BKT (USA) Inc. has a strategy for growth that has helped it increase sales rapidly in North America. The company exceeded its original forecast by over 30% in 2010 and by 25% in 2011. And through the first quarter of this year, it was at 39% of its goal for the whole year. In fact, the company achieved its five-year growth objective of $100 million in sales in North America in just four years.

Tags: Balkrishna Industries Ltd., BKT USA, Farm tires

Stop and think about this for a moment: Conventional wisdom tells us that a retail operation — your independent tire dealership — is designed for walk-in traffic. So you spend money as an owner or manager on building a great store experience, attempting to drive in traffic with advertising, promotions, merchandising and signage. And all the while you’re keeping the search on for the next winning location for expansion. All good. Continue those efforts,

Tags: Doug Trenary, Sales training, SalesMind

The retail sales counter is a kill zone. Recently I was in an Apple retail store, and as a marketing guy, I can’t help but pay close attention to retailer/consumer behavior.

Tags: Closing a sale, Counter intelligence, Wayne Williams

Sometimes the government tries to do too much. Tire labeling and tire aging are cases in point.

Tags: Bob Ulrich, Editorial, Sticker shock, tire aging, Tire labeling

Before anyone can perform tire service, they must be trained in a myriad of techniques and procedures from identifying lifting points and raising vehicles to evaluating and repairing damaged tires.

Tags: Automotive Tire Service, Bob Bissler, Certification, Editorial, TIA, Tire Industry Association, Training

Just when you thought things were settling down on the Internet front, the playing field has changed again. Not long ago all you had to do was to create a website, find a hosting company, make a few changes here and there, and you were “good to go.” Well, times have changed.

Tags: Mobile technology, online marketing, Wayne Croswell

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As a former regional vice president running a group of retail tire and automotive outlets, rarely a week went by that a store manager wasn’t asking me for an equipment upgrade or a new piece of equipment.

Tags: Counter intelligence, Sales counter, Sales training, Wayne Williams

If you spend any time with fleets, you’ve probably heard about the CSA program, or Compliance, Safety, Accountability. CSA is the new initiative from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to measure the on-road safety performance of carriers and drivers.

Tags: Accountability), CSA (Compliance, Kevin Rohlwing, Safety, Truck tires

Let’s be honest from the start. You do not care about Twitter. Despite all of those who promote the efficacy of “social media,” you sort of laugh at the idea of being Tweeted what someone did on their lunch hour. It is laughable, really.

Tags: Business insight, Roger McManus, Twitter

You have had a hard day. Two employees did not show up for work. Customers demand the impossible and then argue about the price. Fill rates from your tire suppliers are poor and you have to call several sources to just get tires. Last year was the worst year in business and you lost $87,809. You are frustrated and tired of the hassle. Why not just sell the business and enjoy retirement?

Tags: Norm Gaither, Selling your business