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Salty Sunday. Don't worry- your people won't 'Like' or 'Comment' on this post. But they are reading it.
Why?
Owners and Leaders, we have work to do.
Tremendous opportunities await when you flip the narrative from 'what your employees 'owe you' to 'what you owe your employees'.

I'm adding my thoughts for you to ponder today: Why in the world would you expect your team to work as hard as you for the vision that you have?

What is their possible windfall?

Before you start this next week and as we enter the 2nd quarter, please read this carefully and give it good thought. I want you to understand how deeply I care about you and your companies but a lot of you are not paying attention to your most important assets:

It's not your products. They are important, but not the most important.

👉It's your People.

You win when they help you win...but how do they really win? And how are some of your key, seemingly loyal people feeling? If you can handle the truth and are willing to be introspective read on. If not. carry on.

✔️1. Get very, very clear and be very specific with your team about where you see the company going and the benefits they will receive when you win as a team.

✔️ 2. Reward and recognize your people generously. And earlier than you want...the clock is ticking.

✔️ 3. Promote people before they have to ask...or risk losing their drive before ultimately losing their presence.

✔️ 4. If you made promises to hire people, It's your responsibility to fulfill them...and keep track! Most will choose to leave rather than choose to have an uncomfortable conversation to remind you.

✔️ 5. Avoid dangling exciting opportunities and bonuses and failing to deliver on them.

😳!!! Oh did I really say that? Yes, this is endemic. Big companies, start-ups. Successful and struggling organizations. None are immune.

✔️ 6. Compensate people so they will want to stay, don't wait to pay them properly- or how you promised-until they finally threaten to leave.
⭐💲Do pay them or you will find yourself paying the next new person more money who has no experience with your company or your customers.

✔️ 7. Pay attention to your people.
No matter how busy you think you are, they are busy also. They don't want to hear that you're busy and don't have time for them. They want to hear that you see them, recognize, and appreciate them, and are there to support them so they get on with their work for you.

#GaryVee got me all revved up.
I hear these stories every day. From Amazing Employees at All Levels!

I can guarantee this much: Your people are or will be looking elsewhere if you're not taking care of them. You're not the only game in town.

We've seen a great deal of prosperity in the marketplace.
It's time to focus on your people and be generous.

You + your team are #BetterTogether.
Let me help you keep it that way.

#Career #Leadership #TalentAcquisition #EmployeeRetention #TeamBuilding #FiveDysfunctionsOfATeam #Morale #performancemanagement

1347

On Elevating Your Culture to Attract and Retain High-Performing Teams:
Why this is critical and what steps you are even considering help me determine your long-term health and success. If that's important to you and your leaders...your investors...your team.

Solutions only- what are you doing to overcome these historic challenges.
Let's hear from you!

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1344

On Generous Media Partners: Cherokee Media Group steps up to the plate multiple times every year to provide Dealers and Partners across the industry the opportunity to meet, share and learn. The most recent event was an astounding success out in Las Vegas for the Used Car Week which included robust sections on Remarkating and FinTech.

Next week I'll be joining them along with hundreds of industry friends at their annual Automotive Intel Summit in Raleigh. Fantastic event, plus this one is drivable for me!

Here are my notes for you as I accepted their invitation to join their Dealer Training Series yet again this year. The response was overwhelming last year and these events were each a huge success.

Please be sure to join in by registering below!
~~~~~~
Thank you again Cherokee Media Group for providing the Dealer Training Series to our industry partners.

This will be the most impactful set of sessions to date. I'm thrilled to take pole position and be joined by our friends George Nenni and Alan Dickie as we each share crucial insights for our Dealers.

I will be sharing solutions normally only offered to clients. It's time to spread the solutions to our Cherokee Media Group network.

After all, #BetterTogether is more important than ever. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Register today.

George Nenni Bill Zadeits Alan Dickie Michele Pierog John Possumato, Esq. Eric Brown Steve Jones Scott Naugle Daniel Gonzales Allen B.

1343

On Moving from a Business or Career Crisis to a Place of Celebration.

Most celebrations are not a result of accidental good fortune.

In the absence of strategy and planning, quite often we give ourselves permission for our own micro-celebrations: A trip, a splurge, new fitness gear, an expensive dinner with friends...the list goes on.

But these rewards can feel shallow when devoid of hitting our objectives- and we still know we haven't accomplished what we set out to achieve.

I work with people daily who knew in their gut that more success was possible. There are myriad, individual reasons why they have fallen short.

With our partnership, we choose to listen carefully to your goals, your dreams, your pressing needs and craft solutions, strategies and timelines to get you running proudly through the finish line.

Let's plan a celebration. Let's talk and get a strategy in place to make sure we are celebrating our real victories.


I'm ready to help you win or win again.

Are you good with winning or is a fear of massive success holding you back?
Let's go- you deserve it!

#CareerCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipMatters #WomenInLeadership #GROW! #FosterStrategiesGroup #BetterTogether #InvestingInYourself #InvestInYourCompany #CelebrateSuccess

1342

On Another Way GROW! + Our Executive Career Coaching Strengthens Women in the Workplace:
#Sponsorship

Recently, I was asked to partner with an incredible organization many in my network may not have been exposed to: Wnet - Women's Network in Electronic Transactions.

This may be of particular interest to those attending the @Automotive Intel Summit with me next week in Raleigh, NC, courtesy of Cherokee Media Group as #Wnet is heavily engaged in FinTech.

Wnet's objectives are clear:
"To create a stronger and more diverse industry by empowering and investing in women."

Like me, they seek to do this with male ally-ship, but in its absence, their goals remain steadfast.

One of the cohort spearheading the efforts on driving Coaching and Career Growth is Cynthia Knowles. She shared this #HBR article with us in a planning session and I wanted you to have it at hand.

You see, talking about 'adding women' certainly won't happen on its own.

🎯 This is not a numbers game as we have seen still prevailing throughout Automotive Retail. While Dealers may add 'bodies' or headcount checking the female box, payroll percentages trail men's by 60% or more.

Merely 10-15% of Dealerships' payroll dollars are going to women. These figures are actually quite generous.

💲 Where is the money?
❓ Can we do better?

This clearly requires more of a concentrated effort with accountability.

👏 We need to be advocates for women in our workplaces.
Rather, we need better workplaces in Automotive, period.

We need environments where leaders are actively seeking to attract, educate, empower and grow leaders of all genders.

Here is a clip from #HBR:
"The similarity principle – which affects all workplace relationships — is even stronger when it comes to sponsorship, because the stakes are higher. Sponsorship is a kind of helping relationship in which senior, powerful people use their personal clout to talk up, advocate for and place a more junior person in a key role. While a mentor is someone who has knowledge and will share it with you, a sponsor is a person who has power and will use it for you.

When it comes to this important distinction, the evidence is also clear: women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored."

👉 Did this resonate with you?

I'm not looking to give women an unfair advantage. This would be nearly impossible any way!

I am working diligently and undeterred toward giving them their own voices, clear strategies and unabashedly asking male leaders to use their voices to highlight this talented, underserved, 'underseen' talent pool.

For. their. own. good.

I strongly recommend to all reading this to share and discuss at your organization.

As I close, I am eternally grateful to Aubrey Amatelli for introducing me to Wendy (Tronge) Holliday, M.Ed., CAE and Wnet - Women's Network in Electronic Transactions. There is much more exciting news ahead.

#BetterTogether.
It starts with lifting your thoughts and your voices.
Many thanks-L

1341

On A Tough Talk About Your Leadership Team: When was the last time you initiated a thorough check on your Leaders?
We put our team members through 360s, but assume our Leaders are performing at the highest, beyond reproach levels.

But do you know how they are behaving-or not?
How close are you to understand how they engage with and interact with their teams?

Do you know if they are effective or if they are pulling the wool over your eyes with a whirlwind of confusion swirling around every conversation?

Do you know how difficult or untenable they are making the workplace for selected team members?

Do they have favorites and are they proud of this?

I have friends in the industry who can offer you an Employee Experience survey on your Leadership team.

Why is this important?
1) How will you keep your current team in place if your leaders are unchecked?
2) Where will you find new people when they find better opportunities?
3) How can your company reach its full potential if poor behaviors have crept in?
4) How will you grow new, good leaders in these environments?

Here is the tricky part:
The ultimate leadership team or C-suite looks out, surveys what they have built and believe everything is fine. From 'up there' it usually does.

You believe- because you're 'nice' or distracted in some cases - that your leaders understand how you want people treated.

You believe it when your leaders (that you put in place) tell you they are 'busy'- but don't check to see what exactly is filling their day- and your pipeline of clients and employees.

You stopped encouraging their continuous improvement as you 'assumed' they would do this on their own.

👉 Ask tough questions.
👉 Hold people accountable.
👉 Raise your expectations.
👉 Culture ravels one Manager to Team member at a time.

It's quiet.
It's insidious.
It happens in the dark.
It's easy to blame on the lower level team members.
And due to many valid reasons, your people are muzzled, standing powerless and silent as they are afraid to speak up. Because you have proven you don't want to listen and retaliation is real.

So instead, they leave. And you don't ask the hard questions?
Not why did they leave?
How did our leadership team fail them, fail us?

These may be bitter pills to swallow as the sun sets tonight, but my stomach is turning- again.

Be better. Do better. Demand better.
This brief moment of success will not last.

I will be here supporting great leaders and those who want to become great leaders. While I will never have all of the answers, I will humbly maintain the courage to lead the charge for excellence in our industry.

We are #BetterTogether. Some of your 'leaders' need to give this careful consideration

#StraightTalk #Automotive #IndustryStrategist #Workplace #ToxicWorkplaces #DemandExcellence #LeadershipMatters #Solutions #Strategy #Consulting #ExecutiveCoaching

1340

Here is Another Sneak Peek: Our Inaugural GROW! Women in Leadership luncheon photos continue.
🌛 Tonight, while you do whatever you do, I'll be adding names, companies and captions to another 250+ photos from our terrific luncheon at National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).

😲 One half of the files came through easily, the second batch isn't behaving the same- so I needed time to find out how to handle them.

❤❤❤ I can't think of a more wonderful and rewarding way to spend my time as I re-live the magical movement we've started.

Extra special thanks tonight again to all who attended, but also to all who made it possible. I asked and you all stepped up and delivered!

Our Generous Sponsor Partners who Shared Dollars, Resources and Encouragement:

👏👏👏 700Credit
⭐⭐⭐ Audientis Automotive Advisors, LLC
👏👏👏 Dealers United
⭐⭐⭐ Driveitaway
👏👏👏 Dynatron Software, Inc.
⭐⭐⭐ Force Marketing
👏👏👏 inSearchX
⭐⭐⭐ PureCars
👏👏👏 Silverback Strategies
⭐⭐⭐UVeye
👏👏👏Women of Color Automotive Network (WOCAN)

I'm turning the music up and getting comfortable as I settle in for this photo-label marathon and I'm here for it.

Have I mentioned lately how much #BetterTogether took place before, during and since this event?

Kerri Wise Michele Pierog Stefanie Betz Molly Dennehy Aimi Gundersen, Ed.D. Nicolle LambSamantha Foster Leah Webb Shelley Prange Washburn Andrea Myers Andrea Lloyd Emily Cole Sandy Zannino, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Maureen Martin Kaylee Felio🌻 Amanda Dunlap and if you see a face you know or someone who needs to know we are out here, keep tagging others!

GROW! is here to change lives. That's all. ❤❤❤
What a privilege to see it happen in real time.
Much love and appreciation-
Laurie

1338

Learn more about GROW! today.
GROW! is the Automotive industry's first program solely designed to elevate the compensation and leadership opportunities for Women throughout Automotive. 👏👏👏

We are also the first to help companies understand the savvy and profitable business strategy of attracting a greater talent pool to occupy roles which historically did not factor in females when hiring.

⭐ We are actively helping women clarify their path, refine and deepen their skills, lift their presence and impact to the market and contribute massively to the greater health and success of organizations across the industry.

⭐We are 'Generating Remarkable Opportunities for Women' as we clear the challenges and create new paths for these talented professionals to go further, faster.

#FrictionlessCareerPaths are possible.
#EqualConsideration is possible.

If you are a Female Professional in Automotive and are ready to take positive, proactive steps towards increased success, reach out today.

For organizations interested in learning how we can incorporate GROW! at your company, call today.

We are making a difference, one career at a time. Or 100. Or 1000.

Let's GROW!
Generating Remarkable Opportunities for Women

Brought to you by Foster Strategies Group.
*currently accepting applications from Managers, Directors, VPs and C-suite or equivalent of each

1337

On an Opportunity to Meet Another Outstanding Professional: I would love to introduce you to @Steve Jones of Audientis next week when we are all in Raleigh, NC for the @Automotive Intel Summit.

Steve has built an impressive portfolio as he shares his expertise across several critical financial points for Automotive Dealers today, In addition to participating in over 100 transactions, he is able to bring his solutions and options to Dealers and Businesses of all sizes, and all situations.

We both have a busy agenda and want to catch as many of the great presentations as possible. But there is always time to make new connections and explore new partnerships.

If you don't have dinner plans for Tuesday or Wednesday evening, we would love to host you.

Enjoy your weekend, travel well and start a list of questions to run past Steve at #AIS.

#PowerOfPartnerships #Mergers #Acquisitions #DebtRestructuring #EquityRaise #Financial Planning #Diversification #BuySell #AudientisAutomotiveAdvisors #FosterStrategiesGroup

1336

As we go into the weekend, I want to thank everyone who has been so incredibly excited, encouraged and ready to join GROW! as we put the finishing touches on this opportunity for women throughout Automotive- and beyond.

For those who signed up a few months ago- I have all of your info- but do feel free to check in if you want to make sure.

Keep a close eye here on LinkedIn as I routinely get messaging through to this platform faster than anywhere else. You thought I was going to say faster than a speeding bullet, didn't you?!

Start thinking about your goals, your potential, the impact you know you can make and get your mind ready for you and your career to GROW!!!

Much love and courage to all.
Laurie
#BetterTogether #CareerGROWth #LeadershipGROWth #PersonalGROWth #PowerOfPartnerships #LiveYourValues #Courage #Prepare #Empowerment #ContinuousImprovement #Mentorship #Solutions #Strategy #LaurieFoster #FosterStrategiesGroup #WomenInLeadership

1334

Looking for recommendations for a Recruiting and Search firms. Automotive industry experience necessary, but their practice does not need to be limited to automotive.

Serious inquiries and referrals appreciated.

Female Ownership or strong presence of women in leadership roles preferred.

One of the best ways to help women grow their careers is with people who understand their unique challenges, skills and opportunities regarding compensation, promotions and strategic career path planning.

#BetterTogether
#GROW!
#GeneratingRemarkableOpportunitiesForWomen
#PowerOfPartnerships
#WomenInLeadership
#CompensationMatters
#FosterStrategiesGroup
#InnovativeSolutions
#Recruiting #Search #TalentAcquisition
#JobOpportunities #CareerAdvancement

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1333

We must all do what we can.
If you can speak up, please do so.
If you can contribute, please do so.
If you can send a thought or a prayer, please do so.

The only thing we are asking you to not do is to look away.

We know what happens when seemingly good people look away.

This isn't political.
This is about being good fellow citizens of our planet. This is our shared problem. We must help stop the atrocities.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

If you have an organization that you support giving aid to our friends in #Ukraine, feel free to share it in the comments below.

1332

With the #AutoIntelSummit only 3 hours from my Charlotte home base in #Raleigh this week, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to drive over a day early to meet up with my great friends at Reunion Marketing.

Much more to come, but for today I just want to tell you how incredibly proud I am to know Dave Spannhake.

What he and the other 5 co-founders have done in the last handful of years is nothing short of amazing.

I was able to visit their beautiful new location which happens to be based right next to a small enclave of dealerships tucked in the woods.

Cream rises...it always does.

I can't wait to update everyone I know of the massive changes happening at your company, Dave.

For tonight, since I am in town a night early, it's dinner at the hotel. If you're nearby give me a shout.

I'm so thrilled to participate in yet another of Cherokee Media Group 's events. Always a fantastic group of people and topics.

Have a wonderful Spring Break vacation with your family, Dave and safe travels to everyone coming in to Raleigh. Chad Graves...see you Wednesday!

#BetterTogether
#PowerOfPartnerships #LeadershipMatters
#ReunionMarketing #AIS #MarketingStrategy
#Innovation #Tech #SaaS #Solutions #Automotive #AutomotiveAdjacent

1331

On a Strong Kickoff to the #AutoIntelSummit
in Raleigh.

This is conference is a hidden treasure...and greatly attended by key players throughout #Automotive.

Our first session offers insights with this panel, Moderated by Justin Oesterle, #CEO of RouteOne:

⭐️ Joanna Dean, VP of Sales at Toyota Financial Services Corporation

Stephanie Alsbrooks Hanson, #President of Tricolor Auto Group, LLC ⭐️⭐️
⭐️Andrew Stuart, once again #President and #CEO of TD Auto Finance

and
Marc Womack, #COO of Santander Consumer USA

while listening, I have the pleasure of sharing a table with an incredible group including Marguerite Watanabe.

Stay tuned for up to the minute updates and highlights between now and Thursday.

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1329

On Kicking Off Strong: The Automotive Intel Summit Edition

Justin Oesterle, #CEO of RouteOne is moderating this panel featuring some of #Automotive's leading executives.

⭐️Joanna Dean, #VP of Sales at Toyota Financial Services Corporation

⭐️ Stephanie Alsbrooks Hanson, #President with Tricolor Auto Group, LLC

⭐️ Andrew Stuart, once again #CEO and President at TD Auto Finance

⭐️ Marc Womack, #COO, Santander Consumer USA

While listening 'captively', I shared a table with a terrific group including Marguerite Watanabe whose session I cannot wait to hear.

I'll continue to provide up-to-the-minute insights and updates for you from now through Thursday.

#BetterTogetherEvents
#Automotive

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