Why it doesn't work

In these trying times we at BG have run across a wide variety of managers, owners and employees. We are often asked the same question…”how is everyone else doing?” We get caught in the crossfire with that one because we don’t really know if they are looking for justification of their own problems or are they truly searching for information. I have decided to answer everyone at once.

In business you can be a part of one of the following groups:

Proactive, Reactive, or Inactive.

Let me define them.

PROACTIVE is a group that sees down the road and makes adjustments, even if they are wrong, well before trouble comes. They are also the ones never willing to rest on their laurels. If a bad decision is made they change again, and if a decision was good they still look for a way to make it better. Never satisfied describes the proactive ones.

The REACTIVE group waits until change is absolutely necessary and then relies more on someone else’s decision than their own. They don’t really look at how to move forward, they just want to get by. If they were steering a boat I a storm they would be the ones to fight it, never getting anywhere, but staying afloat. They always ask how did so and so get it done, not look at what I am doing.

The INACTIVE guy may get by, but will never be strong. They will be the first one to blame the economy, the president, the weather, and their spouse for bad business. They will always think about it, and rarely do it. If they do it, they will never truly commit. They have more excuses than carter has pills (for us old folks).

The bottom line is this, in our business we never have 100% saturation, we can always do more. We can always be different. We lose more business than we keep because we don’t think it is necessary to give our customers a reason to come back. The fact is we do. We need to take care of business at home. Our customers are our lifeblood. They need to think of you the same way they think of their pediatrician.

This can all be summed up with one word…VALUE! You need to give it to get it. That never means being the cheapest.

To show you what inactive means, look at the picture on the side. A sampling tray that for the proactive store generates 100s of dollars each day of customer pay maintenance work (the highest gross of all) is being used to hold up a flag, and no one said a word.

Nuff said!

I think I’ve answered the question. Now it’s your turn.

Posted on: June 5, 2009

The BG Lifetime Protection Plan and the BG Protection Plan Reminder Service

The BG Protection Plan has been the most popular new addition to the BG line-up in years. In this economic state, the retail customer has been extraordinarily value conscious. The BG Lifetime Protection Plan meets that need.

The BG Lifetime Protection Plan offers the customer up to $4,000.00 on all major systems for simply servicing their vehicle. The coverage is for the engine, fuel system, power steering, cooling system, drive line, brake and transmission.

The BG Protection Plan Reminder Service keeps the customers coming back to your shop so their BG Protection Plan does not lapse. You sign up the customer at the time of service and they will receive timely email reminders to return for the necessary service to maintain the BG Lifetime Protection.

This program has brought substantial revenue increases to stores taking full advantage of the marketing and training available with the BG Lifetime Protection Plan and BG Protection Plan Reminder Service.

The ability to use a program to solidify your financial position today in this market and prepare for the turn around with tremendously improved customer retention is the definition of an intelligent businessperson.

The only way to make a difference is to make a change.

Your BG representative knows how…just ask him.

Posted on: May 13, 2009

RUSH FOR BG PRODUCTS!!!

Rush Limbaugh will endorse BG Products LIVE on air during his daily radio broadcasts.

Beginning January, 12 2009 Rush and BG begin their campaign for trouble-free driving and the BG Lifetime Protection Plan.

Rush is the most popular personality on air in America Today. His show airs Monday - Friday from 12 - 3PM EST. He has 537 affiliates and covers 99.9% of the U.S. He reaches over 10 million listeners each week.

Rush is ranked as one of the 5 most influential conservatives in America, shaping today's political and social landscape.

Rush will promote BGfinashop.com. Make sure your information is updated by speaking with you BG rep onhis next visit.

BG is helping to Drive Service to your facility.

Posted on: January 7, 2009

NITROFILL IMPROVES FUEL ECONOMY AND BOTTOM LINE PROFITS

Florida Distributors has been in the Nitrofill business for almost 2 years. In that short time we have seen this business grow exponentially.

Nitrofill is a fantastic customer retention tool for your service customer, and used car customer. By using the monthly newsletter and coupon creator, you keep in touch with your customers regularly.

Nitrofill will improve fuel economy at least 5%, which is huge with today's rapidly rising fuel costs. It will also reduce tire wear up to 30%.

Dealers that use the program to its fullest are seeing incredible returns on the bottom line. It is a very simple service sale, a smart addition to tire sales, and a great addition to new and used cars.

Overall the ROI on Nitrofill is very short. Get started today!

Posted on: May 7, 2008

BG is WORKING

In our ever changing business, there are stores that succeed and those that fail. There are also the ones that do enough to just get by.

In today’s market everyone is trying to find lightning in a bottle. The truth is that today…we need to work at it. The gravy has been skimmed off the top and now we have to dig.

I was told that in a recession, you have two choices: accept it or choose not believe it. There are always companies that excel in tough times and become leaders and giants when the times become easier.

BG Products knows this and are willing to be a store partner to “get to work” and make it happen. The dollars are there, you have to want them. Everyone wants them, it’s just a matter if you are willing to CHANGE to get them. Are you willing to hold people accountable for their actions (or lack of them.)

Over the previous year Dealer magazine’s cover profile has had BG Products listed as their partner in profit in all but 2 issues. These are successful dealers. I have had conversation with a few of those dealers and come away with this: They understand it is not about cost, it is about sales. It is about tomorrow, not today. Programs and partners can help you reach and exceed goals. If you are not willing to expect people to perform, they won’t. These are success stories. These are not failing stores or the ones just getting by. They are the ones that have chosen their outcome instead of it being chosen for them.

We are part of the winning team strategy. We have the products, the equipment, the strategy and the expertise.

We Drive Service

BG will be at NADA in San Francisco in Moscone South #7053S. If you would like to talk, stop by and ask for Randy.

Posted on: January 29, 2008

Improving Lane Sales and The Bottom Line

I would like to thank all of our customers who have responded so favorably to the article on increasing lane sales. To the number of our customers who have inquired about the program, the ones that have revitalized the program, and those who are on the training list; congratulations. The successes are fantastic to hear about.

Keeping on the same track, the next installment to increasing lane sales has to do with maintaining the vehicles fuel system. This is a golden opportunity that the majority of our customers do not take advantage of.

Why a fuel Service?

Just imagine what takes place when you turn your engine off.

You have a furnace super heating raw fuel, just burned fuel, and partially burned fuel. All of that gas has no place to go and just bakes. The end result is deposit formation all through the intake system. Consider the air intake. The only thing that runs through it is air, yet it gets gummed up as far forward as the throttle plate. This is due to the heat and gas, which wants to rise and escape. The only way out is up the manifold and out the throat. Fuel deposits will form in places where there is no fuel.

This is a great reason to perform regular fuel maintenance. Opportunity!

The next reason to perform a fuel service is because gasoline is not what it’s cracked up to be! The claims that are made on TV and even to the EPA are not always what we end up with in our fuel tanks. The additive levels that the OEM’s expect are not up to snuff. Even if we use “good gas” it may not be. This means more deposits. (Ask your BG representative for a copy of this article)

A regular in tank deposit control additive can be a good over the counter money maker as well as an in service necessity. Opportunity!

The last reason is the car’s computer. The CPU will adjust everything to make the vehicle run correctly. In doing so, performance is sacrificed. Not until the computer has reached the end of its matrix will the car run poorly and a light come on the dash. By this time we look at codes and make adjustments. All of the codes point to a dirty system. We end up cleaning or replacing sensors. What about the rest of the system. The sensors take up a very small capacity of the entire fuel and air system.

I want to emphasize, another opportunity to sell a service.

There is a reason the customer needs the service. Let’s now look at why the store should be selling the service.

The Bottom Line

The average selling price of a complete induction service $139.95

The average flat rate hour for the service 1 hour

The average service gross profit 65%

Parts mark up 40%

Technician efficiency 200%

Selling opportunity

Sold every 15,000 miles or annually

1 service/technician/day

5 techs 10 techs 15 techs

sales/day $699.75 $1,399.50 $2,099.25

sales/week $4,199.70 $8,397.00 $12,595.50

sales/month $16,794.00 $33,588.00 $50,382.00

service

profit/month $10,916.10 $21,832.20 $32,748.30

This is good business and not pie in the sky. For any store that actively sells this service, the margins are very good based on opportunity.

In a 10 technician shop, there will be 60+ vehicles seen each day. Out of those 60, 30 will be due for a fuel service. If you ask for 30 sales, you will get 10.

Your BG team will train the sales staff to look for the service, promote the service, ask for the sale, and track the activity.

Retail Sales

Aftermarket fuel products generate the largest dollar sales for automotive products in gas stations. Why shouldn’t you be a part of that business? By simply offering a solution at the parts counter and the cashier you can increase that impulse purchase. BG has point of purchase material plus we will train the counter sales people on how to make the sale.

More opportunity!

We will continue to offer the tools, training and products needed to create customer loyalty and growing profits.

Call your BG representative today at 1-800-471-1997 or e-mail me at steve@bgflorida.com to set up your fuel service program.

Posted on: September 20, 2007

How to Improve Lane Sales

Since the middle of May, our customers have been telling us that the number of vehicles that are coming across the service lane is declining. Some say it’s the summer season, others say it’s the economy and fuel prices. I have even heard it’s the year before an election year. OK!?

The reality is that volume is down.

What can you do?

The answer is...Plenty!

There is a list of actions that we all know should go on in every service lane, every day; and don't. Our intelligence says if we do some of those simple tasks, we could do a lot more business. The real question is: "Can we look in the mirror and successfully lead our team into short and long term prosperity?" This is a question of drive and desire.

The first item that your BG sales trainers can do is install fluid sampling. By simply showing the customer, at the time of write-up, the condition of their vital fluids you can increase sales by a minimum of 1 hour and $100 per R.O. All it takes is a commitment. It will add about 90 seconds to a write-up, and you will have to open the hood. That's a small price to pay to improve sales and show the customer that you are truly looking after their vehicle and their best interest. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture is their vehicle.

The only way to effectively change business is to increase customers and garner more dollars per customer. To try and expense your way to a profit is a short term plan. When you can't cut anymore, then what. You have to look at sales at some point.

Why not now?! BG will help you plan, train, and execute the Maintenance Awareness Program (MAP), to get you on your way.

Remember

The most difficult thing for all people to do is change. Unfortunately that is the only way to obtain a different result.

Posted on: August 3, 2007

Dynatron in Florida

DYNATRON

THe easiest way to increase your sales potential is with EBIS and CarMail.

EBIS will put all of your data at your fingertips. You will know who is selling, what they are selling, and who's coming in. Determine mileage mix, vehicle type, sales type, ELR, etc. in under 30 seconds.

The use of EBIS along with BG training will take shooting with a shotgun into making your salesstaff sharposhooters.

CarMail is the most cost effective way to manage your customer contacts. Return on CarMail campaigns has measured in the 1000's. Managing campaigns can be pinpointed to ANY criteria you wish. If you know the color of the car, you can create a program for that colr.

Every campaign is monitored weekly and the number of campaigns you can run is endless. You can use E-mail, automated calls, live calls, and mail. All managed from your desk.

The Dynatron system is remarkable for its price. There isn't a manager in the store that would not benefit from the use of these two programs.

Take a look at www.dynatronsoftware.com

Posted on: April 25, 2007

Florida Distributors NOW HAVE Nitrofill!

BG distributors across Florida are now the exclusive vendors for Nitrofill nitrogen generation and inflation systems.

Nitrofill generators come complete with the best features and options in the industry, and are capable of producing nitrogen in excess of 99.9%. This is why the U.S. Air Force relies on Nitrofill.

Nitrofill generator options range from units to fit the needs of a small service garage to the largest of automotive dealer facilities.

The inflation units are efficient and simple enough to retrofit a vehicle from air to Nitrofill nitrogen in 10 minutes of hands free operation.

The Nitrofill marketing is designed around customer retention. National and regional advertising, follow-up email campaigns and customizable service reminders sent monthly.

Don't your customers deserve:

6% better fuel economy

30% increase in tire life

50% reduction in tire failure

better handling, ride and braking

DOUBLE YOUR OIL CHANGE PROFIT

Nitrofill is the easiest sale in years! (Nissan service manager)

Our customers love it. (Honda service manager)

Start making money today!

Posted on: August 17, 2006