From the inception of Agent Entrepreneur, we have strived to provide independent automotive F&I agents with information and resources that can help you maintain and grow your business base, keep you abreast of the latest industry news, and help you increase your income potential. Because our readers are constantly on the go, visiting dealers, attending conferences, and maintaining and updating their product & service offerings, finding time to gather new sales idea’s or to fit additional training in your daily (even weekly) schedule is not always an easy task.

That is where Agent Entrepreneur’s “Hot Tips” section of our Resources Channel comes into play. These video clips assist the agent by providing advice, insight and training on a variety of topics including compliance, customer service, selling, and customer objection handling ideas. For those who have not taken a moment or two to look at these, it is well worth the time. These tips were created to be entertaining (so as not to bore you), short and to the point, yet informative. Some even include a quick demonstration of how the concept would play out.

The Hot Tips we have published has been a huge success. I have listed below the ten most viewed video tips with a link to each tip below so that you can easily click on the title and view the corresponding video tip.

1. The F&I Manager That Creates an Advantage – There are three types of F&I or Business Managers. Those that need an advantage, those that take advantage, and those that create an advantage. Let's take a look at an F&I Manager that creates an advantage.

2. Creating an Advantage with the Three Point Turn - The turnover from sales to the business manager is an extremely important part of the F&I process. It can set the tone for a successful product presentation. This great tip will make an excellent Saturday morning sales meeting.

3. Combining Products that Go Together - Some aftermarket products go together like...peanut butter and jelly. Learn how one product sale can be used to leverage the sale of a second product with these great tips.

4. Creating an Advantage During the F&I Interview - By focusing on a product and asking the right questions, see how to create awareness and need in your customers. Learn how to wrap up the interview by making customers aware of the dealer's investment in the service and parts department.

5. Creating an Advantage with Google Maps - During the closing process, using technology that is right at your fingertips can create an awareness for your ancillary products. Learn how one F&I manager uses Google Maps to cleverly set up needs awareness for tire and wheel and paint and fabric.

6. Don’t Get Bitter, Get Better - The truly professional F&I manager overcomes less than perfect deal structure to consistently deliver outstanding performance. Watch this video every morning and let Gerry Gould inspire you to take on any challenge your dealership throws at you.

7. Creating an Advantage with Transit Wrap - The clever use of shipping materials while transitioning a customer to the purchase of a chemical product is one of the best ideas ever for selling paint and fabric. Watch how one F&I manager uses transit wrap and logic in his presentation.

8. Painting A Mental Picture - Selling intangibles in finance is tough. Watch how you can create an advantage by putting the customer in a situation where they can visualize the need for the product.

9. Creating an Advantage with a Damaged Wheel - Using props in the F&I office to open up a dialogue with customers provides visual proof of a product's benefits. See how one F&I manager uses a damaged wheel to create awareness for his tire and wheel product.

10. How Do You Answer: “Is that the Best Rate you have?” - Questions about the rate are very common these days. How do you stay compliant and answer the question "Is That the Best Rate You Have?"

Agent Entrepreneur is fast approaching the 12-month mark of our introduction of the “Hot Tips” section of our Resources Channel. This channel can be a great source of information and we are continually adding to it. So please take a moment now and then to check it out (each video ranges in length from 2-5 minutes), and if anyone has any additional information or ideas that you feel would be helpful and that may be worth posting, please contact me at the link provided below.