This year's Convention theme...

“Best practice” is a buzz word often bandied about in business circles. We often use buzz words when we want to sound like we know what we're talking about; but what does “best practice” mean and why is it important for your business? Well “best practice” is pretty self-explanatory; it simply means the best way to do something. That's what we're all after!

In the retail automotive sector there are several areas to control; sales to service, new and used, parts, F&I, customer relations retention, advertising, marketing and dealership presentation

Successfully applying best practice to each of these areas will assist you in securing the profitability of your business operation. Because best practice often relies on new technology or “outside the box” thinking, the 2008 AADA National Dealer Convention proudly presents “Exposing Industry Best Practice” as the theme of this year's Convention. It is our aim to expose you to industry best practice through a variety of workshops that examine and illustrate the application of best practice principles and behaviours in today's dealership. In keeping with the areas outlined above, there are a range of speakers and workshops that will examine how to apply best practice to areas within your dealership.

The importance of getting the right staff is paramount to the success of your business. We will look at who to hire and how the right staff can assit in maximising sales. Training your staff can add value to your business, so learn how to add to your bottom-line without increasing your spending, and how to choose the type of training that best suits your business needs.

Communication provides the framework of the dealership. We will have workshops on how to communicate with your customers, and teach you to realise that “your best customer is the one you already have”. We will show you how to increase the number of customers financing their vehicles through you, by using marketing and advertising strategies to tap the potential of your F&I department.

We'll teach you how to implement the practices which will stop and even reverse service leakage to independent operators, and we'll examine strategies which can increase business within your local PMA. In the parts department, we will review practices that are enabling some dealers to yield great results, including how they are extending their reach beyond the back counter.

Market evidence shows that dealers who operate successful used car operations are some of the most profitable. Learn how to maximise the operation and profit of your used car department. We will examine the current market trends and discuss how to identify hot products in your lines; what to keep in your inventory and what to dispose of.

Plus there's workshops and seminars examining the importance of how your dealership looks (first impressions count); how to best harness internet mediums for your business; succession and strategic management; and leadership and motivation.

“Best practice” is crucial if you want the best business. The 2008 AADA National Dealer Convention will provide you with all of the tools you need to ensure that your business is the best it can be. Can you afford to be left behind?