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Automotive Dealer Management Systems, Are You Using Your Tools Correctly

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The potential of many of the UKs dealerships will never be realised unless they start to use the tools they are provided with in the correct way. There is also a good argument that some dealerships are working so hard to achieve their potential that their old antiquated DMS cannot provide the tools needed. Many dealerships need to change their DMS solution because of this. However some view change as troublesome and worrying. There is a simple question that needs to be levelled is your dealership achieving what it should if the answer to this is no then a review of your DMS is essential.

I am often asked about what changes are needed to dealerships to gain that competitive edge? The simple reply to that is you know your dealership, staff and customers better than I. What I can say is that without dedicated, trained and motivated staff even the best DMS in the world will fail. People and process are the most important things in any dealership. Lets be clear about this, DMS is just a device used to achieve set down objectives. It helps if your DMS contains all the tools necessary.

Many in the industry now see that tools such as Showroom systems, Customer relationship management (CRM), analytical reporting, Internet marketing and time management systems are essential. These all should be available integrated into the DMS. There are many of these products available as stand-alone but few integrate, this means yet more work for the user duplicating information.

Choosing a DMS that suits your business is a bit like choosing a business partner, it needs very careful thought and consideration. The following were listed in the last issue as relevant questions to ask and are still essential today.

How will it give us a return on investment and over what time?
Where will it cut costs/enhance efficiency?
Is it designed to grow with our business?
Is it capable of operating multi-company, multi site, multi-franchise?
Will it communicate efficiently with customers on the web, in the call centre and on the dealership floor?
How good is the CRM part of the system?
How easy will it be for staff to adapt to the system? What training is required?
From talking to other users of the system, how good is the suppliers customer support?

Once you have chosen and implemented the DMS that’s where it begins. So many dealers forget that constant training and reviews of process need to be addressed. It is recognised that the average dealer should book at least two days training a year. A decent DMS provider should always be prepared to share their experiences on good working practices. I also think that as business partners the dealer and the DMS provider should document process controls. Simple but effective training training training.

I’d echo other industry observer’s recent comments about the current obsession with running a hosted DMS solution. It’s imperative for a DMS to have access to web services providing third party data delivery, and indeed using the internet as a transport mechanism for multi-site connectivity is a cost effective solution. However, running a DMS over the web where the server is in a datacentre all too often ends in tears. The UK communications infrastructure is not mature enough to reliably run a remote web server based application as intensive as a DMS with adequate performance. How many problems do you have with slow Internet connections? We offer the service, but we don’t actively promote it. Keep your DMS server within your business.

Most dealers owe it to their potential to review the DMS market. I believe that Gemini Systems Dealer Management Systems should be one of the systems reviewed.

Automotive Industry- Hot Jobs For The Future!

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If you are fascinated by cars then you should definitely check out jobs for future in the automobile industry. Today the employment rate is reaching all time highs, and at the same time security for jobs has become a priority for many people. The Automotive service industry has lots of opportunities for those who are interested in hands-on service-oriented career.

Jobs within the automotive industry are extremely different. It all depends on which section would you like to enter that defines the kind of jobs to choose for. To be clearer, there are two major sectors that divide the automotive industry. One is those who work in the manufacture, development and sales of new car, and the other one is those involved in the after sales garage industries.

Both can be fruitful areas to enter, especially the second one as there are majority of people who lack the real mechanical knowledge so your skill with the engine is often needed by many.

Automotive mechanic jobs within the car manufacturing industry have a wide scope and are not necessarily defined by the engineering qualifications. However, right training is essential and beneficial for those who have completed a technical degree. It is because the automotive industry is increasingly becoming technological and sophisticated, so proper training is considered important.

The automotive industry offers jobs that appeal to wide range of interests and options for development exist in abundance for those with the right training. Jobs in the automotive industry range from mechanics job to automotive service manager jobs. There are also opportunities for the individuals to specialize in any specific area such as engine repair, dent repair, detailing or customer service. The list does not end here.

One of the promising areas of specialization in the automotive industry is in diesel engine repair and service. According to the reports of The Department of Labor, the diesel engine auto technician jobs are expected to grow by coming 2016. There has been a steady rise in the usage of diesel engine vehicles, as more buses and trucks are utilized to ship goods across the country. And the experts predict that with the rise of diesel engines in trucks and buses and also with the increasing passengers, vehicles will contribute new jobs in the field.

Another area that offers a complete new distinction of impact in moving sales and assists is the big growth of alternative render vehicles. Faced with great pressure to reduce the dependency on gas and reduce emissions, today most automobile producers are on the fast track to offer electric car and hybrids.

Therefore alternative render vehicles open up a whole new area of automotive jobs. For the graduates who have had a proper training in hybrid engine maintenance, electric car can give interesting career opportunities and long-term job security.

Government Business Financing In Canada Canadian Govt Loans Deliver

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Government business financing in Canada – While many entrepreneurs have heard of Canadian govt loans they have not fully understood his business finance offering. Let’s ‘ unbox ‘ the program and discuss the merits and applicability of this loan to your business – and that applies to start ups, franchises… in fact any business tha is under the pre-requisite 5 Million in revenues. Let’s dig in

Established by the federal gov’t many years ago the Small Business Financing program is dedicated to helping new , young, and growing businesses access the financing they might otherwise not receive.

The uniqueness of loan is that the majority of the loan is ‘ guaranteed’ to Canadian banks which offer the financing. At the end of the day it’s the govt commitment to encourage Canadian banks to lend to new and smaller businesses. Naturally one of he benefits to the government is the overall economic stimulus in employment, taxes, etc.

In recent years upwards of 7000++ businesses access the loan annually – for billions of dollars. The accessibility of the loan is augmented by the fact that Canadian ‘ bricks and mortar’ branches are on every main street in Canada. (Truth be told the challenge is not finding the right bank, it’s finding the right banker).

The ability to get approved for a govt small business loan in Canada provides realistic access to capital for businesses who otherwise cannot qualify for ‘ traditional ‘ loans. Yet the actual offering of the program is just that – a traditional term loan at attractive rates, great amortizations, and even the ability to pre-pay without penalty.

Many businesses who utilize the loan are either new, or in some cases purchases of businesses, including the very popular ‘ franchise ‘ segment.

The requirements of the loan are pretty basic – the owner must have reasonable good personal credit history, and must be able to contribute a minimum of 10% or more of permanent capital to the financing in question. The loan can only be used to finance 3 separate asset categories – equipment, leasehold improvements, and real estate. (The latter, real estate is rarely used in our experience as commercial mtges are more suited to this type of finance need).

As important to understand what the loan does to is what it doesn’t offer. You cannot use proceeds to refinance existing loans or for working capital/line of credit needs.

Other key aspects of getting approved include a good business plan, a cash flow forecast, and basic info on your business location, previous business experience, etc.

If you’re looking to ‘ unbox ‘ government business financing in Canada seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist in making Canadian govt loans a realistic part of your new or existing business venture.

Stan Prokop

Reliance Retail And Big Bazaar Rope In Kirana Stores To Expand Operations

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The retail sector in India has seen incredible growth over the last few years. It has seen many corporate houses that had very little experience in this sector venture in and actually achieve a good amount of success. Future Groups Big Bazaar and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) owned Reliance Retail are two such brands. After mulling over various strategies to expand operations, the two retail giants have decided to rope in local Kirana-walas with a view widen product reach and expand their operations to newer territories.

The two brands are following different paths for the same. Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance retail are speeding up their expansion of wholesale cash-and-carry stores. On the other hand, Big Bazaar, owned by Kishore Biyanis Future Group has undertaken its Big Bazaar Direct Programme in this, Kirana Stores can become a franchisee for the big retailer.

Analysts say that this move by both the retail chains is bound to increase growth. Big organized shopping mall type stores may not be successful in small towns or villages. Hence, pushing products through these small grocery stores or Kirana Stores is highly beneficial for the brand in the long run.

At the same time, small traders remain skeptical of this move are not too optimistic on being co-opted by the big boys. Praveen Khandelwal, secretary-general, Confederation of All India Traders, was quoted as saying, Organized retailers are in the business for making profits and are least bothered of the small traders. They use predatory pricing tactics to ultimately wipe-off the smaller guys. Even their wholesale stores are nothing but retail in disguise, since they are giving membership to anyone, when it was only meant to be for traders.

Nothing seems to have deterred the people operating Reliance Retail though. The RIL owned entity which commenced operations in 2011 has opened 12 more stores in the last 10 months. And theyre not slowing down; this pace of expansion is growing. A person close to the retail chain said, We are catering to institutional consumers, hotels, resorts, cafes, catering companies etc, but kiranas are among the biggest target group.

The Reliance owned stores have also made in-roads into the wholesale store business. Its converting some of its stores into wholesale store businesses. About a million partners i.e., institutional customers have signed up for the wholesale business. Small shop owners, as well as people who own grocery stores in small towns are being part of member meetings to understand their needs. When contacted, a company spokesperson said only three stores are being converted and it will continue to expand across all formats, including retail and wholesale.

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Are Designer Clothes Worth The Money

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When it comes to buying designer clothes, the price puts many people off. On the surface, this justification for not buying designer labels is reasonable, after all, why buy a pair of 180 jeans, when you can buy a pair for 18. The real question of course, is what is the difference between designer and non-designer clothing? Are brand names really worth the money for which they sell? Are they manufactured to a higher standard, do they look better than non-brand clothes, what is the reason they are so popular. Do people simply wear designer clothes because they have pretentious personalities, or are there actually valid reasons for doing so?

The answer to the last question is a resounding, unequivocal, yes! There are certainly reasons why designer clothes are better than non-designer clothes, and it has very little to do with showing off. Here we will discuss some of the reasons why designer clothing is well worth the money, and some of the many benefits you can expect from wearing such affectations.

Firstly, style the greatest fashion stylists in the world create designer clothing; they have invaluable expertise in the field of fashion and have an artistic flare that very few people can ever hope to have. Each item has been painstakingly designed by people who are very much in the know when it comes to fashion as such, there are no other styles that quite match up to the standard by way of design. In addition, designer clothing is rarely mass-produced; items are quite rare, making them unique and when it comes to fashion, wearing clothes that are individual, means you will never be out of fashion.

Next, quality when designer make their clothes, they ensure that they use the highest quality materials that they can. Clothes made from good quality materials are generally more opulent and stylish, simply because they are comfortable and generally look better hence the premium on the materials. Designer clothing is also subject to high levels of quality control, they are tested for durability as well as fit and style, because of this, and they last longer and stay in shape better after washing and drying.

Subsequently, confidence when wearing designer clothes, they usually fit better and look more stylish than non-designer clothing. Clothes have the capacity to make people feel confident, when you feel that you look great, you hold yourself taller, walk with self-assurance, and generally feel fantastic. Moreover, when people wear great clothes, they come across as stylish and sophisticated, other people flock around in the hope that some of these qualities rub-off on them too.

Therefore, designer clothes are worth the money. Not only do they reach the heady heights of fashion greatness, they can last a lifetime, imbue the wearer with an air of confidence, and best of all, leave you feeling fantastic.