Hello and welcome to probably the last time you and I shall speak before the Motor Finance Power 50. I hope it’s not the last time we speak, overall. Talking of talking, many of you will have noticed my sudden change of behaviour on the LinkedIn website. The sad truth is I finally found how to see all my secondary connections (meaning I may not know you but I know somebody who does; or, I know you but I’m only pals with your workmates, according to this networking website) listed and available to contact.

I’ve gone from 130 to – let me check – 259 connections (as I type). This is (a) something to boast about, aren’t I the most popular thing on the internet? and (b) something to be ashamed of, look at the online media specialist only just working out how a networking portal works.

In case you haven’t come across the Motor Finance group on LinkedIn, I suggest you do. All our online stories are posted on there (eventually), and I try to run a debate alongside all of them (except Fleet Friday, obituaries and rare examples where discussion appears not needed).

One such topic sparking debate this month has been PPI. Now, this particular thread was actually begun in June 2011 (so yah boo sucks to those sniggering about my use of the website).

However, such is the circular nature of these things – every other month seems to bring PPI headlines – but the fear of which add-on product will be next after PPI is in our minds once more as legislation swells and the hammers of Whitehall pound the earth, again.

As Shaun Harris, sales director at Codeweavers, put it: "The challenge in years to come on add on products is to be able to sell them to the increasing consumer block that wants to buy remotely, via e-commerce routes, in a professional and FCA-compliant manner. One provider is working on this already with us which should lead to some exciting developments for dealers."

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And, as Jim Meldrum, regional sales manager at First Response Finance, replied: "Markets change and those companies who change with the market will thrive and those that don’t will not.

"More and more consumers are taking the ‘if your names not on the list then you’re not getting in’ attitude to all types of selling. They surround themselves, their familiy and their homes with high defensive walls and use the internet to gather vast amounts of information on a colossal scale before they approach sellers/businesses/showrooms face-to-face.

That makes e-commerce a major gateway into the homes of a growing number of potential customers who are preferring to remain anonymous for much longer in the decision process than before.

"So if your names not on the list then good luck!"

There are further comments on the thread from -let me check – Hyundai Capital, Peak Consultants and The Thomson Consultancy, so please do have a read.