We mourn the loss of our brave soldiers’ live lost in Afghanistan. We also mourn the loss of all of the citizens of a country led and ruled by evil men.
May we all appreciate our freedoms.
'Doing the best you can' is not enough.
When it comes to Client and Employee Retention, it has never been
more important to have clear structures, processes and leadership in
alignment and heading towards the right outcomes in place.
We can begin virtually. We will look to the past, but I will also
hand-craft an approach and results that work and are rewarding for
you in this very real set of scenarios we are facing.
Your 'best' is not going to do the job. Our
best will.
Proudly serving solutions and strategies for Real People, Real
Businesses in Real Time with Real Results.
#automotive #consulting #Strategy
#leadershipdevelopment
#ElevatingAutomotivePerformance
#ClientRetention
#FosterStrategiesGroup
How do you know you're doing something right?
When you make a few people unhappy by doing it well. Even in ways that should have been obvious to them.
Don't fall asleep at the wheel or assume because 'you've been doing this forever' that someone who is bright, well-connected, persistent and leverages innovative strategies can't do it and solve known challenges and close performance gaps you missed.
Don't be upset, join us, After all, we never stop talking about #BetterTogether and Power Of Partnerships, do we? ;)
That's all.
Happy Friday!!!
#JustDoIt
#DontBeAHater
#JoinUs #BetterTogether #PowerOfPartnerships #Careers
#Connections #StrategicReferrals #Recruiting
#TalentAcquisition #Careers #CareerOpportunities
💲More or Less?
💲More or Less?
Wait, spend more or make more?
I don't know. You tell me.
💲Spend More and Get Less?
💲Spend Less and Get More?
You wouldn't think it's not that difficult of a question, would you?
But when I audit #Dealerships' and other businesses' Marketing
Spend and Sales Production, I have to wonder. Here are a few of my
questions:
📈How are the people responsible compensated? For their time only
or results?
📋Who is monitoring this, and what current education and
awareness do they need to know the real answers, the real metrics for
today?
💰Have we become so numb to spending $$$ 100's of thousands or
millions annually that we don't correlate and update effectiveness and
expectations...and coach performance to it?
Yes, #Marketing and #Sales can work together. If you can use a
hand with creating this synergy and break out of old patterns, I can
help. We can have you operating at peak performance and
profitability within weeks.
Interested in learning more? https://lnkd.in/dd33ndE
Or schedule your no-obligation call here:
https://lnkd.in/dYJJY8W
Foster Strategies: Inspiring Leaders, Guiding
and Inspiring Leaders.
Up for a Marketing and BDC Effectiveness Check?💲
On average 'bad info' or 'bad lead' rate is now as high as
36% at our dealerships. 😨
Whether a customer provided erroneous information intentionally
or accidentally, the result is the same as your BDC teams spend
countless hours trying to reach the unreachable.
Any of this sound familiar?
🕖Your BDC teams waste hours sending emails to bad addresses,
calls to wrong #s. Then time pleading with Managers that it's a Bad
Lead!
💲You spent the money to #Market your vehicles, your store, but the
'leads' don't feel like real shoppers when this happens, do they?
👩🏫Your team isn't available to talk with real shoppers, becoming
demotivated and you all spend hours deciding what was/ was not a
'real' lead.
📞By the time we do reach these customers (9 calls on average!)
Our next shoe drops as the customer says:
😥"I already purchased elsewhere!" beginning another round of
'Did they or didn't they?'
Frantic + fruitless calls ensue.
Blaming a BDC agent for what they did/didn't do.
Who has seen this?👀
Would you like to see how #AskOtto stops this costly cycle?
#BDC Reps/Directors, #GMs/ #GeneralManagers #SalesManager
#Dealers #Marketing, let's hear your stories now!
💡Ready to learn more about AskOtto? https://lnkd.in/d3KHnJB
'More Conversations with Customers about Cars, Sells More Cars.'It's that basic.
You engage your audience, have a conversation that can
occur with one touch from your or your customer, you sell
more cars.
What's not 'basic' is how most are marketing and trying desperately
to connect with these in-market shoppers.
Lost opportunities!
If you are ready to raise the effectiveness of your marketing spend,
sell more cars and acquire more inventory reach out.
AskOtto activates the 85-98% of the shoppers on your website who
currently never leave a form, a note or call.
By leveraging our trademarked, CEM: Continuous Engagement
Marketing and moving away from the high cost of SEM,
progressive-minded dealers who are ready for this overdue shift have
the opportunity to stand out to their shoppers and win.
Get your revenue engine starte, great things are
happening. Don't be left behind!
https://lnkd.in/dEt-8_7
#MarketingDirectors and VPs, #GeneralManagers,
#DealerPrinicipals can call now for a demo or join an informational
introduction to #AskOtto presented by Foster Strategies Group and
Eric Brown this Friday.
#ConversationsNotClicks
#EngageYourAudience
#MakeMoreFromLess
#ContinuousEngagementMarketingIsHere
https://lnkd.in/drWghYE
www.askotto.com
Calling out all the Women of Automotive.
Who are the women serving in various sectors of Automotive you
could strongly recommend for informative webinars, podcasts and
(gasp!) live conferences?
Names, yes, but please add 'why' their message is important, insights
are helpful and timely or speak to the work you see them providing.
How are they impacting the business, the culture, the lives of our
people?
Men, this is not against you. This is for you. With you!
Broadening all of our perspectives is healthy. For far too long you
did not even have the benefit of these healthy added perspectives and
options.
Remember when 'alternative medicine' seemed foreign and
uncomfortable, yet now the dollars spent on 'alternative' have
skyrocketed as these options are now mainstream.
This is what I'm going for. I want everyone in Automotive to know
all of their healthy, reliable options to the point where 'alternative'
doesn't need to be a discussion point.
So let's hear from you. There are a handful of women who are
routinely acknowledged and requested which is fantastic, but let's
broaden our horizons even farther.
There are limitless opportunities for us to prove out that we are
#BetterTogether!
#WOFO
#WomenOfFixedOperations
#ProfessionalsInAutomotive
#LeadershipMatters
#ProgressiveLeadership
#ElevatingAutomotivePartnerships
There are at least 10,000 Dealers that need the help I can offer them. At least 10k.Don't believe me yet?
There are at least 10,000 Dealers that need
the help I can offer them. At least 10k.
Don't believe me yet?
Most Dealers:
Are wildly overspending without knowing where the money is
going and how best to maximize their spend.
Are using antiquated metrics and reporting tools and cannot quantify
'What Good Looks Like' other than- 'We pulled out a good month
in the end- or It was a tough month.'
Have teams (or someone) making the decisions on their marketing
spend who are not directly connected to the people interacting with
the customers these ads create.
Have Marketing folks who are paid a salary, not on performance like
everyone else on the front end of the store.
This is bad math.
This is poor planning. Often from well-intended people.
Everyone is losing. Your people, your customers, your entire
operation is suffering needlessly.
You're not advised properly or aligned.
There might be nicer terms to use, but this is the real situation.
If you own or run your dealership and can handle the 'Truth' and are
ready to improve your 'Truth' you should call before 9000 other
dealers jump in line in front of you.
Let's 'Elevate Automotive Performance'
together.
We Connect the People, Ideas and Companies in Automotive and Beyond.
We Connect the People, Ideas and Companies in Automotive and Beyond.
How wonderful today to see others begin to employ the
words we've been using since the beginning.
Am I being serious?
Absolutely.
Because if I truly built this moment, this conversation,
this movement by design, these very words are lead
measures showing the market that it's time, and that we carved the
path.
We have always been out front to kindly yet powerfully lead the way. It takes courage, it takes intelligence, but most of all it requires
the desire for a better future for the industry.
Hence, #BetterTogether amongst other powerful phrases
and mottos.
How do you spot our impact to the industry?
⭐When you see Performance or Performance Strategies,
we were there.
👉When you see the Power Of Partnerships, we started
the conversation.
⭐When you see Connectivity, we broadcast our power
of connecting the best people and ideas and companies
and partnerships from the beginning.
When I review the volume of lives we are touching on a daily basis
I am humbled and excited to more simultaneously.
We instigate CHANGE!!!
It's a living, breathing tribute to our spirit of innovation,
collaboration and insights at Foster Strategies Group to see others
start to use 'our' words. Inspiring to know we are broadening our
impact.
And it should give you greater confidence that while the company
I built on my own with Zero Investors and no assistance from any entity,(including the government throughout the pandemic!) is barely 3 years old, my legacy of experience, insights and passion for the industry have always been and always will be, a step ahead of the competition.
An unmistakable edge for you and for us.
Foster Strategies ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Automotive's Leading Performance Strategists
We Connect the People, Ideas and Companies in Automotive
and Beyond.
#BetterTogether is alive and well.
For Performance Strategies and Increases throughout your
organization, contact us today.
What are we losing when we make our Customers do all the work to find your inventory?
What are we losing when we make our
Customers do all the work to find your
inventory?
Let's think about this carefully.
What happens when that 'one' car they were looking at:
❌Isn't available?
❌Doesn't match their budget?
❌Doesn't fit their needs?
Where do you really go from there?
There has to be a better way.
Don't worry, we found it.
Find out more about how AskOtto is revolutionizing Dealer +
Customer Engagement. Foster Strategies presents inSearchX and
'AskOtto' to get the conversation started!
Please register for:
Dealers: Attract Customers By Doing More of What You Do Best,
Have Great Conversations with Shoppers- and Earlier! on Jun 11,
2020 12:30 PM EDT at:
https://lnkd.in/eGwZ3_t
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
Are your teams talking to each other...or about each other?
Yep. We just said it. What no one else will tell you.
Why? Because we know how to fix it like no one else.
We create Teams from Silos.
Silos and Individuals don't win.
Teams Win.
It takes work, your commitment and a splash of courage.
But Teams Win.
Our clients tell us it's worth every minute.
And the new speed of business? Unparalleled velocity.
We make you more money in more ways than you have time to
read on a LinkedIn post.
We're ready. Ask how soon we can get you scheduled.
Foster Strategies. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Five Star Solutions for Automotive's Biggest Challenges.
Keyword= Progressive!
I am looking to talk with a few of the most progressive #GMs at
Lithia Motors, Inc., Prime Motor Group, AMSI Inc. and Berkshire
Hathaway Automotive.
This conversation is for GMs or #Dealers who are actively engaged
with their store's marketing and results.
'20 Group' types.
#CMOs are welcome also.
If you're an amazing Sales Manager or BDC Director, you can
respond with your #GM.
I won't waste your time if you're looking for old-school Digital tools
everyone has.
Important note. Be Engaged in People,
Processes and Outcomes. Again, otherwise,
we are wasting each others' time.
If you're with another group, feel free to PM me or text me directly
at 269.217.0414.
My time is limited, but I'm making time available for those who can
and do take action.
Introductory partnerships are limited.
#Laurie
#BetterTogether
#ConsultingStrategyAndTraining
#DigitalSolutions
#SalesStrategy
#ConversationsWithCustomers
On that One Performance Problem You Haven't Been Able to Solve: The Every Company Edition.
Maybe the better title is 'Why You Need A
Performance Strategist Today', but that
sounds a little assumptive.
Read on and you decide.
Every single leader who reaches out to us has terrific companies
rolling along has the same central concern.
They are doing a good job. So good, that many are 'comfortably
numb' with their current performance and outcomes.
This is concerning to the founders, the leaders.
This is where 'Good enough' is most often an unseen, unaddressed
yellow flag. It waves on as a leading indicator there is trouble on the
horizon.
Status Quo should put a chill in your bones.
From what we have witnessed, our insights show the dangers of
what we have labeled 'Peak, Plateau, Plummet.' The problem is that
the Plateau phase feels so nice, so calm, so...easy. Too easy.
These leaders have that 'One Thing' they already suspect or know
would make a difference and turn the volume up. Break through
sales objective. Unlock the Team's performance. Stand out in a
competitive landscape.
But that 'One Thing' is hard.
👉 It requires (forces) change.
👉 New, uncomfortable conversations.
⭐ It shines a light on those who cannot or will not be useful going
forward.
📈 It adds new or increased expectations.
🎯 It requires a blueprint that no one has drafted.
⭐ It's currently an uncharted, unclear map with known obstacles.
👉 There is a journey to take that most haven't prepared for fully
to a location they are not clear about.
⌚ And it takes Time, That you would have if things were operating
at peak performance.
But competition is increasing and you need to stand out, stabilize
and reset objectives, starting with
That One Thing.
This is where we can begin to help companies like yours.
Our insights and performance strategies are proven to drive results,
faster. We can then easily move on to more performance
breakthroughs,
But let's get this ONE THING solved first, sustainably, successfully
and profitably.
Be the Hero.
Take deliberate action with the only company across Automotive
uniquely positioned to understand and help.
A $199 30-minute meet up call with your team leaders is all we need
to begin.
We're making it easy as we can to give you access and take away and
excuses.
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
#Automotive #ProfessionalServices #Performance
#Sales #Consulting #Training #Entrepreneur #BusinessLeaders
What is something you can put into 'Recovery Mode' in your life today?
Me + my foot have a 'Recovery Request' from you! I'm not
asking for gifts, lol! 🤣
What is something you can put into 'Recovery Mode' in your
life today?
It's never too early or too late to:
Re-examine an action taken
A friendship you've taken for granted
An opportunity you thought you missed
A plan you began but stopped
A note you meant to send
A health goal you set
Restart a conversation you didn't listen to completely and
reevaluated
Join/Explore a community group where you can contribute
Go into 'Recovery Mode' today for yourself
and as a small gift to me, someone who's
cheering you on every day!
I pushed through fear of past events, fear of possible unpleasant
outcomes and am walking in faith+belief it's the right time (less
travel), the right physician to get me walking towards all of my goals
powerfully.
I'm running towards my 'Recovery Mode'.
Thoughts without action + a target are just that. THOUGHTS.
Sitting there, slowing evaporating until they're forgotten.
Will you join me? I'm not asking for anything but the generous gift
of 'you'.
Could you share it or at least mention you're considering something
to recover or renew? ♡
Love, strength and power to all of you!
♡Laurie
#RecoveryMode
PS. Be my fuel for my journey and I'll gladly share mine!
#BetterTogether
Looking for what's next?!
Looking for what's next?!
Many great companies like TrueCar, Inc., Cars.com, CarGurus,
Autotrader US, Edmunds and others have recently released some of
their outstanding people due to business needs. We consider these
companies our friends and are glad to talk to you if you were
performing well there and ready for the most exciting breakthrough
in Digital Marketing in 10 years.
Join us as Foster Strategies Group introduces job opps to another
fresh crew of Sales Execs to the groundbreaking platform from Eric
Brown, formerly of #Dataium. inSearchX has a feature today's
Dealers are already embracing- Talking to Customers!
The 'AskOtto' platform provides Dealers and real Shoppers the
chance to do what they both want: Have Real, In-Time
Conversations about the Car Buying Process, Financing, Trading,
New Inventory and More! Everything our dealers do well on-site,
even better earlier in the funnel when customers are looking for the
dealer they trust!
Bring your fresh ideas and energy to the
conversation and explore all that is possible
for a new opportunity for you to excel!
Digital Marketing Sales Opportunities! Short to Long Term for New
Digital Platform for Automotive Retailers on Jun 11, 2:00 PM EDT
at:
https://lnkd.in/eKXFMMu
#BetterTogether
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
On Digital Marketing.
On Digital Marketing.
Are your Digital Marketing efforts opening up
conversations or simply showing customers
who may have been interested in one solitary
piece of your inventory they found on their
own?
Everyone is spending a lot of money for 'leads' on cars that may not
even be available, affordable, or fit the customers' needs.
But then, we bury them alive with dozens of calls/texts/emails for a
few days and bug the S#!% out of them- driving them away for
when they do wish they had a dealership or a person they could
trust.
Great process! Thank you all Digital Marketing companies and all
Trainers. Way to drive away real shoppers. With a 90% failure rate,
however, dealers are still gladly paying 50-60,000 per month for
these results. The next time you're upset with the weatherman for
being wrong 50% of the time- and still getting paid for it- let's think
about this. This is our world and it it real.
Don't accept this any longer. You cannot afford to, even if you have
the money to burn
Let me know when you're revolted by these results. Until then, happy spending!
Strategies that work. For you, with you.
I've been here for 22 years-
and I will help you get out of this quagmire.
Foster Strategies. Inspiring Automotive Leadership.
Foster Strategies. Inspiring Automotive
Leadership.
When you're ready to start hitting every single objective you set out
to accomplish, we anticipate and remove any roadblocks and show
you the path to streamline your success.
You have goals, your Dealers have goals. We show you how when
you win, they win, too and you become the person whose meetings
they put on their calendar- and won't miss!
Sell more, speed up the sales cycle, boost retention and be the name
in every Dealers conversation, the topic of every 20 Group.
#WhatIsPossible- we won't stop until you are at the top.
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
PM or call today to learn more and get started.
#BetterTogether
Online Retail: Fact or Fiction?
Online Retail: Fact or Fiction?
What are your people saying to customers?
Who trained them?
Did you also adjust ALL of your metrics or are you still looking at
reports the same way as before?
Digital Marketing: Fact or Fiction?
Other than posting YOUR inventory, what is really happening here?
How much does it cost to secure a real customer who is in the
market for a vehicle or to select a dealer they trust?
How much has this enormous spend added (or taken away) from
your bottom line?
Final Question-
How many people were going to buy from you regardless?
We are only closing a few % additional when we really think about
it.
Outdated Thinking. Outdated Training.
Outdated Spend Guidance.
It's time to revisit all of this before you waste another dollar, another employee, another month of not getting all you deserve.
https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT
Real Solutions in Real Time.
I've been providing reliable solutions for a lifetime. It's your turn to take advantage of it.
Can your dealership afford to: Overpay an ineffective GM? Underpay an effective GM?
Where did you 'find' your last high-level managerial candidates...and why?
How did it work out?
What is the 'People' situation currently like at your locations they
oversee?
What were the most important questions you covered- and what do
you wish you had discussed, or better yet, inspected?
What if you could source outstanding talent without wasting time or
money?
Your dealership's health is important to us. Many of you are
operating legacy family businesses and need these people to reflect
your family's commitment to the community and your customers.
Are you really getting exactly what you
wanted? Would you like to?
The risks have never been higher. The opportunity and need to
excel has never been greater.
We can discuss.
Real Strategies, Real Solutions, Real Results in Real Time.
#ElevatingAutomotivePerformance
#ElevatingAutomotivePartnerships!
I am kicking myself.
I created a program that was firing on all cylinders.
I was helping our best Vendors+Suppliers in Automotive improve their impact and be a greater value to our Dealers in Automotive.
Transforming Automotive Partnerships!
I listened to naysayers. Nice industry folks who were 'helping' me:
"Transforming Automotive Partnerships is too obscure."
"People don't want to change, they think they're fine, Laurie"
"Why would a reasonably successful vendor want you to work with
their people? They have people inside to do this."
And now I stand here today kicking myself.
Hard.
I needed to press these very companies who are now releasing their
people!
This could have helped ensure their highest level of dealership value.
I needed to stop listening to the unaware telling me this was not
needed or necessary.
Between CarGurus, Cars.com TrueCar, Inc., Edmunds, thousands
'dismissed'. Factor in AutoNation with their 3500 permanent layoffs
last week!
I have proven ways to help prevent this. Fact.
This is not just the economy- it's the importance of your people and
your customers every with possible advantage.
So today, I'm altering the name, but not the mission:
#ElevatingAutomotivePartnerships!'
I'm taking a stand for you, your people and our industry.
