You can call it as you'd like to "unnecessary", "OMG", "why?", or "big brother is watching you" but it appears to be eminent that Hyundai is listening to the market, researches their potential consumers and future drivers very well and adapts much more faster than our other OEM's, when implementing Social Media and automotive into consumer's behavior.

Hyundai is planning to make geo-location, Facebook and it's new telemetric system ready for the masses, starting this year. The so called concierge/rescue service Blue Link will offer the already wide spread routine emergency assistance in cars and trucks, convenience features and vehicle location sharing to family and friends - set up by you and through Facebook.

I can imagine that when pushing the send button, the message will read on Facebook status kinda "I'm at Office Max at 4123 Wilshire Rd in my fantastic new 2011 Hyundai Sonata", with hyperlinks to the Hyundai OEM website and a special offer from the mentioned Office Max...

Hmmm, didn't I just write something about 81% Millenials are having at least 2 social media network profiles, and will check at least 3 times a day their status on what they are up to and where they are? Hyundai is reading research paper as it looks like.

Presumptions are that the service will operate through a smart phone app, as well as is linked to a call center, which will be alarmed when a car crash occurs or the airbags deploy, sending the car's navigation unit data. So nothing really new, knowing this feature already from OnStar and similar assist systems.

An SOS button and capabilities to immobilize a stolen car remotely will be offered as well.

NOW IT'S GETTING INTERESTING, ESPECIALLY FOR WORRIED MOM's AND DAD's

Hyundai noticed that especially parents love to be in control, when borrowing their car to their teenage daughter or son. To accommodate the "urge" to know almost everything, Hyundai owners will be able to set up a so called "geo-fence". When your kid is deciding to take a detour across the city and the vehicle leaves a proscribed area, Mommy and Daddy will receive a text message. The same happens when a preset speed limit is broken. 

Because Social interactivity and connectivity can't be any longer avoided, a compatible Smartphone app will make sure to have incoming text messages reading out loud through the car stereo (similar to Ford's sync), flashing lights, unlocking the doors and starting the car. Now, do we only have to wait for have a kind of "dragon speak" software writing text messages and sending them via voice control.

Blue Link will launch this year in the Sonata, followed by the all-new Velostar, and will be fully integrated into the Hyundai line-up by 2014.

You can call it as you'd like to "unnecessary", "OMG", "why?", or "big brother is watching you" but it appears to be eminent that Hyundai is listening to the market, researches their potential consumers and future drivers very well and adapts much more faster than our other OEM's, when implementing Social Media and automotive into consumer's behavior.

Hyundai is planning to make geo-location, Facebook and it's new telemetric system ready for the masses, starting this year. The so called concierge/rescue service Blue Link will offer the already wide spread routine emergency assistance in cars and trucks, convenience features and vehicle location sharing to family and friends - set up by you and through Facebook.

I can imagine that when pushing the send button, the message will read on Facebook status kinda "I'm at Office Max at 4123 Wilshire Rd in my fantastic new 2011 Hyundai Sonata", with hyperlinks to the Hyundai OEM website and a special offer from the mentioned Office Max...

Hmmm, didn't I just write something about 81% Millenials are having at least 2 social media network profiles, and will check at least 3 times a day their status on what they are up to and where they are? Hyundai is reading research paper as it looks like.

Presumptions are that the service will operate through a smart phone app, as well as is linked to a call center, which will be alarmed when a car crash occurs or the airbags deploy, sending the car's navigation unit data. So nothing really new, knowing this feature already from OnStar and similar assist systems.

An SOS button and capabilities to immobilize a stolen car remotely will be offered as well.

NOW IT'S GETTING INTERESTING, ESPECIALLY FOR WORRIED MOM's AND DAD's

Hyundai noticed that especially parents love to be in control, when borrowing their car to their teenage daughter or son. To accommodate the "urge" to know almost everything, Hyundai owners will be able to set up a so called "geo-fence". When your kid is deciding to take a detour across the city and the vehicle leaves a proscribed area, Mommy and Daddy will receive a text message. The same happens when a preset speed limit is broken. 

Because Social interactivity and connectivity can't be any longer avoided, a compatible Smartphone app will make sure to have incoming text messages reading out loud through the car stereo (similar to Ford's sync), flashing lights, unlocking the doors and starting the car. Now, do we only have to wait for have a kind of "dragon speak" software writing text messages and sending them via voice control.

Blue Link will launch this year in the Sonata, followed by the all-new Velostar, and will be fully integrated into the Hyundai line-up by 2014.

According to a newer study from L2, Generation Y or also called Millenials are the consumer Group to watch out for, when trying to convince and to engage them to interact with your brand, make or model.

As the study revealed 81% of affluent Gen-Y consumer opening and checking their status on Facebook each day. On the other site 45% are reading at least one blog or newspaper content and 41% watch television daily. Taking a closer look how the Gen-Y affluents connect with brands, the study reveals more than 80% of female Gen-Y's do that through social media, comparing it to just 63% of the male Gen-Y affluents. Most likely the action for these Millenials to follow or like a brand will be triggered by special online offers or promotions a company is displaying.

Here again: more female (38%) than male (28%) will decide to give it a try and follow. Because Facebook is just in such a dominating position, do not attempt as a business or marketer to neglect your micro-blogging endeavor. Twitter for example is still up and coming and 1 out of 4 Millenials checked their status, responses, direct messages and name mentioning in the last 24 hours.

Who are actually these "affluent" Gen-Y's? Why should we have them in our scope and building a possible Marketing strategy around them?

The average affluent Gen-Y consumer is around the 27 year old bracket. Income is approximately at the $100,000 per year range, which will definitely double by the age of early 30's. 75% of the focus group in this study mentioned their "somewhat affinity" to a brand in which 43% of them admitted of "following some good brands" and 32% of these participants even had "a brand crush", which made them follow a brand. The most interesting part here: 12% considered themselves "brand devotees" or as I would state "HERE ARE YOUR BRAND EVANGELISTS - locate them, target them with special offers and perks, and you'll create your own self-sustaining "referral marketing department".

What else was found during L2's study?

Facebook seems to be the "Holy Grail" for these Millenials because fundamentals reveal

• more than 50% say that their attitudes towards a brand was shaped through Facebook
• 54% of them clicked "LIKE" on a brand fan page in previous month
• 38% have posted a comment in the previous month
• 30% shared the brand they followed with their network (love this WOM number)

Video content as second "holy oracle", short behind Social Networking

No doubt, watching and sharing video content is a daily task for Gen-Y's. According to the numbers

• 56% watched a video on YouTube the previous 24 hours
• Hulu videos or shows were downloaded and watched by 19%
• 13% used a mobile device to watch a video
• and 21% found a different video source other than YouTube and Hulu.

So when all these numbers reveal how "video hooked" and addicted Millenials are, why not calling out for creative video contests, featuring your brand, make or model? Just make sure that the channel is checked "non-public" at the time the creative results will be submitted. Reason is too avoid to have material suddenly posted which will compromise your product or displays content not suited for business purposes. Trust me on this - according to my German proverb: TRUST IS GOOD - CONTROL IS BETTER.

In case you have already tried to focus on certain age groups, like Gen-Y, Gen-X and Baby Boomers and may have run a campaign, what did you see and conclude out of the campaign? Please feel free to comment and share your insights.

According to a newer study from L2, Generation Y or also called Millenials are the consumer Group to watch out for, when trying to convince and to engage them to interact with your brand, make or model.

As the study revealed 81% of affluent Gen-Y consumer opening and checking their status on Facebook each day. On the other site 45% are reading at least one blog or newspaper content and 41% watch television daily. Taking a closer look how the Gen-Y affluents connect with brands, the study reveals more than 80% of female Gen-Y's do that through social media, comparing it to just 63% of the male Gen-Y affluents. Most likely the action for these Millenials to follow or like a brand will be triggered by special online offers or promotions a company is displaying.

Here again: more female (38%) than male (28%) will decide to give it a try and follow. Because Facebook is just in such a dominating position, do not attempt as a business or marketer to neglect your micro-blogging endeavor. Twitter for example is still up and coming and 1 out of 4 Millenials checked their status, responses, direct messages and name mentioning in the last 24 hours.

Who are actually these "affluent" Gen-Y's? Why should we have them in our scope and building a possible Marketing strategy around them?

The average affluent Gen-Y consumer is around the 27 year old bracket. Income is approximately at the $100,000 per year range, which will definitely double by the age of early 30's. 75% of the focus group in this study mentioned their "somewhat affinity" to a brand in which 43% of them admitted of "following some good brands" and 32% of these participants even had "a brand crush", which made them follow a brand. The most interesting part here: 12% considered themselves "brand devotees" or as I would state "HERE ARE YOUR BRAND EVANGELISTS - locate them, target them with special offers and perks, and you'll create your own self-sustaining "referral marketing department".

What else was found during L2's study?

Facebook seems to be the "Holy Grail" for these Millenials because fundamentals reveal

• more than 50% say that their attitudes towards a brand was shaped through Facebook
• 54% of them clicked "LIKE" on a brand fan page in previous month
• 38% have posted a comment in the previous month
• 30% shared the brand they followed with their network (love this WOM number)

Video content as second "holy oracle", short behind Social Networking

No doubt, watching and sharing video content is a daily task for Gen-Y's. According to the numbers

• 56% watched a video on YouTube the previous 24 hours
• Hulu videos or shows were downloaded and watched by 19%
• 13% used a mobile device to watch a video
• and 21% found a different video source other than YouTube and Hulu.

So when all these numbers reveal how "video hooked" and addicted Millenials are, why not calling out for creative video contests, featuring your brand, make or model? Just make sure that the channel is checked "non-public" at the time the creative results will be submitted. Reason is too avoid to have material suddenly posted which will compromise your product or displays content not suited for business purposes. Trust me on this - according to my German proverb: TRUST IS GOOD - CONTROL IS BETTER.

In case you have already tried to focus on certain age groups, like Gen-Y, Gen-X and Baby Boomers and may have run a campaign, what did you see and conclude out of the campaign? Please feel free to comment and share your insights.

"Seeing is Believing" - a very well known quote, which pops in our head, when we are not just 100% sure what to make out of things we just learned or heard. Since today "I believe it when I see it" plays now also a role in the correlation between Social Media influence and a buyers behavior, looking at the just released research data from Foresee Results .

Even so more than 500 million people know, use, live and breath Facebook the Foresee survey is revealing some numbers, which may shock the one or other among us. I guess especially the self-proclaimed and hyped-catapulted Social Media Gurus need some oxygen right now, when I open the can of worms - just promise me you won't faint, please.

According to a customer satisfaction survey, conducted at the 40 top Internet retailers just 5% (read my lips please "F-I-V-E") of the shoppers were influenced by the retailer's social media channel or outlet to visit the particular store! So, how did consumers actually decide get onto the retailer's website and to find their way to their designated retail shopping experience?

Social Media Evangelists, please stay calm....

19 percent those surveyed actually followed tips and links generated though promotional emails, when on the other hand 8 percent just visited Google or any other search engine to get the desired destination link. Even so Social Media is still growing it was for the year 2010 and the retail industry not the influential tipping point for consumers.

The nearly 10,000 survey responses, which were collected in a 2 week time frame (11/29 to 12/15/2010) targeted shoppers who purchased from the 40 Top Internet Retailers. Deciding factors in the questionnaire were Price, Merchandise, Website content, and Website functionality.

Who ended up "where"?

• Best in class: Amazon and Netflix were ranked with Highest Satisfaction Scores on the shopper's end
• Need to improve: Sears and TigersDirect scored the lowest points in satisfaction (not only the lightning at Sears stores seemed to miss the mark)
• Considering all stores surveyed the overall satisfaction results showed 78 points out of 100 points possible (which s one point lower than 2009's survey)

The responses showed also that most likely the "website experience" was an important factor for shoppers rather than the price. The price savvy shoppers were most likely found on websites of HSN, Office Depot, Office Max, HP and Cabella and expected to find offers as their top priority. Content as a top priority was found in William-Sonoma's and Victoria Secrets website (hmmm, I wonder why?)

Shoppers who see the "site experience" as their top priority where most likely found spending money on Netflix, Dell, Home Depot, QVC and others. Best Buy, Macy's and Overstock (as many others) were looked after for "merchandise selection" as top priority.

So, after the shock - Social Media is not at all the Holy Grail - I guess we can figure out from here, that established online Marketing activities and tactics like website "browse-ability", inventory and content, high search-ability in the search engines and a smart crafted email templates or email newsletters.

Even so this survey was targeted to Online Retailers, the recipe can be held universal and will also fit retail stores and especially Car Dealerships, who are still searching for the Silver "shiny" Bullet. Make sure your business will be found when somebody in the market types into Google "2011 Chevy Impala Austin".

Show your potential customer who hopefully just picked you up on the search result will experience a website, offering adequate and thorough content pages on the model searched for and a "hook", where the website converts (a.k.a. form submission form or tracking phone number).

Let's go and "get' em Tiger".

posted originally on SocialMediaBuzzer.com

picture source: Whyatt.com.au

"Seeing is Believing" - a very well known quote, which pops in our head, when we are not just 100% sure what to make out of things we just learned or heard. Since today "I believe it when I see it" plays now also a role in the correlation between Social Media influence and a buyers behavior, looking at the just released research data from Foresee Results .

Even so more than 500 million people know, use, live and breath Facebook the Foresee survey is revealing some numbers, which may shock the one or other among us. I guess especially the self-proclaimed and hyped-catapulted Social Media Gurus need some oxygen right now, when I open the can of worms - just promise me you won't faint, please.

According to a customer satisfaction survey, conducted at the 40 top Internet retailers just 5% (read my lips please "F-I-V-E") of the shoppers were influenced by the retailer's social media channel or outlet to visit the particular store! So, how did consumers actually decide get onto the retailer's website and to find their way to their designated retail shopping experience?

Social Media Evangelists, please stay calm....

19 percent those surveyed actually followed tips and links generated though promotional emails, when on the other hand 8 percent just visited Google or any other search engine to get the desired destination link. Even so Social Media is still growing it was for the year 2010 and the retail industry not the influential tipping point for consumers.

The nearly 10,000 survey responses, which were collected in a 2 week time frame (11/29 to 12/15/2010) targeted shoppers who purchased from the 40 Top Internet Retailers. Deciding factors in the questionnaire were Price, Merchandise, Website content, and Website functionality.

Who ended up "where"?

• Best in class: Amazon and Netflix were ranked with Highest Satisfaction Scores on the shopper's end
• Need to improve: Sears and TigersDirect scored the lowest points in satisfaction (not only the lightning at Sears stores seemed to miss the mark)
• Considering all stores surveyed the overall satisfaction results showed 78 points out of 100 points possible (which s one point lower than 2009's survey)

The responses showed also that most likely the "website experience" was an important factor for shoppers rather than the price. The price savvy shoppers were most likely found on websites of HSN, Office Depot, Office Max, HP and Cabella and expected to find offers as their top priority. Content as a top priority was found in William-Sonoma's and Victoria Secrets website (hmmm, I wonder why?)

Shoppers who see the "site experience" as their top priority where most likely found spending money on Netflix, Dell, Home Depot, QVC and others. Best Buy, Macy's and Overstock (as many others) were looked after for "merchandise selection" as top priority.

So, after the shock - Social Media is not at all the Holy Grail - I guess we can figure out from here, that established online Marketing activities and tactics like website "browse-ability", inventory and content, high search-ability in the search engines and a smart crafted email templates or email newsletters.

Even so this survey was targeted to Online Retailers, the recipe can be held universal and will also fit retail stores and especially Car Dealerships, who are still searching for the Silver "shiny" Bullet. Make sure your business will be found when somebody in the market types into Google "2011 Chevy Impala Austin".

Show your potential customer who hopefully just picked you up on the search result will experience a website, offering adequate and thorough content pages on the model searched for and a "hook", where the website converts (a.k.a. form submission form or tracking phone number).

Let's go and "get' em Tiger".

posted originally on SocialMediaBuzzer.com

picture source: Whyatt.com.au

The first part of “Consumer Trends for 2011” – a research performed by trendwatching.com, showed three trends so far on how consumer behavior will change and how we, the dealerships can prepare ourselves successfully for the upcoming year.

We covered so far topics on “Consumer will look for more realness and human touches”, "Consumers will be more prone to try new products and new services” and that they will look out for “more targeted pricing and offers”. Which other trends will be important for dealerships to take a look at? The Part 2 will discover how important Status symbols are still for consumers and how a dealership will be able to get “Evangelists” involved in their referral business.

1. Consumers will look out for gaining Online Status Symbols Trendwatching.com clearly defines and recommends for businesses to supply costumers with any kind of symbol or badges. This “symbol” can be a virtual one (like we already know from Foursquare and their variety of “unlocking badges” and the mayor seal of one particular business location) or a “real world” one with real world prizes like T-shirts, caps or just special coupons. I can see you already frowning and ask yourself, “what in the world is a real world status symbol I can give to my customers?”, and it actually much more easier than you possible thought. Check your key fob, please! Do you see any CVS, Publix, Borders or Fitness Club member cards on it? Yes? – Here we go, that is what will be in 2011 even more valuable (and as we all know not a new idea). Checking on myself, I particular shop at these places, who had provided me with a key fob card, and as I do other consumers as well love to be members of a club, free of charge but with benefits allowing them to save more money than any other regular customers or even get a cheese bagel for free as you see here at the ad, asking particular for your card or tag.

In regards to the virtual world, we have seen and heard about car dealerships setting up their own iPhone or Android dealerships app into realty, with the idea to provide their customers with a feel of “security” (click the app and connect instantly) and “specials on demand”, without jumping on the computer, looking up the special page, hitting the print button, taking the paper…and so forth, you get the idea.

Last but not least, try to get your customers be the mayor of your dealership and reward her with a “bonus, bonus special”, just because they checked in at your dealership location again. When you didn’t do the task so far and at least checked out Google Places, Foursquare, Gowalla, Groupon or even Facebook Places please put it on your to-do list for early on in 2011. Get familiar with the Geo-location based services, promoting business who decided to create specials for particular check-ins (like mayor ships) or for everyone, who is coming by and is using your dealership for buying parts or needs service.

2. Consumers will convert into “Twin-sumers” and “Social-lites” Early on adapters, who knew how consumers selecting their dealerships in the future know what I am talking about. As trendwatching.com pointed out there will be two different kind of online shoppers in the future. One type will be the “Twin-sumer” – a consumer with similar consumer patterns, likes, dislikes and who are hence valuable sources for recommendations on what to buy and where to get the best purchase experience.

You can be certain that these consumers will know how to work review sites like Yelp, Merchant Circle or more car specific review sites like dealerrater.com, Edmunds dealer reviews and Presto Reviews. When you are not familiar with any of these review sites – Holy Moly, it’s about time for you to get your team and dealership behind the idea of reputation management. An early on adapter on “how important customer reviews for a dealership can be”, is Dick Hannah Honda and its General Manager Joe Orr with more than 220 reviews on Dealerrater, dominating the entire state of Washington and giving Honda prospects a sense of security and the right place for a good deal.

On the other hand we have consumers operating as “Social-lites”, who are using their social circles and social affiliates to spread their experiences out into the world-wide web. Owning the business and trust of a “Social-lite” consumer, will make it possible to “grow” you an Evangelist and Advocate for your business. In the old days we had asked our customers for referrals, most of the time short after the sale or around 4 weeks later, hoping the customer had a name for us. Now, we know when a “Social-lite” was satisfied and agreed to take a photo for our Dealer Fan Page or doing a YouTube testimonial, she will be happy to spread the word throughout her circle of influence. Her followers will see the video or photo and she will get immediate responses out of it – your own Dealer Evangelist was just “created”.

This concludes part 2 of Trends for 2011 – What is your customer up to Part 3 will be posted in the next couple of days.

The first part of “Consumer Trends for 2011” – a research performed by trendwatching.com, showed three trends so far on how consumer behavior will change and how we, the dealerships can prepare ourselves successfully for the upcoming year.

We covered so far topics on “Consumer will look for more realness and human touches”, "Consumers will be more prone to try new products and new services” and that they will look out for “more targeted pricing and offers”. Which other trends will be important for dealerships to take a look at? The Part 2 will discover how important Status symbols are still for consumers and how a dealership will be able to get “Evangelists” involved in their referral business.

1. Consumers will look out for gaining Online Status Symbols Trendwatching.com clearly defines and recommends for businesses to supply costumers with any kind of symbol or badges. This “symbol” can be a virtual one (like we already know from Foursquare and their variety of “unlocking badges” and the mayor seal of one particular business location) or a “real world” one with real world prizes like T-shirts, caps or just special coupons. I can see you already frowning and ask yourself, “what in the world is a real world status symbol I can give to my customers?”, and it actually much more easier than you possible thought. Check your key fob, please! Do you see any CVS, Publix, Borders or Fitness Club member cards on it? Yes? – Here we go, that is what will be in 2011 even more valuable (and as we all know not a new idea). Checking on myself, I particular shop at these places, who had provided me with a key fob card, and as I do other consumers as well love to be members of a club, free of charge but with benefits allowing them to save more money than any other regular customers or even get a cheese bagel for free as you see here at the ad, asking particular for your card or tag.

In regards to the virtual world, we have seen and heard about car dealerships setting up their own iPhone or Android dealerships app into realty, with the idea to provide their customers with a feel of “security” (click the app and connect instantly) and “specials on demand”, without jumping on the computer, looking up the special page, hitting the print button, taking the paper…and so forth, you get the idea.

Last but not least, try to get your customers be the mayor of your dealership and reward her with a “bonus, bonus special”, just because they checked in at your dealership location again. When you didn’t do the task so far and at least checked out Google Places, Foursquare, Gowalla, Groupon or even Facebook Places please put it on your to-do list for early on in 2011. Get familiar with the Geo-location based services, promoting business who decided to create specials for particular check-ins (like mayor ships) or for everyone, who is coming by and is using your dealership for buying parts or needs service.

2. Consumers will convert into “Twin-sumers” and “Social-lites” Early on adapters, who knew how consumers selecting their dealerships in the future know what I am talking about. As trendwatching.com pointed out there will be two different kind of online shoppers in the future. One type will be the “Twin-sumer” – a consumer with similar consumer patterns, likes, dislikes and who are hence valuable sources for recommendations on what to buy and where to get the best purchase experience.

You can be certain that these consumers will know how to work review sites like Yelp, Merchant Circle or more car specific review sites like dealerrater.com, Edmunds dealer reviews and Presto Reviews. When you are not familiar with any of these review sites – Holy Moly, it’s about time for you to get your team and dealership behind the idea of reputation management. An early on adapter on “how important customer reviews for a dealership can be”, is Dick Hannah Honda and its General Manager Joe Orr with more than 220 reviews on Dealerrater, dominating the entire state of Washington and giving Honda prospects a sense of security and the right place for a good deal.

On the other hand we have consumers operating as “Social-lites”, who are using their social circles and social affiliates to spread their experiences out into the world-wide web. Owning the business and trust of a “Social-lite” consumer, will make it possible to “grow” you an Evangelist and Advocate for your business. In the old days we had asked our customers for referrals, most of the time short after the sale or around 4 weeks later, hoping the customer had a name for us. Now, we know when a “Social-lite” was satisfied and agreed to take a photo for our Dealer Fan Page or doing a YouTube testimonial, she will be happy to spread the word throughout her circle of influence. Her followers will see the video or photo and she will get immediate responses out of it – your own Dealer Evangelist was just “created”.

This concludes part 2 of Trends for 2011 – What is your customer up to Part 3 will be posted in the next couple of days.

According to research of http://trendwatching.com the year 2011 will have changes in consumer behavior which screams for a change in business behavior and attitude as well. No more Business as Usual please, when you want to keep the edge.

Here are the first three points trendwatching.com is pointing out of the eleven findings

1. Consumers will look for more realness and human touches

Chances for dealerships to engage with social media sharing more than ever. Consumer’s are craving for more authenticity, realness, human touch and less canned approaches to win their business. When dealerships taking the time to analyze, or even better watch the behavior and comments of their followers – you’ll gain insights to moods, wants and even their location, which then enable the dealership to send out targeted messages. Geo location based applications like Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook detected these trends early, early on and made targeted advertising for businesses to their clientele an easy and achievable task.

2. Consumers will be more prone to try new products and services

Danger for dealerships – falling in old and not any longer workable habits. The old formula "one time a Benz or Chevy driver always a Chevy driver" is a tale of the past. Due to globalization of new products and services the customers becoming more liberal, more tolerant and also more experienced to digest information. This means, the customers knows more than you - the sales professional - when arriving in your showroom.

TMV or True Market Value, Show me the CarFax or Yelp reviews are not any longer just terms an insider buyer knows how to obtain the best deals or to questioning the heck out of the sales persons' brain. Since manufacturers producing more models than anybody possibly can handle or needs to buy a car, customers making decisions based on following facts

1. Car Makers who are understanding the value of human globalization (Ford and their new so called World Cars) and engaging in a s subliminal but consistent way via social media interaction, and
2. Companies who will offer the biggest value (maintenance free plans, Hyundai Assurance programs, Chrysler's "you don't like it - you bring it back", etc.) to potential buyers. Further transparency is the next big word, you'll hear more and more, especially on dealership levels.
3. Transparency on dealer levels are easy to achieve, when...., when the processes are in place and everybody in the dealership buys into the idea what needs and has to happen. However, transparency and reputation can be the evil twins for a dealer or Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at once, presenting surprises like positive reviews, testimonials, rankings and ratings displaying your performance for everybody to see. It is essential for each sales professional to ask not any longer only for referrals but also to follow up and guide the customers post sales to review site that count in the automotive industry. Ask for a good grade and let the customer tell everybody how great you are.

3. Targeted pricing and offers for your potential customers

The times of the good old shotgun advertising – blast out your pellets or in this case your ad message and possibly you’ll hit one or two potential clients and trigger a purchase are over. I actually don’t care what your advertising agency or offline advertising rep is telling you. The fact that “radio and print is so hot right now and will never die” – is just not true, especially in the huge Metro markets. Rather going for the rabbit hunting approach, blasting into a bulk of running rabbits and two will possibly not make it. Instead develop the skills of a sniper. Sit in your hideaway, observe the target(s), make no noise and wait – wait until you see the desired 13-pointer, mark it - and "boom" - touche. You got this large deer because you were hiding out where the pack is eating - you targeted exactly the location where you'll find the best of the best. So, I am asking now, why don't you "hide out" where your customers are today? Online!

For example: Look at your fan base on Twitter, Facebook – what is your average follower age group, are these more female or male customers, are they actively engaging with comments on your postings? Target your message!

A Nielsen Study revealed that Baby Boomers just discovered the power of Facebook around a year ago, and this particular customer group loves to shop online (THOUGHT: are you offering a shopping card / check-out for your automotive parts and accessories)?

The second group of valuable customers - The Generation X is looking for offers or amenities who are considered “convenience factors” – like real-time online service scheduling, pick-up service and drop-off loaner cars for families with little kids of two and more – and the most upcoming digitally involved and engaged generation –

The Millennials – are having more than 2 social media profiles, using text messaging on mobile devices more than they use the device to phone around. Using texting to submit your instant mobile coupons and discounts, flash sales and even dynamic ad hoc pricing will make you “hip” in their eyes and gain you the edge.

This concludes part 1 of Trends for 2011 - What is your customer up to

Part 2 will be posted in the next couple of days.

According to research of http://trendwatching.com the year 2011 will have changes in consumer behavior which screams for a change in business behavior and attitude as well. No more Business as Usual please, when you want to keep the edge.

Here are the first three points trendwatching.com is pointing out of the eleven findings

1. Consumers will look for more realness and human touches

Chances for dealerships to engage with social media sharing more than ever. Consumer’s are craving for more authenticity, realness, human touch and less canned approaches to win their business. When dealerships taking the time to analyze, or even better watch the behavior and comments of their followers – you’ll gain insights to moods, wants and even their location, which then enable the dealership to send out targeted messages. Geo location based applications like Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook detected these trends early, early on and made targeted advertising for businesses to their clientele an easy and achievable task.

2. Consumers will be more prone to try new products and services

Danger for dealerships – falling in old and not any longer workable habits. The old formula "one time a Benz or Chevy driver always a Chevy driver" is a tale of the past. Due to globalization of new products and services the customers becoming more liberal, more tolerant and also more experienced to digest information. This means, the customers knows more than you - the sales professional - when arriving in your showroom.

TMV or True Market Value, Show me the CarFax or Yelp reviews are not any longer just terms an insider buyer knows how to obtain the best deals or to questioning the heck out of the sales persons' brain. Since manufacturers producing more models than anybody possibly can handle or needs to buy a car, customers making decisions based on following facts

1. Car Makers who are understanding the value of human globalization (Ford and their new so called World Cars) and engaging in a s subliminal but consistent way via social media interaction, and
2. Companies who will offer the biggest value (maintenance free plans, Hyundai Assurance programs, Chrysler's "you don't like it - you bring it back", etc.) to potential buyers. Further transparency is the next big word, you'll hear more and more, especially on dealership levels.
3. Transparency on dealer levels are easy to achieve, when...., when the processes are in place and everybody in the dealership buys into the idea what needs and has to happen. However, transparency and reputation can be the evil twins for a dealer or Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at once, presenting surprises like positive reviews, testimonials, rankings and ratings displaying your performance for everybody to see. It is essential for each sales professional to ask not any longer only for referrals but also to follow up and guide the customers post sales to review site that count in the automotive industry. Ask for a good grade and let the customer tell everybody how great you are.

3. Targeted pricing and offers for your potential customers

The times of the good old shotgun advertising – blast out your pellets or in this case your ad message and possibly you’ll hit one or two potential clients and trigger a purchase are over. I actually don’t care what your advertising agency or offline advertising rep is telling you. The fact that “radio and print is so hot right now and will never die” – is just not true, especially in the huge Metro markets. Rather going for the rabbit hunting approach, blasting into a bulk of running rabbits and two will possibly not make it. Instead develop the skills of a sniper. Sit in your hideaway, observe the target(s), make no noise and wait – wait until you see the desired 13-pointer, mark it - and "boom" - touche. You got this large deer because you were hiding out where the pack is eating - you targeted exactly the location where you'll find the best of the best. So, I am asking now, why don't you "hide out" where your customers are today? Online!

For example: Look at your fan base on Twitter, Facebook – what is your average follower age group, are these more female or male customers, are they actively engaging with comments on your postings? Target your message!

A Nielsen Study revealed that Baby Boomers just discovered the power of Facebook around a year ago, and this particular customer group loves to shop online (THOUGHT: are you offering a shopping card / check-out for your automotive parts and accessories)?

The second group of valuable customers - The Generation X is looking for offers or amenities who are considered “convenience factors” – like real-time online service scheduling, pick-up service and drop-off loaner cars for families with little kids of two and more – and the most upcoming digitally involved and engaged generation –

The Millennials – are having more than 2 social media profiles, using text messaging on mobile devices more than they use the device to phone around. Using texting to submit your instant mobile coupons and discounts, flash sales and even dynamic ad hoc pricing will make you “hip” in their eyes and gain you the edge.

This concludes part 1 of Trends for 2011 - What is your customer up to

Part 2 will be posted in the next couple of days.