2 MAY 2024 · It goes without saying that Generative AI has revolutionized the way businesses operate across various industries, and automotive is no exception. This groundbreaking technology is redefining the future of automotive dealerships by enhancing customer interactions, optimizing employee efficiency, and boosting overall profitability. Generative AI in Automotive is expanding daily so you don't want to get left behind.  Presenter: Derek Simonds, Numa

16 APR 2024 · Mike Dececco, Vice President of Business Development at Fullpath, talks to us about the emerging trend in automotive: CDPs. He reviews the value they provide in sales and service marketing and provides specific examples of how it can supercharge new sales as well as retention in your dealership.

9 APR 2024 · Who taught our sales managers how to lead? Who taught them how to develop and engage our millennial workforce? If your answer is, "They learned by watching the managers before them," you are right. However, what worked for Generation X is accelerating our revolving door in this competitive workforce marketplace. It's the perfect storm, we can't get anyone to apply to sell cars, and if we do get them, we can't get them to stay. We've all been saying this for years. We promote our top salespeople to be our sales managers, however, the competencies to sell a car are different from the ones to lead and manage people. It's not a newsflash that great companies have great leaders and managers. Just like it's our sales manager's job to develop our sales force, it's the dealer principal's and general manager's job to develop our sales managers. It's time we give our managers the tools and the knowledge necessary to deliver high-level results through people and give our organizations a sustainable competitive advantage. Turn your managers into leaders. Presenter: Jason Volny, DrivingSales

3 APR 2024 · In an era where cybersecurity threats loom larger than ever, protecting your dealership is not just about safeguarding data—it's about securing your future. "Securing Your Dealership’s Future: The Comply.Law Cybersecurity & Compliance Guide" is your comprehensive webinar that delves deep into the cybersecurity and compliance challenges faced by the automotive retail industry today. From understanding the landscape of cybersecurity in automotive retail to implementing a culture of compliance within your team, this guide is tailored to navigate the complexities of today's digital threats. In this podcast, you will discover: •The current state of cybersecurity and its impact on automotive dealerships.  •Practical steps to enhance your dealership's cyber resilience. •How to foster a compliance culture that safeguards data and meets regulatory standards. •Insights into managing and mitigating cybersecurity risks in vendor relationships. •Strategies for ensuring your dealership's cybersecurity policies are up-to-date and effective.

27 MAR 2024 · This episode explores how AI and Big Data are revolutionizing the way we engage with customers, offering personalized experiences that were once thought impossible. Angelica provides fascinating insights into Equifax's role in enriching dealer data, ensuring cleaner, more effective customer databases for a sharper marketing edge and improved sales tactics. Moreover, we delve into the state of Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) and their critical role in managing the vast seas of data, turning them into actionable insights. This episode doesn't just forecast the future; it gives you the tools and knowledge to shape it, emphasizing the importance of clean data, strategic partnerships, and the seamless integration of online to showroom experiences. Angelica’s expertise illuminates the path to a more efficient, personalized future in retail and beyond, offering a beacon of hope for businesses aiming to thrive in the digital age. Don’t miss out on this treasure trove of wisdom, perfect for professionals eager to stay ahead of the curve in automotive retail and digital commerce.

20 MAR 2024 · The auto parts sector is at a critical crossroads. Digital-first preferences now shape consumer and business behaviors alike, redefining commerce. Parts sellers who can provide shoppers with a digital commerce experience are rapidly consuming an ever-growing digital parts marketplace. Mike Rich and Lauren Epler from RevolutionParts share a discussion that dissects the shifting landscape of the parts market. Learn about this shift, the size of the market today, where the market could evolve, and things you can do to prepare yourself.

14 MAR 2024 · Dealerships exist in a perfectly competitive market. They sell an identical product at a near-identical price and because of this, to win customers, they have to compete primarily on customer experience. If this is true, your dealership has to be the most convenient for customers to work with. Texting your customers not only helps you keep track of conversations but it also allows your customers to respond whenever they want. Plus, text messages give you the ability to send vehicle images, walk-through videos, and even appointment reminders.

12 MAR 2024 · The Business Development Center, or BDC, has been the subject of heated debate, inspiring headlines like, “Dealerships Are Dead Without a BDC” and “Death to the BDC.” Whether people are for or against BDCs, they all seem to agree on this: manage your BDC the right way and it will deliver significant returns. How significant? Haley Toyota in Roanoke, Virginia, increased its internet lead close rate to 74% by combining the right BDC strategy with e-commerce. That’s more than triple the typical 7-15%. Learn 3 strategies and get your game plan to close more deals, with or without a BDC. Presenter: Matt Weinberg

7 MAR 2024 · Dive into the future of automotive digital marketing, featuring special guest Alex Melen, a trailblazer in the digital marketing world. This episode is a deep dive into the evolving landscape of SEO, paid search, and the revolutionary impact of generative AI on the automotive industry. Alex shares his journey from immigrating to founding SmartSites, his insights into the balance between paid and organic search, and a forward-looking discussion on the future of digital marketing strategies. Whether you're a marketer, dealership owner, or just fascinated by the digital revolution, this conversation offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to stay ahead in the fast-paced digital world. Chapter List 0:00 - Introduction 3:57 - Alex Melen's Background and SmartSites' Success 10:08 - The Shift from Paid to Organic Search 14:16 - The Impact of Generative AI on Digital Marketing 21:22 - Content Creation and SEO Strategies 28:14 - The Future of Search and Marketing Strategies Be sure to Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel to stay in the loop. Learn more at www.DrivingSales.com Maximize Performance:  The right management processes will close more deals and keep guests coming back. Drive more volume, gross, and CSI without more marketing or inventory expenses. Strengthen Culture: Execute your processes more consistently by automating your people strategy, training consistently, and holding your team accountable. Increase Retention: Stop the revolving door by providing new employees with career visibility, professional training, and a path to succeed from day one. Accelerate Growth: Ramp up new employees from new-hire to top-performer much faster with our automated orientations and career mapping. Get your employees producing quickly!

5 MAR 2024 · Over the past two years, automotive websites have become bloated with desktop-specific features, but only 30% of a dealership's traffic comes from a desktop computer. This leads to major issues with website mobile speed, and simplicity of UX for shoppers. As website developers, we need to walk the walk when it comes to mobile optimization and really give consumers the experience they've come to expect. Presenter: Cavan Robinson, DealerFire