Beyond The First Pencil

Hosted by Kathi Kruse and Mike theCarGuy Correra

Business Management Commentary

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Episodes

131

Latest episode

Jun 2025

Language

EN-US

About the show

Beyond The First Pencil is where dealership operations meet financial reality. Hosted by Kathi Kruse, of Kruse Control and Automotive CFO-To-Go™, this podcast is for dealers, OEMs, GMs, and controllers who want more than surface-level advice. You’ll get straight talk on financial statements, internal controls, cash flow, and the operational gaps that quietly erode profit. From gross to net, from process to profit, each episode delivers real-world insights on how dealerships actually make money… and where they lose it. Because selling cars is one thing. Keeping the profit is another.

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60 recent

June 3, 2025Episode 853 min

Is Social Media Still Worth It for Car Dealers?

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Social media isn’t dead—but it’s definitely not what it used to be. In this episode, we dig into the shifting landscape of social platforms and what it means for car dealers trying to stay visible and relevant. Is organic reach a thing of the past? Are paid ads worth the spend? Tune in as we break down what’s working, what’s not, and how to rethink your social media strategy before wasting another dollar—or minute—online.Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - Rick Derringer & The Edgar Winter Group | The Midnight Speciala-ha - Take On Me (Official Video) [4K]👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

May 20, 2025Episode 751 min

Ego: The Hidden Expense Killing Dealership Culture

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈In this episode, we dig into one of the most overlooked threats to dealership performance: ego-driven leadership. From plummeting morale to costly turnover and stalled growth, unchecked egos can quietly drain profits and poison culture. We’ll explore how to recognize the signs, shift from control to collaboration, and build a team environment where respect—not ego—drives results.May 19th: Anniversary of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis’ deathDoc series: American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

May 13, 2025Episode 643 min

Desktop is Not Dead (and other marketing musings)

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Dealership marketers, buckle up—things are shifting again. A new study reveals that desktop usage is making a surprising comeback, throwing a wrench in mobile-first assumptions. Meanwhile, Meta’s unleashing AI bots on Facebook that want to "befriend" your customers (creepy, right?) Google's latest Business Profile update is cracking down on image uploads, and Instagram’s user experience? Let’s just say... it’s seen better days. In this episode, we unpack what these changes mean, how they could impact your store's digital visibility, and what to do next to stay ahead of the chaos.Twitter: Breaking The Bird documentaryCyndi Lauper Doc: Let The Canary Sing👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

April 29, 2025Episode 559 min

Likes Are Not Leads for Car Dealerships

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Many dealerships pour time and money into chasing likes, comments, and shares — but what happens when all that engagement doesn't move a single unit? In this episode, we unpack the myth that social media popularity equals sales success. Learn why focusing on vanity metrics wastes resources and how to shift your strategy toward real-world results that actually drive dealership profitability.Then, we talk about how in times of uncertainty, hesitation is more dangerous than a wrong decision. We dive into why true leadership demands decisiveness, how delays can cost the dealership its momentum, and why clear direction — even in imperfect conditions — builds stronger teams and better results.Music+ segment:HBO: White Lotus, The Righteous GemstonesLemmy and Motorhead(you are going to want to see this one) Cher and Gregg Allman “Love Me” SOSA Undercover👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

April 15, 2025Episode 442 min

You Can’t Spell Tariffs Without FFS

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Let’s talk about the scary stuff—aka uncertainty. If you’ve been in the car business for more than a minute, you’ve seen your share of storms. We’ve weathered recessions, inventory shortages, interest rate hikes—you name it. And we’ll get through this round too. But seriously... can someone hit pause on the madness?Now, here’s something that’s been on Kathi’s radar lately: dealers who desperately need accounting help—cleanups, compliance fixes, the works—but hesitate when it comes time to pay experienced professionals what they’re worth. It's like calling the fire department, then arguing about the water bill.👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

April 2, 2025Episode 342 min

Maximizing ROI in a Tightening Marketing Budget Era

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Marketing budgets are getting tighter, but the pressure to bring in leads hasn’t let up. In this episode, we break down how dealerships can stretch their marketing dollars further, cut the fluff, and focus on what actually drives traffic and sales. Whether you’re a GM, GSM, or marketing manager, you’ll pick up real-world tips to boost ROI without blowing the budget.Lily Ray on TwitterThe Pitt (HBO)Hacks (HBO)👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

March 25, 2025Episode 248 min

The High Cost of Brand Betrayal

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈What happens when beloved brands make moves that contradict their core identity? In this episode, we dive into Southwest Airlines’ quiet removal of its “First Bag Flies Free” policy and Elon Musk’s increasingly controversial influence on Tesla. From customer trust to brand erosion, we unpack how decisions at the top can ripple through brand equity—and what it really costs when companies stop honoring what made them iconic in the first place.Music segment:Who’s listening to full CDs/Albums? We are! Are you?New Order Power: Corruption & LiesPearl Jam: TenCher & Gregg Allman - Love Me (Old Grey Whistle Test, Nov 15, 1977)Kathi’s must watch: The Righteous Gemstones👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

March 11, 2025Episode 152 min

Does Great Customer Experience = More Car Deals?

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈We are back from hiatus and Mike’s got a new job!Kathi shares a story to introduce today’s topic around customer experience.Mike tells us how one simple relationship turned into four car deals and counting.He also shares a pretty epic real-time 5 star review story from a dealership non-customer.Here’s the link to the CD player Kathi gotBecoming Katherine Graham documentary on Amazon PrimeParadise on HuluBlue Monday - New Order👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

December 20, 2024Episode 3354 min

New Study Reveals Car Dealers’ SEO Blind Spot: Google Business Profiles

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈This week, we circle back to a subject that is near and dear to us: Google My Business, aka Google Business Profiles. These profiles are super helpful in local SEO/search and adding photos regularly is a best practice. SearchLab has just completed a car dealer study and let’s just say, the industry is losing out on some powerful marketing by ignoring even the simple, easy tactics.We also discuss the possible merger of Honda and Nissan. Something neither of us could have imagined ten years ago. Music segment:The Pogues Red Roses for Me 40th Anniversary in Dublin (Spider Stacy singing lead) The Pogues live at 3Arena, Dublin, 17 Dec 2024 — 'Dirty Old Town'Documentary: Phil Collins: Drummer First👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com

December 12, 2024Episode 3249 min

Is Social Media Still a Smart Investment of Your Time?

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Instagram's recent decision to remove the ability to search by #hashtags marks the end of an era for social media users. In this episode, we reflect on the impact of losing this once-powerful discovery tool. We also explore a growing trend among tech companies — prioritizing features no one asked for, while phasing out the ones that users rely on most.Music:Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s chart dominance in 1984George Jones and Elvis Costello HBO Special (April 28th, 1981)👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈Got a question? Email either of us!Kathi: kathi@krusecontrolinc.comMike: mikethecarguy@outlook.com