Articles for From the Trenches
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
This month celebrates my twentieth anniversary in special finance. Throughout the years, the economic landscape has changed several times, as have the names of the finance companies that have made special finance a fixture in most successful dealerships.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
There was a convention? In Dallas? Really?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
When we are as busy as we have been, I become anti-technology and pro-people. I know, some of you hard-core geeks out there are thinking, “Master your technology, have more time for people.”
Friday, May 01, 2009
Tom Langas - Every company out there that does Web site design has their vision of what your site should be to be successful. They are not aware of your market's nuances, quirks and hot spots. It is up to you and others in your company to stick by your guns and make these talented designers see your vision.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Charley Pompey - Picture this: you leave your office on a Monday night and the last thing you do is make sure your desk is clear and ready for the next day. On Tuesday morning you find five completely filled out and signed credit applications from customers neatly arranged on your desk.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Tom Langas - Our greatest opportunities in stocking clean, reliable used cars are through auctions that cater to new car dealers, lease companies and rental car corporations. I can only speak to inventory sourcing from my own perspective.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Marla Belson - Clank—I could hear the heavy sound of the dead bolt locking the front door after the last customer of 2008 drove off. As the handful of us sat watching the taillights cross the curb, I thought the showroom windows would fog up from everyone letting out a collective sigh of relief.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Marla Belsom - Having absorbed all of this information, I now begin the task of building a new multi-franchise special finance department. This looms as an overwhelming project and a huge responsibility. In anticipation of this new project, I am drawing from the experience of and knowledge shared by my peers.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Marla Belson - We all get that overwhelmed feeling when thinking about the state of economic affairs in America today, and if you are there, you’re probably not going to like what I am about to tell you. In fact, not at all.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Marla Belson - “Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing—the result.” – Vince Lombardi
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Marla Belson - No matter how you cut it, the ultimate accountability will always be your bottom line. The salespeople’s paychecks are their report cards. The doc is ours.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Marla Belson - Advertising and marketing are my favorite aspects of special finance. Most of us who have been working in this field for a while have developed a certain passion for specific kinds of marketing. My passion lies with direct mail and Internet leads.