Our parts & service managers are both active in the Forum and their
participation in these meetings have provided them with the tools
needed to effectively measure and improve inventory performance and
shop efficiency.
Together they have had a tremendous impact on the bottom line. The
information and ideas exchanged among this group of professionals
has helped us move our level of fixed absorption from the mid 80’s to
100%+.
Eddie Corley Jr.
Dealer Principal
Albuquerque Lincoln Mercury Volvo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking for myself and others from FCSD, attending the "Forum For
Fixed Operations Management" is money well spent, actually...money
well invested. It's the perfect business environment for the OEM rep
to not only get a "reality check" on potential new parts / service
programs but also to LEARN from dealership fixed operations
PROFESSIONALS. I came away from the meeting with a better
understanding of dealership Fixed Operations day-to-day business
needs and challenges -- learning from both the dealer parts / service
managers and ADMI. I especially liked the sharing of "Best
Management Practices" .
Bottom line, the open discussions helped improve the eventual parts /
service products FCSD was working on. I look forward to the next time
I attend the Forum. Thanks
Regards,
John J. Duffy
Parts Operations Manager
Ford Customer Service Division
Marketing Office
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You think you've done it all and heard it all. The forum reinforces and
helps you tweak your policies and procedures in your business that
make a difference. Many ideas are brought to the table at these
meetings and they're geared towards the different levels of volume
done by each dealer so that every dealership, big or small can come
away with very useful information. You also get a heads-up on what's
coming down the pike with Ford Motor Company. The forum is well
worth the investment.
Joe Brochu
Parts Manager
Columbia Ford Lincoln Mercury
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I ATTENDED MY FIRST FORUM MEETING IN SEPT 2005. I WILL NOT
MISS ANY MEETINGS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. I LEARNED MORE AT THIS
MEETING THAN ANY OTHER. I TOLD MY DEALER I WOULD NOT GO TO
ANY FORD MEETINGS UNLESS I HAVE TO, SO I WOULD BE ABLE TO
ATTEND THE FORUM. THE CALIBER OF PEOPLE THAT ATTEND THESE
MEETINGS AND THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IS UNREAL. I THINK
ALL PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS SHOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING
IF THEY WANT TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL."
Jim Morris
Parts & Service Director
Parker Ford Lincoln Mercury
Murray, Ky
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been in a Ford dealership parts operation since 1970 as a driver,
shipping and receiving, counterperson, and manager. Since 1986, I
have been responsible for the operation of a Ford parts department.
Most of my parts education has been handed down from others: my
past managers and co-workers.
There also have been FMI courses, various forms of Ford training, and
part-time college. I’ve always considered keeping an open mind
toward my own ability to change with an ever-changing business
climate. This is a personal decision to keep an open mind toward
change.
The ADMI parts upgrade course was in itself an eye-opener. Many tried
and true ideas were encouraged. Some I already employed, and many
were new to me. But the basics were there: “Buy what you sell, and
sell what you buy” Some things never change.
I found another way to keep up with the changes a parts manager
must be aware of. A way to follow-up with the things I have learned. A
means to communicate with fellow parts managers concerning daily
activities. A barometer to gauge my progress to attain my goals, as
well as dealership goals. The Parts Forum is that means that will
justify the ends.
If the end result for me is reduced idle capital and increased
productivity, that in itself justifies the time well spent attending the
Parts Forum. If I’m able to see how I’m doing in the parts
marketplace by talking to others, it’s worth it.
The final by-product of this educational process is increased parts
gross profit. It’s as simple as that. Without a continuing method of
training, a parts manager today cannot keep pace with marketplace
changes. If you haven’t given the Parts Forum a try, please do. You
won’t regret it.
John Siehl
Parts Manager
Tom's Ford
Keyport, NJ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I get out of The Forum meetings:
1) Network with managers who have the same problems, but different
solutions.
2) Always good speakers, who are high up in Ford's hierarchy and can
make changes if you have positive suggestions.
3) Best ideas presented by attendees will give you practices that can
help your productivity, sales, idle capital and more!
4) Financial comparisons can highlight areas of excellence or poor
performance in your own numbers."
Kalah Ross
Parts Manager
Rusty Eck Ford
7310 E. Kellogg
Wichita, KS. 67207
316-689-4453
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"For me, it's like anything else in this business, Return on Investment.
I never come back from a Forum meeting empty handed. I can always
bring back at least one best management idea that pays for my trip
(usually many times over). And attending regularly keeps me sharp
since I want to maintain a high level of performance among my
peers...and these guys and gals are the sharpest! Plus I get to interact
with some of the best Parts and Service Managers in the business."
Bill Klein
Parts & Service Director
Desoto Automall
Arcadia, FL
941-915-8764
participation in these meetings have provided them with the tools
needed to effectively measure and improve inventory performance and
shop efficiency.
Together they have had a tremendous impact on the bottom line. The
information and ideas exchanged among this group of professionals
has helped us move our level of fixed absorption from the mid 80’s to
100%+.
Eddie Corley Jr.
Dealer Principal
Albuquerque Lincoln Mercury Volvo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaking for myself and others from FCSD, attending the "Forum For
Fixed Operations Management" is money well spent, actually...money
well invested. It's the perfect business environment for the OEM rep
to not only get a "reality check" on potential new parts / service
programs but also to LEARN from dealership fixed operations
PROFESSIONALS. I came away from the meeting with a better
understanding of dealership Fixed Operations day-to-day business
needs and challenges -- learning from both the dealer parts / service
managers and ADMI. I especially liked the sharing of "Best
Management Practices" .
Bottom line, the open discussions helped improve the eventual parts /
service products FCSD was working on. I look forward to the next time
I attend the Forum. Thanks
Regards,
John J. Duffy
Parts Operations Manager
Ford Customer Service Division
Marketing Office
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You think you've done it all and heard it all. The forum reinforces and
helps you tweak your policies and procedures in your business that
make a difference. Many ideas are brought to the table at these
meetings and they're geared towards the different levels of volume
done by each dealer so that every dealership, big or small can come
away with very useful information. You also get a heads-up on what's
coming down the pike with Ford Motor Company. The forum is well
worth the investment.
Joe Brochu
Parts Manager
Columbia Ford Lincoln Mercury
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I ATTENDED MY FIRST FORUM MEETING IN SEPT 2005. I WILL NOT
MISS ANY MEETINGS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. I LEARNED MORE AT THIS
MEETING THAN ANY OTHER. I TOLD MY DEALER I WOULD NOT GO TO
ANY FORD MEETINGS UNLESS I HAVE TO, SO I WOULD BE ABLE TO
ATTEND THE FORUM. THE CALIBER OF PEOPLE THAT ATTEND THESE
MEETINGS AND THE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IS UNREAL. I THINK
ALL PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS SHOULD CONSIDER ATTENDING
IF THEY WANT TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL."
Jim Morris
Parts & Service Director
Parker Ford Lincoln Mercury
Murray, Ky
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have been in a Ford dealership parts operation since 1970 as a driver,
shipping and receiving, counterperson, and manager. Since 1986, I
have been responsible for the operation of a Ford parts department.
Most of my parts education has been handed down from others: my
past managers and co-workers.
There also have been FMI courses, various forms of Ford training, and
part-time college. I’ve always considered keeping an open mind
toward my own ability to change with an ever-changing business
climate. This is a personal decision to keep an open mind toward
change.
The ADMI parts upgrade course was in itself an eye-opener. Many tried
and true ideas were encouraged. Some I already employed, and many
were new to me. But the basics were there: “Buy what you sell, and
sell what you buy” Some things never change.
I found another way to keep up with the changes a parts manager
must be aware of. A way to follow-up with the things I have learned. A
means to communicate with fellow parts managers concerning daily
activities. A barometer to gauge my progress to attain my goals, as
well as dealership goals. The Parts Forum is that means that will
justify the ends.
If the end result for me is reduced idle capital and increased
productivity, that in itself justifies the time well spent attending the
Parts Forum. If I’m able to see how I’m doing in the parts
marketplace by talking to others, it’s worth it.
The final by-product of this educational process is increased parts
gross profit. It’s as simple as that. Without a continuing method of
training, a parts manager today cannot keep pace with marketplace
changes. If you haven’t given the Parts Forum a try, please do. You
won’t regret it.
John Siehl
Parts Manager
Tom's Ford
Keyport, NJ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I get out of The Forum meetings:
1) Network with managers who have the same problems, but different
solutions.
2) Always good speakers, who are high up in Ford's hierarchy and can
make changes if you have positive suggestions.
3) Best ideas presented by attendees will give you practices that can
help your productivity, sales, idle capital and more!
4) Financial comparisons can highlight areas of excellence or poor
performance in your own numbers."
Kalah Ross
Parts Manager
Rusty Eck Ford
7310 E. Kellogg
Wichita, KS. 67207
316-689-4453
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"For me, it's like anything else in this business, Return on Investment.
I never come back from a Forum meeting empty handed. I can always
bring back at least one best management idea that pays for my trip
(usually many times over). And attending regularly keeps me sharp
since I want to maintain a high level of performance among my
peers...and these guys and gals are the sharpest! Plus I get to interact
with some of the best Parts and Service Managers in the business."
Bill Klein
Parts & Service Director
Desoto Automall
Arcadia, FL
941-915-8764
Testimonials
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Here are some testimonials from Forum members, dealer principals,
Ford Motor Company personnel and others about what the Forum
means to them.
Ford Motor Company personnel and others about what the Forum
means to them.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |