Maggie Music

When it comes to any business environment, the requirement for training is always important and this does not differ in the automotive industry. Automotive sales training is essential in the vehicle field but there normally seems to be a separation in training when it comes to the service department and the sales department.In the sales department the target is on developing rapport and mastering sales techniques which would enable a person to make connections with clients so as to sell cars. However, in service departments the focus is on vehicle knowledge and taking the consumer’s order. The issue with this type of automotive training is that while vehicle knowledge is essential, you would limit your profit opportunities when you don’t have a person who could make sales to further your service department opportunities.

Your service advisor is often the person who performs the meet and greet with customers, assessing what the client is looking for and recommending extra services. While this individual might have a vast amount of knowledge on the customer’s vehicle, when they can’t convey this information in a convincing and informative manner they will likely be turned down for extra services. When an individual participates in service advisor training, the knowledge is vital but the focus should be on creating an individual who could make sales in addition to the services a client comes in for. This would increase your opportunity for profit and exponentially improve your automotive service department’s financial contribution.

Another example of a need for reassessment is found with a company’s service manager training. The service manager serves a vital role in the service department as they’re responsible for all aspects including associates, sales, and service. When your service manager’s focus on the wrong areas, your department would probably suffer from low sales and menial production. When your service manager training has a main focus on sales and sales techniques, this person can place a greater demand on their service advisors, increasing sales, and becoming a vital part of the dealerships financial opportunities. Every car owner requires their vehicle maintained in order to keep it running at peak efficiency and its the responsibility of the service manager to ensure that their advisors not just convey that message to customers but that they do so with effective sales techniques.

Automotive training is essential in the vehicle industry but make sure you’re applying the right form of training where required.

ALWAYS PUTTING MUSIC UNDER A RADIO DJ’S VOICE In a recent issue of my Radio Programming Letter, I wrote at length about “MUSIC, CONVERSATION and THE ILLUSION OF FORWARD MOMENTUM.” In a nutshell: In response to a subscriber’s query, I said it’s stupid for radio stations to have a music bed playing underneath every jock’s voice every time a jock speaks. Not surprisingly, my remarks generated lots of feedback. Mostly along the lines of, “THANK YOU! I’ve been trying to explain this to my PD/consultant.” A radio presenter in the UK attempted to put me in my place: “Dan, “I love reading your newsletter, it’s so often full of useful tips and advice, but I think I can pick apart your argument about using bedsaE¦ “You said that AMERICAN IDOL doesn’t use beds when the judges are giving their comments. Maybe not, but what about at the end when there are two contestants left and it is being decided which one is going home? I bet there’s a tension bed running in the background! There is here in the UK on X FACTOR, BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT, DANCING ON ICE, and all our other reality TV shows. And the reason these beds are there? A bed can change the mood of what is happening. “Why do we get incidental music in films? When the happy couple finally get together at the end there’s always a happy tune that strikes up in the background — it’s emotive, it’s building on emotions, tugging on heartstrings, and enhancing the atmosphere. “If I’m wrong then I’m wrong, but if that’s the case, then why is there music in films???”

]I thanked the subscriber for his kind words about my Programming Letter. ButaE¦. I’m afraid he didn’t succeed in picking apart my argument, because I was referring specifically to the practice of always putting a music bed underneath conversational elements — i.e., one or more people talking. The examples he gave are using sound to enhance the emotional impact when conversation is absent. If your caller has 10 seconds to come up with the answer to your tough trvia question, playing the “musical clock” adds to the fun and to the suspense. The only two reality show I’ve ever seen is THE CONTENDER (Season One). The climax of each episode of THE CONTENDER was a tightly edited, condensed version of that week’s fight. There was “exciting” music during the fight’s highlights. But when the ring announcer pulled down the microphone to declare the winner, the music came to an abrupt halt. Why? Because everyone wanted to hear what he was going to say. Because at that the moment, the drama is in the words. Then why is there music in films??? First: Most music in films isn’t used very well. I’m guessing the percentage of “badly used film music” is approximately the same as “bad radio.” Don’t take my word for it. Ask any good film composer. Second: When used properly, the music enhances the emotional response the filmmaker wants to elicit Third: Just as in radio, many directors use music in an attempt to force the illusion of an emotion the scene is not able to deliver on its own.

The action ISN’T exciting; but maybe if we add loud, pulsating music we can make the audience THINK it’s exciting. OraE¦. The tender moment between these two characters plays out completely flat. The actors share absolutely no chemistry. Or they’re not very good actors. Or the dialogue is bad. Or the story is lame. Solution? Bring on the violins! When it’s used well in movies, music enhances the emotional impact that already exists in a scene. For a superb lesson in how to use music in movies, watch THE SIXTH SENSE again. There is almost NO music in that film. Very, very little. But when there IS music, it notches up the scene’s creepiness to an almost unbearable level. Sustaining tension throughout a 90-minute film without resorting to cheap tricks requires a lot of artistry and skill. Even 40 years after it was made, FAIL-SAFE remains what critics would call a “gripping drama.” It’s relentlessly tense. FAIL-SAFE benefited from an immensely talented director; a good story; a fine script; and a consistently strong cast. Oh, and one more thing: It didn’t use a drop of music. Not a single note. Y’see, when in just a few minutes a nuclear war (started by accident) might destroy Life As We Know It, we really don’t need John Williams to musically yell, “HEY, THIS SURE IS TENSE!!!” But How About Live Theatre? Although — especially in recent years — “incidental music” occasionally is used in stage productions, I’m not aware of any non-musicals that play music while an actor is delivering his lines. Why should they? They’ve got the actors. They’ve got the audience. It’s an intimate experience. That’s what makes good (even not-so-good) theatre so exciting: The performers and the audience are collaborating to produce a dialogue between them. Intimacy. Y’know, kind of like radio’s biggest strength: the ability to communicate one-to-one.

Music connects minds and hearts. It has become part and parcel of movies to appeal to millions. Soul-stirring music is in demand as background score and theme track. That is why songwriters and music composers are on high. Licensing music is a buzzword for them to get known and make money. Sticky music licensing is a bit of cherry for upcoming artists to make the most of their musical repertoires. Moviemakers are on a hunt for fresh and innovative music to connect with their target audiences. Have music licensing for movies to get your musical talent showcased on the silver screen. It has set music business on a moving wheel. It is unique to a thriving music business. Songs add to the appeals of full screen moves and ads films. The producer of a movie needs to obtain a synchronization license from the writer of the songs that he or she has chosen for the movie. It is a kind of sticky music licensing that endows the producer with legal rights to synchronize the songs with the moving images in the movie. A master usage license is another need for the producer of the movie to record the songs on the CD. The producer must negotiate it with person holding rights to the music. Or else, he or she is required to deal directly with the self-released artist. While dealing with an artist who self releases his own record and has assigned his publishing rights to no one, the producer should negotiate with the artist as well as the producer for a synchronization license and a master usage license both of which music licensing for movies consists of. If you wish to get your songs filmed, you have to walk a long distance from copyrighting your songs to obtaining sticky music licensing. You need to know a lot about how to get your music licensed. Make a list of things that are beyond your knowledge but that are necessary in seeking license for your music. Make sure to dig out why the producer of a movie needs your music, what music royalties are, what the types of music licensing for movies are, how music licensing fees work and what the types of writing assignments are. Following a systematic procedure will make your path to obtain sticky music licensing easier. Get your music business started with a license in hand. So, come out of the shell to get recognition for your musical creativity.

People are always saying, “I wish I could live a dog’s life”, but what do dogs do all day long? What is your dog’s hobby, how do they keep busy and exactly what occupies their time? Your dog’s hobby is toys. Dog toys are your dog’s life. That is why it is important to get your dog toys that are interesting, challenging, and enjoyable and will keep their attention.There are many dog toys on the market today, but you want a toy that is fun for your dog and safe. Make sure that there are no small parts sewed onto the toy that could be chewed off and swallowed. Balls and other dog toys should be large enough that your dog cannot swallow them.A dog food or treat dispensing toy will challenge your dog as your dog works to remove it. This is a good dog toy for overweight dogs as it slows down the mealtime process. Stuffed squeaky toys will keep your dog enthused for hours. Make sure it has bright colors and embroidered detail or eyes. Embroidery will stay put and can’t be swallowed. Reinforced stitching is important to add to the longevity of the dog toy. Real antlers naturally shed by wild deer are collected, cut, cleaned and packaged as dog chew toys. These antlers make great dog chew toys because they are nonsplintering and dogs love them.Dogs need people time to reduce stress and feel loved. Interactive dog toys enhance the bond between you and your pet. Try playing catch with a frisbee or ball, or play hide and seek with your dog and a dog toy.Everyone is going green and that goes for the dogs too. There are many dog toys on the market today that are packaged in and made of recyclable material. A toy dog bone made out of megalastomer in an environmentally friendly solar powered facility and is recyclable will make your dog feel like he’s doing his part to help our environment. There are also dog toys made out of 85% recycled IntelliLoft fibers and stuffed with IntelliLoft fiber fill. This stuffed dog toy is created from soda pop bottles.Give your dog only a few toys at a time and rotate them weekly. This will keep your dog interested in all of his toys. If your dog has a favorite toy you’ll want to leave it out all the time.Your dog should have one toy to carry, one to “kill”, one to roll and one as a “baby”. Just like people dogs need variety and have a variety of needs.There are many pet stores that allow you take your dog into the store with you. Taking your dog to the pet store makes a great outing and your dog can pick out their own toy.Dog toys are fun for dogs and can be fun for the humans that play with the dog and their toy. Get interested in your dogs hobby and fetch your dog a toy.