Loyd H. RawlsAll Articles
As Seen in Digital Dealer – Fallacy
Dr. Merlot and I met up during a layover in Charlotte in route to a family business operating three semi metro dealerships in the Midwest. In our previous visit, we had been dealing with a daughter with a drug issue. Now we were focusing on preparing the dealer’s son and other daughter to be approved as successor dealers. We arrived at a small airport, and began the short drive to Marge and Bill’s dealerships that they received from Marge’s dad. “Good morning Marge,” the Dealer; “good morning Bill,” her husband of 37 years and the Service Director. “Trust you [...]
As Seen in Multi-Unit Franchisee Report – Managing a Franchise Business With A Spouse
Where the holidays may be a hot spot for family issues, spouses working together in business create opportunities for conflict throughout the entire year. Marriage vows speak to commitment during "richer or poorer and sickness and in health." Throw in the demands of a competitive high-risk working environment, if not managed right, it can put a strain on marriage like nothing else. In the initial stages of building the business, leadership issues are simple. Both parties understand if there are serious marital differences of opinion, the business could fail, and everyone loses. However, after the business grows and supports [...]
As Seen in Digital Dealer – Bringing Next Generation Family Members into the Dealership
One of the biggest questions dealers are asking these days is when and how to bring their next-generation of the family in the dealership. The simple answer to this is that they should come into your business when they, and you are ready. Readiness, however, is a subjective term. These three perspectives, should be considered as you are going through the decision-making process: Yours, the owner Your next-generation family member, AKA Next-Gen Your business’ Yours, the owner Your perspective as the business owner is foremost important. As the dealer principal, you have the freedom of control and the burden of [...]
The Impacts of Family Dynamics on the Transition of Leadership in a Multi-Generational Dealership
In a collaborative effort to demonstrate some common roadblocks that both DHG Dealerships and The Rawls Group often sees within family-run dealership clients who are in the process of making leadership changes, this case study will briefly analyze the family dynamics between Sam (dealer) and his son, Mark. Background At 80 years-old, Sam is the majority owner and CEO of his family-run dealership. While Sam remains active in business operations and decisions, the time he spends at the dealership is gradually decreasing as he currently works about one or two days per week. Sam’s management team is very loyal; [...]
As Seen in Automotive Buy Sell Report – How to meet the consolidators head-on in the dealership consolidation game
Most owners and leaders of privately-held dealerships are wondering what’s going on with the publicly-held dealership groups as they engage in consolidation. These consolidators generally look down upon the privately-held dealerships as competitors because “I previously fired most of their employees”. Furthermore, there is general resentment that the local “dealer club” has been disrupted by “hired guns” working for a hieratical potentate, neither of whom have any idea of the sacrifices required to build a successful dealership. However, before those of you who own between 1 to 30 roof-tops assume the consolidators are circling the drain, you should consider they [...]
As Seen in Digital Dealer – A Sad or Celebratory Day?
Some people may skip this article because they consider they take pride in not sweating the small stuff. After all, there are a great many consultants and gurus who consistently preach the message of “don’t sweat the small stuff…and, by the way, it’s all small stuff.” Good for them; they may have become successful by following that counsel. If you are one of those fortunate souls, congratulations. If you are having trouble expanding your market, keeping people productive, growing your bottom line, and building lasting relationships with family members, clients, customers, vendors, and strategic partners, then you may want to [...]
