Achieving Excellence in Dealer/Distributor Performance

Achieving Excellence in Dealer/Distributor Performance offers in-depth management coaching in each of these areas -- machinery sales, rentals, service, parts and customer training and retention, and is filled with practical programs to strengthen and increase profitability, cash flow and customer retention. Improving an industrial equipment business has four requirements: 1. Measure the dealership against proper benchmark metrics. These 48 Critical Profit Variables are covered in detail in this text. 2. Determine where you stand, find the gaps in your performance, Comprehensive self-assessment tools are provided. 3. Identify “best practices” of high-performance dealers. Recommendations are made for each business area. 4. Energize your company into a continuous improvement program. Numerous team discussion projects are included in the text. McDonald Group Institute for Dealer Development founder and author Walter McDonald has based this text on 40 years’ experience in dealer management consulting and over 2,650 dealer management workshops. In many ways, this book is a written reflection of Walt’s live dealer management seminars. If you are familiar with his work, you know that he focuses on the real value generating activities of the business. He is in the trenches with the dealer managers and field sales and aftermarket reps who create real value and make it happen every hour of every day in the dealership. McDonald’s dealer management guide is an absorbing refresher for informed senior executives and a highly useful handbook for those future dealer leaders and related OEM managers on the way up. “This dealer guide actually contains two books, one book with benchmarks and advice on what the numbers mean and the second book on how to improve the numbers. This manuscript could have been subtitled: ‘real metrics, real solutions.’ The dealer/distributor can analyze its business operations through the performance yardsticks presented in this timely publication. By Nick W. McGaughey, CPA, “This dealer text is very well thought out, well written, easy to read and follow. I believe it will be very beneficial to dealer principals and operating managers. By Dr. Shankar Basu, CEO Toyota-Lift of Los Angeles“I particularly like the section ‘How This Book Can Help’ included early on in the work to help the user focus in on their primary trouble spot. I also appreciate the inclusion of the page on ‘Terminology.’ I think it does a good job of setting up the frame of reference for the user.” By Jim Johnson, Former Dealer Development Manager, Navistar“I very much believe this will be a very beneficial tool to any dealership wanting to set achievement points to their success in all areas of operation.” By Mike O’Donnell, President & CEO, Stuart Tank Sales“This type of manual for a Dealer Principal is new and I think it is needed.” By Bill L. Ryan, President, LiftOne“Everything in this book is on target and relevant to running a successful dealership in today’s world.” By John Shearer, General Manager Construction and Forestry, 4Rivers Equipment“This book has given me the opportunity to reflect, review and compare our current processes to the industry specific benchmarks that are discussed in the book. This effort has challenged me to go back to the basics of good business and review those (points) with others in our organization.” By Stuart Thompson President, Garrison Toyota Material Handling“This is a new manager training tool. I think new line managers should be reading this book so they understand how a Dealer Principal thinks when he looks at his business metrics and challenges.” By Joe Verzino, President, LifTech

Walter McDonald, founder of The McDonald Group, Inc., focuses on marketing and business strategies and executive education. He is a respected forklift, construction equipment and heavy-duty truck industry seminar leader. His consulting assignments utilize workshops and traditional diagnostic tools to assist dealers improve operations.

Walter has published 68 articles in MHEDA Journal and CE Distribution on growth strategy, sales/marketing management, manufacturer-distributor relations, aftermarket marketing and operations and customer retention.

Walter is a popular management coach, specializing in customized training programs. Walter has conducted over 2,650 workshops in North America, Europe and the Far East.

His adult education clients include Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), American Rental Association (ARA), Deere, Ditch Witch, CASE, Komatsu, Caterpillar, Bobcat, Bobcat Europe and Far East, Vermeer, Vermeer Australia and JCB.

He also has done adult education projects for the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA), Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America and Europe, Komatsu, HYSTER, Yale, TOYOTA, NISSAN-TCM, Clark, Kohler, ThermoKing, Volvo Trucks, Kenworth, Freightliner, Peterbilt, Mack, Emergency-One Fire Truck, Trimble Navigation and, distributors worldwide.

Prior to consulting, Walter held industrial sales, sales training, marketing and general management positions including Vice President and General Manager of a $160 million distributor. His early career was in selling and installing business computers. Walter received his Management Consultant Certification (CMC) from the Institute of Management Consultants. He graduated Cum Laude from Louisiana State University, with a B.A. in Economics, attended M.I.T.'s Sloan School of Management and pursued graduate studies in marketing and finance at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business. Contact Walter at walt@mcdonaldgroupinc.com. Or, visit mcdonaldgroupinc.com.