In the past, it was harder for negative experiences to be shared by disgruntled customers.

Unless they happened to take it to the newspaper or media, their sphere of influence more or less ends with their friends and family. Today, all it takes is one post on social media to deliver a devastating blow to companies in nearly any industry.

The truth is that online reputation matters. In fact, it matters so much that a negative reputation on the Internet could have adverse consequences for your business for years to come.

So, how can it affect you? Let's take a look.

Customers May Not Give You a Chance

Given the immense accessibility that the Internet provides to prospective customers, there is virtually no reason why somebody would not check the reviews of business before choosing to purchase a product. In fact, approximately 78% of consumers claim that they have made purchases that were influenced by social media posts.

This process is further simplified by the fact that Google often shows reviews of businesses at the top of the first page. Here, you can generally find what customers have to say about service and quality, and what former employees have to say about company policies.

Online shopping is experiencing a sharp increase in popularity in the automotive industry in 2018. The last thing that you want is for someone to see negative reviews or comments about your dealership, as this will deter them from ever clicking on your site.

Talented Workers Will Avoid You

Unfortunately, an indirect result of a customer venting about the poor experience at your establishment could be that talented professionals who are seeking a new position in the industry go out of their way to avoid applying to your business. Even if the negativity is not associated with employment at your dealership, potential employees will see your business in an unfavorable light.

Some professionals would even avoid accepting a job with a company that has a poor reputation even if they were currently unemployed. Thus, you'll miss out on talented individuals who could help grow your business if you don't make sure your reputation online stays positive.

Your Competitors Will Gain an Advantage

The trouble that arises from deterring high-level talent from wanting to work at your company isn't limited to the loss of a potential employee. If that person is set on working in the automotive industry, there's a good chance that they will end up working for one of your competitors instead.

Similarly, the customers that you miss out on will also end up at your competitors' doorstep. Over time, negative reputation can simultaneously weaken your business while strengthening those who compete with you, making the situation that much worse.

Once you start this downward spiral, they can be difficult to recover. Therefore, maintaining a positive reputation (both online and offline) is essential to making sure that you continue to thrive.

So, How do You Prevent Negative Reputation?

It all starts with catering to the needs of your customers in a timely and friendly manner. When those who enter your business feel more like people and less like sales numbers, they'll be more appreciative of the service you provide.

In the event that you do come across negative posts about your business, respond to them politely, professionally, and with a proposed method of reconciliation. That way, others who may read the post will see that you acknowledge your faults and are looking to rectify them.

With this in mind, you'll be well on your way to building a solid, positive reputation online for your potential customers to find.

Finding potential candidates for an open position can be stressful. Not only do you have to deal with the pressure of filling in the void left behind by a previous employee, but you also have to devote time to vetting applicants in a quick and efficient manner.

As you can tell, this can cause a great deal of stress to the hiring manager if your dealership implements an inefficient hiring process. Luckily, however, there are steps you can take to make the transition from applicant to employee relatively seamless.

Let's take a look.

Look for the Right Personality

This isn't to say that you should choose someone hardworking for some positions. You should choose someone hardworking regardless of the position that's open.

Everyone is naturally geared to certain types of occupations. For example, analysts are often introverted and quiet by nature. Sales team members are almost always extroverts who thrive in an environment where they verbally communicate with other people.

Similarly, the people best suited for management positions speak and act confidently, and always accept responsibility for their mistakes. While the person you're looking for will vary widely depending on the position in question, you should always make sure to consider whether or not the applicant has the natural tools to thrive.

Rework Your Interview Routine

Many companies are still stuck in the past with the way they run their daily operations. This is often evident through the continued use of old software but occasionally shows in the hiring process, as well. While factors such as background checks and previous employment are important, there are others to consider.

An applicant could be a perfect fit on paper but be stubborn and difficult to communicate with in practice. Therefore, the actual interview should be treated as an opportunity to get to know the applicants rather than just have them recite off their past achievements and experience. While technical skill and time in the industry are important, the ability to communicate, learn and take initiative when appropriate is just as vital to have.

You should also allow the interviewee to ask you questions during the interview, such as what you like most about the company or what they can realistically expect day to day if they were to become employed.

This level of transparency will not only foster a positive relationship with the future employee but will also ensure that people who do not feel up to the task don't waste your time or their own.

Maintain Positive Reviews

There are plenty of sites where former employees can post reviews of companies that they've worked at in the past. And, a surprising amount of prospective workers will check these resources before applying at a specific business.

If your company has a poor online reputation, it can drastically affect whether or not people apply for an open position. Even if the criticism stems from an employee who no longer works at your dealership, there are still lingering consequences.

Therefore, you should go above and beyond when it comes to maintaining a positive reputation online. In the event that somebody does have a negative statement about your company, it's a good idea to respond calmly, professionally, and offer a way to rectify the situation.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to recover from a handful of negative reviews. Thus, preventing them in the first place should be a top priority in order to draw more qualified employees to your dealership.

Hiring can be stressful for both the manager and applicant, but it doesn't have to be. Workers are attracted to companies that are cast in a favorable light, and they'll appreciate the depth of the communication you have with them during the interview.

As long as you make your dealership a place where employees look forward to coming to every morning, you can't go wrong.

Management can be a difficult task for almost anyone. Not only do you have to be conscious of keeping lower-level employees on track, you have to handle the tasks given to you by your superiors, as well. Thus, it's no surprise why many people simply aren't cut out for management positions.

Luckily, there are ways to ease the burden of internal management while simultaneously increasing efficiency.

Want to learn more? Let's check out how.

1. Foster Competition

Your sales team isn't going to get very far if they're complacent with their performance. The majority of the time, this complacency stems from only one source: whether or not you are pushing them to be better employees.

The term "foster" is used here intentionally. You don't want to pit your sales team against itself and make your dealership a grueling, sink-or-swim environment that is sure to result in a huge turnover rate. Instead, you'll want to encourage your salesmen to strive toward specific goals.

These can be in the form of incentives, bonuses, etc. and are entirely up for you to decide. It's important, however, to focus on positive rewards for good performance and not punishments for those whose sales numbers aren't quite so stellar.

As long as everyone on your team stays motivated to do the best they can, then you've done your job correctly.

2. Be Open-Minded

There are far too many upper-level employees at companies throughout every industry who refuse to budge from their outdated methods. Just because something used to be done a certain way doesn't mean that it's the best way to do something today.

Times change, and so do methods. Rather than log everything down by hand onto paper, you can use inventory management software to crunch the numbers. While this seems like the obvious choice, it can be difficult for some old-school managers to make the switch.

Another example is that many sales teams were taught in the past to be aggressive and to get as many signatures down as possible from customers or clients. In reality, people love to make purchases, but nobody wants to feel like they are being sold something.

This is especially true when it comes to purchasing a vehicle due to the amount of money involved. Let people make their decision on their own terms after your sales team has told them what your dealership offers and how they can benefit them. Being too pushy will do just that -- push them away and right out the door.

While some sales managers find this suggestion outlandish, consider letting your potential buyer take the rest of the week or the weekend to mull over their decision. Kindness and accommodation will not only help you close that sale, but it will also encourage the buyer to leave a positive review and tell their friends.

3. Admit Mistakes

Nobody's perfect, and you shouldn't pretend to be. If it's obvious that you've made a decision or implemented a rule that has shown to be detrimental, own up to it and move on. Trying to make excuses or find a scapegoat will only make you look unreliable and dubious.

While it may sting to face the fact that you've made a mistake, use it as a learning experience strive to never make that mistake again in the future. Years down the road, you'll be far better off rather than repeating the same mishaps you used to.

Management is a vital role, and it needs to be handled correctly. With these three tips, you'll be well on your way to improving your own performance as well as that of your sales team.