The Dealership Fixit Podcast

Jaye Sanders joined me tonight to discuss what a recruiter can do to help dealerships as well as individuals who work in the spaces of powersports, marine & RV. Now, with the current situation involving the #COVID19 #CoronaVirus there may be a certain lack of action by many of us to wait and see but Jaye says they haven't stopped helping people and businesses like you, connect the right talent to the right opportunity. In fact it might be the perfect time to utilize your skills for a business that needs some fresh people power perspective. She offers a professional resume service and loves the process of helping individuals best showcase their talents in that way. Seems maybe a lot of us dealership folks are not so great at telling our story on a one pager!  ;-) She can help! She told me a bit more about what sets them apart from the other industry job boards and recruiters. She also tells me that if you aren't on LinkedIn, you should be as it is THE place where she finds a lot of the right connections. Just leave the drama behind! (That's me saying that! LOL) Find Jaye's LinkedIn here: Jaye Sanders on LinkedIn She says she typically has a discovery phone call with any potential candidates to see if there is a fit. If the fit is there, you're off to the races! If not, many times she can help you connect with a different recruiter.  Please check out Dream Team Referrals website here:  http://dreamteamreferrals.com/ Please share this episode with everyone that should hear it. We appreciate your support and the opportunity to have you listen to these episodes! The Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas!

Derek joined me this afternoon to discuss why communication is one of the most important things you need to put laser focus on, right now in the midst of this COVID-19 coronavirus thing we dealership people are trying to wrap our heads around. For starters, the consumer expectation has long since diverged from what dealerships (in general) are actually doing to communicate with the consumer, on the consumers' preferred terms. Consumers right now are scared and uncertain. If they reach out to a dealership, we need to be the rock for them to count on. Communication is key to be that rock! If you have a vendor that provides any communication service - which ones are they? Are you paying for it? Are you using it? Are you using it effectively? This relates to all communication streams. I know at Trader, we provide phone call tracking but maybe more importantly right now, we provide texting, chat and even managed chat in dealer packages. I have dealers who have them and chose not to activate them because they didn't have the time to learn them or weren't interested in holding their staff accountable up to now. I think the events we are experiencing are the perfect time to hit the reset button on that mentality. Call your product/service reps, ask if you have any services like that that you aren't using. Have them get you and your staff trained on them. Have a plan with expectations so everyone in the store knows what the plan and goals are in all communications. As Derek said, if your team is saying they need to get a customer into the store to move past a call or message communication - you may be dead in the water in this, the new world that we were just thrust into. A lot more in the chat today with Derek.  He is always a great guest. I appreciate him coming on to share his experiences. Please reach out to Derek if you are looking for training or just some perspective. Website: http://www.ds1consulting.com/ Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ds1consulting email: dsanders@ds1consulting.com

Parts & Accessory folks - Do you want to grow? Are you currently retaining all of your customers? Sadly, based on what I see when I visit or consult with many businesses, the answer is probably not a yes. So, if you are bleeding customers at any level, what is step one? I had Richard Kimes come on the dealership fiXit podcast to discuss just that.  Although he is no longer with Helmet House, Richard's most recent role was as their Chief Marketing Officer & Director of Training until late last year. You probably know Helmet House as your main distribution source for Shoei & HJC helmets as well as Cortech, Tourmaster and many more solid accessory lines. I know that when I was at dealerships I relied on my Helmet House rep as my main go-to for helmet training. That was some years ago and I know there are other distributors doing great things now but, for me they were the hot ticket.   Richard says that of ultimate importance is that there is belief at the GM/Ownership level, that more of the right training can help. Vital is what he calls Customer Handling Training where scenarios can be used to help staff understand consumer expectations, nuances of communication and (example) if you are better off to sell what you have on the shelf or skip the turn and order them something else instead. Interesting thing to have to decide on as standard operations have always been that roll what is on the floor. But when is that the wrong choice? Having a background in advertising where he represented companies like Suzuki, General Motors and more seems to have helped Richard really understand what it takes to help move people toward the product or service you offer so please listen in for insights. I'm hoping these type of ideas can help dealerships like yours stop the bleeding, keep the "easy button" web sales away from your customers and set yourself up for a way to test and grow PG&A sales in the local market you serve.  Richard's website here Richard on LinkedIn here  Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas! Thank you for checking us out!  I appreciate every listen and any/all feedback. Brian Croft

I wanted to read this LinkedIn blog post from my friend Jeffrey.  It hits home for me and I'm sure it will hit "home" for you... wherever you find yourself.  Buy his book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Retail-Manual-Strategies-Retailers/dp/1732565414 Jeffrey P. McNulty can be found on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreypmcnulty/ The actual LinkedIn post can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-axioms-ensure-my-intentions-honorable-true/ Thank you for listening to the Dealership fiXit podcast. The Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas!

I recently read Kurt von Ahnen's book "Service Writing in Black & White" written in 2007 and - I can tell you that if you have any interaction with a dealership service department - you need to get it and read it right away! In fact, Kurt has opened up to pre-order the follow up to the first book, which will be named "Service Writing in the Grey"   I wrote service as my very first job in this business and I can tell you that I did not have proper training so anything I got accomplished was with hard work and/or pure luck! LOL. Don't let your team LUCK AROUND, get them dialed in with proper training and turn on the cash machine that is your service department. Find his books here: http://www.servicewriterbook.com/ He announced to me when were recording the podcast - the next 30 days - he is running a smoking hot promotion to get you & your people trained for optimization to maximize profits. Here is the video about that:  Manana No Mas Training Announced If you are on Linkedin, find Kurt here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtvonahnen/ Thanks Kurt for taking the time to share your concepts with the dealership fiXit audience! The dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas! Have an idea to share? Please contact me directly right now! Brian Croft dealershipfixit@gmail.com  Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dealershipfixit/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dealershipfixitgroup/

Welcome back!  Here we are already a couple weeks into 2020!  How did that happen? Episode 53 and tonight we got to chat with Jason Gearld about his "baby" Phoenix Handlebars as well as some other stuff. Jason started in the powersports biz working at a shop in rural Indiana where he says it all started for him in 1985, when his mom brought home the June copy of Dirt Bike magazine from the grocery store and his obsession began.  He got his first dirt bike - a legit 1985 Honda XR80 which he says he would ride until it ran out of gas.  Excellent! Check out the website here: https://www.phoenixhandlebars.com/ Jason is setting a great example for young, upwardly inclined powersports people, in my opinion.  He was hot for all things dirt bike and even with apprehension and uncertainty, picked up his life (a KX125 and an S-10 pickup) and moved to parts unknown to be or do more in the moto biz! I applaud him. He actually made step one and two and three, ultimately making it to the "moto-mecca" of SoCal where he resides today.  He stepped up into the big show - which you can see in his resume - and now he is making products for guys like his younger self. In my opinion, he's a working class guy and if that is you, you should support him by spending you money with him. It doesn't happen overnight but if you put one foot in front of the other like Jason has, you can make moves, friends and a fun living in this business. As mentioned in the episode, he also works with Alex at MotorcycleIndustryJobs.com in a business development role. He is not a recruiter, but he is a great guy to know as he is a connector by nature. Find Jason on LinkedIn Thanks for supporting Jason and thanks for sharing this episode! The dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas! Got an Idea to share or story to tell? Contact me here: dealershipfixit@gmail.com Thanks! Brian Croft

Did you know that I was inspired to do this podcast by an old friend? As we all know too well this time of year, sometimes inspiration falls flat before the perspiration part even gets started, if we haven't put ourselves around the right kind of people - people who will nudge us in the direction of completing the things we said we wanted to. My old buddy Craig Johnson from Wild Ass Seats is that guy. Ever since I've known him he has been a guy like that.  I talked with Craig this time one year ago as I was thinking that a podcast about dealership issues, including the real conversations that do occur or maybe more importantly need to occur in and around those dealerships. He said "YOU SHOULD!" to which I probably replied something like "Well I didn't mean that I should do it!" - but the words spoken cannot be taken back. Here I am with 6600 plus listens by folks like you and growing every month. Craig held me accountable much the same way I now do to folks responding to episodes or ideas for future episode topics when I say "maybe you and I should just discuss that on an episode" - Thanks Craig for setting an example. Those willing to speak out loud the ideas they are passionate about are the ones who will be given to opportunity to be held accountable. That's a great thing! Craig's business at Wild Ass Seats is finding a way to make customers comfortable - but I realize even more now that he many times has to do that when they don't realize that being uncomfortable for a moment (introspection, analysis, planning to remedy) can lead to better things and more fulfillment in the long term.  I'm very fortunate to have friends like Craig and I'd encourage anyone who reads this to take this new year threshold to move yourself in the direction of friends who will make you better and you can commit the same to them. You didn't have to do it on New Year's Eve, New Years Day or anything like that - just make the change, do better, as soon as you know better.  (That's NOW, if you are keeping track!) Check them out:  Wild Ass Seats website here. Wild Ass Seats Facebook here.  Wild Ass Seats Instagram here. And - The real fun side of Craig on his TikTok page here. *************************************************************** As always I'd like to say how much I appreciate ever listen I get to this podcast. Thank you for listening, sharing and rating the show! Feel free to email me directly at: dealershipfixit@gmail.com  The dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas!  

I couldn't wait to talk with her and get her take on how we are doing in this business, from a woman's perspective. This being my first chat with a woman in motorcycle business, on this podcast. She was a pleasure to talk with and I know you'll love the listen. Buckle up! You know Teri has to be tough since she attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps before coming into the motorcycle biz. So why the hell would a dealership say he wouldn't sell her a sportbike?? Listen to the episode for that story. So are we moving beyond that sort of stereotype in this male dominated place? She can elaborate on that... I can tell you she has great ideas on how we can better move our minds and retail stores to better resonate with what consumers now expect from us and have a better opportunity at them spending their hard earned money in this home we call the powersports business.  Connect with Teri here: Teri Lynn on Linkedin Check out what Teri does all day at Triumph North America here: Triumph North America  See what all the fuss is about this Triumph tour we chatted about here: Triumph On Tour About the Dealership fiXit podcast: If you are so inclined that you want to support me having these sort of interviews directly, you can do so here: https://anchor.fm/dealershipfixit/support If not, please help me grow listenership in our powersports community by sharing the hell out of this podcast  :)  that way I can get the opportunity to get more listeners and more engagement in their ideas, in our space.  A sincere thank you in advance for whichever you are able to do! The Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas!

Josh Barton with Trail Tech talks with me about Connected Riders & Trail Tech GPS products - Episode 50 Josh was willing to be my CLOSEST proximity guest to date - and doing a phone podcast interview form just across the river in Washington state! If you understand that one of the most important things a company can do these days is offer a way to help a human CONNECT to other people, you'll see the value in their new product line - centered around Connected Riders! I have been on offroad (adventure bike) rides that end in a fun time but could have been better if someone hadn't gotten lost and people had to double back to find them, etc. It makes for a long day when the fun of blazing trail with your pals isn't what occupies the majority of the time, but locating a lost pack member is - enter the Trail Tech Connected Rider GPS system.  From their website: You may know Trail Tech as a company that designs and manufactures industry leading GPS systems, digital gauges, fan kits, high output stators, kickstands, and a variety of electrical accessories for motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and UTVs. There is more to know about them and I would encourage you to click over and see their product offering at: WWW.TRAILTECH.NET Trail Tech joined the Apex Product Group in 2017, to better serve their customers growing needs. Trail Tech continues to invent and develop cutting edge, quality products for the benefit of the Powersport community. VISIT them at:  WWW.TRAILTECH.NET About the Dealership fiXit podcast: If you are so inclined that you want to support me having these sort of interviews directly, you can do so here: https://anchor.fm/dealershipfixit/support  If not, please help me grow listenership in our powersports community by sharing the hell out of this podcast :)  that way I can get the opportunity to get more listeners and more engagement in their ideas, in our space.  A sincere thank you in advance for whichever you are able to do! The Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas!  

Steve Dodds of Garage Composites joined me tonight to discuss dealer comp plan philosophies. A topic I have been asked for at least twice this year - so I hope this brief episode will do it justice, as a start. Steve has offered to come back on in the near future to expand on this and possibly address other topics as well. get your pen and paper ready!  :) Find Garage Composites here:  https://garagecomposites.com/ Connect with Steve Dodds here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-dodds-ii-6274752b/ Please support the Dealership fiXit podcast by sharing this and other episodes with anyone you know in the business that should hear it. The Dealership fiXit podcast exists to tap dealers into high performance ideas! Thanks for listening!