--- title: StrategicSource Blog description: StrategicSource Blog meta description --- [![](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/StrategicSource/LOGO---Strategic-Source---NO-TAG.png?width=350&height=104&name=LOGO---Strategic-Source---NO-TAG.png)](http://www.strategicsource.com) Open main menu Close main menu - Strategic Approach Open the submenu - [Strategic Approach](https://www.strategicsource.com/our-approach) - [Industries We Serve](https://www.strategicsource.com/vertical-markets) - [Expense Categories](https://www.strategicsource.com/expense-categories) - [Certified Supplier Program](https://www.strategicsource.com/certified-supplier-program) - Solutions Open the submenu - [Our Solutions](https://www.strategicsource.com/our-solutions) - [Profit Improvement Program](https://www.strategicsource.com/profit-improvement-program) - [ExpenseEDGE](https://www.strategicsource.com/expenseedge) - [Executive Tools](https://strategicsource.com/executive-tools/) - [Dealer Profit Alliance](https://strategicsource.com/dpa/) - [Consulting Services](https://www.strategicsource.com/consulting-services) - About Open the submenu - [About Us](https://www.strategicsource.com/about-us) - [Leadership Team](https://www.strategicsource.com/leadership-team) - [Case Studies](https://www.strategicsource.com/success-stories) - [Careers](https://www.strategicsource.com/careers) - [Testimonials](https://www.strategicsource.com/testimonials/) - [Learning & Resources](https://strategicsource.com/strategicsource-learning/) Open the submenu - [Webinars](https://www.strategicsource.com/events) - [Past Webinars](https://www.strategicsource.com/events/list/?eventDisplay=past) - [Blog](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog) - Events & News Open the submenu - [News](https://content.strategicsource.com/news) - [Contact Us](https://www.strategicsource.com/contact-us) # StrategicSource Blog #### The go-to blog for spend management best practices, that provides articles and videos on achieving cost savings and managing suppliers, as well as insights into how to be the most effective purchasing department for your business.  Select Category Cost Reduction Dealership Expense Management Expense Reduction Planning Spend Management Supplier The StrategicSource Blog Whitepapers This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/How%20Leadership%20Can%20Make%20Profitability%20Improvements%20Stick%20(2).png) ### [Maximizing Your Dealership Group Through Strategic M&A](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/diy-expense-management-for-auto-dealerships-are-you-saving-money-or-losing-time-0-0) 4/23/25 9:06 AM ## The Importance of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) for Dealerships In today’s competitive automotive landscape, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a powerful tool for dealership owners looking to expand, streamline operations, or position their business for a profitable exit. With increasing consolidation in the industry, staying ahead means understanding how M&A can impact your dealership’s future. **Table of Contents** ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/diy-expense-management-for-auto-dealerships-are-you-saving-money-or-losing-time-0-0) ![](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/How%20Leadership%20Can%20Make%20Profitability%20Improvements%20Stick.png) ### [DIY Expense Management for Auto Dealerships: Are You Saving Money or Losing Time?](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/diy-expense-management-for-auto-dealerships-are-you-saving-money-or-losing-time) 3/3/25 2:53 PM ## Think DIY expense management saves your dealership money? Think again. This blog breaks down the hidden costs, common pitfalls, and real-world examples of why managing expenses in-house often leads to lost savings. You'll also discover a smarter, more strategic approach to optimizing your dealership’s bottom line. **Table of Contents** ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/diy-expense-management-for-auto-dealerships-are-you-saving-money-or-losing-time) ### [The Ultimate Guide to a Purchasing Strategy](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-a-purchasin-strategy) 9/18/23 8:19 AM Purchasing Departments or Spend Management functions are a given in most larger organizations. They are typically charged with: - Sourcing the suppliers of services and supplies - Gathering business requirements - Building quotes and analyzing results - Negotiating with suppliers - Awarding businesses - Implementations In companies with direct materials responsibilities, the Purchasing Department also manages inventory levels, delivery performance, quality levels, service levels, and more.  ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-a-purchasin-strategy) ![](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/managing%20declining%20sales%20blog%20post%20(3)-1.png) [Expense Management,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-management) [Cost Reduction](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/cost-reduction) ### [Plugging the Holes of Revenue Leakage](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/plugging-the-holes-of-revenue-leakage) 8/23/22 11:00 AM Today's economy is confusing and difficult to manage. Sales might be going up, but many dealers are seeing unnecessary costs rising, which lowers their profits. In this article, we'll cover common sources of revenue leakage and strategies to plug the holes. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/plugging-the-holes-of-revenue-leakage) ![a close up of hands shaking](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-cytonn-photography-955395.jpg) [Supplier,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/supplier) [Expense Reduction,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-reduction) [Cost Reduction](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/cost-reduction) ### [How to Combat Price Increases Caused by Supplier Consolidation](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-to-combat-price-increases-caused-by-supplier-consolidation) 8/16/22 3:44 PM Margin compression is very real for most dealerships. As companies continue to consolidate, competition can be reduced, prices go up and a take it or leave it attitude can prevail with some suppliers - giving dealerships even more headaches to contend with. Expense categories where supplier consolidations have occurred: [McKenzie Grimes](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/mckenzie-grimes) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-to-combat-price-increases-caused-by-supplier-consolidation) ![gum stuck on the bottom of a shoe](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bubble-gum-g29a2c2dd5_1920.jpg) ### [How Leadership Can Make Profitability Improvements Stick](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-leadership-can-make-profitability-improvements-stick) 6/21/22 12:00 PM Many organizations’ profits are being challenged by compressed margins, growing expenses, flat sales and greater competition. As leaders, it is up to us to have plans in place to prevent that profit erosion and have the data, tools, reports, metrics and strategies to manage through to better results and targeted profitability. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-leadership-can-make-profitability-improvements-stick) ![an analog clock](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/clock-ga0e09fffa_1920.jpg) [Planning,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/planning) [Expense Management](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-management) ### [Sourcing Solutions to Improve Your Gross](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/sourcing-solutions-to-improve-your-gross) 6/2/22 12:00 PM A high-performing purchasing or sourcing group can make contributions to the business in a number of ways. Most people think of purchasing groups in terms of their ability to reduce costs and improve overall profitability and that is the probably the greatest focus of most groups. Additionally, purchasing’s role in the supply chain is to also ensure that the “right goods are procured, at the right cost, at the right time, at the right quality levels and in the right quantity and delivered to the right location”. Purchasing teams can also have an impact on the administrative impact of a business by ensuring that a narrow, high performing supplier base is in place vs. a large, bloated, inefficient supply base that reduces leverage and adds costs. High performing Purchasing groups can also impact your gross profits in a positive way…..in many more category areas than you might have first thought. The categories that make up goods and services that are ultimately resold to your customers are many and offer some real significant opportunities to buy for less, increase your mark-ups and sell for more - improving your gross. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/sourcing-solutions-to-improve-your-gross) ![a group of businesspeople in a board room](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-rebrand-cities-1367276.jpg) [Expense Reduction,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-reduction) [Expense Management](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-management) ### [How to Create a Strategic Spend Map \[Free Template\]](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-to-create-a-strategic-spend-map-free-template) 5/10/22 2:00 PM Business leaders face many challenges and many opportunities every day. If leading your organization to reduced costs and improved profitability  is a course you have chosen, developing an aggressive objective and an executable plan are essential next steps. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/how-to-create-a-strategic-spend-map-free-template) ![a man at a dealership holding a clipboard](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-antoni-shkraba-7144179.jpg) [Expense Reduction,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-reduction) [Expense Management,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-management) [Dealership](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/dealership) ### [Why Dealerships are Overspending (And How to Cut Costs)](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/why-dealerships-are-overspending-and-how-to-cut-costs) 4/26/22 11:45 AM There is no question that dealerships are focused on cutting costs. We see it in our business, we heard it at NADA and we talked with suppliers at NADA who were honing in on that message as well. Cut costs and track the reductions…a great objective for any business or non-profit. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/why-dealerships-are-overspending-and-how-to-cut-costs) ![a pile of puzzle pieces](https://content.strategicsource.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/hans-peter-gauster-3y1zF4hIPCg-unsplash.jpg) [Expense Reduction,](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/expense-reduction) [Cost Reduction](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/tag/cost-reduction) ### [Is Your Cost Reduction Tactical or Strategic?](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/is-your-cost-reduction-tactical-or-strategic) 4/11/22 1:00 PM Most business organizations find themselves involved in cost reduction initiatives from time to time. To sustain an organization over the long term, cost reduction efforts need to become deeply ingrained in the business structure itself and that is usually accomplished through a Spend Management or Purchasing Department. Purchasing is typically charged with sourcing, quoting, negotiation, implementation and supply base management responsibilities including compliance audits. ![Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SSI20218.jpeg?width=45&name=SSI20218.jpeg) [Doug Austin](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/author/doug-austin) [Read More](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/is-your-cost-reduction-tactical-or-strategic) [1](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog) [2](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/page/2) [3](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/page/3) [4](https://content.strategicsource.com/blog/page/4) #### Main Pages - [Home](https://strategicsource.com/) - [About Us](https://strategicsource.com/about-us/) - [Our Approach](https://strategicsource.com/our-approach/) #### Solutions - [Profit Improvement Program](https://strategicsource.com/profit-improvement-program/) - [ExpenseEDGE](https://strategicsource.com/expenseedge/) - [Executive Tools](https://strategicsource.com/executive-tools/) #### Key Links - [Webinars](https://strategicsource.com/events/) - [Testimonials](https://strategicsource.com/testimonials/) - [Contact Us](https://strategicsource.com/contact-us/) ### Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter! 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