Beyond The First Pencil

Gawd knows, we’ve all heard those worn out car sales tropes promising great success through some “easy” steps. The fact is, creating a lasting career in the car business is hard work and some of that hard work must be done on yourself. But where to start? 

Self insight is super difficult to master, which is why so many avoid taking action. Mike shares how his simple experience of choosing a new pair of running shoes led to a discovery on how we limit ourselves to great things….and what can be done about it.

In our music segment:

INXS on SNL

Bitter Tears

Suicide Blonde

X coming to Pacific Amphitheater (with English Beat and Save Ferris)

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Have you been running any Facebook ads lately? Kathi shares her latest go-round with Facebook “Meta” ads (this time for Hanaeleh, the non-profit horse rescue she’s involved with), and you’ll want to hear the results because when you spend your hard-earned money to advertise, you should be able to know where your budget is going. 

Then, Mike talks about a profit potential in Fixed Ops that’s been around for years and is currently being somewhat ignored. Lots of opportunities now that customers are keeping their cars 12.5 years on average.

In our music segment:

One of the greatest bands to walk the earth: X. Their first album, Los Angeles, has an anniversary and it was part of both our young lives. Check out a snippet here.

It’s also the anniversary of the US2 Festival, presented by Steve Wozniak, and it’s Mike’s all time fave. Here’s a cool video of the first day “New Wave Day.”

What can we say about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees except, Joy Division/New Order and The White Stripes were robbed. Simple as that.

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

It’s Springtime and that means new beginnings, fresh starts, and positive changes. When it comes to dealership operations, it’s the opportunity to update outdated processes that may be costing you money.

Join Kathi and Mike as we share some of our dealership process experiences, positive and not-so-positive. What we learned might inspire you to explore outdated things in your own world.

In our music segment:

Time is coming soon for the 40th anniversary of US Festival 1983. Here’s a Youtube video on “New Wave Day” with INXS, The Clash and many more. 

Steve Wozniak, if you’re out there, please hear our plea to make a documentary about this awesome festival.

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

We are just a couple of car peeps spreading helpful tips when we see ‘em. Please allow us to tell you about Google Lighthouse (and the Google Lighthouse Chrome extension). You can use it to audit any website you want for free.

Spring is in the air(!) and we are here to remind you that it’s a good time to assess things. Clear up the clutter, so to speak.

We also share a tidbit about dealership controllers. They are the kingpin at every dealership and are usually misunderstood (and often taken for granted). Give one some love!

In our music segment:

Kevin M. Kruse on Twitter (thread)

Check out the US Festival 1983 

George Jones and Tammy Wynette “We’re Not The Jetset”

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

We’re in the car business and maybe you are too. But even if you aren't,  have you ever wondered what it’s actually like to buy a car online? And if you have, was your experience everything you imagined?

Kathi and Mike have a chat with their friend Anielka Gallo, who worked at car dealerships in the marketing dept and now freelances her awesome graphic designs. Get ready to hear about her realtime, right-now online car-buying journey and take away some ideas on how you can create a great customer experience.

Connect with Anielka on LinkedIn.

Take a look at Anielka and her cute doggie, Sammie at this link.

Watch the DJAM Doc: “As I Am: The Life and Times of DJ AM”

Watch Terry Kath Doc “The Terry Kath Experience”

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

For those of us who spend time on Twitter (even though it has seriously degraded since Elmo took over), the changes have not been positive. We would like our platform back and of course, that's not in the cards, which is why we must turn to self care. Self care in the form of a rant. Join us, won’t you?

Afterwards, we explore how dealerships can do this ONE thing to increase their social media visibility. And it doesn’t cost anything!

In our music segment:

Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Greg Lake was one of the most talented musicians to ever live and he was also a super nice, gentle soul. Check out ELP at California Jam - it’s just Greg Lake and his 12 string. Don’t forget to read the comments! Still You Turn Me On 

Here’s a link to info on Greg Lake's autobiography.

Here’s a link to one of Claude Taylor’s posts about the deers in his backyard, Hope and Sal.

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Kathi and Mike welcome back our friend, Bill Playford from Dealer Knows. We got to talking a few weeks ago about the sad state of automotive conferences and Bill is here to share some exciting news. Bill and his partner Joe Webb have been working hard to deliver a very different alternative that will likely change your mind about what a conference can be. 

One of the many outstanding attributes in the Dealer Knows Summer Camp is that 10% of ticket sales is being donated to Autism Awareness orgs. 

We also discuss the unfolding trend of selling cars to customers with negative equity. Negative equity is when you owe more on your trade-in than it’s worth, which is nothing new to car sales but this time ‘round, the numbers are and will continue to be much higher. 

We discovered that Bill is our first 2nd-time guest! You can reach Bill here. 

Check out the Something Was Wrong podcast Kathi was mentioning. 

Check out the The Show: California Love documentary here. 

Today is the anniversary of the Style Council’s first album: Cafe Bleu. Paul Weller is a freaking genius and as Kathi states on the pod, one can like The Jam AND The Style Council without any reservation whatsoever. Here’s Kathi’s fave song on that album.

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you.

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Want to learn more about automotive social selling? Download Kathi’s FREE Guide to Social Media for Car Salespeople here 👉 HERE

Great content that people are interested in doesn’t have to be a chore. Social media is supposed to be fun (and profitable) but when you’re stressed and at a loss for what to post, it’s anything but fun. Implementing even a rudimentary strategy for social media content will greatly increase your chance of success. 

Kathi and Mike discuss some of the techniques they’ve used (and still use!) that can help you not have that sinking feeling of “What the heck am I going to post on social media?”

In our music segment: It’s Women’s History Month and yesterday was International Women’s Day, so we share about some of our favorite female singers.

Here’s the video of Alison Moyet (from Yaz/Yazoo) singing “Only You” at the Burberry show in 2016. #chills

Podcasts Kathi mentioned:

Hard Fork

Pivot

If you're a car person (worked in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you.

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Want to learn more about automotive social selling? Download Kathi’s FREE Guide to Social Media for Car Salespeople here 👉 HERE

We are back from a short mental health break just in time to discuss the sale of the last Cal Worthington store here in So Cal.

Kathi and Mike both grew up with Cal Worthington coming through their TVs (maybe you did too?). He was the OG car dealer and there'll never be another like him.

Yesterday was John Doe's birthday so we are celebrating by talking about one of our favorite bands: X.

It's hard to select a favorite X song so we chose our favorite X songs for today.

Kathi's is The Once Over Twice

Mike's is The World's a Mess It's In My Kiss

Check out: Michelle Mangione band.

If you're a car person (worked in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you.

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Mike and I haven’t really shared our views on the whole “Full Self Driving” saga that’s been causing so much harm to unsuspecting drivers and by extension the driving public. Today we break our silence to convey how happy we are that a recall was announced saying that FSD “may cause a crash.” 

Then, we talk about a fool proof way to always have thoughtful content to post on social media. Hint: Memes, baby!

And finally, we share updates we’ve heard about some new social media platforms that are worth checking out.

In our music segment, it’s Peter Hook’s birthday. He’s the bass player from Joy Division and New Order and he’s one of Mike’s favorite dudes on earth. If you haven’t heard of Joy Division, or not heard their music, check out Unknown Pleasures.

Kathi's favorite Joy Division song is Love Will Tear Us Apart

And the performance of this song is epic too: Transmission

Also check out “Control,” which is a movie about Ian Curtis’ tragic life (founder and lead singer of Joy Division) and Joy Division’s history (directed by Anton Corbijn).

If you're a car person (worked in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you…and maybe have you on the show!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]