Is Wider Better?: Michelin Leads Super Wide Charge in North America
Is Wider Better? Michelin Leads Super Wide Charge in North America With the introduction of a new breed of radial truck tires in North America, dual fitments on line haul fleets may become a thing of the past.Best described as “super wide” tires – not to be confused with bulky conventional-sized wide base tires commonly
OTR Tire Dealers Speak: Study Shows Dealers Crave Training; Look to Add Staff
OTR Tire Dealers Speak Study Shows Dealers Crave Training; Look to Add Staff For the second consecutive year, Tire Review and the Tire Association of North America (TANA) teamed up to conduct a comprehensive study of OTR tire dealers and the prevailing OTR tire market. The extensive study was a continuation of the highly successful
Retail Marketing: Treat Them Smartly
Barnum may have said “There’s a sucker born every minute,” but even he discovered that it doesn’t pay to underestimate the intelligence and buying savvy of the American public. Successful businesses don’t underestimate the American consumer, especially when it comes to high-ticket items. Most retail salespeople agree that their best customers are adept at seeing
Financial: Insurance Checkup
Financial Insurance Checkup Business insurance is one large fixed cost for any dealer. But periodic reviews of your insurance needs and status can help reign in some of those costs. Insurance is designed to protect you and your business from unexpected disaster, but careful consideration of real costs vs. anticipated costs can help you save
Management: This Space for Rent
There is an age-old question for tire dealers to consider: Do I buy or lease? That question extends down from the building itself to the equipment inside. But it’s the building itself that costs the most all around. Tire dealers need room. But should they buy or lease a structure? Sometimes a situation dictates what
Comp/Tech: Keep Your Face Out There
With the speed and freedom afforded by e-mail and Web sites, your employees may become isolated, focusing on the technology instead of the humans on the other end. And your customers may know you only through a Web address or periodic e-mails. Technology has changed the way we do business, but nothing happens in business
Our New Dubya, Dubya, Dubya
Since the early days of the WWW, magazine publishers – like so many others – have stumbled, staggered and struggled with fashioning effective Web sites. Hindsight, as they say, is always 20/20, so we have a clear view of the laundry list of World Wide Whiffs. Suffice it to say, we all made mistakes over
On the Surface
On the Surfaceof the Tire/Road Relationship Anyone who has been around the tire business for any length of time has heard or participated in discussions about how well competing brands or types of tires perform. Equally well known is the wide variety of conclusions some "experts" derive from their "experience." It brings to mind an
B2B Sales: Discussing Price
Some sales people get nervous about having to ask for money from the customer. As a result, they blurt out the price right at the start of the talk, rather than first demonstrating how their products/services will satisfy the customer’s needs. When sales talk involves products or services that save the customer money, direct the
Profitability: 5 + 5 = 50
Don’t think that 5% you just gave away to the customer makes a difference? Think again. If your dealership works on a narrow profit margin, raising prices just 5% will have a tremendous impact on your bottom line. Say your annual gross revenues are $1 million. With a 15% margin, profits are $150,000. Not bad.
Dealer Diary: User-Friendly
User-Friendly For the past two years, Tire Review has brought you Dealer Diary, a monthly series that focuses on typical tire dealers and the ins and outs of their business.This year, we’re excited to be profiling a unique and well-known dealer – and someone whose primary focus is customer service – Barry Steinberg, owner of
New Year, New Rules: Disputed OSHA Ergonomic Regs in Effect – For Now
Disputed OSHA Ergonomic Regs in Effect – For Now