2014 is a year of changes for the auto dealer industry. As laws change and new bills get passed, it’s imperative to stay up-to-date on the latest requirements. One of the changes motor vehicle dealers must adapt to this year is the surety bond incr

Technology has made fraud easier to spot. Our financial statement have hundreds of metrics; labor gross profit percent, expenses as a percent of gross, and gross profit per unit. Creating metrics of these items is the best way to tell if there are mi

Dealership buy/sell activity increased 60% in the first quarter of the year (see Chart 1). The increase is attributed to a rise in the number of sellers entering the market. Buyers, both public and private, have reported an increase in the number of

Most technology companies are hungry for growth to increase their profitability. This growth can come from new products via innovation or new markets for their products. A perfect example of this has been Apple. As a personal computer company they us

If you asked ten people what loyalty means you would probably get ten different answers. Certainly many couples have a different interpretation of the concept of loyalty as do business partners. Insurance companies invoke the need to be loyal, maybe

Today, there are more buyers seeking acquisitions than there are sellers seeking capital. We are in a classic dealership seller’s market. Based on the data and analysis in The Blue Sky Report™, I expect this seller’s market to last through 2014

If your auto repair shop is having trouble receiving a business loan, you’re not alone. Small businesses—including auto repair shops—are still finding it difficult to receive funding, despite the recession being all but over. However, while sma

My friend’s older home pops circuits whenever too many appliances are drawing amperage together at one time. Plug in the toaster and the wife’s hair dryer quits. Run a power drill and the sump pump fuse kicks out. Some dealerships’ F&I depa

Is the insurance policy sitting on your desk correct? Are the I’s dotted and T’s crossed? Did all the changes you negotiated and corrections you made actually end up in the policy? I’ve reviewed hundreds of policy sets each year to find on aver