The Dealer Playbook
Michael Cirillo
Updated about 19 hours agoThe Dealer Playbook is the podcast for serious automotive professionals. The ones who think beyond the transaction. Hosted by Michael Cirillo, now in its 12th year, The Dealer Playbook delivers straight-talk conversations with the dealers, operators, and leaders who are actually building something. If you run a store, lead a team, or are building a career worth having, this is your show. New episodes every week. Follow so you don't miss one.
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Episodes (716)
Dan Collingridge: Inventory Is The Nucleus
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playDan Collingridge is the chief technology officer at FlexDealer, and has been keen on technology from day one. But he had no clue that passion would lead him into a tech-driven career in the auto industry. In this episode, Dan talks about how he met Michael and the story of how they teamed up to work together after years of their childhood friendship taking many different paths.What we discuss in this episode:Managing inventory involves much more than simply tracking things. This crucial area of business cannot be ignored or compromised, and, for good reason, auto dealer inventory management demands the newest, most cutting-edge technology and creative solutions.In this episode, we go into detail about the value of inventory for auto dealers, how to make it even better, how Michael and Dan developed their inventory tools at FlexDealer, and where their latest inventory project is headed.Dan Collingridge shares his insights about the importance of a healthy workplace based on his experiences helping manage various teams at FlexDealer for over two decades.Dan and Micheal talk about how and why culture is hugely important to the success and overall health of your company, your people, and your customers, and why it's helpful to spend time considering why your company's culture is the way it is and why it must stay that way (or change).While culture is so influential, it's challenging to maintain the more extensive a business gets. Side-conversations form, resentment can grow, and you can lose control of the culture you've worked hard to build.Owning a business with a friend can be very challenging because doing so involves setting expectations and creating accountability that does not typically exist in a friendship alone. Michael and Dan reflect on how they made it possible to collaborate successfully despite (or because of!) being friends with a range of common and differing interests, goals, and priorities.Learn how FlexDealer transitioned from the dying magazine print model to a digital model that involved creating a website portal and inventory capabilities from the ground up, plus hosting all of their inventory and digital services in the newly created model.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Dan Collingridge!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Dan Collingridge!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Dan Collingridge, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Dan Collingridge on LinkedIn Connect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedIn More Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Fanie Scholtz & Peter Viljoen : Do Dealers Love The Agency Model?
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playIn this week's episode, we're joined by two talented leaders in the automotive industry - Fanie Scholtz, a Managing Director at FS Media, and Peter Viljoen, Managing Director at SydSen Uthintane (PTY) LTD.They share how they paired to work on a big project popularly known as Let's talk Automotive, a weekly automotive talk show, as we also discuss the big question as to if Dealers Love The Agency Model.What we discuss in this episode:How Fanie and Peter met and the story behind them joining hands and collaborating in making Let's Talk Automotive and what the project is about.Fanie and Peter share how important creating content is for growing a business, especially for the automotive industry, in a way that original, high-quality content demonstrates to your customers that you are reliable and knowledgeable. It's more important than ever to get content onto our social media platforms that add value, is interesting, and is funny and entertaining. In that way, we will build relationships of trust that will lead to that potential buyer on the other side of that device becoming a customer.Peter shares an observation he made about dealers who make content; he notes, "A mistake that the dealers start making when creating their content is they make that content around the vehicle itself. And they try and put specials out there. And it's not enjoyable for the consumer to watch that kind of content. So it's essential to make the exciting content stuff, even if it's not about the vehicles".We discuss the commonalities that exist within the automotive industry in different countries. Comparing South Africa to the rest of the world, where the commonalities reside in defining a business from a financial point of view in that South Africa has a competitively intense market, and they also have dealer operations that are very small compared to most parts of the world.Fanie and Peter dig deep into the positive and negative Impact of the pandemic on the dealership landscape and how the automotive industry pumped the brakes hard in the early months of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Sales had dropped, but the industry's engines never shut down. From the third quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021, automakers worldwide saw rapid (and, in some cases, record) low production levels. As with multiple industries and geographic regions, the pandemic has accelerated the trends already forming along the mobility value chain.With plenty of dealers expressing different feelings about The Agency Model, debates are still ongoing about the move's potential benefits and impact on the automotive sector. With the Covid-19 pandemic still looming over the economy, it faces an uphill battle. The current economic situation has made it clear that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealerships must transition to a sustainable sales model. Although such a transition promises cost savings and price and customer data control, it also carries significant risks if not carried out with caution.Tune into this episode as we try to answer the most tricky question: Do Dealers Love The Agency Model?Listen to the full episode- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Scott Simons : Creating A Dealership Growth Environment
Scott Simons is a successful car dealer that is involved in multiple businesses across many industries. Scott’s main focus is in the auto industry. He is the Managing Partner and General Manager of five Carter Myers Automotive dealerships in West Virginia. He is a speaker, business consultant, astute investor, and purveyor of filling the cups of anyone who is willing to put in the effort.Scott shares specific tactical advice you can apply and how he continues to push himself by surrounding himself with those he can learn from .What we discuss in this episode:If you own or manage a dealership, you must be willing to explore new growth opportunities and embrace new ideas. Dealerships that embrace the future will maintain their profitability and relevance in the coming years. Those who do not will be squeezed out of a tightening landscape. In this week's episode of the Dealer Playbook, Scott Simons goes into great detail about Creating A Dealership Growth Environment. As a true leader and an excellent communicator, he ensures that each member of his team understands their role and works together to further the company's growth.While Building a Great Team. Investing in employee training, retention, and happiness is critical to growth and success for your dealership. A motivated, positive team is your greatest asset in building competitive advantage for your business over the long term.Customer service is easily the auto industry’s best salesperson. With customer emotions running so hot,it's crucial for your auto dealership to give every facet of customer service the finest polish imaginable. Due to the "virtuous circle" nature of the automotive industry, where strong customer service performance brings customers back later to the showroom floor—and the other way around—there is no doubt that this will pay off in amazing ways.How doing business with your own people make your climb to success is betterScott stocks his view on training employees “training is not it's not a knowing issue here, people know what to do. It's a motivation issue. And I need to help motivate them and get the best out of them. That's my job is to give them all the tools in order to be successful and give them an environment to thrive.”Chain of Command in Organizational Structure establishes accountability, it lays out a company’s lines of authority and decision-making power. A proper chain of command ensures that every task, job position and department has one person assuming responsibility for performance.To unify competing desires and perspectives, emphasize that choices be made in the best interest of the customer.How Scott pours back into his team weekly including monitoring their personal credit, managing expenses, and much more that’s lead to saving their livesGrowth and rewards have always been critical components of human resources and employee motivation. Furthermore, most people want to advance in their careers. To keep employees longer in your organization, you should provide them with a Personal Development Plan. You can use this plan to map out employee development. How does a Junior Developer advance to the level of Senior Developer? Or, how can a Manager improve in his or her position? Another advantage of employee development is that by promoting employees internally, you can easily fill senior positions within your organization. Furthermore, because you already know e- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Darren Doane: Opportunity Knocks
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playDarren Doane is an American filmmaker, actor, and music video director who has worked with artists like Christian Bale, Ken Daurio, and Blink 182. He also has a keen eye on the automotive industry and sees an endless supply of opportunities.What we discuss in this episode:Darren shares his perspective on the current customer experience at a dealership. His thoughts about the emergence of EVs are particularly interesting. In speaking about his daughter's perception, "Going to a gas station just seems stupid. She charges her phone and her laptop; it just makes sense that she should plug in her car."There is a segment of automotive customers that we haven't yet figured out how to appeal to. Where dealers historically keep trying to follow the model they are familiar with, that provides an opening for someone to consider how to flip things on their head.Darren riffs on some opportunities he sees for car dealers about how they could lift the customer experience and drive people into the store.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from {guest name}!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Darren Doane!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Darren Doane, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Darren Doane on Instagram!Connect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Preparation Eliminates Fear
In this episode of the Dealer Playbook, Michael shares his thoughts about the next season of the retail automotive industry. The last two years have been unique. Dealers have been earning recording profits despite a chip shortage and inventory shortage. That begs to ask: what's next?What will the next two years bring, especially as the reality of a recession looms? With reports that used car sales are beginning to soften and that consumers are slowing down their purchase decisions, are we headed for the survival of the fittest?Michael encourages the industry to take inventory and assess what's within its control. The time to prepare for the next round of unforeseen circumstances is right now. Preparation mitigates fear.⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Steve Roessler: Modern Dealership CRM Best Practices
Steve Roessler is the Chief Evangelist at DriveCentric, a modern take on an automotive CRM that features unified customer communications in an easy-to-digest interface. Steve shares his vantage point about why engagement is the key metric that dealerships need to track and how that's helping his client partners realize greater sales success.What we discuss in this episode:Steve came to the automotive industry from the medical industry and shares some of the biggest differences between the two industries. When first getting started in automotive, he thought it was funny that salespeople needed reminders to follow up with prospects. That was unheard of in the medical field.Steve explains that the KPI for dealerships inside of a CRM should be engagement. "That's what most CRMs lack — a focus on engagement rather than keeping a database of information. You're shooting yourself in the foot if you aren't tracking engagement."When engagement is the focus, response times go down because every interaction is treated almost like a text message. It's like an ongoing chat rather than a template-heavy interaction.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Steve Roessler!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Steve Roessler!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Steve Roessler, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Steve Roessler on LinkedInConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/play- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Bart Nollenberger: The Next Generation of Automotive Leaders
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playBart Nollenberger is an Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team, automotive trainer, and author. In this episode, Bart shares his compelling story of recovery and sobriety and the four steps to help shape the next generation of automotive professionals.What we discuss in this episode:Bart shares his recovery story. He went from selling cars and snorting coke in the bathroom to deciding to turn his life around. After 37 years of sobriety, Bart reflects on the lessons learned and breaks down the four steps that can help anyone experience accelerated growth in their life and career.Step 1: Admission. Be willing to admit that you need help — that you don't know everything, that there is more room to grow. The automotive industry can be ego-driven, but Bart suggests that is getting in the way of real potential.Step 2: Come to believe. Believe that there are forces bigger and more powerful than you. Maybe that's God, or Budhha, or the Universe. When we believe in something bigger than us, we can more effectively surrender to it and have it elevate us beyond measure.Step 3: Make a decision. Are you ready to go from selling six cars to 12? Are you ready to own your mistakes and learn from them? Our potential is fully unlocked when we decide to take action.Step 4: Take a personal inventory. Bart encourages a DISC assessment to understand more about who you are and how you operate. You can leverage the information to understand the pitfalls to avoid or where you may be able to align passion with action.Change doesn't just happen. It requires real, authentic, vulnerable work.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Bart Nollenberger!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Bart Nollenberger!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Guest Name, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Bart Nollenberger on LinkedInConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Brett Morris: Using Data To Predict High Performers
Today's conversation with Brett Morris, Chairman at PerceptionPredict, stemmed from one of Michael's LinkedIn posts about the important need for amazing car sales professionals. Brett commented on the post with a compelling chart visualizing how high-performing employees can be predicted with data.Is It Possible To Predict High Performing Employees?00:58 - Michael sets the conversation stage by explaining a LinkedIn post in which he discussed the importance and need for great car sales professionals in the retail auto industry. Brett Morris left a very thought-provoking comment about how it's possible to predict high-performers, which led to today's conversation.02:53 - Brett explains that when you look at dealer group operations, they've all got pretty good systems when it comes to managing inventory, they've got data and clarity around that. In the service department, they have systems and a workflow for technicians. There are financial systems in place for the business office. With all that said, how does a dealership fish in a broader pond of people to predict and know if they are the right candidate for the job or if perhaps you have the right individual but in the wrong job role?10:20 - Brett and his team have created a unique way to predict job suitability by utilizing an intricate system of character trait mapping that can provide dealers much more clarity about what attributes create an employee's performance. The process includes a quick 15-minute assessment contributing to scoring over 70 data points. Each data point is combined into an overarching view of attributes that helps predict who will perform what job better.19:36 - Gratitude is listed as an attribute on the list that typically doesn't show up on assessments often. It makes sense when contrasted against the highest-performing car sales professionals like Frank Crinite or Ali Reda (Guinness World Record Holder). They operate differently than the average car sales pro. Gratitude for their lives, customers, and opportunities is a common thread in their daily lives.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Brett Morris!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Brett Morris!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Guest Name, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Brett Morris on LinkedInConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Josh Little: Putting The Unity Back In Community With Video
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playJosh Little is the founder and CEO of a compelling startup called Volley, an app that aims to make communication more efficient across organizations and peers. His unique perspective about communication and the mission of Volley provides an interesting use case for how to improve communication with the retail automotive experience for employees and customers alike.How Car Dealers Can Improve Community With Communication:Josh introduces the concept of the volley app and how it aims to solve communication breakdowns. There are a lot of tools out there like Slack and Discord, but they each are fragile because they don't allow for face-to-face sharing. 70% of communication gets stripped away when we can't see or hear the other party.There are many ways that dealers could incorporate asynchronous communication into their team and customer experiences. For example, a quick update from the sales manager highlighting initiatives vs. sharing that information in a long drawn-out meeting.Asynchronous communication improves people's ability to listen closely since it can only happen one message at a time.Dealers could embrace a platform like a Volley to engage their customers by a vehicle owned. For example, imagine TRX owners having their community inside Volley to engage with one another and the dealership.Listen to the full episode for insights and context from Josh Little!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Josh Little!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Guest Name, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Josh Little on LinkedInConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Paul Daly & Kyle Mountsier: The Rebirth Of The Automotive Conference
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playPaul Daly and Kyle Mountsier (ASOTU) join the pod to talk about some really exciting projects they have in the works, one of which is an exciting new podcast called Auto Collabs hosted by Paul, Kyle, and Michael Cirillo. They are on an adventure to bring the rebirth of the automotive conference coming September 2022 in Philadelphia.What we discuss in this episode:Paul and Kyle share how they ended up collaborating and how that venture ended up becoming a beacon in the retail automobile industry. Their goal is to create a community and space where purposeful conversations can happen — conversations that move the industry forward.Michael, Paul, and Kyle met up in Philly to record episodes of the all-new podcast called Auto Collabs. Despite all hosting their shows, it was important for the trio to share fresh perspectives rooted in meaningful conversations with their list of amazing guests.The goal of creating content is to help the industry move into a new era of collaboration. Historically, vendors have stuck together, and dealers have stuck together. We believe the real magic and growth happen when everyone communicates about important issues outside of the silos.Paul and Kyle share some exciting details about the upcoming ASOTU CON or the "rebirth" of the automotive conference. Michael was fortunate to see some behind-the-scenes details of how exciting the event will be.Listen to the full episode for more insights and context from Kyle Mountsier and Paul Daly.⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Paul and Kyle!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Paul and Kyle, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Paul Daly on LinkedInConnect with Kyle Mountsier on LinkedInGet Tickets: ASOTU CONAuto Collabs Podcast featuring Paul Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael CirilloConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Kaylee Felio: Selling Auto Parts Before They're Obsolete
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playKaylee Felio is the Sales and Marketing Manager for PartsEdge, the power tool for helping your parts department generate higher profits. It's no secret that hanging onto aging auto parts inventory can cause many problems for retail auto dealers. The most obvious challenge is that if the parts become obsolete, they are more difficult to sell.Kaylee's Advice For Avoiding Auto Parts Obsolescence:00:00 - Introduction to the episode subject matter01:57 - It's important to remember that fixed operations is the second highest producing revenue channel. Although it rarely gets enough talk time throughout the industry, the parts and service department has the genuine ability to provide more predictable revenue than auto sales.03:56 - The best thing a dealer should focus on in fixed operations is getting a good grasp on the current parts inventory and forecasting obsolescence. OEMs are getting much more strict about returns, which leads dealers in a position where they need to know what to stock and in what quantity to not only fulfill the market demand but ensure that they keep the books in the black.06:14 - Parts managers should take the time to identify blind spots when it comes to their parts inventory so that they can improve at spotting obsolescence before it's too late.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Kaylee Felio!⭐️ Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Kaylee Felio!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Guest Name, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Kaylee Felio on LinkedInConnect with Michael CirilloConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
What Dealership Leaders Should Focus On w/ Brooke Furniss
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playWe've all heard it before. Leaders and Managers are two separate and distinct roles in the retail automobile dealership. In this week's Dealer Playbook powerbomb, Brooke Furniss shares what she believes the focus of car dealer leaders needs to be in 2022 and beyond. Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Brooke Furniss!Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Brooke Furniss!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Brooke Furniss!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Brooke Furniss, support us by clicking the links!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookefurniss/Facts Not Feelings Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-not-feelings-with-brooke-c-furniss/id1609639468Connect with Michael CirilloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcirilloUntangle your dealership marketing with FlexDealer!Looking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Brooke Furniss: Modern Dealers Need Modern Leaders
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playBrooke Furniss is the President/Founder of BZ Consultants Group and host of the Facts Not Feelings automotive podcast. In this episode of the show, aside from talking about her obsession with Nike sneakers, we explore the attributes of successful leaders within the retail car business.Key takeaways about leadership in the modern retail car business:09:20 - Brooke and Michael talk about the differences between North American leadership culture and what she observed while living abroad. Do places like Japan have the same "hustle" mentality that we've adopted in the West?14:14 - Are the needs of leadership with the car dealership evolving? Brooke shares her thoughts about the current leadership needs and where things are leaning in that regard. Brooke points out that there is still a divide in the industry's understanding of the term leadership. There are still many who blur the lines between management and leadership, but Brooke submits that those are two very different responsibilities.15:02 - Do top-performing car sales professionals make good managers or leaders? Not necessarily. Why? Often it's because car sales professionals have only had to focus on their performance but carry no responsibility for their peers.15:34 - Great leaders are constantly learning and seeking growth. They refuse to remain stagnant in their way of thinking and are always looking for opportunities to serve their employees.18:45 - Leaders are good about finding people who are better than them at specific jobs. To do so effectively means that we must remove ego from the equation. Delegation is not easy for those that have always done everything themselves because it requires inherent trust in the members of the leader's team.21:22 - Brooke shares her thoughts about where leaders should focus within the next 12 - 24 months.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Brooke Furniss!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!👉 Thanks, Brooke Furniss!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Brooke Furniss, support us by clicking the links!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookefurniss/Facts Not Feelings Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-not-feelings-with-brooke-c-furniss/id1609639468👉 Connect with Michael CirilloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcirillo👉 Untangle your dealership marketing with FlexDealer!Looking for a reliable, high-performance - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Car Dealer Lead Management Process w/ Paul de Vries
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playWelcome to the weekly Dealer Playbook Powerbomb featuring Paul de Vries. In this segment, we chat about Paul's car dealer lead management process and why it took him 4 years to develop. The needs of car shoppers are changing all the time. Their attention span is decreasing and so it's important for car dealers to make sure that their lead management process matches current demands of the market. Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Paul de Vries!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Paul de Vries!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Paul de Vries, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Paul de Vries on LinkedInConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Paul de Vries: 6 Steps To Successful Lead Handling
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playPaul de Vries is the founder of DCDW (Digital Car Dealer Network), ambassador for Marktplaats (Holland), and a brand new owner of a Ligier franchise dealership in Holland. He is an expert at lead handling and works with several OEMs in Europe to improve their lead handling and appointment show percentages. In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, Paul breaks down his 6 steps to lead handling that can help any dealership increase their car sales opportunities.Key Takeaways From This Episode:03:39 - It's very easy to analyze lead responses in a PowerPoint or spreadsheet, but when the reality of the day sets in it can be very difficult to manage. Dealers need to be practical in understanding why leads are important and that no matter how they arrive, they represent another human being who is expressing interest in the dealership's vehicles, parts, or services.05:05 - The goal is to remove the 100% dependency on BDCs and outsourced agents and train salespeople to be better at working with leads on their own. If we can move the need so that only 10% of car salespeople are better at lead handling, we will make a bigger impact than we make our BDC agents. We can't get away with not knowing the product we sell. It's imperative to know the product so that we can quickly answer all the questions that customers have.07:15 - The dynamic of the car shopper is changing rapidly which means that we need to continue training to keep up with their ways of doing business. Today if we don't answer the lead within one minute, customers get angry. In Europe, WhatsApp is typically the preferred method of communication because other systems are seen as outdated. In contrast, to the USA or Canada where SMS messaging is the holy grail (outside of the phone).12:46 - Paul shares his experience being a car dealer again and opening a Ligier franchise experience store in Holland.26:55 - Paul breaks down the six steps to successful lead handling. When put into motion, car dealers can see an increase in leads to appointments and appointments to demos by training car salespeople to properly handle leads.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Paul de Vries!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Paul de Vries!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Paul de Vries, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Paul de Vries on LinkedInConnect with Michael on LinkedIn More Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Brian Pasch: An Open Letter To Ford's CEO
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playBrian Pasch is the founder of PCG Companies, which is comprised of Brian Pasch Enterprises, PCG Digital, Localiente, and PCG Research. He's an author, keynote speaker, marketing contrarian, and a beacon of light within the retail auto industry as someone who has always been an advocate for the dealer body.Recently Brian penned an open letter to Mr. Farley, the CEO of Ford, in which he asks very thought-provoking questions aimed at clarifying Mr. Farley's curious comments about the future of Ford's dealership network.In addition, Brian shares about a new GA4 (Google Analytics 4) Standards Council in which he aims to standardize how reporting takes place throughout the industry and across all vendors.What we discuss in this episode:03:07 - Brian, as an advocate for the dealer body is not afraid to ask tough questions even if it means putting on the gloves and sparring with the OEMs. Through Brian's inclusive conferences, the dealer body also feels comfortable engaging in those conversations and sharing their point of view — a discourse that he is encouraging should happen more throughout the industry.04:58 - Brian shares his findings from a recent YouGov study which indicates how consumers are seeking to research and purchase vehicles. "You know, I think CSI scores hide the fact that most consumers are not happy with the overall sales experience."05:47 - Many dealers adopted digital retailing tools but never created an in-store process to match. In so doing, the consumer experience is negatively impacted and nobody is better off. Brian suggests that instead of providing COOP dollars for marketing purposes, there should also be an allocation that goes toward in-store training so that teams can deliver the experience level that the majority of today's car buyers expect and that is more of a connected retailing experience similar to Best Buy or Apple. You can visit their websites and the product you see is in stock and the price is exactly the same online as it is in-store.13:00 - OEMs are making moves toward an agency model in which they can sell directly to consumers. In particular, Ford's CEO made some comments that seem to be removing dealers from the EV products they plan to sell in the future."I think that GM and Ford dealers have been relatively quiet about some of the bombshells. Both manufacturers have announced that their EV models will sell directly to consumers on a national portal. It appears that Tekion will power both of those solutions. There is no detail on how trades will be handled, and no details about F&I products."13:40 - Jim Farley (Ford's CEO) was probably the most transparent in sharing that D2C is an efficient model and that they want to be more like Tesla — they want the margins and want customers to be happy. Brian shares that he understands also the business case for such a model. Jim's job is to keep investors happy.14:15 - Brian sh- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Mike Welch: Growing A Successful Tire E-Commerce Business
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playMike Welch is the president and CEO of tirebuyer.com which merged with tirescanner.com, a US-based tire retail marketplace, in 2019. In this episode, Mike shares how we went from working at dealerships and small independent repair shops in the UK to founding and operating one of the most successful online tire retailers in the world.Notes about growing a successful tire e-commerce store:02:40 - Mike got his start at 15 years old fitting tires at dealerships and small independent repair shops because it was all he knew. He wasn't interested in pursuing post-secondary education. Out of necessity, Mike was led to follow one opportunity after another that led to forming his company blackcircles.com (now owned by Michelin)03:35 - Mike shares that he's always had the drive to work hard, something that the retail auto industry rewards. It's fascinating that the auto industry is still one of the few that accepts everyone and gives them the chance to make something big for themselves if they put in the work.05:57 - Speaking about taking opportunities, Mike explains, "The fewer reference points you have for what could go wrong, the more upside potential there is." Mike explains how he got into selling tires after being made redundant by the shop he was working for.08:33 - Mike explains how he went from having no experience to founding and growing a large e-commerce tire sales/tire fitting website. In the early days, it was all about doing whatever was required to get the job done and see sales come in. Mike recounts teaching himself how to code basic HTML so that he could build a website, i.e., having the willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.10:25 - Mike shares the story about finding his mentor, Sir Teddy Lee (The CEO of Tesco). Mentors and those with experience can help grow a business exponentially because they have the wisdom of experience.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context from Brian Pasch!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Mike Welch!If you enjoyed this episode featuring Mike Welch, support us by clicking the links!Connect with Mike Welch on LinkedInConnect with Michael on LinkedInMore Dealers Are Choosing To Partner with FlexDealerLooking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
David Oates: How To Repair Your Dealership's Reputation
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playDavid Oates is a crisis PR expert with 25 years of experience in the field. He helps organizations repair their brand's reputation in the press and online. With the emergence of web3.0 and a rapidly evolving digital landscape, there are sure to be brand pivots and crises and with David's proven approach, he is on a mission to help businesses handle any PR situation.Key Notes About Repairing Your Dealership's Reputation:01:32 - David shares his background and how his career in the Navy positioned him to work in public relations. In particular, after nine years in the Navy, he was promoted to a public affairs officer and found himself dealing with many different types of PR cases that required heavy repair.02:42 - After the military, Dave worked for different tech companies and agencies and found that, given his background, he would deal with mass layoffs, product recalls, shareholder disputes, and CEOs behaving poorly. He says, "Not to boast, but I don't get nervous too much about any crisis matter for any industry of any size."03:18 - Over the years, David chose to focus primarily on crisis PR — an opportunity accelerated given the fact that we each carry a small supercomputer in our pockets. At any moment in time, we have microphones, cameras, and an unlimited distribution network at our fingertips.10:11 - David shares a baseball analogy and relates it to personal and corporate growth. There is a high degree of probability that you will fail, and that's okay. "Everybody is so concerned about the box score at the end of the day, but what they don't watch in the box score is the win/loss, who had the most runs, and who didn't. The only thing that matters is 100 percent. What matters is how many at-bats you took and how many times you swung at the pitch."11:53 - When it comes to crisis management we need people to understand that failure is okay. We need to demystify it so that when it happens we are able to keep moving forward.18:15 - David shares why he thinks the fight or flight mentality causes our natural inclination to either fight or say nothing. This can be harmful when dealing with negative reviews or naysayers because it leads to being hell-bent on creating drama.19:00 - How to respond to negative reviews or comments about your dealership online.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context about how to repair your dealership's reputation.Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, David OatesIf you enjoyed this conversation with David Oates, please let them know by clicking on the links below and sending him a message.Click here to thank David Oates on LinkedIn Connect with Michael Cirillo on LinkedIn Looking - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Michael Cirillo: 4 Reasons Why You Know Way Less Than You Think About The Car Business
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playIn this episode of The Dealer Playbook Podcast, Michael reflects on an experience he had while attending the Digital Marketing Strategies Conference in Napa Valley and why that's inspired him to talk about the 4 levels of competency.There is so much to learn about the retail automotive industry, and that's why it's important as a community to engage in learning; remain curious, and figure out creative ways to solve the complex challenges that the automotive industry faces today.Main Takeaways From This Episode:01:50 - Michael sets up the conversation by sharing his experience at DMSC in which he discovered how much he has to learn about the car business. Why that's important and how it leads to understanding the 4 levels of competency or understanding. There is always more to learn, and that's one of the reasons the retail car business is exciting to be part of.05:59 - There are 4 levels of competency. Michael explains what they are and how they can have an impact on our daily lives.09:16 - Each of us experiences the 4 levels of competency at various points in life. We are each in one of the 4 phases continuously for a variety of reasons.10:34 - We can elevate one another with our experiences and wisdom. Together we can dominate. The retail auto industry is rapidly changing and together we can meet the demand.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context about the 4 reasons why you know less than you think about the car business.Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Looking for a reliable, high-performance dealership marketing partner? Visit https://www.flexdealer.com to discover why more and more dealers are choosing them over big-box providers.- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Brian Kramer: The First Car Sale In The Metaverse
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playBrian Kramer is the General Manager of Germain Toyota of Naples and joins the podcast to share how his store successfully completed the first metaverse car sale. Long-time listeners of the show know that Brian is a pioneer when it comes to technology adoption within the retail auto industry. He's not afraid to try new things and certainly sees the evolution that is happening and is leaning in to be ahead of the curve.How Brian Kramer Sold The First Vehicle In The Metaverse:01:54 - The world is more connected today than it ever has been, and it's easier than ever to build a relationship with anybody, anywhere in the world.02:47 - Michael and Brian discuss that the metaverse is not a new concept. Years ago the popular online world "Second Life" had over 900 million members who would all live vicariously through their avatar in second life.05:02 - The metaverse is more explosive than most people think, or perhaps are willing to admit. According to Lloyd Ernst and Young, all at McKinsey, they all say that last year (2021) it was a $22 Billion Dollar business. By the year 2026, it is estimated to be a $765 Billion dollar a year business. Citi Group has created a whitepaper forecasting that the metaverse is a potential $13 Trillion dollar market.09:52 - Brian shares, "I think it's that the retail part of the car business is going to get away from the transaction, price payment. It's going to become more experiential and the brand connection and what you can do with even the legacy pieces of the brand."10:30 - There are many applications to the metaverse that go far beyond transacting a vehicle. Training, test drives, servicing, and diagnostics — nothing is off the table. It can be a way to make day-to-day life more efficient.17:37 - Many are worried about the impact of the metaverse of everyday jobs. Brian shares that while jobs that we are accustomed to may go away, the metaverse will also create thousands of new job categories.Listen to the full episode to learn more about Brian Kramer and the first car sales transaction in the metaverse.Like this show? Please leave us a review here— even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Brian KramerIf you enjoyed this conversation with Brian Kramer, please let them know by clicking on the links below and sending him a message.Click here to thank Brian Kramer on LinkedInClick here to let Michael know about your number one takeaway from this conversation- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Amberly Allen: Save 75% On Dealership Credit Card Processing Fees
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playAmberly Allen is the CEO of Dealer Merchant Services, a firm that is helping car dealers save up to 75% on their credit card processing fees. In this episode of the Dealer Playbook, Michael and Amberly explore how dealers can save thousands of dollars per month by reframing the way they handle credit card processing.How Car Dealers Can Save 75% on Credit Card Processing Fees:00:53 - Jokingly Michael and Amberly laugh about how this is probably the least sexy topic to ever be discussed on the show, but at the end of the day, what's sexier in business than keeping more money in your pockets?01:57 - Amberly got her start selling direct mail to dealers and eventually started her own digital agency. During her time building the agency she started hearing about how much car dealers were spending on credit card processing and she determined to find a solution.03:06 - When making any changes to how credit cards are processed, it's important to find a solution that is both legal and won't destroy CSI.05:49 - For every $100 dollar that gets spent, $2 dollars of that goes to credit card processing fees. Credit card processors don't want you to know that there are limits to how much they can charge so they're not in the current hardware that many dealers typically have in the showroom.07:49 - Amberly encourages car dealers to look at how much they are spending on fees and question whether or not it's necessary.Listen to the full episode for even more insights and context about providing a killer customer car shopping/buying experience.Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Amberly AllenIf you enjoyed this conversation with Amberly Allen, please let them know by clicking on the links below and sending him a message.Click here to thank Amberly Allen on LinkedInClick here to let Michael know about your number one takeaway from this conversation- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Glenn Pasch: Carvana - Love Them Or Hate Them? You Should Thank Them!
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playGlenn Pasch is the CEO of PCG Digital, author, speaker, and one of the most reputable voices in the retail automotive industry when it comes to marketing management, leadership, and growth. In light of the recent Carvana announcements, there have been two narratives throughout the industry. Either you love them or you hate them.In this episode of the Dealer Playbook, Michael and Glenn focus more on the expectations of customers that Carvana aimed to fix. Regardless of your feelings toward them as a company, there is much to observe and learn that can be directly applied to your dealership operations.Noteworthy topics from this episode:01:59 - Over the last 2 years (through the pandemic), we've had to make a lot of changes in the automotive industry in how we interacted with car shoppers/buyers. A lot of it did depend on where you were located in the United States. I'm in New Jersey and we were totally on lockdown. So you could not go into a dealership. Parts of California, Florida, and parts of Georgia. It didn't matter. You could still go into the dealership and somewhat transact in the same manner that you had previously.02:52 - The transaction sped up, and dealers were willing to do more over the phone, by email, and via digital retailing tools. While it's easy to throw stones at companies like Carvana, the reality is that they helped facilitate the direction that car buyers were moving already. They just paid attention and tried to provide an experience to match. Regardless of feelings toward them, their actions created urgency for many dealerships to look deeply at their existing customer experience process and make tweaks.06:24 - The question is whether we are willing to constantly move forward by examining what we want our businesses to be? We have a tendency to make changes based on external factors. For example, what is the dealer down the street doing? What is Bob at my 20 groups doing? The magic happens when we decide what we want the customer to feel when working with us and work backward internally from there.07:42 - You can't knock Carvana for trying to market to customer pain points. Sure they are struggling right now, but their whole premise was going out and marketing that they provide a different, updated experience. The only reason to knock that is if you're so set in your ways that you're unwilling to make changes for yourself.09:11 - Dealers have everything they need to succeed at the game right now. Michael shares about UBER and how they re-processed existing tools and resources to provide a fresh, updated customer experience. The same option is available to dealers who are willing to think outside the box.11:45 - It's important to make a process that is scalable and repeatable.13:54 - Nothing is more scaleable than having no process at all. It just scales to nothing. But doing nothing is very repeatable.14:09 - the problem is tha- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Kevin Frye: Selling Cars With Crypto Currency
🎧 Subscribe on Apple: https://dpb.fm/apple🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: https://dpb.fm/spotify🔗 All our links: https://dpb.fm/playKevin Frye is the Head Marketing Coach at Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, an industry veteran, and subject matter expert when it comes to innovating within the retail automobile industry. In this episode of the show, Kevin walks through the process that led one of their stores to the first cryptocurrency transaction. Today, all stores in the organization accept crypto as a form of payment for a vehicle.What we discuss in this episode:1:11 - Can any dealership start accepting crypto as a form of payment or is there a longer-term process that leads up to it?1:47 - Kevin explains that there are two key elements to innovating within the car industry, and one of the aspects has to do with never being satisfied. Always looking to push the envelope and try something new. The second aspect has to do with taking the word "no" out of innovation — a common approach taken by many dealerships. Most won't be bothered by the aggregation caused by trying to do something new, so they just resort to saying "no" to it. Kevin explains that his team takes the opposite approach. They welcome the friction if they can see it map to innovation.3:21 - Kevin explains how they received the inspiration to investigate transacting with crypto, as well as address some of the common fears that might be associated with accepting crypto from a dealer's perspective.7:28 - Kevin shares an analogy about how the crypto exchange works and how they view it as a dealer group.10:31 - By accepting crypto, the dealership can streamline the time of the transaction by removing barriers to the money transfer. The customer can utilize their assets to pay for the vehicle however they choose.Listen to the full episode for even more insights about utilizing crypto to transact car purchases.Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Kevin FryeIf you enjoyed this conversation with Kevin Frye, please let them know by clicking on the links below and sending him a message.Click here to thank Kevin Frye on LinkedInClick here to let Michael know about your number one takeaway from this conversation- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
What Should Car Dealers Know About Amazon Advertising? w/ Vasilios Lambos
🎧 Subscribe on iTunes: dpb.fm/apple 🔊 Subscribe on Spotify: dpb.fm/spotify 🔗 All our links: dpb.fm/play In this week's recap, we discuss where Amazon advertising fits into the media mix for car dealers and what they should be thinking about when it comes to advertising online, in general. The Dealer Playbook is about modern car dealers who are meeting the demands and evolving with today's marketplace, hosted by Michael Cirillo. Connect with Michael Cirillo on LinkedIn Michael's Marketing and Tech Company: flexdealer.com - - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook
Vasilios Lambos: Amazon Advertising For Auto Dealers
Vasilios Lambos is the Chief Marketing Officer at CognitionDigital.io, an ad-tech company that helps auto dealers utilize Amazon's various advertising channels. In this episode of the Dealer Playbook, you'll learn about how Amazon advertising can help expand your paid media effectiveness and place your inventory in front of highly engaged shoppers.What we discuss in this episode:Vasilios provides context to where Amazon fits in the overall media plan today.We're super familiar with paid search, paid social, and third-party cookies as the privacy concerns come to life, dealers and marketers are looking back at programmatic advertising as the way to better find a more niche audience that fits their marketing objectives for their business.The Amazon Garage allows users to upload their vehicle information, make, model, and year and that does a couple of things. One, it allows the user to get a personalized shopper experience on Amazon.com, and second, it allows advertisers to better target users based on the make/model and year that they have sitting in their driveway.Amazon garage is the second-largest repository of user-generated vehicle ownership data outside of the DMV in the United States.Your media plan should have a strategy related, most importantly to the business objective that you're looking to solve.Listen to the full episode featuring Vasilios Lambos for even more insights about how to step into who you really are!Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!Thanks, Vasilios LambosIf you enjoyed this conversation with Vasilios Lambos, please let them know by clicking on the links below and sending him a message.Click here to thank Vasilios Lambos on LinkedInClick here to let Michael know about your number one takeaway from this conversation- - -Leave a Review:If you're enjoying the podcast, we'd love an honest review here. - - -Socials:Follow on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeFollow on Facebook