
Selling In The Motor Trade
Simon Bowkett, from Symco Training, shares tips and ideas on selling in the motor trade from a sales and aftersales perspective, as well as interviews with industry leaders sharing some of their best practices.
To find out more visit www.symcotraining.co.uk
Latest episodes

Sep 26, 2024 • 38min
Sticky Training
This week we are joined by our new training consultant, Adam Wright. We discuss Adams journey into the motor trade and the experience he has to draw from when training. There are lots of top tips for those new and old to sales, new managers and aftersales. Everything from work ethic to prospecting. Please join us and get to know Adam. Here are the highlights: {06:40} Lead from the front {09:48} Try to do every job {16:13} Make the most of your day {28:21} Sticky training {33:07} Dinosaurs About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Sep 19, 2024 • 28min
Are You Going to Offer GAP?
We can sell GAP again. However, I know some dealers aren’t going to offer it, but others will because they believe in the product. Surely, we need to let customers know about it and then let them be the judge! In this episode, we discuss when to talk about the product, how to bring it up, and then handle some common objections. Here are the highlights: {04:00} When {06:47} How {10:59} 2 Car Flippy/Flip {14:48} Objections {26:00} Promise me About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Sep 12, 2024 • 38min
How the Mighty Fall
Welcome back to another episode of our book club, with Jason Cranswick. We discuss Good to Great, How the Might Fall and Built to Last by Jim Collins. The first book, ‘Good to Great’ looks as a number of companies and how they were good and then out performed the market 6-10 times. The second then looks at how some of those same companies then failed, and the third, does what it says on the tin. There are lots of learning points and inspiration in all three books, level 5 leader qualities, doing things for betterment of the company not the individual, getting the right people on the bus and not resting on your laurels. Here are the highlights: {05:46} The Leader {12:28} Right people on the bus {22:29} Undisciplined pursuit of success {25:00} Motorola {28:23} Cut your losses {31:31} Complacency About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Sep 5, 2024 • 12min
The Worst Thing to Say
You probably hear this phrase every week in your dealership. It’s the worst thing you can say for a number of reasons: you appear desperate, it looks like there’s more money available and you will get silly figures from your customers in response. Let’s also look at what you can say instead. Here are the highlights: {01:26} The worst thing to say {01:53} Money up my sleave {02:20} Smells like desperation {02:58} Silly figures {04:00} Alternative {09:19} Stop the lie About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Aug 29, 2024 • 30min
Plug the Gaps
In this episode we are joined by Nick Hill, Managing Director - Big Marketing. We discuss Nick’s background, and his journey to build Big Marketing. The key to marketing is having the right mix of medium and stopping any leakage before you spend any more money. Here are the highlights: {06:05} Fast-moving industry {13:32} Self promotion {15:04} Direct Mail {15:25} Virtual SMS {20:22} Plug the gaps {26:04} Everyone is important About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Aug 22, 2024 • 19min
Used Car Profit
Discover how to maximize profits in the used car business while remaining competitive. Learn about the pivotal role sales managers play in profit control and team motivation. Explore the significance of precise car descriptions that build buyer trust. Delve into effective commission structures and the impact of accurate evaluations on sales strategies. Plus, uncover the secrets to successful part exchanges and the value of training that translates theoretical knowledge into real-world skills.

Aug 14, 2024 • 52min
I Work For You with Daksh Gupta
It’s with great pleasure we share our interview with Daksh Gupta, Group CEO of Huws Gray. We discuss how he started his working life, his career progression and transferring motor trade skills to other industries. Daksh still has strong automotive ties and continues to work and advise in his roles with Ford and the IMI. An inspirational discussion which has something for everyone, whether your selling cars, working in service or managing a team. Here are the highlights: {02:12} Where it all started {13:58} Steps into Management {17:37} All about the numbers {23:02} Mentors {31:34} Supergroups {45:12} Agency About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Aug 7, 2024 • 8min
Words to Avoid
Short one for your morning meeting this time. Just a reminder of some of the words that we may use without even thinking, that our customers may take differently. Here are the highlights: {01:20} Honest {02:18} Problem {02:44} Buy {06:08} Used {06:27} Deal About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Aug 1, 2024 • 16min
Good Words/Bad Words
Today we talk about swapping some bad words for good words. However, remember it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Here are the highlights: {02:23} Can’t {04:12} Payment {06:10} Discount {07:29} Trader {08:32} Think About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk

Jul 25, 2024 • 27min
5 Things You Must Do!
Following on from our previous episode, we talk about five things you must do in a demonstration drive. These points are when you have parked up and before you let the customer drive. When you park, frame the car and butterfly it, i.e. open all the doors, bonnet and boot. Gives you and your customer space to for you to show features. Here are the highlights: {05:19} Seat back {05:47} Rear Vision Mirror {07:27} Adjust Fuel Consumption {11:46} Set up Sat Nav {13:51} Take keys out of the car About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only inspiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk