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Branding: A Call To Arms (And Phones, Marketing, Websites, email…)

BOOM! It happens and you’re left without a net… Damaged image. Damaged perception. Damaged goods.

Unless you have a brand. Unless you’ve been under a rock or have been too ‘busy’, the amount of evidence, chatter, discussion and conference-data hinging about branding has been nearly deafening. And still, undeniably, the majority of dealers put all of it on the badge.

Write your rxcuses down and put them where the training materials are from your favorite industry speaker (likely in someone’s office or under the desk in the tower, collecting dust). That’s where theu. Belong.

Retailers with amazing brand, consistent engagement, a commitment to what they do for customers and how much they care for their own people know what to do and say when the shit hits the fan.

If you have little else aside from lip service and management doing things the way they always have, you’re forced to depend on the badge. And folks, that’s a crappy position to be in. Oh, it is completely preventable.

Brand, whether the store’s or the salesperson’s or the service tech’s or the business manager’s, is inextricably tied to the customer expeerience. Someone can sell a product for years and ultimately be invisible.

Whatever comes out of any manufacturer difficulty or trial can be mitigated by having a brand that is independent.  It’s been proven over and over and over.

There will be those who come out if any challenging time better, more aware,ore prepared and more convinced. Will that be you after the smoke clears? Or will it be back to business (badge reliant) as usual?

Don’t be badge-dependant, be self-dependant!  If you don’t understand or believe that, it’s time to do a little self-searching…and ask what your brand is.

 

Best Practices: Professional Insights, Powerful Results 

September 24, 2015 by Gary May 0
IM@CS Announces Accomplished Automotive E-Commerce Marketing Executive Jim Elliott As Newest Team Member

In response to further growth and significant prospects for 2010, IM@CS has expanded its consulting team and increased coverage with a Detroit base in addition to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, CA, and Detroit, MI (PRWEB) January 4, 2010 — Interactive Marketing and Consulting Services (IM@CS) president Gary May was pleased to announce on December 31, 2009 the addition of Jim Elliott to the growing IM@CS team. Elliott, who comes with over 20 years with Ford Motor Company in addition to Web 2.0 startups, will be responsible for dealership and OEM consulting as well as business development for the company. His Detroit-based location also adds flexibility in accessing clients quickly and facilitating increased coverage.

Jim Elliott is known as a pioneering innovator in the areas of e-commerce, sales, marketing and channel management, primarily in the automotive industry. With an interest in collaborative and innovative environments and a special interest in online community start-ups, Elliott’s specialties include e-commerce, interactive marketing, 6-Sigma Black Belt, independent franchised distribution channel management, business development and other hands-on experience in spearheading business.

“I have known and worked with Gary May for most of the past decade, and I lept at the chance to work with him. Gary and I share a passion for winning on the web for our clients in a way that enables them to both grow revenue and reduce costs. Smart dealers know that the web is evolving quickly and they can now empower themselves to compete better digitally. IM@CS brings the tools and strategies to enable them to do just that.”

As an e-commerce executive, Elliott led SmartAuction website management and development of strategic site changes for the online B2B vehicle auction with GMAC. His field expertise, highly developed with Ford Motor Company, continued as Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Roush Performance vehicles and parts throughout eight states and four Canadian provinces. Elliott has built trusted relationships with dealers in many regions across North America through personal integrity and delivering results.

“Having worked in the past with Jim, he has always struck me as one of the more thoughtful, intuitive marketers. His forward-thinking approach and diligent review of opportunities that have translated to success in very large organizations will easily transfer into our company as well as accelerate our comprehensive services and growth.”

IM@CS, a full-service online branding/marketing, sales coaching and process consulting firm, has offered best practices in online media, Web 2.0, interactive content and targeted marketing since 2007. Clients include leading edge dealerships, automotive manufacturers, portals and service providers. IM@CS also serves other large consumer-facing businesses including real estate, specialty markets and unique/high-end services.

Visit www.imacsweb.com today. Call 310-377-6481 or info(at)imacsweb(dot)com for more information or
contact IM@CS at P.O. Box 3789 Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

# # #

Contact Information
Julia Murphy
Interactive Marketing and Consulting Services
http://www.imacsweb.com
(310) 377-6481

Online Web 2.0 Version
You can read the online version of this press release here.

January 7, 2010 by Gary May 0
The First Half Is Done…Are You On Track Or Betting On The Second?

It is always a reality check (especially in sales) to review the mid-year numbers against goals. Even the most sophisticated of salespeople take the opportunity to evaluate, adjust, reassess, communicate and plan. Many others blame, accuse, defend, deflect and compromise, but rarely do what it takes: listen and learn. It's also the time of the year when middle-management does the infamous 'dance' (you know what I mean if you are in middle-management or deal with them).

Consistency is the key, learning is the foundation, staying up to date and applying methods are the tools, guidance is the framework (read: not management), teamwork is the conduit, commitment is the path and success is the goal. For those that truly stayed on the road to their goals, using everything just mentioned, the first half was likely less of a mystery than for everyone else. Maybe you even are ahead of the game!

Success never comes overnight, rarely is seen in the company of also-rans, doesn't hide from the real work and tends to stay around a great circle of influence (read: not the water cooler). If the first half of 2009 wasn't good for you, it's time to see the opportunities that exist for change, improvement, growth and dedication. All of us fail, which is a huge part of success. But if you continue to fail perpetually, it is time for more than self-talk and a spa day!

The second half of your year is in your control, up to you and completely dependent on what you believe will happen…plus a whole lot of action on your part! One of the benefits I continue to enjoy is the input from some of the best minds that anyone would want around them. People that all believe the second half is their half and are willing to do what it takes to make that happen.

Having missed my 'numbers' in the past, having been on 'losing' teams, having decided not to give it that little 'extra' effort and knowing from personal experience both how far and how close I've been to having that great half, it would be in your best interest to do whatever it takes to be part of the group of people that finish 2009 with a smile on their face.

So are you on track? Are you on the right track? If you just had to look down, find someone that will help you to win. If you're headed to your goals and dreams with nothing stopping you, that applause you hear is for you…rip up the second half!

Best practices: Professional Insight, Powerful Results

July 5, 2009 by Gary May 0
Best Practice Consutling: How And Why Do It? Can’t I Just Watch An Online Video?

Why hire a consultant or contractor? Why pay someone for a little work when I can bring on a new employee for the same or less? Consultants only tell you what you already know but charge you for it! I don't want an idea or process person, I want a do-it person!

Yes, those are common comments (direct or indirect) that reflect some of the frustration that is typically borne out of paying for something that you believe you're getting versus what you actually get. Truth is the greatest benefits a business can ever receive is accurate 'outside' information.

Many people ask what 'best practices' are or why the term is used instead of just 'consulting'. Since there are many ways to interpret how a goal is set, course of action is drawn, possibilities determined and application is completed, it is important to ensure constant collaboration. Fact is, so many aspects can be viewed subjectively. Also consider that anyone can sell or buy what's in a book or what has already been done. More often than not in today's climate, what's necessary are customized or completely unique solutions that must be applied. The partnership between provider and client along with very specific goals are the glue.

The Wikipedia defines best practices as follows:

An idea that asserts that there is a technique,
method, process, activity, incentive or reward that is more effective
at delivering a particular outcome than any other technique, method,
process, etc. The idea is that with proper processes, checks, and
testing, a desired outcome can be delivered with fewer problems and
unforeseen complications. Best practices can also be defined as the
most efficient (least amount of effort) and effective (best results)
way of accomplishing a task, based on repeatable procedures that have
proven themselves over time for large numbers of people.

Despite the need to improve on processes as times change and things evolve, best-practice is considered by some as a business buzzword
used to describe the process of developing and following a standard way
of doing things that multiple organizations can use for management,
policy, and especially software systems.

As the term has become more popular, some organizations have begun
using "best practices" to refer to what are in fact 'rules', causing a linguistic drift in which a new term such as "good ideas" is needed to refer to what would previously have been called "best practices."

Simply put, it describes a concept of being dynamic and staying out front via perpetual process improvement. If the goals for your business include fundamental advancement, engagement, education and awareness, it may just be what you need.

There are some great consultants out there. Take the time to find one that works based on your needs, not theirs. Right now more dealerships than ever need help. Things are changing so rapidly and they won't stop. Get someone from outside your business to help things run better for your business. And listen…you'll thank me later.

Best practices: Professional Insight, Powerful Results

February 11, 2009 by Gary May 0