proper attention. And don’t [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/consulting-conundrum-you-can-do-whatever-you-want-as-long-as/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Consulting Conundrum: “You can do whatever you want, as long as…”\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Consulting Conundrum: “You can do whatever you want, as long as…”\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:natural-unselection-it-takes-time","displayName":"Natural Unselection (It Takes Time…)","description":"Yes, it is getting more and more difficult for business owners to make decisions today that will positively impact their business, especially in the arena of digital marketing. You might say “bull hooey” and protest that it has become easier. And you’d be half fright… Nothing is more frustrating to a business owner that not [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/natural-unselection-it-takes-time/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Natural Unselection (It Takes Time…)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Natural Unselection (It Takes Time…)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-disappointment-your-customers-experience-comes-from-within","displayName":"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within","description":"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-disappointment-your-customers-experience-comes-from-within/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:getting-ready-for-digital-dealer-and-drivingsales-executive-summit-heres-some-tips","displayName":"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips","description":"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/getting-ready-for-digital-dealer-and-drivingsales-executive-summit-heres-some-tips/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-more-things-stay-the-same-the-more-they-stay-the-same","displayName":"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same","description":"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-more-things-stay-the-same-the-more-they-stay-the-same/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-tough-times-have-taught-us-about-digital","displayName":"What Tough Times Have Taught Us About Digital","description":"Money. Lots of it! Tons and tons and tons of it! So much that for the first time, we're witnessing dealers that have been hands-on since 2008 starting to slip away a little from the stores and enjoy \"away\" time again. And that's great. Until, at least, you think about the last seven years again. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-tough-times-have-taught-us-about-digital/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Tough Times Have Taught Us About Digital\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Tough Times Have Taught Us About Digital\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:you-didnt-care-about-the-cheese-in-the-first-place-so-move-on","displayName":"You Didn’t Care About The Cheese In the First Place, So Move On","description":"Many today rant about change and how someone moved their cheese. The mindset of those who expect a static retail world show many who effuse about “the Good Old Days” while using mobile apps for airline tickets, ESPN Mobile for football scores and drive times delivered to their home desktops prior to leaving for the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/you-didnt-care-about-the-cheese-in-the-first-place-so-move-on/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"You Didn’t Care About The Cheese In the First Place, So Move On\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"You Didn’t Care About The Cheese In the First Place, So Move On\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:automotive-digital-the-cost-of-being-minimized","displayName":"Automotive Digital: The Cost of Being Minimized","description":"It's no secret that we're on the move. All of us. You might even say that the speed at which things change is breakneck. What is less known is that as we speed toward wherever \"there\" is, the more we seem to be willingly giving up. The homogenization of dealerships is rampant…and it's the dealer [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/automotive-digital-the-cost-of-being-minimized/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Automotive Digital: The Cost of Being Minimized\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Automotive Digital: The Cost of Being Minimized\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-adds-experienced-ebusiness-consultant-edward-shaffer","displayName":"IM@CS Adds Experienced eBusiness Consultant Edward Shaffer","description":"As online business continues to change, car dealerships still struggle with understanding, education and improved results. Edward Shaffer brings a wealth of experience to IM@CS  Interactive Marketing and Consulting Services (IM@CS) has chosen the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) conference starting January 25, to announce the addition of eBusiness Automotive Industry veteran Edward Shaffer to [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-adds-experienced-ebusiness-consultant-edward-shaffer/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Adds Experienced eBusiness Consultant Edward Shaffer\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Adds Experienced eBusiness Consultant Edward Shaffer\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:whats-not-coming-in-2014-the-anti-prediction","displayName":"What’s Not Coming In 2014: The Anti-Prediction","description":"2013 brought us so much change that we thought it would be best to provide you with a non-prediction, non-forecast, non-reflective perspective…just to throw you off (and get a few more reads). Cut to the chase right now? Naw…let's tease you a bit: So we still live in a world hell-bent on immediate gratification. The [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/whats-not-coming-in-2014-the-anti-prediction/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What’s Not Coming In 2014: The Anti-Prediction\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What’s Not Coming In 2014: The Anti-Prediction\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:peeling-back-the-social-onion-are-youre-just-a-puppet","displayName":"Peeling Back The Social Onion: Are You Just A Puppet?","description":"2013 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for automotive retail (again). Results are in for March and the first quarter showing that, with exception to some brands, you're making money. However are you making enough money to make bad mistakes for your business? Look at your social media, chances are you're doing just [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/peeling-back-the-social-onion-are-youre-just-a-puppet/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Peeling Back The Social Onion: Are You Just A Puppet?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Peeling Back The Social Onion: Are You Just A Puppet?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:prescription-without-diagnosis-ugly-side-effects-are-going-to-happen","displayName":"Prescription Without Diagnosis: (Ugly) Side Effects Are Going To Happen","description":"In a world at a breakneck pace and of mediocre marketing, it is more important than ever to know what you’re doing if you hope to attract, let alone keep, consumers’ attention.  Add to that the entire market essentially being mobile and you might not be prepared at all to address your opportunities appropriately.   [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/prescription-without-diagnosis-ugly-side-effects-are-going-to-happen/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Prescription Without Diagnosis: (Ugly) Side Effects Are Going To Happen\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Prescription Without Diagnosis: (Ugly) Side Effects Are Going To Happen\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:tipping-the-scales-against-an-800-pound-gorilla","displayName":"Tipping The Scales. Against An 800 Pound Gorilla…","description":"Have you ever tried skiing? Uphill? Are you one for SCUBA diving? In a wading pool? Do you get your kicks running marathons? On a treadmill? How does this grab you: are you a fan of water skiing? On a dry lake bed? It seems that the more you try to distinguish your dealership today, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/tipping-the-scales-against-an-800-pound-gorilla/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Tipping The Scales. Against An 800 Pound Gorilla…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Tipping The Scales. Against An 800 Pound Gorilla…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-key-to-everything-customer-service-still","displayName":"The Key To Everything? Customer Service (STILL!)","description":"Customer service. The term is thrown out like freebies, party invites, pitches and proposals at NADA. Customer support? Customer satisfaction? Customer focused? What do your vendors call it? Does that come after reviewing how many days or weeks they’re allowed after you open a ticket for something that should be a 1-2 hour operation? Customer [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-key-to-everything-customer-service-still/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Key To Everything? Customer Service (STILL!)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Key To Everything? Customer Service (STILL!)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-year-2012-in-review-whats-an-automotive-industry-nutshell","displayName":"The Year 2012 In Review? (What’s An Automotive Industry Nutshell?)","description":"(Warning, 1000 words below!) OK, who's got their 2013 game face on? Nobody? Good, let's make things difficult!!! 2012 was one heck of a year: consumer demand is still up and growing for cars (although demand still outstrips what sold), mobile use is skyrocketing (albeit not remotely matched by dealers providing strong solutions), digital demand [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-year-2012-in-review-whats-an-automotive-industry-nutshell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Year 2012 In Review? (What’s An Automotive Industry Nutshell?)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Year 2012 In Review? (What’s An Automotive Industry Nutshell?)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:endorsement-nope-it-rolls-more-like-a-super-pac","displayName":"Endorsement? Nope, It Rolls More Like A Super Pac.","description":"As our industry moves (very slowly) toward digital dominance, more companies are chosen each year to assist with certain initiatives driven by the OEMs. As the market fills with mostly fledgling, so-called expert vendors in the major categories (website, SEO, SEM, mobile, reputation management, social media), RFPs and projects are drawn out and the partners [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/endorsement-nope-it-rolls-more-like-a-super-pac/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Endorsement? Nope, It Rolls More Like A Super Pac.\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Endorsement? Nope, It Rolls More Like A Super Pac.\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:its-a-time-for-thanksgiving-automotive-style","displayName":"It’s A Time For Thanksgiving (Automotive Style)","description":"It's that time of the year again…. Well, actually not. Let's be completely honest. It's that one day of the year again. The one day where everyone around the automotivesphere expresses their public thanks: letters from the manufacturers' chief/department executives to their staff, dealers/general managers to their staff, vendors to their staff and maybe, just [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/its-a-time-for-thanksgiving-automotive-style/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It’s A Time For Thanksgiving (Automotive Style)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It’s A Time For Thanksgiving (Automotive Style)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:as-more-tools-are-available-to-businesses-to-grow-thier-digital-marketing-footprint-it-is-apparent-that-more-are-simply-buyi","displayName":"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES Part 2: Mobile","description":"As more tools are available to businesses to grow thier digital marketing footprint, it is apparent that more are simply buying turnkey services that promise to deliver traffic, conversion, imrpove SEO and other attributes. However, most of the time, they do not include any such services and are simply are scalable, profit reasing solutions for [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/as-more-tools-are-available-to-businesses-to-grow-thier-digital-marketing-footprint-it-is-apparent-that-more-are-simply-buyi/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES Part 2: Mobile\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES Part 2: Mobile\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:manipulation-not-the-greatest-form-of-flattery-stop-it","displayName":"Manipulation: Not the greatest form of flattery (Stop It!)","description":"Nobody looking from the left, not a soul peering in from the right; so it’s done. Manipulation. The to do, the call, the email, the touch…you know, the BS-logged activity. The stuff that’s done just to get the heat off, clean up the CRM and get back to going the same pace of “lead management” [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/manipulation-not-the-greatest-form-of-flattery-stop-it/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Manipulation: Not the greatest form of flattery (Stop It!)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Manipulation: Not the greatest form of flattery (Stop It!)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-gary-may-interviewed-by-automotive-digest-at-dses","displayName":"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES","description":"Chuck Parker and the Automotive Digest team were at DrivingSales Executive Summit and J.D. Power & Associates Automotive Marketing Roundtable October 21-25 interviewing top executives and industry leaders. This is part of my interview, focusing on how mobile is affecting change in the automotive indsutry. Luke Wroblewski spoke to the DSES crowd about the impact of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-gary-may-interviewed-by-automotive-digest-at-dses/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Gary May Interviewed By Automotive Digest At #DSES\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:i-fought-the-law-and-the-law-won-bullshizzle","displayName":"I fought the law and the law won…? Bullshizzle!","description":"From time to time, it’s good to get a strong dose of perspective or reality, depending who is describing reality. It’s easy to see why business owners, and especially car dealers, are so confused when it comes to doing anything, let alone well, in the digital/online space. Diluted solutions that favor data over results and [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/i-fought-the-law-and-the-law-won-bullshizzle/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"I fought the law and the law won…? Bullshizzle!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"I fought the law and the law won…? Bullshizzle!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:you-lost-me-at-hello","displayName":"You Lost Me At Hello","description":"Leads. Leads. Leads. Lead? Nope, the customer that should be yours that will buy somewhere else. All the data (little data and it’s more well-known brothers medium data and big data) says the same thing: people that submit leads buy. And buy in a well-defined time frame. And buy from…….well, it doesn’t matter. Most of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/you-lost-me-at-hello/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"You Lost Me At Hello\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"You Lost Me At Hello\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:digital-signals-hate-the-player-or-hate-the-game","displayName":"Digital Signals: Hate The Player Or Hate The Game?","description":"No matter how much it’s discussed, there are still massive amounts of misinformation in addition to retail kick back in regard to social media in general and what it does specifically for car dealerships. However the simple question still remains the same: why? It’s almost 2013 and some social signals are already making a significant [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/digital-signals-hate-the-player-or-hate-the-game/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Digital Signals: Hate The Player Or Hate The Game?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Digital Signals: Hate The Player Or Hate The Game?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:drivingsales-executive-summit-2012-a-to-unmarketing","displayName":"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2012: A To Unmarketing","description":"The 2012 DrivingSales Executive Summit has closed its doors with an amazing, energetic event to show. Congratulations to the entire (growing) DrivingSales team, you have left a higher bar to be measured against, once again. With nearly 1000 in attendance, primarily dealers, the vibe was strong around leading-edge strategies. And the expectations were high… Opening [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/drivingsales-executive-summit-2012-a-to-unmarketing/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2012: A To Unmarketing\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2012: A To Unmarketing\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:wake-up-a-call-to-armslegs-hands-feet-real-products-and-decisions","displayName":"Wake Up! A Call To Arms…Legs, Hands, Feet, Real Products and Decisions","description":"The more things change, the more they stay the same. There are no shortcuts… Car dealers, when it comes to websites, SEO, reputation management, SEM and social media stop simply buying services blind or going co-op “approved” to save a buck. 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How much time have [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/go-ahead-keep-rebuilding-the-mousetrap-tip-youre-trying-to-catch-a-cheetah/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Go Ahead, Keep Rebuilding The Mousetrap. Tip: You’re Trying To Catch A Cheetah\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Go Ahead, Keep Rebuilding The Mousetrap. Tip: You’re Trying To Catch A Cheetah\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:gary-may-and-joe-webb-create-a-dses-digest-session-for-2012-las-vegas-conference","displayName":"Gary May and Joe Webb Create “A DSES Digest” Session For 2012 Las Vegas Conference","description":"To better assist dealers attending the 2012 edition of the DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) automotive conference both at the event as well as afterward, Joe Webb (DealerKnows Consulting) and Gary May (Interactive Marketing and Consulting Services) have teamed up to create a new session at the top-ranked event October 21-23 taking place at the Bellagio Hotel [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/gary-may-and-joe-webb-create-a-dses-digest-session-for-2012-las-vegas-conference/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Gary May and Joe Webb Create “A DSES Digest” Session For 2012 Las Vegas Conference\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Gary May and Joe Webb Create “A DSES Digest” Session For 2012 Las Vegas Conference\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:drivingsales-executive-summit-learning-over-listening","displayName":"DrivingSales Executive Summit: Learning Over Listening","description":"One of the things we're most passionate about is education. 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There is likely a marketing budget, a maintenance budget and even a coffee budget (especially if you’re a high-line store). Where is your education budget? How much is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-cost-of-information-versus-execution/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The cost of information versus execution\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The cost of information versus execution\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-difference-is-one-letterand-what-it-gets-you-is-much-more","displayName":"The Difference Is One Letter…And What It Gets You Is Much More","description":"Many times people ask me why IM@CS is not a training company, even though plenty of people call what we do by the \"T\" word. The response every single person receives, for the last five years – and emphatically – is that people despise being trained. People, more successful ones for sure, love learning. In [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-difference-is-one-letterand-what-it-gets-you-is-much-more/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Difference Is One Letter…And What It Gets You Is Much More\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Difference Is One Letter…And What It Gets You Is Much More\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-youre-going-to-do-it-do-it-right","displayName":"If You’re Going To Do It, Do It Right…","description":"The special time of the year is nearly upon us, again. From September through February: conferences, expos and 20 Groups with the veritable sales crunch of \"you have to get this or you'll be left in the dust!\" pitches. You can feel dealers' and general managers' certain body parts tightening up now (not that they [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/if-youre-going-to-do-it-do-it-right/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"If You’re Going To Do It, Do It Right…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"If You’re Going To Do It, Do It Right…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-it-were-that-simple-you-wouldnt-have-done-it-yet","displayName":"If It Were That Simple, You Wouldn’t Have Done It Yet…","description":"Things are changing. So fast, they’re staying put, at least for the most part. It usually brings a smile to my face when they phrase “We’re doing well. Things could be better, but compared with (fill in competitor) we’re actually doing fine/well“, is muttered for two reasons. First, it’s part of our selection process and [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/if-it-were-that-simple-you-wouldnt-have-done-it-yet/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"If It Were That Simple, You Wouldn’t Have Done It Yet…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"If It Were That Simple, You Wouldn’t Have Done It Yet…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-that-you-dont-want-to-give-customers","displayName":"The Gift That Keeps On Giving (That You Don’t Want To Give Customers)","description":"It was years ago, and repressed on and off over the years, that I received what would have easily been the biggest gift received in my young life. The box was huge, maybe up to my neck if I can remember correctly. It was wrapped. That was the fun part, or maybe the following minute [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-that-you-dont-want-to-give-customers/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Gift That Keeps On Giving (That You Don’t Want To Give Customers)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Gift That Keeps On Giving (That You Don’t Want To Give Customers)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:leave-a-number-maybe-well-call-and-other-customer-service-fables","displayName":"Leave A Number, Maybe We’ll Call (And Other Customer Service Fables)","description":"\"I'll get right back to you\". The biggest one we all hear, almost every day. As if the caring dried up as fast at the ink on your signature. Customer service has fluctuated as much as marketing dollars over the years, with the marketing dollars typically winning. 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Or it may be the longer rendition which usually sounds something like \"Why [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/are-you-waiting-still-wellgoodbye/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Are You Waiting? Still? Well…..Goodbye!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Are You Waiting? Still? Well…..Goodbye!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:wow-new-auto-industry-pain-point-um-this-is-not-a-new-issue","displayName":"Wow… New Auto Industry Pain Point!! Um… This Is Not A New Issue!","description":"The constant challenge in the auto industry is for retailers to implement strategies, execute on their plans, follow process, create awareness, promote accountability and stop making excuses for doing anything less. There will always be a party to throw a finger at, many times deservedly so. 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It's simple: if you don't know how to do something, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/google-plus-pages-allowing-dealers-to-do-more-half-baked-1/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Google Plus Pages Allowing Dealers To Do More (Half-Baked)?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Google Plus Pages Allowing Dealers To Do More (Half-Baked)?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:drivingsales-executive-summit-2011-the-big-bang-and-oh-what-comes-next","displayName":"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2011: The Big Bang (And Oh, What Comes Next?)","description":"Wow. What happened last week was amazing. Nearly every session at this year's DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) rang the bell. From the opening comments on Sunday to the closing minutes Tuesday, nearly everything seemed to gel with a couple standing ovations to boot. This, ladies and gentlemen, is engagement, learning and a focus on the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/drivingsales-executive-summit-2011-the-big-bang-and-oh-what-comes-next/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2011: The Big Bang (And Oh, What Comes Next?)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"DrivingSales Executive Summit 2011: The Big Bang (And Oh, What Comes Next?)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:its-that-time-of-the-year-a-legacy-or-2-steps-forward-20-years-back","displayName":"It’s That Time Of The Year: A Legacy Or 2 Steps Forward, 20 Years Back","description":"Confernce season! You're about to experience record-setting attendance, more technology than will choke a horse, speaker after speaker, keynote after keynote and talk about how 2012 should be your year to embrace it all. Oh, and the budgets! Take here, put there and add everywhere that starts with digital. Whew, welcome to the conference season. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/its-that-time-of-the-year-a-legacy-or-2-steps-forward-20-years-back/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It’s That Time Of The Year: A Legacy Or 2 Steps Forward, 20 Years Back\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It’s That Time Of The Year: A Legacy Or 2 Steps Forward, 20 Years Back\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:accountability-denial-cover-up-a-losing-game","displayName":"Accountability. Denial. Cover Up. A Losing Game.","description":"We all come to proverbial \"forks in the road\" when it comes to performance, to delivering, to being reliable, to following up and ultimately to understanding what it takes to be better. 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It’s been work, even [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/four-down-seventeen-thousand-to-go/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Four Down, Seventeen Thousand To Go\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Four Down, Seventeen Thousand To Go\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:are-we-just-digital-lemmings","displayName":"Are We Just Digital Lemmings?","description":"(Cue the Madonna music) “You know that we are living in a digital world and I’m an automotive digital nerd…” Can you see it now? The musical hit of the automotive digital conference season! Or possibly one more thing that keeps a dealer from making the commitment he or she needs to make that will [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/are-we-just-digital-lemmings/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Are We Just Digital Lemmings?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Are We Just Digital Lemmings?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-dealership-environment-inspired-by-everything-motivated-by-nothing","displayName":"The Dealership Environment: Inspired By Everything, Motivated By Nothing","description":"Face it: You’re whipped. Which way is up? Which way is down? Is flat the new growth? Is the shiny object the new thing keeping you from the golf course of from your sales course? Fact: the dealership environment is as fragile and unsteady as it’s ever been. Yet there are more opportunities than ever. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-dealership-environment-inspired-by-everything-motivated-by-nothing/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Dealership Environment: Inspired By Everything, Motivated By Nothing\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Dealership Environment: Inspired By Everything, Motivated By Nothing\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:all-of-us-in-automotive-need-to-beless-automotive-at-least-socially","displayName":"All Of Us In Automotive Need To Be…Less Automotive (At Least Socially)","description":"One of the things that I love about IM@CS is the fluid nature of what we do. In consulting to different businesses (and thankfully contributing to different industries), we are involved in different aspects of attracting, engaging and retaining customers. 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From using APIs, feeds, republishing other content without attribution, ghost writing, \"social\" content farms, 50 plus network claims and more, it's a real \"Wild Wild West\" in what [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/making-a-laughing-stock-out-of-social-media/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Making A Laughing Stock Out Of Social “Media”\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Making A Laughing Stock Out Of Social “Media”\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:automotive-online-lets-start-from-the-start","displayName":"Automotive Online: Let’s Start From The Start","description":"First, this is not a \"back to the basics\". The basics are constantly changing so anyone telling you to get back to anything likely can't get to the \"now\" things. So ignore them. If you're online in the automotive world (which should be everyone) there are a lot of things to do, keep up with, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/automotive-online-lets-start-from-the-start/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Automotive Online: Let’s Start From The Start\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Automotive Online: Let’s Start From The Start\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:shortcuts-rock-stars-working-harder-and-the-point","displayName":"Shortcuts, Rock Stars, Working Harder And The Point","description":"Everyone, even the most committed and successful visionary, may take a shortcut from time to time. It's in our DNA. It's hard to resist. It's a recipe for disaster. It's one of the status quos of automotive retail and it'll undoubtedly be the death of more dealers. So why is it that we live in [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/shortcuts-rock-stars-working-harder-and-the-point/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Shortcuts, Rock Stars, Working Harder And The Point\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Shortcuts, Rock Stars, Working Harder And The Point\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:silver-bullets-the-new-black-and-a-bunch-of-sites-its-a-dealers-world","displayName":"Silver Bullets, The New Black And A Bunch Of Sites. It’s A Dealer’s World?","description":"Things are getting better. Right? You hear it everywhere. Even amidst the issues that are having a significant impact on our industry (the switch from economic downturns to Mother Nature's havoc), there's bright talk and a focus on building. Ha! A perfect time for silver bullets… Yeah, we've heard there's no such thing. But that [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/silver-bullets-the-new-black-and-a-bunch-of-sites-its-a-dealers-world/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Silver Bullets, The New Black And A Bunch Of Sites. It’s A Dealer’s World?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Silver Bullets, The New Black And A Bunch Of Sites. It’s A Dealer’s World?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:when-the-cover-comes-off-the-onion","displayName":"When The Cover Comes Off The Onion","description":"Let's face it, we still live in a marketing-based world. And nearly all of it still screaming for attention, sales, mass following, validation, acceptance and more while typically ignoring what matters most. 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These events are great [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-invited-to-participate-at-essential-upcoming-industry-events/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Invited To Participate At Essential Upcoming Industry Events\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Invited To Participate At Essential Upcoming Industry Events\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:tricked-ya-been-here-the-whole-time","displayName":"Tricked Ya! Been Here The Whole Time…","description":"So it's been eight weeks since the last post. It feels like an eternity. But it's likely been longer since the companies and people your business depends on have done something for you either. Was that the point of my hiatus? Not quite. It's been incredibly busy here as our client list as well as [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/tricked-ya-been-here-the-whole-time/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Tricked Ya! Been Here The Whole Time…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Tricked Ya! Been Here The Whole Time…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:parting-shots-starting-shots-theyre-not-too-different-so-get-real","displayName":"Parting Shots, Starting Shots. They’re Not Too Different. So Get Real!","description":"Chances are you've been on one of the many sides of this lately: Just moments ago I sent a Facebook message to a dealer, responding to my initial message after receiving a \"friend\" request from them on Facebook. The message in the middle, the one from them, essentially asked me to show them any Facebook [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/parting-shots-starting-shots-theyre-not-too-different-so-get-real/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Parting Shots, Starting Shots. They’re Not Too Different. So Get Real!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Parting Shots, Starting Shots. They’re Not Too Different. So Get Real!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:i-before-we-with-no-exception-to-dealers","displayName":"I Before We, With No Exception To D(ealers)","description":"It's the end of the year and the heart of the holiday season, right in between being thankful for everything we have and swearing off more than half of it (mostly weight) for the coming year. It's the time of the year when a few minutes on the automotive networks and news sites gets the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/i-before-we-with-no-exception-to-dealers/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"I Before We, With No Exception To D(ealers)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"I Before We, With No Exception To D(ealers)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:flipping-the-light-on-life-after-the-pitch","displayName":"Flipping The Light On: Life After The Pitch","description":"You heard about them. You read about them. You phoned them. You had them in. You listened to them. You took the pitch. You signed the deal. And now, with services starting, either everything is the same as it was before……or the lights are on and it's kind of \"ohh my my\". (Twilight Zone music [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/flipping-the-light-on-life-after-the-pitch/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Flipping The Light On: Life After The Pitch\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Flipping The Light On: Life After The Pitch\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:things-that-pissed-us-off-in-2010-yes-they-pissed-you-off-too","displayName":"Things That Pissed Us Off In 2010 (Yes, They Pissed You Off, Too!)","description":"We know it, you know it, they know it. Almost everyone knows it. Because if everyone knew it we wouldn't have ben put through it. But we were, you were and they were. Disclaimers: These are not in order of importance. Many companies are being called out, not all. This is a singular perspective. So [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/things-that-pissed-us-off-in-2010-yes-they-pissed-you-off-too/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Things That Pissed Us Off In 2010 (Yes, They Pissed You Off, Too!)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Things That Pissed Us Off In 2010 (Yes, They Pissed You Off, Too!)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:2011-will-be-a-great-yeareven-if-you-dont-participate","displayName":"2011 Will Be A Great Year…Even If You Don’t Participate","description":"It's no secret that over the past three years, some pretty forward-thinking information was provided to the automotive industry franchise dealer body. All 24,000 plus of them (not ignoring the independents here, just making a point). Over the coming weeks, all 20,000 of the franchise dealers will get more critically important data. Just like before, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/2011-will-be-a-great-yeareven-if-you-dont-participate/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"2011 Will Be A Great Year…Even If You Don’t Participate\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"2011 Will Be A Great Year…Even If You Don’t Participate\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:its-cram-time-were-you-expecting-it","displayName":"It’s Cram Time. Were You Expecting It?!?!","description":"Well if you didn't look, 2010 is nearly to a close. Last time you thought about it mid-year, it looked like 2010 would be clear sailing. Well, now it's cram time and you must be thanking the incentive and promotion gods (because they're on bid-time, even for the companies that usually don't). So while the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/its-cram-time-were-you-expecting-it/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It’s Cram Time. Were You Expecting It?!?!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It’s Cram Time. Were You Expecting It?!?!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:la-auto-show-day-2in-a-nutshell","displayName":"LA Auto Show Day 2…In A Nutshell","description":"Oh, what's a show got on day 2 that it didn't have on day 1? Plenty….at least in the case of LA Auto Show. The day started off with the Green Car Of The Year Award…and Chevy (oops…Chevrolet?!?!) took honors with the Volt. Not a complete surprise as the buzz everywhere in LA-LA-land was electric. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/la-auto-show-day-2in-a-nutshell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"LA Auto Show Day 2…In A Nutshell\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"LA Auto Show Day 2…In A Nutshell\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:la-auto-show-day-1in-a-nutshell","displayName":"LA Auto Show Day 1…In A Nutshell","description":"Well that was a blur….and a pain in the feet. It's always that way after sitting in the office, or the car, or client's dealerships and OEM offices. But to stand for all but 90 minutes in a day is tough. Anyway, the day was full to say the least. After breakfast (Thanks Motor Press [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/la-auto-show-day-1in-a-nutshell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"LA Auto Show Day 1…In A Nutshell\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"LA Auto Show Day 1…In A Nutshell\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imacs-to-speak-at-upcoming-digital-marketing-strategies-conference-in-napa","displayName":"IMACS To Speak At Upcoming Digital Marketing Strategies Conference In Napa","description":"IM@CS is pleased to announce that President Gary May has been invited to speak at the upcoming PCG 2011 Digital Marketing Strategies Conference in Napa, CA just prior to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference in San Francisco. As things continnue to shift online for the automotive industry, the time dealers have to reassess [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imacs-to-speak-at-upcoming-digital-marketing-strategies-conference-in-napa/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IMACS To Speak At Upcoming Digital Marketing Strategies Conference In Napa\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IMACS To Speak At Upcoming Digital Marketing Strategies Conference In Napa\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:quick-the-shiny-object-just-moved-ouch-its-your-vendor","displayName":"Quick, The Shiny Object Just Moved! Ouch, It’s Your Vendor…","description":"Don't read too much into the title, it's not a slam on your (fill in the blank) vendor, although many deserve to be taken to task. This is about what they have to deal with. If you've been under a rock this year or simply have not been paying attention, Google changed significantly three times. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/quick-the-shiny-object-just-moved-ouch-its-your-vendor/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Quick, The Shiny Object Just Moved! Ouch, It’s Your Vendor…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Quick, The Shiny Object Just Moved! Ouch, It’s Your Vendor…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:when-the-river-runs-drypave-it","displayName":"When The River Runs Dry…Pave It!","description":"Retrench! Dig in! Block and tackle! Just wait! Awww bullshit…. More and more today it seems that the chasm between the \"doers\" and those choosing \"planned obsolescence\" is growing. You hear a lot of good stories out in the field about who's doing what and which dealers are killing it. Then the numbers come in. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/when-the-river-runs-drypave-it/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"When The River Runs Dry…Pave It!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"When The River Runs Dry…Pave It!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:gut-check-what-are-we-doing-oh-yeah-measuring","displayName":"Gut Check: What Are We Doing? Oh Yeah, Measuring!","description":"Overstated? Maybe….but likely not. What are we doing? If we go by the numbers, and they're estimated but well known, we've got the second largest employer in the Untied States behind our back. The automotive industry is massive, even if you don't consider the associated businesses it keeps thriving. So, let's say we have a [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/gut-check-what-are-we-doing-oh-yeah-measuring/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Gut Check: What Are We Doing? Oh Yeah, Measuring!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Gut Check: What Are We Doing? Oh Yeah, Measuring!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-have-you-done-for-you-lately-ooh-ooh-ooh-yeah","displayName":"What Have You Done For You Lately? (Ooh ooh ooh yeah…)","description":"You're back but your bags (and head) may still be packed from your Las Vegas departure. The whirlwind of powerpoints, data, applications, widgets, speakers, vendors and pitches that opened October 12 with Digital Dealer and ran through DrivingSales Executive Summit at Encore, came to a close mid-day last Friday with the departure of over 1,000 [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-have-you-done-for-you-lately-ooh-ooh-ooh-yeah/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Have You Done For You Lately? (Ooh ooh ooh yeah…)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Have You Done For You Lately? (Ooh ooh ooh yeah…)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:drivingsales-executive-summitin-a-nutshell","displayName":"DrivingSales Executive Summit…In A Nutshell","description":"DrivingSales Executive Summit V2.0 hit Encore (Wynn) in Las Vegas last Monday through Wednesday. A few things: attendance doubled last year’s, the start was absolutely electric and the event finished on such a high it left many attendees literally longing for more and feeling like they needed another day. The DSES crew flat out delivered. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/drivingsales-executive-summitin-a-nutshell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"DrivingSales Executive Summit…In A Nutshell\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"DrivingSales Executive Summit…In A Nutshell\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dont-let-social-media-get-in-the-way-of-your-success-with-it","displayName":"Don’t Let Social Media Get In The Way Of Your Success With It","description":"We're bringing a petition to DrivingSales Executive Summit, JD Power Internet Roundtable, SEMA and NADA. But you can be first to sign it here and now. The law we're hoping to get passed in the retail automotive industry is \"stop calling it social media and start calling it die without it\". It's not something you [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dont-let-social-media-get-in-the-way-of-your-success-with-it/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Don’t Let Social Media Get In The Way Of Your Success With It\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Don’t Let Social Media Get In The Way Of Your Success With It\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:digital-dealer-9in-a-nutshell","displayName":"Digital Dealer 9…In A Nutshell","description":"So we're in what many call the automotive industry's event olympics, digital dunking chair, online opinion onslaught, guruexpertvendorspeakerconsultantpitchyouintosubmissionsession and more (is that a word or an insult?!?!). Anyway, last week's Digital Dealer was one heck of a kickoff with around 750 dealers in attendance. Over the three days, we heard both the good and bad, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/digital-dealer-9in-a-nutshell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Digital Dealer 9…In A Nutshell\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Digital Dealer 9…In A Nutshell\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-more-things-stay-the-same-the-more-they-stay-the-same-2","displayName":"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same","description":"We're considering making a big alarm clock. No, a BIG %^&*#$@ alarm clock. That way instead of waking up 10-100 dealers at a time, we can wake up 10,000. And folks, we all should know how big that clock has to be. 14 years of the automotive Internet, over 6 years for most OEM website [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-more-things-stay-the-same-the-more-they-stay-the-same-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The More Things Stay The Same, The More They Stay The Same\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-disappointment-your-customers-experience-comes-from-within-2","displayName":"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within","description":"Let's face it, we're all consumers. Even the highest-paid CEOs in the world have to do it: shop and buy. They will engage a brand, a retailer, a transaction with one expectation in mind: satisfaction. Whether a $4 latte or a $4,000,000 property, there is a process we go through to self-determine the investment of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-disappointment-your-customers-experience-comes-from-within-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Disappointment Your Customers Experience Comes From Within\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:getting-ready-for-digital-dealer-and-drivingsales-executive-summit-heres-some-tips-2","displayName":"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips","description":"Tickets? Check. Hotel? Check. Registration? Check. FlipCam? Check. SmartPhone? Check. A plan to make what you take back with you work? Ummmm. Not checked! Digital Dealer 9, DrivingSales Excecutive Summit and JD Power Internet Roundtable are right around the corner. Have you mapped out your sessions? Have you made a commitment to have executable items [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/getting-ready-for-digital-dealer-and-drivingsales-executive-summit-heres-some-tips-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Getting Ready For Digital Dealer And DrivingSales Executive Summit? Here’s Some Tips\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:it-begs-being-said-again-understand-what-youre-getting-into","displayName":"It Begs Being Said Again: Understand What You’re Getting Into","description":"So, what's your newest carrot? What new shiny object has you mesmerized? Which vendor's widget has you seeing extra dollar signs? What in the heck are you thinking?!?! Two things are working against you: automotive industry digital/online marketing conferences and the deluge of pitches as the \"health\" of the automotive industry continues its slow creep [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/it-begs-being-said-again-understand-what-youre-getting-into/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It Begs Being Said Again: Understand What You’re Getting Into\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It Begs Being Said Again: Understand What You’re Getting Into\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:innovative-dealer-siummit-in-denver-next-stop-for-imcs","displayName":"Innovative Dealer Summit in Denver Next Stop For IM@CS","description":"Tim Jackson and the Colorado Automotive Dealer Association invited IM@CS out to Denver, CO September 8 to participate in the Innovative Dealer Summit (http://www.innovativedealersummit.com). The event and it's four-track format was set to bring CO dealers to the forefront of the digital shift in automotive retail. After attending Digital Dealer 8 in Orlando last April [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/innovative-dealer-siummit-in-denver-next-stop-for-imcs/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Innovative Dealer Summit in Denver Next Stop For IM@CS\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Innovative Dealer Summit in Denver Next Stop For IM@CS\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:crunch-time-are-your-vendors-out-to-lunch-or-are-you","displayName":"Crunch Time: Are Your Vendors out To Lunch? Or Are You?","description":"It's very telling, especially today, when a supplier doesn't deliver. Over-commit, under-deliver. While there is no such thing as 100% delivery, 100% of the time when there are variables like creative, interpretation, third parties and even technology changing at a breakneck, daily pace. However the fundamentals should never change: communication, expectation, examination and verification. Being [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/crunch-time-are-your-vendors-out-to-lunch-or-are-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Crunch Time: Are Your Vendors out To Lunch? Or Are You?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Crunch Time: Are Your Vendors out To Lunch? Or Are You?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-on-social-media-club-la-panel-social-media-affecting-the-automotive-indsutry","displayName":"IM@CS on Social Media Club LA Panel: Social Media Affecting the Automotive Industry","description":"It was a pleasure to participate with other industry colleagues on a panel at Social Media Club LA’s event last Tuesday evening: How Social Media Is Affecting the Automotive Industry. Chris Heuer kicked off the evening as only the head of the global Social Media Clubs could. Serena Ehrlich moderated the panel and fielded the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-on-social-media-club-la-panel-social-media-affecting-the-automotive-indsutry/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS on Social Media Club LA Panel: Social Media Affecting the Automotive Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS on Social Media Club LA Panel: Social Media Affecting the Automotive Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-shortest-distance-between-two-lines-is-a-straight-point","displayName":"The Shortest Distance Between Two Lines Is A Straight Point","description":"Another day has gone by in our industry and where are we? Did we break a record? Did we start a trend? Did we figure something out? Chances are we're in the same place we were 48 hours ago. While we'll leave the guessing how much other businesses out there have changed to the \"experts\" [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-shortest-distance-between-two-lines-is-a-straight-point/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Shortest Distance Between Two Lines Is A Straight Point\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Shortest Distance Between Two Lines Is A Straight Point\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:floor-traffic-down-invite-them-in-including-5-ideas-that-work-if-you-do","displayName":"Floor Traffic Down? Invite Them In! (Including 5 Ideas That Work If You Do)","description":"Reading a number of great posts recently (while trying to ignore the blatant self-promotion via a popularity contest glorified by a number of industry members last week), all focused on getting dealers to make the shift to digital or social media, it hit me once again what we're all trying to do: get people in [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/floor-traffic-down-invite-them-in-including-5-ideas-that-work-if-you-do/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Floor Traffic Down? Invite Them In! (Including 5 Ideas That Work If You Do)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Floor Traffic Down? Invite Them In! (Including 5 Ideas That Work If You Do)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:lets-talk-next-spring-a-very-direct-monologue","displayName":"Let’s Talk Next Spring (A Very Direct Monologue)","description":"(Note: As a practice, IM@CS has not written in the first person. We try to not call people out or make examples of them directly. This is a slight departure from the past two years of blog writing for dealers. We hope you enjoy it or are at least compelled to comment on this aspect [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/lets-talk-next-spring-a-very-direct-monologue/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Let’s Talk Next Spring (A Very Direct Monologue)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Let’s Talk Next Spring (A Very Direct Monologue)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:death-by-response-you-lost-me-at-hello","displayName":"Death By Response: You Lost Me At Hello!","description":"Let's take a moment to ignore the store front, avoid the showroom, shed technology and just get back to being human. Do you know how to talk and carry a conversation? Well, if you judge that by much of the email and phone communication going on at automotive retail, you'd be left with more questions [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/death-by-response-you-lost-me-at-hello/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Death By Response: You Lost Me At Hello!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Death By Response: You Lost Me At Hello!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:vendoritis-or-dealeritis-part-duex","displayName":"Vendoritis Or Dealeritis: Part Deux","description":"After the recent seminars and events in the Los Angeles area it seems more clear than ever: dealers want to do more, are mostly eager to address new opportunities (or old ones sold as new), are baffled by new technology including social media, are looking at the factories for direction and don't seem to have [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/vendoritis-or-dealeritis-part-duex/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Vendoritis Or Dealeritis: Part Deux\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Vendoritis Or Dealeritis: Part Deux\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dealership-reset-its-halftime-you-got-game","displayName":"Dealership Reset: It’s Halftime, You Got Game?","description":"There's not too many times during the year that we call a time out. Well, there's usually one. Here's the dealership reset: Accountability: How are you against your goals? It's not just units, gross and ROs. It's about cost, effectiveness and no-bullshit reviews. Someone's feet not being held to the fire? Now's the time or [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dealership-reset-its-halftime-you-got-game/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Dealership Reset: It’s Halftime, You Got Game?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Dealership Reset: It’s Halftime, You Got Game?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:focus-danielsan-focus","displayName":"Focus Daniel-san, Focus!","description":"Focus. We all need it. Sometimes we loose it. Hopefully we get it back. Focus is what, along with goals and direction, on the path to success. Simply put we're in the business of selling products and services, backing them up, and maintaining relationships with those that bought the products or services. Broken focus is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/focus-danielsan-focus/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Focus Daniel-san, Focus!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Focus Daniel-san, Focus!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:hey-its-digital","displayName":"Hey, It’s Digital","description":"Another event in the history books. Digital Dealer 8 provided a new round of talk, perspective, conjecture, ideas and repetitiveness. Well attended, the eighth iteration of the event made way for a full expo, some great sessions, loud receptions and the proverbial automotive industry buzz. It was a bit funny last week when two things [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/hey-its-digital/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Hey, It’s Digital\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Hey, It’s Digital\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-social-media-help-desk-the-dos-and-donts-of-facebook","displayName":"Webinar: Social Media Help Desk: The Do’s and Don’ts of Facebook","description":"Date:  Wed, April 28th  Time:   2:00 PM CentralDuration:  60 Minutes Not surprisingly, it’s difficult to find a large brand that isn’t at least thinking about how it can participate in social networking phenom, Facebook. With over 400 million members, Facebook teases with an audience that is nearly four times greater than that of the Super [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-social-media-help-desk-the-dos-and-donts-of-facebook/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Social Media Help Desk: The Do’s and Don’ts of Facebook\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Social Media Help Desk: The Do’s and Don’ts of Facebook\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:its-time-to-do-a-few-things-well","displayName":"It’s Time To Do A Few Things Well","description":"Most people that read this blog that are in automotive retail probably have one thing in common: they can do one thing really well. Sales, finance, management, etc you're likely not fresh in your position or field. You've been trained, taught, updated and (even if not very effective) sent to seminars, events and trade shows. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/its-time-to-do-a-few-things-well/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It’s Time To Do A Few Things Well\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It’s Time To Do A Few Things Well\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-wards-edealer-100","displayName":"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100","description":"Ward’s will introduce you to successful dealers from the Ward’s e-Dealer 100, each of whom have implemented unique sales strategies for driving sales. The Ward’s e-Dealer 100 is considered the industry’s benchmark for measuring top franchised new car dealerships by Internet sales, and we have selected dealers from our list to offer insights into the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-wards-edealer-100/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:when-you-hit-the-wallagain-and-again","displayName":"When You Hit The Wall…Again. And Again.","description":"From time to time, even with the best plans, strategy, resources and more, it becomes painfully clear that you're not going to make it. Unfortunately, some people experience this state of being for far too long. In automotive retail, there are even those that are paralyzed by it for, well, eons. In sports if you [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/when-you-hit-the-wallagain-and-again/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"When You Hit The Wall…Again. And Again.\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"When You Hit The Wall…Again. And Again.\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:trying-to-move-your-business-forward-alone-youll-get-tiredand-more-lonely","displayName":"Trying To Move Your Business Forward Alone? You’ll Get Tired…And More Lonely!","description":"There you were, grand opening day. Glistening bright showroom, gleaming inventory, balloons, refreshments and customers. Fast forward however many years and maybe a few of those items have faded. But the one thing that can't go away: customers! More businesses are waking up to the fact that it's about the customer and some even realize [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/trying-to-move-your-business-forward-alone-youll-get-tiredand-more-lonely/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Trying To Move Your Business Forward Alone? You’ll Get Tired…And More Lonely!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Trying To Move Your Business Forward Alone? You’ll Get Tired…And More Lonely!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:is-it-the-chicken-or-the-egg-nope-its-the-customer","displayName":"Is It The Chicken Or The Egg? Nope. It’s The Customer!","description":"A long time ago we lost focus. Then got it back. A while ago we lost focus, and got it back. A short bit ago we lost focus. Somehow it came back together. Ah, the joys of the automotive industry. Factory, retail, supplier, service provider…all of us. It's about the customer, always has been, always [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/is-it-the-chicken-or-the-egg-nope-its-the-customer/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Is It The Chicken Or The Egg? Nope. It’s The Customer!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Is It The Chicken Or The Egg? Nope. It’s The Customer!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:start-with-the-end-in-mind-but-mind-what-you-start","displayName":"Start With The End In Mind, But Mind What You Start","description":"One of the beauties of working with those businesses that want to move forward is just that: the move forward. One of the drawbacks is the distractions that can stop clients in their tracks. Even the most excited dealer, on any given day, may end up with a list of fire drills that can stop [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/start-with-the-end-in-mind-but-mind-what-you-start/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Start With The End In Mind, But Mind What You Start\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Start With The End In Mind, But Mind What You Start\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:no-im-not-going-to-accept-your-invitation-well-until-you-get-it-right","displayName":"No, I’m Not Going To Accept Your Invitation. Well, Until You Get It Right","description":"They're there. Every day. New ones. Old ones, Slim ones. Fat ones. Some are red and some are green, many are boring and some obscene. What are they? Well, they're not from Dr. Seuss. Invites, followers, request for follows, join my growing community and more. And most are just plain crap. As the pandemic of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/no-im-not-going-to-accept-your-invitation-well-until-you-get-it-right/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"No, I’m Not Going To Accept Your Invitation. Well, Until You Get It Right\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"No, I’m Not Going To Accept Your Invitation. Well, Until You Get It Right\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:branding-communication-and-process-for-dummies-aka-all-of-us-in-time-for-nada","displayName":"Branding, Communication and Process For Dummies (AKA All Of Us) In Time For NADA","description":"If education, reinforcement, results and transparency are the benchmarks of success why are we all not more successful than we are right now? More often than not, in our beloved industry, what has been around for a long time is considered as accepted or the norm and what is new is rejected with rare exception. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/branding-communication-and-process-for-dummies-aka-all-of-us-in-time-for-nada/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Branding, Communication and Process For Dummies (AKA All Of Us) In Time For NADA\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Branding, Communication and Process For Dummies (AKA All Of Us) In Time For NADA\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-square-peg-the-round-hole-and-public-opinion-how-can-the-dealer-win","displayName":"The Square Peg, The Round Hole and Public Opinion. How Can The Dealer Win?","description":"The factory, the product, the media coverage, the recalls, the blitz of lacking and half-cooked information. When does the dealer get the coverage? When they're closing, exposed as corrupt or so-called environmentalists torch their lots. Welcome to the square peg and the round hole in the automotive industry, if not the perfect storm. And who's [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-square-peg-the-round-hole-and-public-opinion-how-can-the-dealer-win/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Square Peg, The Round Hole and Public Opinion. How Can The Dealer Win?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Square Peg, The Round Hole and Public Opinion. How Can The Dealer Win?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-best-practices-for-incorporating-video-into-email","displayName":"Webinar: Best Practices for Incorporating Video into Email","description":"Upcoming Webinar: Best Practices for Incorporating Video into Email Register Now! For nearly a decade, email marketers struggled to overcome the deliverability challenges of video in email without much success. Email marketers who experiment without a proper understanding of where video works, where it doesn't, limitations of video inclusion methods, and a thorough understanding of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-best-practices-for-incorporating-video-into-email/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Best Practices for Incorporating Video into Email\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Best Practices for Incorporating Video into Email\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:getting-and-keeping-customers-through-digital-marketing-strategies","displayName":"Getting and Keeping Customers Through Digital Marketing Strategies","description":"You'll get a clear playbook, based on hard data, clearly defined tactics and illustrative case studies, for how to make the most of the digital tools that are driving business results. Speaker: Geoff Ramsey, eMarketer CEO (see below for more info on Geoff)What: Getting and Keeping Customers Through Digital Marketing StrategiesWhen: Thursday, February 4, 2010, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/getting-and-keeping-customers-through-digital-marketing-strategies/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Getting and Keeping Customers Through Digital Marketing Strategies\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Getting and Keeping Customers Through Digital Marketing Strategies\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dealeritis-or-vendoritis-has-the-game-changed-at-all","displayName":"Dealeritis or Vendoritis? Has The Game Changed At All?","description":"There seems to be a perpetual struggle in the dealer world between the client needing services, needing to change/improve, needing to stay in front of the competition and the vendors needing new places to hock their wares, prove their value, bang the 'we're the leader' drum and pay back their investors. They're both right while [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dealeritis-or-vendoritis-has-the-game-changed-at-all/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Dealeritis or Vendoritis? Has The Game Changed At All?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Dealeritis or Vendoritis? Has The Game Changed At All?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:why-2010-is-the-year-for-the-dealer-in-the-automotive-communities","displayName":"Why 2010 Is The Year For The Dealer In The Automotive Communities","description":"You've seen them. You've registered. You've looked a couple times. You've even mentioned them at some of the events you attend to be in the 'know' . But the most you've been involved with what is likely the greatest area of information and opportunity for quicker growth ends with exactly that: not much. Post a [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/why-2010-is-the-year-for-the-dealer-in-the-automotive-communities/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Why 2010 Is The Year For The Dealer In The Automotive Communities\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Why 2010 Is The Year For The Dealer In The Automotive Communities\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-announces-accomplished-automotive-ecommerce-marketing-executive-jim-elliott-as-newest-team-memb","displayName":"IM@CS Announces Accomplished Automotive E-Commerce Marketing Executive Jim Elliott As Newest Team Member","description":"In response to further growth and significant prospects for 2010, IM@CS has expanded its consulting team and increased coverage with a Detroit base in addition to Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA, and Detroit, MI (PRWEB) January 4, 2010 — Interactive Marketing and Consulting Services (IM@CS) president Gary May was pleased to announce on December 31, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-announces-accomplished-automotive-ecommerce-marketing-executive-jim-elliott-as-newest-team-memb/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Announces Accomplished Automotive E-Commerce Marketing Executive Jim Elliott As Newest Team Member\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Announces Accomplished Automotive E-Commerce Marketing Executive Jim Elliott As Newest Team Member\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:free-live-webinar-doing-a-website-redesign-for-2010-with-an-internet-marketing-strategy-in-mind","displayName":"Free Live Webinar: Doing a Website Redesign for 2010 with an Internet Marketing Strategy in Mind","description":"The Internet has made apparent that a company's website is an increasingly important asset, and many businesses are now embarking on website redesign projects to \"improve\" their websites. However, in order to really get the most out of a website redesign, companies need to construct their website in the context of a greater Internet marketing [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/free-live-webinar-doing-a-website-redesign-for-2010-with-an-internet-marketing-strategy-in-mind/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Free Live Webinar: Doing a Website Redesign for 2010 with an Internet Marketing Strategy in Mind\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Free Live Webinar: Doing a Website Redesign for 2010 with an Internet Marketing Strategy in Mind\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:this-is-what-happens-when-you-do-it-right","displayName":"This Is What Happens When You Do It Right","description":"It's not every day that you come across as example of what you're preaching, especially when it's in the automotive world. To be brutally honest, it almost never happens around social media, blogging, websites and the like. And then, just like in the movies, a kid gives you hope. This is not a typical post [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/this-is-what-happens-when-you-do-it-right/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"This Is What Happens When You Do It Right\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"This Is What Happens When You Do It Right\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:take-the-walls-down-on-both-sides","displayName":"Take The Walls Down On Both Sides","description":"Two items that we talk a lot around but typically don't address directly are the 'blocking and tackling' in the retail business. One stops people from the inside, the other from the outside. The first limits a broader brand experience while the second keeps customers away. Slowly eliminate both and you'll win. Dealership firewalls, website [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/take-the-walls-down-on-both-sides/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Take The Walls Down On Both Sides\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Take The Walls Down On Both Sides\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:resolutions-who-needs-resolutions-weve-got-work-to-do","displayName":"Resolutions? Who Needs Resolutions? We’ve Got WORK To Do!","description":"It's no coincidence that by using the term 'resolutions' as temporary markers, we're able to miss our goals and targets. In an industry that's usually more comfortable with what worked 10 years ago, why waste time with \"I wish\"? Fact is, by resolving to do something it means that you're going to do it. If [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/resolutions-who-needs-resolutions-weve-got-work-to-do/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Resolutions? Who Needs Resolutions? We’ve Got WORK To Do!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Resolutions? Who Needs Resolutions? We’ve Got WORK To Do!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:so-much-good-stuffdoes-it-make-you-want-to-ignore-it-all","displayName":"So Much Good Stuff…Does It Make You Want To Ignore It All?","description":"It's no secret that over the past few months things have really been taking off in the online automotive space for dealers and a lot of attention is being paid to the more leading edge, innovative companies (and some not-so-leading-edge ones).  It really seems that retail is starting to embrace, at a minimum, the 'change' [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/so-much-good-stuffdoes-it-make-you-want-to-ignore-it-all/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"So Much Good Stuff…Does It Make You Want To Ignore It All?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"So Much Good Stuff…Does It Make You Want To Ignore It All?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webtrends-webinar-convert-more-visitors-learn-how-to-test-target-and-optimize","displayName":"Webtrends Webinar: Convert More Visitors. Learn how to Test, Target and Optimize","description":"Leap Ahead with Testing in 2010 Attend this webinar to find out how to lift your conversions by 20-50% According to Forrester, 48% of marketers want help demonstrating ROI on testing. Is your competition in the group that hasn't discovered testing yet? Don't count on it. The innovative half of marketers want the business-case answers [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webtrends-webinar-convert-more-visitors-learn-how-to-test-target-and-optimize/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webtrends Webinar: Convert More Visitors. Learn how to Test, Target and Optimize\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webtrends Webinar: Convert More Visitors. Learn how to Test, Target and Optimize\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:it-doesnt-matter-how-much-you-cant-afford-not-going-all-out-on-the-web","displayName":"It Doesn’t Matter How Much, You Can’t Afford Not Going All Out On The Web","description":"With the end of the year quickly approaching and a focus on getting as many cars sold as possible, it''s also the only time you have to make sure your plan is right for your web presence in 2010.  We're talking about a plan.  If you don't have one, it's time do something that will [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/it-doesnt-matter-how-much-you-cant-afford-not-going-all-out-on-the-web/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It Doesn’t Matter How Much, You Can’t Afford Not Going All Out On The Web\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It Doesn’t Matter How Much, You Can’t Afford Not Going All Out On The Web\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-did-thanksgiving-do-for-you","displayName":"What Did Thanksgiving Do For You?","description":"If you're in sales, chances are you needed the Thanksgiving day break.  Badly. If things are good or not-so-good, the day off allows you at least to decompress.  If you're in automotive, many would say that the break is more than deserved.  You should return with two things: the day off and something new. Too [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-did-thanksgiving-do-for-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Did Thanksgiving Do For You?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Did Thanksgiving Do For You?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:on-your-mark-get-set-think-plan-then-go-and-then-review","displayName":"On Your Mark, Get Set, Think, Plan, Then Go! And Then Review.","description":"You hear it all the time: \"this isn't rocket science\", \"a monkey can do this\" and \"you're kidding me, that's easier than chewing gum\".  Yet process seems to be as rare as a walk-up customer these days when it comes to the Internet side of the business. Not necessarily the sales process, although there are [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/on-your-mark-get-set-think-plan-then-go-and-then-review/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"On Your Mark, Get Set, Think, Plan, Then Go! And Then Review.\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"On Your Mark, Get Set, Think, Plan, Then Go! And Then Review.\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:powered-webinar-influence-the-influencer-creating-brand-advocates-with-social-marketing","displayName":"Powered Webinar: “Influence the Influencer: Creating Brand Advocates with Social Marketing”","description":"Featuring Jill Griffin and Allen Silkin Date: Thursday, November 12th Time: 2pm Central / 1pm Mountain / 12pm Pacific / 3 pm Eastern Duration: 1 Hour Get the details and register to attend Consumers are more demanding than ever and earning their loyalty gets more difficult every day.  Turning them into brand advocates is the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/powered-webinar-influence-the-influencer-creating-brand-advocates-with-social-marketing/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Powered Webinar: “Influence the Influencer: Creating Brand Advocates with Social Marketing”\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Powered Webinar: “Influence the Influencer: Creating Brand Advocates with Social Marketing”\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:customer-relationship-management-its-the-message-not-software-that-sells","displayName":"Customer Relationship Management: It’s The Message, Not Software That Sells","description":"Three vendors, multiple pitches, agonizing internal conversations, budget decisions, integration, contract, training and the big fat check (every month). Now: simply turn it on and have it send messages for you and you win! Right? Wrong! How in the world are we continually convinced that a solution 'in the box' is the right one for [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/customer-relationship-management-its-the-message-not-software-that-sells/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Customer Relationship Management: It’s The Message, Not Software That Sells\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Customer Relationship Management: It’s The Message, Not Software That Sells\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:why-hit-the-panic-button-when-you-can-hit-the-simple-button","displayName":"Why Hit The Panic Button When You Can Hit The Simple Button?","description":"Can't you just hear it in the background when you try to explain the shift to digital/social marketing from traditional 'push' marketing to a business like, oh let's say, a car dealer? A chorus fills your head from 1978: \"Aaahh Freak out!  Le Freak, C'est Chic, Freak out!\". Scary enough, our sales volumes are near [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/why-hit-the-panic-button-when-you-can-hit-the-simple-button/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Why Hit The Panic Button When You Can Hit The Simple Button?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Why Hit The Panic Button When You Can Hit The Simple Button?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:reputation-management-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly","displayName":"Reputation Management: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly","description":"This post should really be titled: Reputation Management: Can't I Just Ignore It? It's amazing that another year, and some great social media presentations, has passed with dealers still not understanding that they live and die by their reputation. They know it, they don't understand it. Or else everyone would be tackling their Achilles' heel. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/reputation-management-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Reputation Management: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Reputation Management: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:a-week-in-vegas-automotive-style-in-a-few-paragraphs","displayName":"A Week In Vegas Automotive Style (In A Few Paragraphs)","description":"It's the conference time of the year for the automotive biz and this last week didn't disappoint. Having attended both the first-ever DrivingSales Executive Summit and the venerable JD Power Internet Roundtable it was clear, to some degree, as to what the leaders are looking for, discussing and sharing.  My first observation? Not enough dealers [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/a-week-in-vegas-automotive-style-in-a-few-paragraphs/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"A Week In Vegas Automotive Style (In A Few Paragraphs)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"A Week In Vegas Automotive Style (In A Few Paragraphs)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-great-dealership-debate-that-shouldnt-be","displayName":"The Great Dealership Debate That Shouldn’t Be","description":"\"Hear ye, hear ye! For all of you, thou shalt be indentured in thar' olde sales department.  And for the rest of ya blubbering fools, 'yer lucky to call the Internet department over yonder home!\"  Boy, sounds like a clip right out of a bad Tom Cruise period movie about horse sales from the 17th [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-great-dealership-debate-that-shouldnt-be/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Great Dealership Debate That Shouldn’t Be\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Great Dealership Debate That Shouldn’t Be\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:moving-the-needle-from-a-get-together-to-a-ground-swell","displayName":"Moving The Needle: From A Get Together To A Ground Swell","description":"It is going to take lots more than talk, snake oil and rain dances to turn our hobby back into an industry with integrity, consistency and accountability (if we even had those in the first place).  It is more than about time to make change rather than simply talk about it. Somewhere between the low-ball [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/moving-the-needle-from-a-get-together-to-a-ground-swell/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Moving The Needle: From A Get Together To A Ground Swell\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Moving The Needle: From A Get Together To A Ground Swell\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:everything-about-social-media-that-can-be-explained-in-a-youtube-clip-where-else-would-it-be","displayName":"Everything About Social Media That Can Be Explained In A YouTube Clip (Where Else Would It Be?)","description":"This has to be the easiest post ever. And probably the best since it’s in someone else’s voice (video). This is one of the best ways to ingest some compelling data around social media, even if you take it with a grain of salt. Whether you believe in the fundamentals of social media or not, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/everything-about-social-media-that-can-be-explained-in-a-youtube-clip-where-else-would-it-be/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Everything About Social Media That Can Be Explained In A YouTube Clip (Where Else Would It Be?)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Everything About Social Media That Can Be Explained In A YouTube Clip (Where Else Would It Be?)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:powered-webinar-from-zero-to-community-practical-advice-for-growing-and-nurturing-an-online-communit","displayName":"Powered Webinar: From Zero to Community: Practical Advice for Growing and Nurturing an Online Community","description":"Live Webinar on Thursday, September 17th Featuring Newell Rubbermaid, The Community Roundtable and Powered A successful social marketing program requires the same comprehensive, well-planned approach that traditional marketing programs demand, and it entails careful consideration of how your company will participate. At the heart of most social marketing programs is some form of online [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/powered-webinar-from-zero-to-community-practical-advice-for-growing-and-nurturing-an-online-communit/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Powered Webinar: From Zero to Community: Practical Advice for Growing and Nurturing an Online Community\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Powered Webinar: From Zero to Community: Practical Advice for Growing and Nurturing an Online Community\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:come-on-whats-social-about-a-price-nothing","displayName":"Come On! What’s Social About A Price? Nothing!","description":"After tip-toeing around this subject for most of the year, it's time to take a more direct approach.  With more car dealers using \"social' media these days, seeing the overwhelming amount of non-conversations are staggering!  A quick visit to the majority dealer accounts on Twitter and Facebook reveal the following: use of what are supposed [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/come-on-whats-social-about-a-price-nothing/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Come On! What’s Social About A Price? Nothing!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Come On! What’s Social About A Price? Nothing!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:first-of-the-month-syndrome-youre-not-starting-over","displayName":"First Of The Month Syndrome: You’re Not Starting Over","description":"Month end is behind you, save for those few deals that are going to be back-dated to August 31. Hopefully with C.A.R.S. you didn't need to do that. Now it's a whole new month and you're thinking \"I'm at zero, clean sheet of paper, time to hit my numbers!\"  Since we know so many people [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/first-of-the-month-syndrome-youre-not-starting-over/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"First Of The Month Syndrome: You’re Not Starting Over\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"First Of The Month Syndrome: You’re Not Starting Over\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-will-you-focus-on-tuesday-after-clunkers-shuts-down-start-inviting-your-customers-in-again","displayName":"What Will You Focus On Tuesday After Clunkers Shuts Down? Start Inviting Your Customers In Again…","description":"Imagine, if you can, that business becomes painfully slow. Sales, traffic, even service, is down anywhere from a little bit to 'oh-my-gosh-how-can-we-survive?' slow.  Then try really hard to imagine some gift-from-above program from an unannounced source drives a bunch of customers to your store for a few weeks.  Then…the program ends abruptly.  At the same [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-will-you-focus-on-tuesday-after-clunkers-shuts-down-start-inviting-your-customers-in-again/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Will You Focus On Tuesday After Clunkers Shuts Down? Start Inviting Your Customers In Again…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Will You Focus On Tuesday After Clunkers Shuts Down? Start Inviting Your Customers In Again…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:a-season-of-events-will-it-be-boom-or-bust","displayName":"A Season Of Events: Will It Be Boom Or Bust?","description":"We're on the cusp again: in the next 90 days we're looking at events including DrivingSales Executive Summit, JD Power Internet Roundtable, Dealer summit, Synergy Sessions, Digital Dealer, Auto Training Events and more.  The more dealers that we hear from, the more we hear the same thing: \"show me the beef!!\".  What's the message?  Drive [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/a-season-of-events-will-it-be-boom-or-bust/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"A Season Of Events: Will It Be Boom Or Bust?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"A Season Of Events: Will It Be Boom Or Bust?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:carscom-webinar-cashing-in-on-web-20-using-social-media-sites-to-drive-sales-as-online-communities-g","displayName":"Cars.com Webinar: Cashing in on Web 2.0, Using Social Media Sites to Drive Sales","description":"Register Now As online communities grow in ever-increasing numbers, are you a part of the conversation or standing on the sidelines? 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Your Own Program Or Someone Else’s This-For-That?","description":"Whether or not the money lasts in the government's C.A.R.S./Cash For Clunkers program, one thing is clear: automotive retail still waits for someone or something outside of the dealer to drive the traffic. With few (and great) exceptions, people started hitting lots hard over the weekend.The question remains: what happens that's entirely up to you [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/how-and-when-do-you-generate-your-traffic-your-own-program-or-someone-elses-this-for-that/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"How And When Do You Generate Your Traffic? Your Own Program Or Someone Else’s This-For-That?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"How And When Do You Generate Your Traffic? Your Own Program Or Someone Else’s This-For-That?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:thats-what-she-saidand-other-lies-since-youre-just-not-listening","displayName":"“That’s What She Said!”…and other lies since you’re just not listening","description":"You were the class clown, your friends' center of attention, captain of the sport team, oldest in your family, standout of sorts in various jobs and now you lead the sales ranks…and you're flat out lucky! Considering the last time you listened actively was to get an extra scoop of ice cream in eighth grade, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/thats-what-she-saidand-other-lies-since-youre-just-not-listening/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"“That’s What She Said!”…and other lies since you’re just not listening\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"“That’s What She Said!”…and other lies since you’re just not listening\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-shiny-new-tool-looses-luster-when-the-belt-is-full","displayName":"The Shiny New Tool Loses Luster: When The Belt Is Full","description":"Come on, let's admit it. If someone launches a new tool, application, service, widget, doohickey, gizmo or gadget, we'll all explode. We are so full of tools, you likely feel like the Craftsman section at your local Sears… Fact is we can probably expect more and that is what keeps pushing the bar forward. With [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-shiny-new-tool-looses-luster-when-the-belt-is-full/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Shiny New Tool Loses Luster: When The Belt Is Full\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Shiny New Tool Loses Luster: When The Belt Is Full\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-first-half-is-doneare-you-on-track-or-betting-on-the-second","displayName":"The First Half Is Done…Are You On Track Or Betting On The Second?","description":"It is always a reality check (especially in sales) to review the mid-year numbers against goals. Even the most sophisticated of salespeople take the opportunity to evaluate, adjust, reassess, communicate and plan. Many others blame, accuse, defend, deflect and compromise, but rarely do what it takes: listen and learn. It's also the time of the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-first-half-is-doneare-you-on-track-or-betting-on-the-second/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The First Half Is Done…Are You On Track Or Betting On The Second?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The First Half Is Done…Are You On Track Or Betting On The Second?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:autotradercom-wants-you-to-know-chip-perry-and-alan-smith-video","displayName":"AutoTrader.com Wants You To Know: Chip Perry and Alan Smith Video","description":"Alan Smith, Sr. Vice President of Dealer Sales, and Chip Perry, CEO, have created a video to share their take on the current issues shaping AutoTrader.com and dealership business today and what they're doing to deliver more value to the market. This is definitely not something you see often in any industry, let alone automotive, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/autotradercom-wants-you-to-know-chip-perry-and-alan-smith-video/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"AutoTrader.com Wants You To Know: Chip Perry and Alan Smith Video\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"AutoTrader.com Wants You To Know: Chip Perry and Alan Smith Video\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:i-think-we-cani-think-we-canwe-better-think-we-can","displayName":"I Think We Can…I Think We Can…We Better Think We Can","description":"Boy, things were really humming there for the longest time and then the train ran off the track, or maybe the wheels simply came off. No matter what, we got to find out what it would be like for the industry to have a brake test. But instead of 60 to 0 in 137.6 feet, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/i-think-we-cani-think-we-canwe-better-think-we-can/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"I Think We Can…I Think We Can…We Better Think We Can\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"I Think We Can…I Think We Can…We Better Think We Can\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-innovation-matters-most-right-now","displayName":"What Innovation Matters Most Right Now?","description":"Are you excited by the latest technology in the newest model arriving at your showroom? Were you going crazy waiting for FedEx/UPS/USPS last week for your latest iPhone? Can't believe that your newest CRM ties your site, third party leads, phone calls, mail automation, showroom visits and more together? Didn't have to break traffic laws [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-innovation-matters-most-right-now/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Innovation Matters Most Right Now?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Innovation Matters Most Right Now?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:live-webinar-pitfalls-and-best-practices-for-building-online-communities","displayName":"Live Webinar: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Building Online Communities","description":"Pitfalls and Best Practices for Building Online Communities Featuring Forrester Principal Analyst, Lisa Bradner Date:  Wednesday, June 24thTime:  3:00 PM Eastern Time/10:00 AM Pacific Time Duration:  60 Minutes Online communities offer marketers tremendous business advantage, but content-rich, highly engaging communities don’t just happen—they are planned, designed, and continuously nurtured to deliver real ROI that can help [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/live-webinar-pitfalls-and-best-practices-for-building-online-communities/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Live Webinar: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Building Online Communities\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Live Webinar: Pitfalls and Best Practices for Building Online Communities\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-letters-of-successacronym-style-sort-of","displayName":"The Letters Of Success…Acronym Style (Sort Of)","description":"It's important that, from time to time, we stop to focus on the principles behind the goals we're aiming for in business and delivering the best customer experience. 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In between, it was all perspective, passion, personality and [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/some-good-time-with-some-dealersmpg-style-why-werent-more-there/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Some Good Time With Some Dealers…MPG Style (Why Weren’t More There!?)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Some Good Time With Some Dealers…MPG Style (Why Weren’t More There!?)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-we-only-had-a-lightbulb-to-screw-inand-other-mistakes-we-make","displayName":"If We Only Had A Lightbulb To Screw In…And Other Mistakes We Make","description":"How many times have you heard the proverbial saying…\"How many (fill in the blank) does it take to screw in a light bulb?\", even lately jokingly about the group of 'car czars' circling around Detroit. 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What we do and what becomes of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-bankruptcy-means-to-you-and-mejust-between-car-people/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Bankruptcy Means To You And Me…Just Between Car People\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Bankruptcy Means To You And Me…Just Between Car People\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-almighty-salespersonand-the-almighty-dollar","displayName":"The Almighty Salesperson…And The Almighty Dollar","description":"Somewhere, over time, the thing in the middle of you and a buck (customer, client, deal, contract) was swept away even though that is was business is all about. It seems like the easy ride, free equity, huge perks and general \"asleep at the wheel\" mentality gave way to a gaping hole the size of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-almighty-salespersonand-the-almighty-dollar/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Almighty Salesperson…And The Almighty Dollar\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Almighty Salesperson…And The Almighty Dollar\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:when-a-spade-is-a-spadeand-knowledge-is-only-part-of-the-game","displayName":"When A Spade Is a Spade…And Knowledge Is Only Part Of The Game","description":"Too often in sales we live off of past glory, or lack of. While past performance is not an indication of future results, it may just be what many people look for (look up the definitions of comfort and settle). So, salespeople, what are YOU doing to change your reality? Waiting for the next sucker? [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/when-a-spade-is-a-spadeand-knowledge-is-only-part-of-the-game/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"When A Spade Is a Spade…And Knowledge Is Only Part Of The Game\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"When A Spade Is a Spade…And Knowledge Is Only Part Of The Game\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:a-day-with-the-marketersautomotive-news-style","displayName":"A Day With The Marketers…Automotive News Style","description":"Today was a day filled with marketing statistics, reporting, ideas, videos, commercials, banter, conjecture and more. Ultimately what Automotive News set out to achieve again this year was, I my opinion, point the industry/crowd/listeners to what is and will be happening in the landscape of media and marketing. Did it happen? Joel Ewanick from Hyundai [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/a-day-with-the-marketersautomotive-news-style/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"A Day With The Marketers…Automotive News Style\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"A Day With The Marketers…Automotive News Style\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:lead-followor-learn-how-to-lead-dont-get-out-of-the-way","displayName":"Lead, Follow…Or Learn How To Lead! (Don’t Get Out Of The Way…)","description":"We were young once and we were fearless! Then we got some schooling and some more, then we got trained, then we were led, then we completely forgot how in the heck to be fearless! Add today's worthless media, sprinkle in some naysayers, a fair dose of skepticism and you've got a full-blown problem. How [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/lead-followor-learn-how-to-lead-dont-get-out-of-the-way/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Lead, Follow…Or Learn How To Lead! (Don’t Get Out Of The Way…)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Lead, Follow…Or Learn How To Lead! (Don’t Get Out Of The Way…)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"It's been a while, maybe to long! Considering what is happening in the market, it's time to get back on track with the folks that power the industry (yes, besides consultants!). This is another mix of providers touching different aspects of marketing and services that hopefully give you a leg up (if not a whole [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-reving-up-automotive-market-research-with-social-media-analysis","displayName":"Webinar: Reving up Automotive Market Research with Social Media Analysis","description":"As auto manufacturers and suppliers grapple with tough economic times, understanding consumer preferences becomes even more important for near-term survival as well as future viability. J.D. Power and Associates’ Web Intelligence Division utilizes social media to help the auto industry gain consumer insights, mining the blogosphere for unvarnished insight and unbiased opinion. We invite you [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-reving-up-automotive-market-research-with-social-media-analysis/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Reving up Automotive Market Research with Social Media Analysis\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Reving up Automotive Market Research with Social Media Analysis\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dont-look-downi-said-dont-look-down","displayName":"Don’t Look Down…I Said Don’t Look Down!","description":"It's absolutely amazing…we humans. Creatures of habit, intrigue and fear-based reactivity. Right now is no exception, obviously! However, it is also possibly one of the most defining times as well. True leaders will come out of these challenges and leave those that just waited behind. Survival of the fittest? Nope. Natural selection? Not in the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dont-look-downi-said-dont-look-down/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Don’t Look Down…I Said Don’t Look Down!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Don’t Look Down…I Said Don’t Look Down!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dont-have-the-time-you-cant-make-it-but-you-can-absolutely-get-it-done","displayName":"Don’t Have The Time? You Can’t Make It But You Can Absolutely Get It Done!","description":"So many people…so little time! Man, you can't get away from the fear and excuses….it's the age of \"I don't have enough time do to that\"…\"I can't add anything to my plate\"…\"If only I had another day in my week to pull that off\"! Everyone is busy but few are actually doing much. The ones [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dont-have-the-time-you-cant-make-it-but-you-can-absolutely-get-it-done/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Don’t Have The Time? You Can’t Make It But You Can Absolutely Get It Done!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Don’t Have The Time? You Can’t Make It But You Can Absolutely Get It Done!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-wards-edealer-100-2","displayName":"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100","description":"Ward's Dealer Business Editorial Director Cliff Banks will introduce you to successful dealers from the Ward's e-Dealer 100, each of whom have implemented unique sales strategies for driving sales.  The Ward's e-Dealer 100 is considered the industry's benchmark for measuring top franchised new car dealerships by Internet sales, and we've selected dealers from the list [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-wards-edealer-100-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Ward’s eDealer 100\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:cutting-to-save-costs-can-cost-you-greatly-so-whats-next","displayName":"Cutting To Save Costs Can Cost You Greatly, So What’s Next?","description":"It's so much a part of business today: cost cutting, staff reductions, marketing cancellations, disappearing perks. Even companies that are profitable and efficient are not exempt from the slashing and hacking (that makes sense, right? right?). Needed? Absolutely! Done right? No way! What can you honestly expect when you're name (and more) is not out [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/cutting-to-save-costs-can-cost-you-greatly-so-whats-next/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Cutting To Save Costs Can Cost You Greatly, So What’s Next?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Cutting To Save Costs Can Cost You Greatly, So What’s Next?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-industry-experts-reveal-the-power-of-1st-party-leads","displayName":"Webinar: Industry experts REVEAL THE POWER of 1st Party Leads","description":"FREE WEBINAR By now you understand the capabilities (and limitations) of 3rd party leads. But have you heard of 1st party leads? Join our interactive webinar and learn how generate the highest quality leads directly from your website. What You Will Learn: 1st party leads close at a higher rate with higher profits Not [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-industry-experts-reveal-the-power-of-1st-party-leads/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Industry experts REVEAL THE POWER of 1st Party Leads\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Industry experts REVEAL THE POWER of 1st Party Leads\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:digital-dealer-in-500-words-or-less-it-should-be-way-more","displayName":"Digital Dealer in 500 Words Or Less (It Should Be Way More…)","description":"If you could find a fundamentally harder time to think about events, traveling, speakers and spending time (and money) in Las Vegas, it would be a stretch.  Fact is that you would be justified by not even thinking about anything but 'the next customer' right now. For the 420 plus dealership staff that just spent [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/digital-dealer-in-500-words-or-less-it-should-be-way-more/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Digital Dealer in 500 Words Or Less (It Should Be Way More…)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Digital Dealer in 500 Words Or Less (It Should Be Way More…)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:because-its-whatcha-whatcha-whatcha-want","displayName":"Because it’s whatcha whatcha whatcha want!","description":"Let's face it: everything that happens is due to your choices. Your job. Your successes. Your failures. Your knowledge. Your doubt. Your leadership. Your mindset. Your resistance. Nothing defines us more than…us. Performance is an indicator of readiness, focus and opportunity. So why is it that the more things change, the more people want to [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/because-its-whatcha-whatcha-whatcha-want/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Because it’s whatcha whatcha whatcha want!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Because it’s whatcha whatcha whatcha want!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:how-to-use-social-media-to-attract-more-customers","displayName":"How to Use Social Media to Attract More Customers – Free Marketing Webinar","description":"Businesses now have the power to leverage the Internet — search engines, blogs, social media — to reach customers more effectively. This includes connecting with customers where they hang out online and engaging in conversations about the topics most important to them. Social CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is all about joining the ongoing conversations our [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/how-to-use-social-media-to-attract-more-customers/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"How to Use Social Media to Attract More Customers – Free Marketing Webinar\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"How to Use Social Media to Attract More Customers – Free Marketing Webinar\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-are-you-paying-attention-to-youor-the-customer","displayName":"What Are You Paying Attention To? You…Or The Customer?","description":"You know what? I can't blame you!  Now days it so easy to just think about yourself and your needs when a customer comes through the door toward you. Things are so slow on the showroom floor, you might have to role play with a set of 22\" chromes (but they might not talk back) [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-are-you-paying-attention-to-youor-the-customer/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Are You Paying Attention To? You…Or The Customer?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Are You Paying Attention To? You…Or The Customer?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-opposites-attract-why-didnt-i-sell-30-cars-last-month","displayName":"If Opposites Attract, Why Didn’t I Sell 30 Cars Last Month?","description":"Let's face it, if the simple fact was that opposites attract, every dealership would sell out of cars…every month. Actually, that's not quite true. Opposites do attract, but we're talking about much more serious issues than simply attraction. Why in the world would someone want to buy from you? First, there's the typical stuff: Are [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/if-opposites-attract-why-didnt-i-sell-30-cars-last-month/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"If Opposites Attract, Why Didn’t I Sell 30 Cars Last Month?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"If Opposites Attract, Why Didn’t I Sell 30 Cars Last Month?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-featured-on-blogtalkradios-lunch-with-phil-again","displayName":"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil Again!","description":"Today Philip Zelinger of AdAgencyOnline.net invited IM@CS back to discuss social media and a few SEO fundamentals. With the issues that are being faced in today's market, it's important to be able to leverage technology in a timely, relevant and conducive manner. Branding is one of the only areas that is still controlled at the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-featured-on-blogtalkradios-lunch-with-phil-again/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil Again!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil Again!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:how-best-to-help-during-the-auto-crisis-imcs-breaks-silence","displayName":"How Best To Help During The ‘Auto Crisis’: IM@CS Breaks Silence","description":"With the exception to recent Twits (@imacsweb on Twitter) on the state of the auto industry in the form of short blurbs and links, I've steered clear of commenting deeper. This blog's focus (and definitely going forward) is to educate, motivate, inform, guide and challenge…let alone be a positive light rather than a black hole. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/how-best-to-help-during-the-auto-crisis-imcs-breaks-silence/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"How Best To Help During The ‘Auto Crisis’: IM@CS Breaks Silence\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"How Best To Help During The ‘Auto Crisis’: IM@CS Breaks Silence\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-stimulating-profits-used-cars-drive-sales-success-in-2009","displayName":"Webinar: Stimulating Profits: Used Cars Drive Sales Success in 2009","description":"Industry Roundtable Discussion With: Mitch Golub, president, Cars.com Art Spinella, president, CNW Marketing Paul Taylor, chief economist, NADA With sales of used cars expected to return to 40 million-plus units in 2009, used-car sales stand out as a bright spot in automotive retail. For consumers concerned about their purse strings and possible job losses, buying [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-stimulating-profits-used-cars-drive-sales-success-in-2009/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Stimulating Profits: Used Cars Drive Sales Success in 2009\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Stimulating Profits: Used Cars Drive Sales Success in 2009\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:success-a-fourletter-word-not-today","displayName":"Success: A Four-Letter Word? Not Today","description":"It used to be, by common knowledge, that success was defined by work (and how much you did). Now days it seems success is defined by smaller multi-million dollar losses, one more gizmo sold than the competition, not spending anything compared to what you did last year and more or the like. I'm not the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/success-a-fourletter-word-not-today/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Success: A Four-Letter Word? Not Today\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Success: A Four-Letter Word? Not Today\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:cracking-the-code-marketing-presence","displayName":"Cracking The Code: Marketing Presence","description":"What is it about marketing that has dealers so perplexed? It's not the act of marketing your brand, inventory, service panache, amazing staff, luxury facility, location, exclusive offerings and more that matters as much as how you do it and the completeness of your marketing. It used to be enough to 'silo' advertise: one ad [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/cracking-the-code-marketing-presence/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Cracking The Code: Marketing Presence\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Cracking The Code: Marketing Presence\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-using-your-news-to-drive-seo","displayName":"Webinar: Using Your News To Drive SEO","description":"With more than 70 million people getting their news online every day, your news is about more than just reaching the media. Your news can be a powerful tool to directly reach the millions of people searching for information online, drive traffic to your website and maximize your [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-using-your-news-to-drive-seo/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Using Your News To Drive SEO\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Using Your News To Drive SEO\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:webinar-social-marketing-this-roi-is-too-good-to-be-true","displayName":"Webinar: Social Marketing – This ROI is Too Good to Be True","description":"Join Next Century Media (NCM) Global, Powered and HubSpot on Wednesday, March 25th, for our upcoming Webinar, \"Social Marketing: This ROI is Too Good to Be True!\", which will broadcast live at 2:00 PM CST.  Register to attend today! Our discussion topics include: Results of NCM's newly-released research study – 2008 Social Marketing ROI Report [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/webinar-social-marketing-this-roi-is-too-good-to-be-true/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Webinar: Social Marketing – This ROI is Too Good to Be True\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Webinar: Social Marketing – This ROI is Too Good to Be True\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:you-might-drop-the-ball-but-dont-let-it-become-an-anchor","displayName":"You Might Drop The Ball, But Don’t Let It Become An Anchor","description":"When you're in sales, management or any position dealing with customers, you're likely to do it: drop the ball. It's part of the continual education process. Even today with unbelievably well-working software, applications, technology and our electronic leashes, it's inevitable that you'll not do what you were supposed to do. So why do some people [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/you-might-drop-the-ball-but-dont-let-it-become-an-anchor/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"You Might Drop The Ball, But Don’t Let It Become An Anchor\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"You Might Drop The Ball, But Don’t Let It Become An Anchor\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:how-are-your-numbers-it-is-a-numbers-game-alright-so-change-things","displayName":"How Are Your Numbers? It Is A Numbers Game Alright So Change Things!","description":"Anyone with a background in sales has heard, read and/or said the following: \"it's a numbers game\". And it's amazingly true no matter what your industry or product. The best in any field contact, communicate and retain better based on the fact that they've got to get to more people. So what is your excuse? [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/how-are-your-numbers-it-is-a-numbers-game-alright-so-change-things/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"How Are Your Numbers? It Is A Numbers Game Alright So Change Things!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"How Are Your Numbers? It Is A Numbers Game Alright So Change Things!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-are-you-doing-about-what-your-competition-is-not","displayName":"What Are You Doing About What Your Competition Is Not?","description":"Everyone's worried about their bottom line, revenues, expenses, marketing,future and what's going to happen next. Worrying so much they have forgotten how to think forward and act intuitively. Better yet, they're not even paying attention to what is not being done by competitors (in and out-of-brand) that can easily be capitalized on. Two years we [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-are-you-doing-about-what-your-competition-is-not/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Are You Doing About What Your Competition Is Not?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Are You Doing About What Your Competition Is Not?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:ok-its-time-to-get-itfollow-up-is-the-key","displayName":"OK, It’s Time To Get It…Follow Up Is The Key!","description":"It doesn't matter who you are, what you sell or where you sell. Further, it doesn't matter if you're actively selling or making sales happen away from the front lines. There are a number of things that make business tick: Passion about what you're doing and/or representing Solid fundamentals; especially process Understanding and belief in [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/ok-its-time-to-get-itfollow-up-is-the-key/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"OK, It’s Time To Get It…Follow Up Is The Key!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"OK, It’s Time To Get It…Follow Up Is The Key!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:best-practice-consutling-how-and-why-do-it-cant-i-just-watch-an-online-video","displayName":"Best Practice Consutling: How And Why Do It? Can’t I Just Watch An Online Video?","description":"Why hire a consultant or contractor? Why pay someone for a little work when I can bring on a new employee for the same or less? Consultants only tell you what you already know but charge you for it! I don't want an idea or process person, I want a do-it person! Yes, those are [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/best-practice-consutling-how-and-why-do-it-cant-i-just-watch-an-online-video/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Best Practice Consutling: How And Why Do It? Can’t I Just Watch An Online Video?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Best Practice Consutling: How And Why Do It? Can’t I Just Watch An Online Video?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-do-you-think-it-will-take-to-change-hello","displayName":"What Do You Think It Will Take To Change? Hello?","description":"Sometimes it helps being a cynic and a pessimist, or at least devil's advocate but at the end of the day you're either your own worst enemy or best ding-dang advocate.  It is always beneficial to see things with a different perspective but critically important to maintain your identity and job jump in the pool [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-do-you-think-it-will-take-to-change-hello/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Do You Think It Will Take To Change? Hello?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Do You Think It Will Take To Change? Hello?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:free-webinar-how-digital-signage-saves-money-drives-sales-builds-trust","displayName":"FREE WEBINAR: How Digital Signage Saves Money, Drives Sales & Builds Trust","description":"Time: February 11, 2009 from 3pm to 4pm CSTLocation: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/228925417Organized By: Karolyn Hart Automotive Event Description:According to research conducted by Ipsos-Reid consumers see car sales people as the least trust-worth profession only equal to that of politicians. Let's face it – dealer's have major challenges to overcome and on top of that (especially in [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/free-webinar-how-digital-signage-saves-money-drives-sales-builds-trust/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"FREE WEBINAR: How Digital Signage Saves Money, Drives Sales & Builds Trust\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"FREE WEBINAR: How Digital Signage Saves Money, Drives Sales & Builds Trust\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:chat-up-your-inventory-leverage-chat-to-reach-inmarket-shoppers-and-win-the-sale","displayName":"Chat Up Your Inventory: Leverage Chat to Reach In-Market Shoppers and Win the Sale","description":"Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 2009Time: Noon to 1 p.m. (Eastern)Location: Your ComputerCost: FREE Click Here Online advertising allows car buyers to connect with you in myriad ways: making a phone call, sending an email, visiting the store or clicking over to your store's website. The growing use of chat among online shoppers creates an additional [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/chat-up-your-inventory-leverage-chat-to-reach-inmarket-shoppers-and-win-the-sale/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Chat Up Your Inventory: Leverage Chat to Reach In-Market Shoppers and Win the Sale\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Chat Up Your Inventory: Leverage Chat to Reach In-Market Shoppers and Win the Sale\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:waiting-for-the-opportunity-that-already-passed-try-to-process-that","displayName":"Waiting For The Opportunity That Already Passed? Try To Process That!","description":"No knock to hear. No call to answer. No door to open. No question to respond to. The customer was never yours. It happens more than not and it's aggravating as hell to deal with…if you do at all. Today you have two choices: 1. Wait for the next 'up' and work in the same [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/waiting-for-the-opportunity-that-already-passed-try-to-process-that/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Waiting For The Opportunity That Already Passed? Try To Process That!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Waiting For The Opportunity That Already Passed? Try To Process That!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:wee","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"We typically address vendors here for best practices and today will be a little different. When trying to tackle social media, especially as a support for specific marketing online, it is important to be equipped. Some of the most frequent questions heard relate to getting started and how to be effective. 1. Where?    Twitter, Facebook, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/wee/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:csi-a-penny-for-your-thoughts-10000-if-you-say-that-i-suck","displayName":"CSI: A penny for your thoughts, $10,000 if you say that I suck","description":"What is it about CSI, or through interpretation of what it means, that has had dealers begging for their life and coaching customers? Especially today when someone may be cordial enough to tell the factory that they were completely satisfied in the hand-written survey (when they may not have) only to have another customer completely [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/csi-a-penny-for-your-thoughts-10000-if-you-say-that-i-suck/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"CSI: A penny for your thoughts, $10,000 if you say that I suck\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"CSI: A penny for your thoughts, $10,000 if you say that I suck\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-nada-showed-us-and-how-we-can-learn","displayName":"What NADA Showed Us And How We Can Learn","description":"Last weekend's NADA show had all of the makings for a great show: vendors, timing, speakers and even terrific weather (for New Orleans in winter). The one thing that was missed: the D in NADA. Without the dealers, it's a relatively expensive industry supplier meeting. As the trade show and the main body of the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-nada-showed-us-and-how-we-can-learn/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What NADA Showed Us And How We Can Learn\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What NADA Showed Us And How We Can Learn\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:admitted-adverholic-heres-a-twostep-recovery-program","displayName":"Admitted Adverholic? Here’s a Two-Step Recovery Program","description":"If you've been a dealer for more than two years, face it: you're an adverholic. Anyone who has made it through the auto 'heydays' has spent 30, 70…even 100 thousand plus PER MONTH to get their name out to an unmeasured amount of eyeballs. Those days are gone (and soon many of the recipients of [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/admitted-adverholic-heres-a-twostep-recovery-program/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Admitted Adverholic? Here’s a Two-Step Recovery Program\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Admitted Adverholic? Here’s a Two-Step Recovery Program\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-featured-on-blogtalkradios-lunch-with-phil","displayName":"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil","description":"This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Philip Zelinger of AdAgencyOnline.net via his 'Lunch With Phil' show on BlogTalkRadio. With the impending NADA show in New Orleans and the issues, as well as opportunities, faced by dealers today, the timing was right to broadcast IM@CS' services to a wider audience. The opportunity [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-featured-on-blogtalkradios-lunch-with-phil/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Featured on BlogTalkRadio’s Lunch With Phil\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-are-you-waiting-for-its-already-been-here-and-the-train-left-the-station","displayName":"What Are You Waiting For? It’s Already Been Here And The Train Left The Station…","description":"Many people that are concerned in all types of businesses talk the same talk today: waiting. Some have been waiting for a new administration, some for a car czar, some for banks to loosen up, some for 'the bottom' and some just for the fun of waiting. When you're in business, you can't wait especially [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-are-you-waiting-for-its-already-been-here-and-the-train-left-the-station/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Are You Waiting For? It’s Already Been Here And The Train Left The Station…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Are You Waiting For? It’s Already Been Here And The Train Left The Station…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:it-all-comes-down-to-counts-and-figures","displayName":"It All Comes Down To Counts And Figures","description":"When you live for sales, one thing usually starts and ends the conversation: money. How you get there is important along with a number of other factors like goals and bonuses, perks, recognition and more. We surround ourselves with facts, data and figures: units, conversion, month-over-month, even comparing ourselves to in-brand, in-market competition. What is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/it-all-comes-down-to-counts-and-figures/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It All Comes Down To Counts And Figures\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It All Comes Down To Counts And Figures\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:taking-the-fear-out-of-onlineone-_______-at-a-time","displayName":"Taking The Fear Out Of Online…One _______ At A Time","description":"Even though you've already heard it: If you want to succeed in business today, it has to take place online. For us in the auto industry, that's truly more the case than not. But the fact is it's not harder than it looks or sounds if you have the right assistance. Maybe it used to [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/taking-the-fear-out-of-onlineone-_______-at-a-time/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Taking The Fear Out Of Online…One _______ At A Time\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Taking The Fear Out Of Online…One _______ At A Time\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"Information: Admit it, even when you're 'on top' of your DMS, know your monthly P/L and even memorize 2,000 customers' names…you still struggle. We live and die by information. When do you act on it? How do you act on it? Is it relevant? How is it stored? Do you use it to learn? Do [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:branding-101not-until-you-understand-and-have-a-brand","displayName":"Branding 101?…Not Until You Understand And Have A Brand","description":"What is a brand? If reputation is a brand, a visit to a dealer ranks below one to the dentist. If awareness is a brand, most portals slaughter dealers in search where roughly 90% of automotive shopping takes place. If trust is a brand…well let's not go there. What is your brand and how do [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/branding-101not-until-you-understand-and-have-a-brand/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Branding 101?…Not Until You Understand And Have A Brand\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Branding 101?…Not Until You Understand And Have A Brand\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:one-thing-at-a-time-onlineall-at-once","displayName":"One Thing At A Time Online…All At Once","description":"When it comes to the 'new age' of Internet existence for your business, it is important that you appear as good as possible when people find you online. When it comes to reputation, shoppers want to know what your customers say rather than what you say. They want to have transparency in inventory, see the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/one-thing-at-a-time-onlineall-at-once/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"One Thing At A Time Online…All At Once\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"One Thing At A Time Online…All At Once\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:res-firma-mitescere-nescitand-how-to-keep-it-up","displayName":"Res Firma Mitescere Nescit…And How To Keep It Up","description":"If you've seen the movie, you know the line. It's not earth shattering, but it was more than a decent movie. American Flyers came out in post-LA Olympic 1985 and starred Kevin Costner (very pre-Waterworld), David Grant (as his younger brother), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing), Rae Dawn Chong (yes, Tommy Chong's daughter), Alexandra Paul (Baywatch), [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/res-firma-mitescere-nescitand-how-to-keep-it-up/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Res Firma Mitescere Nescit…And How To Keep It Up\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Res Firma Mitescere Nescit…And How To Keep It Up\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"There are some great companies out there and this section of our blog is intended to both look at best practices and provide a more level playing field for those that don't have the marketing dollars or field representation. Sometimes, it's just that the vendor is newer to the space and should get a helping [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-step-you-cut-out-in-2009might-be-you","displayName":"The Step You Cut Out In 2009…Might Be You","description":"Fact is, more often than not, when you cut corners in sales the one that is affected most is you.  It is also a fact of business life that we're replaceable, as I've experienced myself. Why is it then that most people don't typically go the extra mile, especially when it is so needed? This [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-step-you-cut-out-in-2009might-be-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Step You Cut Out In 2009…Might Be You\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Step You Cut Out In 2009…Might Be You\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:stay-in-the-drivers-seat-and-youll-put-more-in-theirs","displayName":"Stay In The Driver’s Seat and You’ll Put More In Theirs","description":"When it comes to the selling of cars today, it's not any easy task. Compared to the past twenty plus years, the cake walk has slowed to a drunk crawl. So what allows some folks in the 'Internet' sales world to deliver 15, 20 or even 25 and more per month? Control. Staying in the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/stay-in-the-drivers-seat-and-youll-put-more-in-theirs/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Stay In The Driver’s Seat and You’ll Put More In Theirs\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Stay In The Driver’s Seat and You’ll Put More In Theirs\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-2","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"With the year coming to a close, it was time for a bigger perspective break from our traditional focus on smaller companies. This is a look back a the bigger conduits that may not always have had the spotlight, considering the focus on the OEMs, economy and other reasons. IM@CS would like to give credit [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dont-worry-about-2009unless-you-have-to","displayName":"Don’t Worry About 2009…Unless You Have To","description":"If there has ever been a time to realize the benefits of creating and executing on new strategies, it is the coming year. For those who went digital, got behind online completely, build their brand and reputation where the public actually spends their time, engaged their clientele via effective software and database activities, you will [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dont-worry-about-2009unless-you-have-to/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Don’t Worry About 2009…Unless You Have To\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Don’t Worry About 2009…Unless You Have To\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:dealeradvantage-december-2008","displayName":"DealerAdvantage: December 2008","description":"Check out Cars.com DealerADvantage's December Newsletter Here Cars.com always provides a great venue for valuable webinars and January 2009 will be no different. Whether you sell 6 or 26 a month, take time to attend the Tough Times Require Smart Sales event on the 9th by clicking here.","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/dealeradvantage-december-2008/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"DealerAdvantage: December 2008\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"DealerAdvantage: December 2008\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:live-by-process-or-die-by-process-a-message-to-management","displayName":"Live By Process or Die By Process: A Message To Management","description":"Dealers/General Managers and General Sales Managers, this is where the accountability starts: You and Process. I've not yet entered a store where the Internet business excelled despite management (ok, for more than one month). Heading into 2009, you must understand all of the fundamentals, be able to speak to the critical points with ease, know [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/live-by-process-or-die-by-process-a-message-to-management/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Live By Process or Die By Process: A Message To Management\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Live By Process or Die By Process: A Message To Management\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-1","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"Little fish in a big pond or big fish in a little pond? If you have process, vendors that back you and a great staff, it doesn't matter. In the event that you're looking for some smaller companies that 'fit the bill', you may want to check these out: Customer For Life: CRM is not [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-1/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:water-the-treethen-turn-a-new-leaf","displayName":"Water The Tree…Then Turn A New Leaf","description":"Many people in training and consulting today focus almost entirely on the 'what-to-do-now' with a few fundamentals which can work well for some dealers, even those that are struggling with online marketing, lead handling and brand extension/equity. That can be absolutely fine, turning a new leaf and running down after what's next. Do that without [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/water-the-treethen-turn-a-new-leaf/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Water The Tree…Then Turn A New Leaf\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Water The Tree…Then Turn A New Leaf\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-youre-living-by-servicedont-die-by-service","displayName":"If You’re Living By Service…Don’t Die By Service","description":"We don't touch on service much here…time for a little breather! More dealers than ever are floating (or simply sinking slower) on the revenue from their service department. This trend should be supported with an overwhelming conviction to completely satisfy customers. The risk is just too large to lose clients both on the front and [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/if-youre-living-by-servicedont-die-by-service/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"If You’re Living By Service…Don’t Die By Service\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"If You’re Living By Service…Don’t Die By Service\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-2","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"What drives the traffic in? We haven't addressed that much so let's look at a few smaller providers in the realm that IM@CS believes provides the service, backs it and provides additional value: GetAutoAppraise: Barry Brodsky and the crew at GAA have been doing appraisals for quite a while and know what is most important: [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:tear-it-apart-and-rebuild-itbetter","displayName":"Tear It Apart and Rebuild It…Better","description":"Most of us who have spent any amount of time in sales realize that our database/contact/Rolodex carries an incredible amount of value, in many cases more than our skills or abilities. With the prevalence of CRM and other database software, many believe that the job is done. Nothing can be further than the truth. Today [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/tear-it-apart-and-rebuild-itbetter/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Tear It Apart and Rebuild It…Better\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Tear It Apart and Rebuild It…Better\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-chicken-or-the-egg-nothe-chicken-and-the-egg","displayName":"The Chicken Or The Egg? No…The Chicken AND The Egg","description":"When you don't make one, someone makes one for you. If you make one too early, you may regret it.  It's the lifeline, the conduit, the facilitator and the support system making making things work: decisions. We are making decisions constantly in business. But are our decisions the right ones? While this is not meant [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-chicken-or-the-egg-nothe-chicken-and-the-egg/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Chicken Or The Egg? No…The Chicken AND The Egg\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Chicken Or The Egg? No…The Chicken AND The Egg\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:a-december-to-remember-for-a-lot-of-reasons","displayName":"A December To Remember? For A Lot Of Reasons","description":"No matter how tightly or loosely your association with the automotive industry, this is a month of reckoning for so many reasons. But most are still in 'wait and see mode'. That just flat out can't be comfortable and it's not right, so why is it done?  If you'd had the proverbial crystal ball, what [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/a-december-to-remember-for-a-lot-of-reasons/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"A December To Remember? For A Lot Of Reasons\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"A December To Remember? For A Lot Of Reasons\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:if-my-ads-wont-bring-them-santa-will-and-other-misguided-beliefs","displayName":"If My Ads Won’t Bring Them, Santa Will (and other misguided beliefs)","description":"If the auto industry is living on one thing right now, it's hope. Not that hope isn't good, quite the opposite. But if your plan to drive traffic, sales and retention is based on the hope that people will see your ad, or that people will stop right off the freeway because your sign is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/if-my-ads-wont-bring-them-santa-will-and-other-misguided-beliefs/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"If My Ads Won’t Bring Them, Santa Will (and other misguided beliefs)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"If My Ads Won’t Bring Them, Santa Will (and other misguided beliefs)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:you-know-something-your-gm-doesnt","displayName":"You Know Something Your GM Doesn’t","description":"No matter how you slice this one, it's not good. See, stores may build results and get things done bottom up. But unless things changed since the close of business yesterday, your store is managed top down. And the fact that you know things that your GM doesn't won't allow you to get far or [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/you-know-something-your-gm-doesnt/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"You Know Something Your GM Doesn’t\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"You Know Something Your GM Doesn’t\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:build-it-and-they-will-come","displayName":"Build It And They Will Come…","description":"In hospitality, it's the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Luxury Collection hotels, in aviation you're talking about the A380 and B787, and in automobiles Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Maybach, Lamborghini, Bugatti and the like. These brands beacon to those that can afford them and those that can't. They represent some of the finest in quality and reputation. Now [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/build-it-and-they-will-come/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Build It And They Will Come…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Build It And They Will Come…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-3","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"Keeping up with the 'Joneses' in the industry is something that most people want to do, if not beat them. The issues are typically time, resources, knowledge and access. While I've been using many of the online resources for a while, it's not the case for the majority of our industry friends.  Also, there is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-3/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:sharing-the-pain-silver-bullets-and-you","displayName":"Sharing The Pain, Silver Bullets And You","description":"What is it that drives someone to perform? Along with the given family, friends, clients, bosses, partners and other tangibles and intangibles, it's simply that person's desire. Two things are clearly evident in the auto industry today: it's inextricably tied to the economy (if not one of the biggest drivers) and that companies reap what [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/sharing-the-pain-silver-bullets-and-you/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Sharing The Pain, Silver Bullets And You\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Sharing The Pain, Silver Bullets And You\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:get-busy-living-or-get-busy-dying","displayName":"Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying","description":"Could Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption) actually have been a car dealer? Everyone is holding their breath right now. Get busy living instead of waiting!!  Waiting is the same as dying.  Waiting for customers to return? Waiting for the bailout?  Waiting for consumer confidence to go up? What is it going to [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/get-busy-living-or-get-busy-dying/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-survey-getting-serious-about-online","displayName":"IM@CS Survey: Getting Serious About Online","description":"What will it take for dealers to get serious about online and focus on what drives traffic today and going forward?  It's a question asked often nowadays but not answered.  So, what do you think is the number one spur to get dealers to act and why? 1. Dealers/GMs understanding online more, or2. Vendors making [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-survey-getting-serious-about-online/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Survey: Getting Serious About Online\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Survey: Getting Serious About Online\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-2-2","displayName":"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"With more focus on the bottom line and getting more out of every dollar, it's more important to know that your suppliers are working for you.  Here's some that understand that: Time Highway: Karen Dillon knows what it takes to deliver a value, but she also knows how to stay relevant. Things at many dealers [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-2-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week At IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:debate-all-you-wantits-up-to-washington","displayName":"Debate All You Want…It’s Up To Washington…","description":"Believe it or not, the auto industry and it's very immediate neighbors have always made the decisions. Whether it's to build large trucks or small cars, release vehicles from production with known problems or not, pay someone $60 an hour for a $25 an hour job, it doesn't matter as it was decided by the [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/debate-all-you-wantits-up-to-washington/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Debate All You Want…It’s Up To Washington…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Debate All You Want…It’s Up To Washington…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:new-products-always-save-us-right-hello","displayName":"New Products Always Save Us! Right? Hello?","description":"One of the things that typically drives the auto world is new cars, major redesigns and other aesthetic updates that shout \"I've got the newest one\" to family, friends, coworkers and the world.  This week the LA Auto Show hits and hopefully the traffic will too. If SEMA and LAAS are strong indicators of what's [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/new-products-always-save-us-right-hello/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"New Products Always Save Us! Right? Hello?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"New Products Always Save Us! Right? Hello?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-brings-them-backbesides-the-free-coffee","displayName":"What Brings Them Back?…Besides The Free Coffee.","description":"More than ever dealers are realizing that retaining clients and giving them reasons to come back is important, if not their lifeline.  Building your business around 'the next up' is fine, as long as you are guaranteed to have a constant stream of people.  Challenges currently being faced at retail have shown most car dealers [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-brings-them-backbesides-the-free-coffee/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Brings Them Back?…Besides The Free Coffee.\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Brings Them Back?…Besides The Free Coffee.\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:from-online-to-the-store-drive-walk-in-traffic-with-internet-advertising","displayName":"From Online to the Store: Drive Walk-In Traffic With Internet Advertising","description":"Date: Friday, Nov. 14, 2008Time: Noon to 1 p.m. (Eastern)Location: Your ComputerCost: FREE Click Here What specifically drives walk-ins to your store? With internet advertising, you generate traffic in one or more of four ways: email inquiries, telephone calls, clicks to your store's website and walk-in visitors. Are your ads generating business for your store [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/from-online-to-the-store-drive-walk-in-traffic-with-internet-advertising/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"From Online to the Store: Drive Walk-In Traffic With Internet Advertising\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"From Online to the Store: Drive Walk-In Traffic With Internet Advertising\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:are-you-part-of-the-problemor-the-solution","displayName":"Are You Part Of The Problem…Or The Solution?","description":"This is an agnostic question. You can be a dealership employee, a manager, a senior manager, general manager or dealer. The question is the same for everyone because it's important for accountability.  Everyone has had to cut lately and it has hurt, likely a hell of a lot. Nobody in their right mind should tell [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/are-you-part-of-the-problemor-the-solution/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Are You Part Of The Problem…Or The Solution?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Are You Part Of The Problem…Or The Solution?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:process-patience-persistence-perseverance","displayName":"Process, Patience, Persistence, Perseverance","description":"Mix your favorite drink or prepare your favorite meal and just before you are able to enjoy it, stop.  Or miss one of the critical ingredients in that favorite food.  Better yet, invite someone over for a lavish meal and forget to make anything. When you miss part of the process, the results are not [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/process-patience-persistence-perseverance/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Process, Patience, Persistence, Perseverance\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Process, Patience, Persistence, Perseverance\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-1-2","displayName":"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"If you ever get the chance to go to SEMA, do.  Mind boggling is one way to describe this arena of excess which causes you to ask \"what downturn in the economy?\".  Now there were fewer exhibitors and one or two less 'Blinged Out' rides, but the aftermarket world is more than healthy without question. [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-1-2/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:are-your-customers-doa","displayName":"Are Your Customers DOA?","description":"It is time to remember once again who holds the cards at dealerships.  If you have forgotten, go to a retailer of choice at lunch or after work today and watch carefully how your interaction and transaction develops with the salesperson.  This is not to say that consumers are in the same state of mind [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/are-your-customers-doa/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Are Your Customers DOA?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Are Your Customers DOA?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:do-you-believe-in-onlinenoreally-believe","displayName":"Do You Believe In Online…No…Really Believe?","description":"If there has ever been a time to stop just going through the motions and giving lip service to 'going digital' and 'jumping online', it's now.  If you are a dealer principal and/or general manager, the time is now to drop your offline and go online (some of you with a vengeance). When's the last [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/do-you-believe-in-onlinenoreally-believe/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Do You Believe In Online…No…Really Believe?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Do You Believe In Online…No…Really Believe?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:objections-favorite-or-failure","displayName":"Objections: Favorite or Failure?","description":"The Big \"O\" in sales…objections.  Do you look forward to them as opportunities or fear them out of sure failure?  One of the largest determining factors of sales success (or lack of) is the ability to not just overcome objections, but to revel in them. Quite simply, objections are a way to actually get to [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/objections-favorite-or-failure/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Objections: Favorite or Failure?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Objections: Favorite or Failure?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-4","displayName":"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry","description":"This week was busy in many ways: a number of new vendor conversations were started, speculation trickling out on the October numbers and there's the build up to SEMA in Las Vegas. MotorVation: Got the chance to talk with Don Mimm about what his company is bringing to market. It's always interesting when there's a [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/week-at-imcs-chats-with-the-industry-4/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Week at IM@CS: Chats With The Industry\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:follow-the-ding-dang-process","displayName":"Follow The Ding Dang Process!","description":"Got Time?  That's the next craze in bumper stickers and T-shirts…that car salespeople need.  Find a larger group of people that don't follow processes and they'll likely need a saying as well.  The time wasted in sales at dealerships not following process is astonishing. It's not about the dollars your dealership spends on process.  It's [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/follow-the-ding-dang-process/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Follow The Ding Dang Process!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Follow The Ding Dang Process!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:hurry-upits-the-end-of-the-month","displayName":"Hurry Up…It’s The End Of The Month!","description":"There is a great saying that I've heard in regards to sales that is not often followed in our little automotive heaven: \"Get all of your sales done at the beginning of the month so you can coast at the end of the month\".  Chances are that's not the theme of the meetings that will [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/hurry-upits-the-end-of-the-month/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Hurry Up…It’s The End Of The Month!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Hurry Up…It’s The End Of The Month!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-merger-thats-not-being-talked-aboutthat-has-to-happen","displayName":"The Merger That’s Not Being Talked About…That Has To Happen","description":"No word play here or another \"bomb\" out of Detroit (more on that latter though). Just one simple act: merging customers with cars.  It's the merger that happens every day and needs to happen more often.  The beauty about these kind of mergers, is they translate into more mergers. High grossing mergers.  High CSI mergers.  [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-merger-thats-not-being-talked-aboutthat-has-to-happen/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Merger That’s Not Being Talked About…That Has To Happen\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Merger That’s Not Being Talked About…That Has To Happen\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:it-wont-be-muchand-well-throw-that-in","displayName":"It Won’t Be Much…and We’ll Throw That In!","description":"Call me forgetful, I can't remember the last time in a website vendor/dealer meeting where the phrase \"it won't be much\" was used, let alone \"we'll throw that in\".  Not that dealer service providers don't offer value, discounts or other benefits. It's just that in a world of \"you have to pay more for that\" [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/it-wont-be-muchand-well-throw-that-in/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It Won’t Be Much…and We’ll Throw That In!\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It Won’t Be Much…and We’ll Throw That In!\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:over-the-borderand-into-the-headlights","displayName":"Over The Border…And Into The Headlights","description":"Greetings from Canada.  It's a little cooler, quieter and definitely more pleasant.  OK, that's it for the differences.  Automotive-wise, it's about the same.  While the eCommerce element is behind the US a number of years as far as impact and influence, many issues we face are not any different. Responses, email protocol, follow up, using [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/over-the-borderand-into-the-headlights/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Over The Border…And Into The Headlights\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Over The Border…And Into The Headlights\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-survey-what-is-on-your-radar","displayName":"IM@CS Survey: What Is On Your Radar?","description":"Dealerships: What is going to be your focus for the near term and why? 1. Social media: Blog, Discussion group, Forums, etc2. Contextual marketing: Mobile ads, eNewsletters. Redesigned website, Microsites, etc3. Experiential marketing: Owner events, Demo Days, etc4. Reputation management: CarFolks.com, DealerRater,com, MyDealerReport.com, etc5. Marketing to women: Dedicated staff, Affiliate events, Test Drives & Manicures, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-survey-what-is-on-your-radar/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Survey: What Is On Your Radar?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Survey: What Is On Your Radar?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:people-are-the-same-everywhereand-warren-told-us-to-buy","displayName":"People Are The Same Everywhere..And Warren Told Us To ‘Buy’","description":"No matter what you sell, it's important to understand your customers.  It's also important to have them understand you.  Your website is your virtual showroom.  Your 'About Us' and your staff photos are just the handshake.  Give reasons for people to stay longer on your site, just like you want them to at your brick-and-mortar [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/people-are-the-same-everywhereand-warren-told-us-to-buy/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"People Are The Same Everywhere..And Warren Told Us To ‘Buy’\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"People Are The Same Everywhere..And Warren Told Us To ‘Buy’\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:all-quiet-on-th","displayName":"All Quiet On The Water Cooler Front…Sort Of","description":"It’s one of those things about human nature.  Call it peer pressure, mob mentality, the ‘in’ thing, or the lowest common denominator.  Don’t call it a lack of nothing else to do.  It’s the water cooler convention that is going on more and more often.  Don’t get me wrong, there is so much to chat [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/all-quiet-on-th/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"All Quiet On The Water Cooler Front…Sort Of\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"All Quiet On The Water Cooler Front…Sort Of\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:accountable-adv","displayName":"Accountable Advertising on the Internet with Avinash Kaushik","description":"Today’s Automotive News Webinar on statistics, analytics and accountability was amazing.  Seeing the attendee mix would be interesting, how many dealers, OEM, service providers, consultants logged into the absolutely fantastic session.  But no matter who listened in, it’s all about the execution. One very important point (albeit not surprising) that came out of Avinash’s talk [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/accountable-adv/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Accountable Advertising on the Internet with Avinash Kaushik\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Accountable Advertising on the Internet with Avinash Kaushik\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:were-holding-on","displayName":"We’re Holding On Right Now…(To Pride)","description":"It’s not uncommon in ‘down markets’ to see over-reactive pull backs along with those retailers that understand they can’t stop doing what they do.  It’s another thing to ignore customers that want to buy, both by reach and response.  There is a big buzz now about blogs and social marketing and whether car dealers should [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/were-holding-on/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"We’re Holding On Right Now…(To Pride)\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"We’re Holding On Right Now…(To Pride)\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:imcs-survey-wha","displayName":"IM@CS Survey: What Will Make NADA Tick?","description":"Considering the current market and economic conditions, the marketing and spending pull back and other factors, what do you think is going to be the heartbeat of the impending NADA Convention?  Which segment of vendors do you think will be busiest?  What do you need most at your company?  And are you planning on attending?","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/imcs-survey-wha/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"IM@CS Survey: What Will Make NADA Tick?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"IM@CS Survey: What Will Make NADA Tick?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:waiting-for-the","displayName":"Waiting for the next up…so please wake me…","description":"That is what the death of retail sounds like.  More often than not, especially lately, it is common to hear more excuses than Elizabeth Taylor’s list of husbands.  If you want to wait all day long (in some cases all week long) for something to happen, join the Fire Department or Coast Guard.  If you [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/waiting-for-the/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Waiting for the next up…so please wake me…\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Waiting for the next up…so please wake me…\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:what-will-you-c","displayName":"What Will You Call This Week?","description":"The question more appropriately phrased should be “how is your week going to be?” but asking that of most dealership staff today will likely result in the same: “ask me at the end of the week”.  Why is that?  I’ve never met a successful person who answered that way and definitely not consistently.  Fact is [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/what-will-you-c/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"What Will You Call This Week?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"What Will You Call This Week?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:back-to-the-gri","displayName":"Back To The Grind…And Reality","description":"With the JD Power Internet Roundtable over, it was time to hit the trenches again.  And that means a dose of retail reality.  Being around the industry’s thought leaders, dealer groups, service providers and the rest was great, I just wish that a thousand more dealers decided to show up instead of using the budget [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/back-to-the-gri/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Back To The Grind…And Reality\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Back To The Grind…And Reality\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:day-two-at-the","displayName":"Day Two At the JD Power Internet Roundtable","description":"Day two (late!) and another day of packed sessions with compelling messages and great panels.  More questions from the audience would have set the bar even higher but the buzz was there.  Also, heavy focus on opportunities tied to the current market issues was making head room: viral marketing, social networking, reputation marketing, technology platforms [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/day-two-at-the/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Day Two At the JD Power Internet Roundtable\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Day Two At the JD Power Internet Roundtable\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:day-one-at-the","displayName":"Day One At the JD Power Internet Roundtable","description":"Well, what a day and not even a full one! Like last October’s event there was standing room only at almost every session. There was great content and the most open and direct dialog I’ve heard at an industry event.  Both the Third Party Site and OEM/Dealer panels were definitely spot on for what’s happening, [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/day-one-at-the/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Day One At the JD Power Internet Roundtable\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Day One At the JD Power Internet Roundtable\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:its-the-same-al","displayName":"It’s The Same All Over…With One Exception","description":"","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/its-the-same-al/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"It’s The Same All Over…With One Exception\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"It’s The Same All Over…With One Exception\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:there-will-be-a","displayName":"Want To Learn Something New This Week?","description":"There will be a different-than-usual beginning to the JD Power Automotive Internet Round Table in Las Vegas October 7-9th.  Three concurrent events targeted at automotive retailers dealing with pushing their online reach start at 1:00p on Tuesday at the Bellagio. IM@CS is pleased to be hosting the Internet Fundamentals session to assist dealers first (or [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/there-will-be-a/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Want To Learn Something New This Week?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Want To Learn Something New This Week?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:watching-wall-s","displayName":"Watching Wall Street More Than Your Street?","description":"It’s not hard to get mesmerized by all of the financial ramblings going on out East.  The bailout, the impact, the feedback and the typical deluge of uninformed commentary and guessing.  Not too different from what happens on car lots every day…plenty of uninformed consumers and guessing sales people. Whether or not the market has [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/watching-wall-s/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Watching Wall Street More Than Your Street?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Watching Wall Street More Than Your Street?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:is-it-the-begin","displayName":"Is It The Beginning of the Month Yet?","description":"The old automotive adage means less today than it ever did.  Over the past couple weeks, the cries of “worst month I’ve ever had” have been heard loud and clear.  Considering everything happening in the market, economy, wall street, etc it’s no secret that things are tough.  One thing that the Internet has shown dealers [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/is-it-the-begin/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Is It The Beginning of the Month Yet?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Is It The Beginning of the Month Yet?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:the-industry-is","displayName":"The Industry is Down…So Let’s Quit","description":"Looking at the Automotive News alerts today, you’d quickly find the following stats: Ford down 34%, Toyota down 32%, Honda down 24%, GM down 15.6%, Volkswagen 9.4% and on…  So, let’s all shrivel up at retail.  Or we can lift ourselves up by the bootstraps and realize that there’s a job to do. So, looking [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/the-industry-is/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"The Industry is Down…So Let’s Quit\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"The Industry is Down…So Let’s Quit\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:insights:decision-timeag","displayName":"Decision Time…Again?","description":"It’s that time of the year again…just like every other day this year… Budgets, shows, travel and planning for the coming year all while selling and not spending any more money (especially in November and December).  Let’s see…two of the biggest industry Internet events in the same week.  Nobody wins on that one.  Dealers, many [&hellip;]","type":"text/html","url":"https://imacsweb.com/insights/decision-timeag/","representativeQueries":["Find the IM@CS article \"Decision Time…Again?\"","Read IM@CS's perspective on \"Decision Time…Again?\""]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:discovery:llms","displayName":"IM@CS AI-readable website guide","description":"A plain-text overview and directory of IM@CS public website resources.","type":"text/plain","url":"https://imacsweb.com/llms.txt","representativeQueries":["Where can I find IM@CS public resources?","What is IM@CS and what does it offer?"]},{"identifier":"urn:air:imacsweb.com:discovery:sitemap","displayName":"IM@CS XML sitemap","description":"Canonical public pages and currently published insights.","type":"application/xml","url":"https://imacsweb.com/sitemap.xml","representativeQueries":["List IM@CS public page URLs","Find IM@CS published articles"]}]}