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Secretary of State holiday closures for 2020

Dealers who utilize SOS branch offices for business or personal use may want to make note of these 2020 holiday closures.

 

  • New Year’s Day, January 1.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 20.
  • President’s Day, February 17.
  • Memorial Day, May 25.
  • Independence Day, July 3.
  • Labor Day, September 7.
  • General Election Day, November 3
  • Veterans Day, November 11.
  • Thanksgiving Day, November 26 and 27.
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25.
  • New Year’s Eve, December 31.
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Jan. 15 Webinar: Steps to Make Dealership Websites Accessible

People with a variety of auditory, visual, physical and/or cognitive disabilities use assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, text enlargement tools, programs to control computers by voice) to enable computer use. According to the U.S. Department of Justice the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to public-facing commercial websites; now is a good time for franchised dealerships to evaluate their websites for accessibility compliance.
If a dealership’s website is not compatible with assistive technologies, disabled customers may not be able to shop for vehicles, make online parts purchases or learn more about what the dealership offers them. Web accessibility also boosts a dealership’s search engine optimization efforts and improves organic search rankings. In addition to losing potential sales, dealerships risk facing legal action. To date, plaintiffs across the country have asserted that websites for businesses, including dealerships, do not provide equal access under the ADA for persons with disabilities. These dealerships have often settled to prevent expensive litigation, making a commitment to improve website accessibility.
Most public-facing dealership websites involve vehicle OEMS, website developers, vendors and other content providers; addressing dealership website accessibility is complex because each of these entities exerts control over, has responsibility for, manages and/or provides content to dealership websites.
More information from NADA:
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Melting Away Winter Myths

woman blowing into tissue while in the snow

There are plenty of seemingly well-known facts that can make you want to give winter the cold shoulder. You’ve probably heard about the various phenomena in winter that can cause illness or other health problems and accepted them as fact. In reality, a lot of the common “facts” about winter are more fiction than truth.

Here are some of the top myths about winter busted and some of the lesser-known facts:

Cold weather makes you sick: MYTH
While the incidences of colds do rise in the winter months, the weather is not to blame. Experts believe the rise is due to the increase in time spent indoors, resulting in germ exchanges.

Going outside with wet hair can cause a cold: MYTH
Wet hair might cause you to be cold while you’re outside and while you’re warming up after, but the only thing that causes a cold is bacteria.

Sunscreen isn’t necessary in the winter: MYTH
Sunscreen is needed year-round. Not only does it protect against sunburn, but it keeps your skin healthy by blocking UV rays. Even though you may not be tanning in the winter, you are still subjected to the negative impacts of being in the sun.

The weather affects your mood: FACT
You may notice that people seem happier in the summer. This is because the instances of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) rise in the winter. The lack of sunlight contributes to this condition.

Washing your hands can prevent illness: FACT
Most viruses are spread by germs that have been transmitted to hands. Simply washing your hands effectively can dramatically reduce the risk of illness.

You can get the flu from the flu shot: MYTH
The flu vaccine does not contain any live viruses and therefore can’t cause the flu. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms after receiving the vaccine as the body develops an immune response to it. The symptoms, while undesirable, are not the flu and are far less severe than those of the flu.

You can still get allergies in the winter: FACT
While we may not notice allergies in these months, allergies can be present all year. The cause of allergies changes with the seasons. While spring allergies may be pollen-related, winter allergies might be due to indoor allergens lurking in the air.

There’s no need to be frozen with fear, just make sure you’re keeping yourself safe year-round.

What are some things you’ve heard about winter that you thought were true but recently learned were myths?

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This article was originally published on www.ahealthiermichigan.org, a website sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Blue Cross and MADA are your trusted partners in building a healthier business and workforce.

Photo credit: AntonioGuillem

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Register today for the MADA Annual Meeting!

The 2019 MADA Annual Meeting is your opportunity to get insight into the dealership of tomorrow. This year’s speakers will provide you with an industry forecast, information and guidance to better assist customers as needs and expectations evolve, and a regulatory update to keep your business operations running smooth. Click here for registration and keep reading to learn more about the speakers and sessions.
VISA and MC Surcharges (11:00 am)
Credit card surcharges are taking a big bite out of dealers’ profits. This session will cover many of the issues dealers are questioning about surcharges. Can businesses pass these processing fees on to the customer? Does it make good business sense to pass the cost along? And if so, how does a dealer go about implementing the change?

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (11:30 am)

We are honored to be joined by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. There have been a lot of changes and regulations handed down from her department recently. While some of these changes were in process before she took office, a new leader has new ideas for the industries she oversees. This will be a great opportunity to hear Secretary Benson’s plans moving forward and offer your own insights and feedback on Michigan’s franchised dealer industry.

Lunch, Board Meeting & Annual Meeting (12:15 pm) 
Get an update on the association, regulatory topics and legislation affecting you and your business. We will also present a brief session on The Sales Process of Today, and How Can MADA Help? This session will get your input on dealership training. What are dealers currently doing, and how can MADA support your in-house training programs as employee and customer needs evolve?
 
Electric Vehicles…the Follow Up (1:00 pm)
Michigan’s EV economy is growing. Consumers are interested in learning about EVs and there is an opportunity for dealers to become a bigger resource for information. DTE and Consumers Energy will explain how dealers can support EV customers during and after the purchase. Dealers will be provided information and handouts about different levels of charging stations, charging station maps and rebates for in-home systems. This information can then be provided to customers considering an electric vehicle.
 
Keynote Speaker, Glenn Mercer
Dealership of Tomorrow: 2019 Update (1:30 pm)
In 2016 NADA commissioned research on how the American new-car franchised dealership system is evolving, looking at trends ranging from the rate of consolidation of ownership to the potential impact of electric cars, with a target forecast date of 2025. The final report was released in 2017, and was well received. As the world continues to evolve, NADA asked for an update of the report, and a corresponding extension of the forecast period, to the late 2020s. The final report will be presented at NADA 2020 in Las Vegas, but MADA is offering members the opportunity to see the results in advance, in a detailed presentation by the lead researcher, Glenn Mercer.
 
Networking Reception (3:00 pm)

Nominee for 2020 TIME Dealer of the Year: Colleen Chapleski

MADA is pleased to announce that Colleen Chapleski, dealer at Dean Arbour Ford of Tawas, is MADA’s nominee for the 2020 TIME Dealer of the Year award.

Ms. Chapleski, MADA’s 2018 MADA, is one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 103rd annual NADA Show in Las Vegas on February 15, 2020. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious honors. Recipients are among the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service.

Ms. Chapleski’s father instilled in her a passion for giving back. “The example my dad set for me when I started in the automotive industry is something that has led me to get involved in the community,” she said. “He made it a priority to make a positive impact in the areas where our dealerships are located.”

To that end, she recently created the Dean Arbour Memorial Scholarship, which will honor her father and help local students further their educations. She also supports the Tawas Area Sports Boosters and Ford Drive 4 UR School, a program that generates money for local schools when test drives are taken.

MADA congratulates Ms. Chapleski on this recognition and applauds her for her commitment to the automotive industry and her community.
Photo of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to Attend MADA Annual Meeting

We are honored to have Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson join us during the 2019 MADA Annual Meeting. She will bring us up to date on her priorities for 2020, plus discuss upcoming improvements for Michigan residents and dealership operations. This is your opportunity to hear Secretary Benson’s plans moving forward and offer your own insights and feedback on Michigan’s franchised dealer industry. We hope you make plans to attend!
MADA Annual Meeting
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Kellogg Center in East Lansing
More information will be mailed to dealerships soon!
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Long-Term Life Planning Blueprint

senior couple working on their finances at home

To many, the concept of the future seems scary. Most of us live in the present and might not even know what we’re having for breakfast tomorrow. While it’s easy to only look at the not-so-distant future, it’s incredibly important to plan for your long-term needs. It’s never too early to be prepared.

Here are three key ways to make sure your family isn’t left not knowing your wishes in the event of a tragedy or unexpected setback.

  1. Create an estate plan. Estate planning is creating a plan for how your estate will be managed and who will manage it throughout your life and after death. When planning where your belongings will go, it’s also important to consider the other implications that it will pose to the beneficiaries, such as tax and legal effects. Federal and state taxes on estates can be some of the highest. It may seem unnecessary to a college student, but experts encourage young adults in their 20s to start estate planning. It’s always helpful in the event of a tragedy and only requires a few important legal documents.
  2. Designate a power of attorney. Everyone should also have a designated power of attorney. POAs are commonly selected when someone gets to retirement age, however you may select a POA anytime after your 18th birthday. Special circumstances may prompt the need for a POA earlier in life. This person has the power to act on your behalf if you are ever deemed incapable. It should be someone you trust, who knows you well and who would be comfortable making very difficult decisions. Always ask your desired power of attorney if they are okay with the responsibility before you officially designate them as POA.
  3. Consider long-term care insurance. Unlike traditional health insurance, long-term care insurance is designed to help you in the event of a long-term service need. These policies reimburse the policyholder for daily needs such as food, bathing, etc. The cost associated with the policy varies based on a variety of factors, but it is recommended that you apply for long-term care insurance in your 50s. At this age, your health is generally pretty good and you’re able to add coverage down the road if you need it. Learn more about supplemental insurance options to consider here.

For all of these decisions, it is recommended that you consult with a trusted professional advisor to make sure you are choosing the best option for you. They can also offer legal advice in the event of uncertainty.

Long-term planning may seem like a major undertaking, but you can set smaller tasks and goals to accomplish all the planning you need. Breaking it up will help to make it more manageable.

Conversations such as these can be hard, but they are necessary and can save you and your loved ones from confusion down the road.

This article was originally published on www.ahealthiermichigan.org, a website sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Blue Cross and MADA are your trusted partners in building a healthier business and workforce.

Photo credit: PeopleImages

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Training Reminder for Standalone Class B Dealers

Please note: this does NOT apply to Class A/B…or supplementals to a Class A license

The Michigan Department of State recently mailed dealer license renewals. This is a good time to remind standalone Class B dealers that new regulations require renewing Class B dealers to have a designated employee at each retail sales location that has completed the standard or continuing education dealer training program. A single individual cannot be the designated employee for more than three (3) locations.

When renewing a dealer license, standalone Class B dealers (those not connected to an A license) must sign and certify that this requirement will be done (or has been done). Dealers will have a short grace period after renewal to meet the designated individual training requirement; however, it is recommended that training be completed in advance. The training will be verified by the state in 2020 and violations will be written for non-compliance.

For more information, refer to this March 2019 bulletin from the state, or this FAQ with a link to the training schedule. If you have further questions please contact Jean Quinn at (800) 292-1923 or email jquinn@michiganada.org.

Dealership of Tomorrow: 2019 Update

In 2016 NADA commissioned research on how the American new-car franchised dealership system is evolving, looking at trends ranging from the rate of consolidation of ownership to the potential impact of electric cars, with a target forecast date of 2025. The final report was released in 2017, and was well received.

As the world continues to evolve, NADA asked for an update of the report, and a corresponding extension of the forecast period, to the late 2020s. The final report will be released in late 2019, and presented at NADA 2020 in Las Vegas. MADA is offering our members the opportunity to see the results prior to the NADA Show, in a detailed presentation by the lead researcher, Glenn Mercer.

All dealerships are experiencing change of various levels. As an association, we are helping with a greater number of licensing changes. We are communicating with manufacturers on behalf of dealers, and we know dealers are talking about methods to manage the changing customer shopping patterns and expectations.

This presentation from Glenn Mercer is important to dealers who want valuable insight into the dealership of tomorrow. What do you need to be doing now to be prepared down the road?

 

Please add this year’s Annual Meeting to your calendar:

December 4, 2019
Kellogg Center, East Lansing

REAL ID may affect you, especially if you travel by air

On Oct. 1, 2020, the federally mandated REAL ID law goes into effect, and if you travel by air, this law will impact you. REAL ID is the post-9/11 federal requirement that sets higher security standards for identification. Once in effect, a REAL ID will be required to board any U.S. flight or to enter some federal facilities. A REAL ID can be a U.S. Passport or an Enhanced Driver’s License – or you can turn your standard driver’s license into a REAL ID at the Secretary of State’s office. Learn more about the law and what documents you need to bring to get a REAL ID at Michigan.gov/REALID.