{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"\"People Are The Asset!\" – How No Layoffs and Radical Retention Built a 37-Store Empire In The South | Michael Joe Cannon, Owner of Cannon Motors of Mississippi","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/people-are-the-asset-how-no-layoffs-and-radical-retention-built-a-37-store-empire-in-the-south-michael-joe-cannon-owner-of-cannon-motors-of-mississippi","audioUrl":"https://chrt.fm/track/C6AG88/traffic.megaphone.fm/CREUR5650975944.mp3","description":"Today I'm joined by Michael Joe Cannon, Owner of Cannon Motors of Mississippi. \n\nAfter stepping away from a coaching career at Ole Miss to take over his father’s 12x12 used car lot, Michael has scaled his group to 37 rooftops by treating business like a team sport. \n\nHe breaks down his \"Circle of Life\" philosophy, explaining why employee stability is the ultimate defensive play against market volatility and direct sales threats. \n\n\n\nThis episode is brought to you by:\n\n\n\n1.  Podium - The AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consolidate sales, service, messaging, and voice into one connected system that actually runs the work. If your AI isn’t driving real outcomes, it’s time to take a closer look @ here.\n\n\n\n2.  Experian -  If you’re ready to step up your game to the next level – outpacing the competition and building customer loyalty – there’s only one place to go from here: Experian Automotive. They’re the only ones with exclusive data across vehicles, consumers, and credit—plus expert data scientists who connect the dots to uncover the insights you need. Get the industry-leading insights from Experian Automotive today @ here.\n\n\n\n3. CDG Recruiting – Hire top dealership talent, fast. From sales managers to GMs and C-suite execs, we’ve placed over 1,000 roles across auto retail. Ready to scale without the hassle? Visit @ here to get started.\n\n\n\nCheck out Car Dealership Guy’s stuff:\n\n\n\nFor dealers:\n\nCDG Circles ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nIndustry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nDealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nFix your dealership’s social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nRequest to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\n\n\nFor industry vendors:\n\nAdvertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nIndustry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nRequest to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\n\n\nTopics:\n\n08:05 Why Athletes Dominate in the Car Business\n\n11:45 Why the “Good Old Days” Were Actually Easier\n\n12:15 The Real Reason Dealers Need Fixed Ops to Survive\n\n15:10 Your Employees Are Worth More Than Your Inventory\n\n18:50 “They Didn’t Get Fired… They Fired Themselves”\n\n21:05 Your Reputation Matters More Than Millions\n\n27:10 The Strategy to Keep Customers Forever\n\n35:45 Scaling Culture Is the Hardest Problem in Growth\n\n\n\nCar Dealership Guy Socials:\n\nX ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nInstagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nTikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nLinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nThreads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nFacebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠\n\nEverything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"},"annotations":[{"startTime":31.5,"endTime":34.1,"type":"concept","title":"shrinking technician pool","url":"/glossary/shrinking-technician-pool","quote":"...as the industry faces high stakes tension from direct sales in a shrinking technician pool...","canonicalId":"concept:shrinking-technician-pool","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"The shrinking technician pool refers to the decreasing number of skilled automotive technicians available to service and repair vehicles. This shortage affects dealership service departments and the broader automotive industry.","simplifiedExplanation":"There are fewer car mechanics available to fix and maintain cars, which makes it harder for car shops and dealers to keep up with repairs."}},{"startTime":31.5,"endTime":34.1,"type":"concept","title":"direct sales","url":"/glossary/direct-sales","quote":"...as the industry faces high stakes tension from direct sales in a shrinking technician pool...","canonicalId":"concept:direct-sales","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Direct sales in the automotive industry refer to manufacturers selling vehicles directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealerships. This model challenges the traditional dealership sales model and impacts how cars are sold and serviced.","simplifiedExplanation":"Direct sales means car makers sell cars straight to buyers without using car dealerships. This changes how people buy and get cars fixed."}},{"startTime":34.1,"endTime":36.7,"type":"concept","title":"no layoff policy","url":"/glossary/no-layoff-policy","quote":"...Michael reveals how he maintains a no layoff policy while aggressively acquiring new stores.","canonicalId":"concept:no-layoff-policy","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A no layoff policy is a business approach where a company commits to not terminating employees during economic downturns or operational challenges, focusing instead on retention and support.","simplifiedExplanation":"A no layoff policy means the company promises not to fire workers even if business gets tough, trying to keep everyone employed."}},{"startTime":36.7,"endTime":39.1,"type":"concept","title":"operational excellence","url":"/glossary/operational-excellence","quote":"...He breaks down the Cannon framework for operational excellence and why he believes athletes are uniquely wired to win in the car business.","canonicalId":"concept:operational-excellence","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Operational excellence is a management philosophy focused on continuous improvement and efficient business operations to deliver high-quality products and services.","simplifiedExplanation":"Operational excellence means running a business really well by making things better and faster all the time."}},{"startTime":307.0,"endTime":309.6,"type":"concept","title":"buy here, pay here","url":"/glossary/buy-here-pay-here","quote":"...He was one of the first buy here, pay here guys in that industry that we started. It was a used car lot, right?","canonicalId":"concept:buy-here-pay-here","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Buy here, pay here is a type of used car dealership financing where the dealer provides in-house financing to customers, often targeting buyers with poor credit. This model allows customers to make payments directly to the dealership rather than through a bank or third-party lender.","simplifiedExplanation":"Buy here, pay here means you buy a used car and pay the dealer directly in small payments, which helps people who might not get loans from banks."}},{"startTime":634.6,"endTime":637.9,"type":"concept","title":"independent dealer","url":"/glossary/independent-dealer","quote":"You spent the first roughly 20 years as independent dealer. You then became a franchise dealer.","canonicalId":"concept:independent-dealer","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"An independent dealer is a car dealership that operates without an official franchise agreement with a specific manufacturer, often selling used cars or multiple brands.","simplifiedExplanation":"An independent dealer is a car seller who doesn't officially represent one car brand but sells various cars, often used ones."}},{"startTime":637.9,"endTime":639.4,"type":"concept","title":"franchise dealer","url":"/glossary/franchise-dealer","quote":"You spent the first roughly 20 years as independent dealer. You then became a franchise dealer.","canonicalId":"concept:franchise-dealer","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A franchise dealer is an authorized car dealership that has an official agreement with a specific car manufacturer to sell and service their new vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"A franchise dealer is a car seller who officially represents one car brand and sells new cars from that brand."}},{"startTime":720.8,"endTime":724.4,"type":"concept","title":"dealership margins","url":"/glossary/dealership-margins","quote":"\"But things are a lot more, margins are a lot different nowadays than they once were. You know, back in the old days, people...\"","canonicalId":"concept:dealership-margins","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Dealership margins refer to the profit margins that car dealerships make on vehicle sales, parts, and services. These margins have changed over time due to shifts in the automotive market and consumer behavior.","simplifiedExplanation":"Dealership margins are how much money a car dealership earns after paying for the cars and services they sell. These profits can be smaller or bigger depending on the market and how things change over time."}},{"startTime":729.2,"endTime":732.6,"type":"concept","title":"parts and service departments","url":"/glossary/parts-and-service-departments","quote":"\"You know, people didn't focus on parts and service and body shop as much as they do today, where I was.\"","canonicalId":"concept:parts-and-service-departments","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Parts and service departments in a car dealership handle vehicle maintenance, repairs, and the sale of automotive parts. These departments have become increasingly important for dealership profitability and customer retention.","simplifiedExplanation":"Parts and service departments are the areas in a car dealership where cars get fixed and parts are sold. These areas help the dealership make money and keep customers coming back."}},{"startTime":729.2,"endTime":732.6,"type":"concept","title":"body shop","url":"/glossary/body-shop","quote":"\"You know, people didn't focus on parts and service and body shop as much as they do today, where I was.\"","canonicalId":"concept:body-shop","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A body shop is a facility within or associated with a dealership that specializes in repairing vehicle bodies, including collision repair and paint work. It is a key part of modern dealership operations.","simplifiedExplanation":"A body shop is where cars get fixed if they have dents, scratches, or damage from accidents. It's part of the dealership that helps keep cars looking good and safe."}},{"startTime":908.0,"endTime":915.7,"type":"concept","title":"employee retention","url":"/glossary/employee-retention","quote":"I said, you know what the most important asset that this dealership has? And they all look around like. I said, it's you, it's the employees. That's what you're buying.","canonicalId":"concept:employee-retention","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Employee retention refers to strategies and practices used by businesses to keep their employees over time. In car dealerships, retaining experienced staff is crucial for maintaining customer relationships and operational success.","simplifiedExplanation":"Employee retention means keeping the people who work at a company so they don’t leave. This is important because experienced workers help the business run smoothly."}},{"startTime":1553.4,"endTime":1583.6,"type":"company","title":"Experian Automotive","url":"/glossary/experian-automotive","quote":"Enter Experian Automotive. Whether you're tracking market share, boosting service revenue, targeting the right buyers or making smarter inventory decisions, Experian has you covered.","canonicalId":"company:experian-automotive","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Experian Automotive is a division of Experian that provides automotive industry data and analytics. They offer insights on market share, consumer credit, vehicle data, and inventory decisions to help dealerships, OEMs, lenders, and agencies make informed business choices.","simplifiedExplanation":"Experian Automotive is a company that collects and analyzes car and buyer information. They help car dealers and companies understand the market better so they can sell cars and services more effectively."}},{"startTime":2015.5,"endTime":2017.6,"type":"concept","title":"new car store","url":"/glossary/new-car-store","quote":"Back in the day, if you didn't buy the car from a new car store, a lot of dealers wouldn't service it.","canonicalId":"concept:new-car-store","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"A new car store is a dealership that sells brand-new vehicles directly from the manufacturer, often offering full warranty and service support. Traditionally, customers who bought cars from such stores expected exclusive servicing and warranty coverage at those dealerships.","simplifiedExplanation":"A new car store is a place where you buy brand-new cars. Usually, if you buy a new car there, they take care of fixing it while it's under warranty."}},{"startTime":2022.3,"endTime":2023.4,"type":"concept","title":"warranty service","url":"/glossary/warranty-service","quote":"They wouldn't service the warranty. And I go like that.","canonicalId":"concept:warranty-service","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Warranty service refers to the maintenance and repairs covered by the vehicle manufacturer's warranty, usually provided free of charge within a specific time or mileage period. Some dealerships restrict servicing warranty repairs to customers who bought the car from them.","simplifiedExplanation":"Warranty service means fixing your car for free if something goes wrong within a certain time after you buy it. Some places only do this if you bought the car from them."}},{"startTime":2208.2,"endTime":2231.4,"type":"term","title":"technicians","url":"/glossary/technicians","quote":"probably internally is, you know, and everyone's facing that is technicians. It's becoming a real challenge for the automobile industry overall, it's just people that's not, for whatever reason, they're not going into that field as much as they once was. And it's a great field, you know, that there's, we got technicians, you know, make six figures, easy.","canonicalId":"term:technicians","priority":0.9,"confidence":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4.1-mini","data":{"explanation":"Technicians in the automotive industry are skilled professionals who diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles. They play a critical role in dealership service departments and independent shops, often requiring specialized training and certifications.","simplifiedExplanation":"Technicians are the people who fix and take care of cars when they break or need maintenance. They know how to find problems and make cars work well again."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Car Dealership Guy","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/people-are-the-asset-how-no-layoffs-and-radical-retention-built-a-37-store-empire-in-the-south-michael-joe-cannon-owner-of-cannon-motors-of-mississippi/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}