1327

Ever Wondered How to Raise Capital As An Automotive Tech Start-Up?

Well then you should be here at #AutomotiveIntelSummit with us!

Did you know...
Shell has a Ventures vertical with Brian Panoff leading their Houston and Boston offices.

🐧 Scot Wingo, Founder of Spiffy — On-Demand Car Care and Brian are sharing an important conversation surrounding the Investor relationship.

Scot freely shared that Shell Ventures is one of the. investors on board with his company, Spiffy — On-Demand Car Care.

One point he was very clear to share:
"...Entrepreneurs need to know their stuff. They should be prepared to answer questions we have...and should be fully prepared to explain to investors not simply how their product works, but the customer experience and more."


Due to my desire to respect their privacy concerns, suffice it to say there were myriad interesting opportunities at hand.

If you're not excited about our industry, pay attention! The next 10 years are going to be fast and fascinating.

#BetterTogether
#Spiffy
#ShellVentures
#Investors
#AutoTech
#Strategies
#Success
#Automotive

1326

"What's Next, You Ask?"

Bill Zadeits hosted this lively conversation between
⭐️ Chip Perry, President and CEO of A2Z Sync
⭐️ Alex Snyder, CEO and Co-Founder of FRIKINtech and
⭐️Rusty West, President of Marketscan

The overarching theme here was equal partw encouragement and admonition.

Our partners in Automotive Adjacent companies including Tech, are playing the long game and planning for one to many years ahead.

Meanwhile, Dealers are far too caught up in reveling in their recent, market-driven successes and choosing not to proactively plan and protect their own futures.

Employee experience and customer experience are both being discussed...again.

My question holds: How do we help our Dealer friends and partners help themselves out of this endless cycle?

These open, honestly, helpful conversations are available freely from the best of the industry.

You know I'm here...but there is a world of opportunity when you choose #ThePowerOfPartnerships and #BetterTogether mindsets.

#Automotive
#AutoIntelSummit
#CherokeeMediaGroup

1325

It's Day Two! I'm meeting and introducing so many people here at the Auto Intel Summit.

⭐️⭐️If we haven't met yet, yes please look for me as I would love to learn more about you, your company and what you are trying to achieve.

⭐️⭐️If you do know me but have women at your organization that have joined you that I haven't met yet be sure to introduce them.

The GROW! network is growing quickly!

1324

On What Dealers Are Saying: Robert Glaser, President of #NCADA interviews North Carolina Dealers.

Here are a few sound bites and highlights of a 30 minute fireside chat:

⭐️ Greg Dudak, #GM of Mercedes of Fayetteville

" I think the most important 2 words for the next 2 years are going to be negative equity."

⭐️ Bennett Johnson, #Controller at @Heister Automotive

"Carvana only served to remind us of what we knew we needed to do anyway for our customers. "

"We have a strong focus on employee training. By growing our people we can grow faster and serve our customers better."


⭐️ Christopher Vester, #COO Hubert Vester Auto Group

"While OEM'S may hint at launching initiatives removing the dealer from the process, they can't handle this at scale. Take the F150 for example. How are they going to do that?"

" When it comes to technology we take a different approach. We work on developing stronger leadership throughout our organization at an individual level. When we do this it doesn't matter what technology we seek to add. Our people are equipped to learn. The most important thing is that they are empowered and trusted to make great decisions...with Tech or without."

"One of the biggest changes I think we'll see regarding People is that I believe more of them will have a personal brand, not just a resume."

Great questions and conversations all around.

By the way, be sure to wish Robert Glaser
a very happy birthday!!!


#Automotive #RetailOperations #TheFutureOfAutomotive
#LeadershipMatters
#TalentAcquisition
#Innovation
#Dealerships
#NCADA

1320

On a Wildly Successful Event: The Automotive Intel Summit 22 by Cherokee Media Group

I'm a 1/2 an hour out of Raleigh heading home to Charlotte and I realized I hadn't completed my mission: to give you all the best insights before, during and after the Automotive Intel Summit.


Since I'm going to be on the road for a few hours, I thought I would make a quick video for you as I fuel up for the rest of the journey.

If what you're looking for as a great #ROI includes:

#Decision-makers
#Owners
#Innovators
#Investors
#Partner
#Collaborators
#New Insights
#Opportunities

...this is your event.

I shared a lot of the names and faces you should know, but still only scratched the surface.

Listen in, you might have received a callout!

#BetterTogether
#Automotive #Solutions #Strategies
#VC #Investors #PowerOfPartnerships
#Conference #WhatIsPossible #WhatIsNext
#FutureProof

1319

On What If?: The Talent Placement Edition
One particularly interesting topic arose at dinner this week by others at our table… not by me. Does the amount of people I know in high positions and the amount of people I help secure new jobs give everyone in my network a special advantage...and should I add a business unit to address this need?

Remembering that I spend my days as a business strategist helping companies grow in the market or go to market, you can only imagine how many people I'm talking to in various stages of their careers.

You could even throw in various stages of enjoying their careers.

So the table decided my next venture for me... Becoming The industry's only business centered on Securing Talent for positions with a minimum total compensation package of $500,000.

That's all.

We were all laughing at first until we weren't laughing and we were seriously talking through it.

So what do you think?
Can I make space for one more vertical in my bustling business?

Should I be automotive's leading agent for the best talent in the industry?

Could I continue my approach of actually helping people even if I can't help them at the moment??

Side note: Some people take quite a beating when they approach Search companies. This is pretty embarrassing, but it's true. What if you were actually helpful and partnered with these people?

If my mission in this industry is creating better leaders while creating more opportunities for people, wouldn't it make sense to make sure I'm helping those in these seats?

It wouldn't be the first or last time a business plan was drafted on the cocktail napkin with trusted friends and colleagues.

Let's discuss.
And feel free to start sending me those open positions and your resumes :)

#Automotive #Finance #Careers #Executive #ItsYourFuture #BetterTogether #Leadership #Search #Recruiting


Eddi Zyko Jr Steve Jones, CPA Eddi Zyko Jr
Allen B. Elena Ciccotelli John Possumato, Esq.

1317

On One Secret Strategy of Mine:
I want to know you better, so I can help other people know you better.
And I spend the time learning both of you to make a great introduction.

My intros aren't accidental.

Like everything I do, it's strategic.
👏 Strategic Introductions
👉Strategic Referrals
💲💲💲 Strategic Partnerships

I also work diligently to elevate
🥇 You
🎯 Your Brand
🚀 Your Presence
📢 Your Voice to the Market

And it works. I want you to be FAMOUS! Don't laugh.
What would you pay, what would you give, what have you already invested in Time and Money by doing it 'your' way?

I slash the time it takes to build an audience that is:
⭐ Aware of You- Getting Started is So Difficult Most People Stop Here and Never Get to be 'Known'!!!

⭐ Likes You- As I Make You Approachable (most people struggle here!!!)

⭐ Appreciates and Values Your Thoughts and Insights

⭐ Trusts You

⭐Calls You...With their questions- concerns-conversations- and to do Business!

I am wired to connect people.
I have developed skills to strategically do it with great success.
I want to help you...and I can save you time by using the blueprint I've created and continue to revise, revamp and refine.

Let's Elevate You!
Marketing Strategy packages for one-time or monthly now available.
#BetterTogether #Branding #Marketing #Careers #BusinessStrategy #Growth #Profitability #

1316

On Another Secret Strategy For You: Introductions
I want to know you better, so I can help other people know you better.
And I am willing to invest the time to learn more about both of you or your companies prior to making a great introduction.

My intros aren't accidental.

Like everything I do, they are strategic.

👏 Strategic Introductions
👉Strategic Referrals
💲💲💲 Strategic Partnerships

I also work diligently to elevate
🥇 You
🎯 Your Brand
🚀 Your Presence
📢 Your Voice to the Market

And it works. I want you to be FAMOUS! Don't laugh.
What would you pay, what would you give, what have you already invested in Time and Money by doing it 'your' way?

I slash the time it takes to build an audience that is:
⭐ Aware of You- Getting Started is So Difficult Most People Stop Here and Never Get to be 'Known'!!!

⭐ Likes You- As I Make You Approachable (most people struggle here!!!)

⭐ Appreciates and Values Your Thoughts and Insights

⭐ Trusts You

⭐Calls You...With their questions- concerns-conversations- and to do Business!

I am wired to connect people.
I have developed skills to strategically do it with great success.
I want to help you...and I can save you time by using the blueprint I've created and continue to revise, revamp and refine.

Let's Elevate You!
Individual and Corporate Marketing Strategy Packages now available
#BetterTogether #Branding #Marketing

1315

On Realizing You Are in Control: The Employee Edition

Some of you are stuck right now.
Or at least you're feeling stuck.

Either way, life gets complicated when your work life is unsettled and unsettling.

One of the reasons I developed our new initiative GROW! is to provide resources and education in a collaborative environment to help people, especially women, wherever they are on their career journey.


In the meantime, as encouragement to you today I would share that you are less stuck than you think you are. You are more in control than may be apparent. I help executives andd leaders find ways to handle this with grace and dignity and a mindset of future opportunities.

It's all strategy.
And that's what I do.
Strategize for success!

Join the growing GROW! movement by adding your name to our list today.

https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT

Enjoy your weekend and do know that help is on the way.

Sending you all much love and courage and strength for the day.
-Laurie



#GROW! #DrivingLeadershipInAutomotive
#LeadershipStartsHere #CareerGrowth #SuccessPath #TalentAcquisition #FosterStrategiesGroup
#BetterTogether #PowerOfPartnerships

1314

On Realizing You Are in Control: The Employee Edition

Some of you are stuck right now.
Or at least you're feeling stuck.

Either way, life gets complicated when your work life is unsettled and unsettling.

One of the reasons I developed our new initiative GROW! is to provide resources and education in a collaborative environment to help people, especially women, wherever they are on their career journey.


In the meantime, as encouragement to you today I would share that you are less stuck than you think you are. You are more in control than may be apparent. I help executives andd leaders find ways to handle this with grace and dignity and a mindset of future opportunities.

It's all strategy.
And that's what I do.
Strategize for success!

Join the growing GROW! movement by adding your name to our list today.

https://lnkd.in/eRDK9MT

Enjoy your weekend knowing that help is on the way.

Sending you all much love and courage and strength for the day.
-Laurie

#GROW! #DrivingLeadershipInAutomotive
#LeadershipStartsHere #CareerGrowth #SuccessPath #TalentAcquisition #FosterStrategiesGroup
#BetterTogether #PowerOfPartnerships
#Courage #NextLevel

1313

On An Important Scheduling Clarification: The Holiday Edition

The next holiday we are all scheduling around is Memorial Day.

Monday, May 30 this year.

Yes, I know this. My son's birthday, May 31st, lands right in the middle of it or around it.

Easy.

One would think.

For some reason this year I've referred to it as Labor Day. I have never been one of those people that mixed Memorial Day and Labor Day up in the past.

But Alas… I'm in this category. Horrors.

So if you and I are scheduling anything for the end of May, suffice it to say I am talking about Memorial Day!

At this point if you get it wrong it's on you.
Please stop date- shaming me. Andrea Seymour...yes, you!!!

You've been warned ;)

Happy scheduling and have a great week!

#FullSchedule #FullThrottle
#BusyIsBest #Automotive #Leadership
#Calendars #BetterTogether

1312

Why I Chose to Stop Supporting BDCs: The #RealTalk Edition

After being a leader in the Internet Department + BDC space from the beginning, a few years ago I intentionally stepped away from hands-on training in these arenas even with the large audience and great reputation I had built.

Why?
🧐 The Expense to Dealers-Just kidding!
In reality, this is one of the best ROIs a Dealer can see.

No, it wasn't the cost to Dealers or my ability to build a huge business around it.

You see, it was personal and professional.
I couldn't bear it.

It boiled down to this.

⭐The Time I Spent with BDC Agents Who Did Not Have Support

When you bring the best, widest range of proven solutions, only to have BDC teams sit in a room every day saying:
👉"But our Managers won't let us do this"
Or worse
👉 They don't say it, but they're thinking it.
Even worse.
👉They believe it works, they don't realize their managers will 'punish' them for doing something that actually performs...and then they are crushed, with no one to turn to.😱

❌ We witness these pictures online of happy people after a training, but we never see their faces upon receiving the disapproval of their leaders.

❌ We don't see the atrocious attrition levels of those in these seats pictured.
They remain some of the worst in the industry.

❌ We hear about the one 'breakout artist' who managed to climb up and out, but not nearly as frequently as they deserved based on their effort and contribution to the organizations they served.

When we began creating BDCs and Internet Departments, the positions were mainly categorized by 'people who are good with computers'- prove me wrong! You cannot.

In too many cases, this remains a department largely untouched, uncared for, underappreciated and under leveraged while still misunderstood by 'leaders in auto' all of these years later.

Only when Dealerships require a deeper level of the
Strategy, Consumer Acquisitions, Data, Vehicle Acquisitions, Call Centers, Time-to-Sale, Technology and more will I be interested in training their teams.

😰Until then, I could no longer take their money, stand in front of these groups, get them all excited and hopeful and know that all in, they were going back to environments not set up for success beyond 8-12% closing conversations. It made no sense. My integrity as an industry professional matters.

Until then, what Dealers need from me and my company is Leadership Strategy, designed to support them so that they and their organization can be more successful.

If you are a good trainer, you have seen firsthand all I have referred to.

👉 Where is the growth?
🤦‍♀️ Where are the people you trained last year-or even a month ago?
📈Where are the paths to growing Leadership?
❓ Why are we still talking about 20 year old 'success metrics'- that are not successful in today's vastly different marketplace?

⭐When should we be brave enough to have the real conversations that need to happen?

Let's Be #BetterTogether and fix this.

1311

Today seems to have an inordinate number of
***'I've taken a new position!' *** posts.
Congratulations to all of you and your new organizations. I wish you the very best along with career enjoyment and objective fulfillment.

And here is where I gently step in:

👉 Who did your company lose today...and what is your hiring plan going forward?

🧐 Do you know why they really left?

💡(Hint: They probably didn't tell you the truth, even if you asked. )

🤦‍♀️((Double Hint: If you've hear more than once that it had something to do with their leader, they're not wrong.))

Need help setting a new set of Solutions and Strategies in place for Talent Acquisition and Leadership before this costs you too much time and money?

Call me.

I'm free-ish after 4 ET today.

#CareerGrowth #Congratulations #SomeoneLostTalent #TalentAcquisition #Recruiting #Automotive #Leadership #HRIsNotAStrategy #LeadershipMatters #PowerOfPartnerships #JobOpenings #WomenInLeadership #FosterStrategiesSolutions #BusinessGrowth #DecreaseHiringCosts #IncreaseHiringEffectiveness

1310

Morning Mayhem Moment: What are the most overused or worst phrases/jargon you're about to hear today?

Before you start your meetings today some of you might need this chuckle.

Others might need this as a warning.😁

We're on to you! 🤣🤣🤣

Please feel free to use the comments below to place the worst words and phrases you've heard recently...Including ones that came out of your own mouth!

Perhaps we could develop a 'Jargon Bingo' card for your next meeting. What do you think? And not just the things they say but the people who say them. There's always that 1 person… you know who it is at your company. 👉👉👉 👀

For now I need to run…. we're burning daylight!🤣🤣😳😭😱😎

Happy meetings everyone!

#MorningHumor
#BetterTogether
#Solutions
#SalesMeetings
#WhatDidTheySay
#Buzzwords #BizJargon
#HaveFun

1309

We Are Going Live! Tomorrow I'll be sharing 7 of my Secret Strategies I use every day as I support Automotive and Automotive Adjacent organizations.

This is the first time I've ever let you in on our 'Behind the Scenes' secrets and strategies and I can't wait.

If you ever wanted a sneak peek into how I help companies discover and flex their full potential every single day, join us on Thursday at 2p ET.

Thank you again Cherokee Media Group for allowing me to kick off this years' #DealerTrainingSeries.

#BetterTogether #SevenSecretSuccessStrategies #Leadership #GROW!

Bill Zadeits Amanda Dunlap Justine Mirsky-Blank Joe Overby Nick Zulovich
Kerri Wise Eric Brown Scott Naugle Daniel Gonzales John Possumato, Esq. Stella Automotive AI Jennifer (Blount) Sanford Jason Harris Kaylee Felio🌻 Aja Goldey Leah Webb Stefanie Betz Josh Holstein Trent Broberg 🥇Jill Chandler Trudeau Leslie Vander Baan Cory R. Cox, MBA Elena Ciccotelli Steve Jones, CPA Allen B. Lindsay Ciavattone

Find out how our program ‘Automotive Performance Plus’ transforms relationships and results for dealers and vendors!

START Your Transformation Story Now →