1469

With the scale and scope of our projects increasing I needed to add an additional workspace that was a flexible space also.

When you come to my house for dinner you may be sitting at a table where I also film and lay out bigger projects.

I still have my kitchen/dining area but that's another story. Rotating around my house and getting the job done.

It's what we do in 2022.

Keep redefining and reimagining the space around you.

From my home offices to yours... all the best!

1467

On Why We Must Follow Our Inner Voice: Changing the world requires a personal, internal mission, long before others agree or join you.

We've been working on improving these for years:
👉The Automotive Leadership Landscape
👉Powerful, Profitable Partnerships
👉The Customer Experienced
👉Digital Solutions and Tools and
👉Intentionally Attracting, Hiring, Retaining and Promoting Females in Auto Leadership

Which of these on our list are in the 'Obviously' category to you today that weren't years ago?

Which are you still not 'sold' on...yet?

Which would help move your company forward, faster?

The fact that many didn't embrace our ideas at the beginning had nothing to do with their merit, but where those individuals were at that point in time.

We can go through a never-ending list of people who faced push back or even ridicule as they shared their visions early on.

But sooner or later, they either choose to follow or have to.

We know Automotive, the people, the players, the customers, the competition. And we create solutions that strategize on winning, whatever your challenge or opportunity.

Like Steven Apicella also shared, we're not just here for 'what's now', we're here for 'What's Next'!

#AutomotiveStrategies #WinningAtRetail #SupportForServices #PowerOfPartnerships #GROW #ExecutiveCoach #LeadershipMatters #SalesStrategy #GoToMarket #DigitalRetail #Keynote #Speaker #Presentation

To Matt Higgins- thank you for another thought-provoking post.
To Thought-Leaders everywhere, stay strong, stay focused and stay ahead of the game.

1466

On Meeting New People, Opening Up New Opportunities:
The Automotive Transportation and Logistics Edition

I had the good fortune of meeting Jay Wertzberger and Ty Thompson finally in person at the recent #UsedCarWeek, #AutoRemarketing and #Navicon events in Las Vegas earlier this month.

When Jay invited me to be a guest on his show, I said 'yes' but must admit I wasn't 100% sure what to expect.

I was in for a treat and so are you now. What a terrific group he pulled together as we discussed all things Transport and Logistics.

I learned a lot from each person present including Jay and Ty, but also my friends Mark L. Harvey, Jr. and Skye Haulman. I am a continuous student of our business(es) and this helps me stay sharp for all clients.

There were things I was able to contribute back to this group, which felt good- and necessary. Most of our challenges can be boiled down to Trust, Respect, Communication and...Kindness and Curiosity.

When you are tempted to think of your client or vendor as 'other' or 'bad' step back and remember these things, these arrangements, they go both ways.

I encouraged our Transport businesses and Drivers to intentionally take time to acknowledge their Dealer customers. They are all busy, hard-working people to you. Most Dealers, Used Car Managers and Owners respect the daylights out of someone who is hustling and trying to deliver great service- with a smile and a handshake while they're at it.

Be the first in your work relationships to step up, step out and start connecting, by design. Your business and the bottom line will thank you as you become their friend, partner and 'go-to' person.

Thank you again for the invite. It's well worth the time and the listen, friends.

#BetterTogether #PowerOfPartnerships #CustomerLoyalty #LeadershipMatters #SalesStrategy

1465

On Attracting the Best Talent for the Job: How do you ensure you are seeing the best possible candidates?

We help you repackage your current openings and offer you a unique way to appeal to the undeclared job seekers, pulling them into the open market.

Right now, we have several professionals who are currently in enviable roles but are ready for the next challenge.

Talk with us to review your current Talent Acquisition efforts. Chances are, you're missing out on the perfect person to add to your organization.

We create opportunities for great companies and talented professionals.

Foster Strategies Group ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving Excellence in Automotive Leadership


1464

To my friends attending #Autovate with Cliff Banks: Be sure to connect with another emerging tech company, Autolabs.io and their CEO, Daniel Gonzales.

They have developed an outstanding solution for Fixed Operations departments of any size. Their technology reduces headcount, increases call throughput, reduces bounce and drives RO's to higher levels.

In addition, their campaigns are adding huge revenue increases to Fixed Operations' bottom line.

Daniel, Jordan Day and Travis Pendleton are addressing your key challenges and offering you reduced costs and increased opportunities.

Don't lose another customer and hang on to those already in your database with Autolabs.io.

Look for Daniel and I promise you will appreciate the conversation. Enjoy the event! Cliff does an amazing job for all of us in the industry.

#Innovation #Automotive #Autovate #IndustryLeaders #SaaS #MarTech #Communications #FixedOperations #ServiceDepartment #Campaigns #Recalls #OEMRecalls

1463

On What’s Next After SEM: How PSEM is the next natural evolution with supernatural results. 

A national client of ours nailed it. After seeing their results, they declared our latest inSearchX solution was a ‘perpetual search + recommendation engine’ and we liked it. 

💡Perpetual Search Engine Marketing or ‘PSEM’ never stops seeking to match your customers with your inventory and offers.  

Your vehicles can now be matched and recommended to active shoppers 24/7/365 with our hands-free and highly effective in our ability to serve up vehicles to customers that weren’t available when they visited your website. 

Customers cannot shop for what they cannot see.
Until now. 

With inSearchX, our PSEM perpetually searches vehicle inventory everywhere for cars matching the interest of millions of self-declared auto shoppers.  

Once alerted, over 63% of our customers activate their notifications to track vehicles, prices and start productive conversations with Dealership teams. 

Inventory shortages are increasingly challenging, but not for dealers with our PSEM matching technology. 

Check out our CPC/SEM vs PSEM comparative below and then learn more or register your Dealership or Agency here. 

Gain a competitive advantage with inSearchX in one quick call.
Eric Brown Frank Smith #AutomotiveInnovation #SEM #Marketing #Strategy #Dealership #DigitalRetail #SalesStrategy #InventoryShortage #CustomerAcquisition

1462

On All of the Reasons I Have to be Grateful and Celebrate: My own 'end of year' edition.
Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Winter Holidays and the New Year.

They all collide beautifully for me each year, giving me the chance to reflect on all I have and committed to all I am prepared to do next. New people have entered my world, some are gone and missed terribly.

Every day, every moment, we are given a fresh opportunity to live it all out with others, with purpose. For others...with love.

Thank you for being part of this wonderful gift I've been given called life. What an incredible ride.

Celebrating each day with joy, hope, focus and gratitude. And choose to make yours a happy day also!

1461

We were delayed into O'Hare, only to taxi for another 30+ minutes and suddenly our easy time at the airport had vanished.

We landed at H17 with our departure out of G21. 😳

If you know, you know.

After a few minutes getting stuck in the crowds, yours truly popped my sidekick onto my carry-on.

Jordan had a blast, laughing the entire journey. We also attracted a lot of smiles and fun comments from the crowds as we blew past them. Perhaps setting several new personal travel records in the process.

You've got do what you got to do.

But even with all of this, you know how much I love this terminal at the holidays. So here is the shot of Jordan on his new vehicle in AA Terminal 3, Concourse HK.

These are my favorite pictures of the decorations yet.

Happy holidays and happy travels!

#JojoAndNana
#LizaAndLala
#AirportStrategy
#TravelsWithLaurie

1460

On Honoring My Uncle, 80 Years Later: Joseph Nightingale, one of the last of our Navy men killed at Pearl Harbor to be identified and recognized.

This was an emotional homecoming, long overdue.

82 years ago, my Uncle Joe enlisted in the US Navy. shortly thereafter, he fell in love, married and was expecting his first child. His beautiful daughter, Florence, born in November of 1941, would never know her father. Neither would his baby sister, my mother, Carole, born in March of 1941.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Joe was onboard his ship, the USS Oklahoma when the surprise attacks began. With 7 or 8 torpedoes directly hitting the ship, he and 419 others were killed as it was ripped apart, burned and capsized.

Many like him, are assumed to have died instantly.

We will never know what his life could have been like. He was young, brave, already promoted and living the life he wanted. Instead, it was all torn away in an instant. A baby girl and her widowed mom would never be the same. My mother would only hear of her brother in stories. My Uncle Charles was 7 at the time and lost his big brother.

To witness our Naval officers kneeling as the expressed their heartfelt condolences to Joe's siblings and granddaughter, Terri, was at once heartbreaking and moving. Yes, they had the 'official' words, but they also shared their personal sadness and gratitude.

I am so proud of our country's decision several years ago to finally identify as many of the Oklahoma victims as possible while their were still a few surviving family members. They have now closed this case, with 350 of the 420 identified, with full military services provided for each of these brave soldiers.

Sadly, his daughter Florence passed 18 months ago. An entire lifetime of longing for closure for her father's death, missed by months after nearly 80 years.

I was privileged to be here. I carry away his legacy and the memories of sharing these moments with friends and family, so proud to have my son Kurt and grandson Jordan at my side. Jordy saw all of the military there saluting and our precious 4 year old joined them with his own precious salute/

Thank you to all of the US Government officials, to our Navy and each person involved in identifying and bringing our family member home to rest with the proper recognition, 80 years to the day from his untimely demise.

I may share more later, but for now, I want to thank all who have shared part or all of their life protecting us.

Special thanks to those who noticed my absence for a few days and checked to see if all was well.

May you rest in eternal peace, Uncle Joe. You are home in Michigan at last.
#PearlHarborDay
#JoeNightingale #USSOklahoma #USNavy

1459

On Honoring My Uncle, 80 Years Later: Joseph Nightingale, one of the last of our Navy men killed at Pearl Harbor to be identified and recognized.

This was an emotional homecoming, long overdue.

82 years ago, my Uncle Joe enlisted in the US Navy. shortly thereafter, he fell in love, married and was expecting his first child. His beautiful daughter, Florence, born in November of 1941, would never know her father. Neither would his baby sister, my mother, Carole, born in March of 1941.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Joe was onboard his ship, the USS Oklahoma when the surprise attacks began. With 7 or 8 torpedoes directly hitting the ship, he and 419 others were killed as it was ripped apart, burned and capsized.

Many like him, are assumed to have died instantly.

We will never know what his life could have been like. He was young, brave, already promoted and living the life he wanted. Instead, it was all torn away in an instant. A baby girl and her widowed mom would never be the same. My mother would only hear of her brother in stories. My Uncle Charles was 7 at the time and lost his big brother.

To witness our Naval officers kneeling as the expressed their heartfelt condolences to Joe's siblings and granddaughter, Terri, was at once heartbreaking and moving. Yes, they had the 'official' words, but they also shared their personal sadness and gratitude.

I am so proud of our country's decision several years ago to finally identify as many of the Oklahoma victims as possible while their were still a few surviving family members. They have now closed this case, with 350 of the 420 identified, with full military services provided for each of these brave soldiers.

Sadly, his daughter Florence passed 18 months ago. An entire lifetime of longing for closure for her father's death, missed by months after nearly 80 years.

I was privileged to be here. I carry away his legacy and the memories of sharing these moments with friends and family, so proud to have my son Kurt and grandson Jordan at my side. Jordy saw all of the military there saluting and our precious 4 year old joined them with his own precious salute/

Thank you to all of the US Government officials, to our Navy and each person involved in identifying and bringing our family member home to rest with the proper recognition, 80 years to the day from his untimely demise.

I may share more later, but for now, I want to thank all who have shared part or all of their life protecting us.

Special thanks to those who noticed my absence for a few days and checked to see if all was well.

May you rest in eternal peace, Uncle Joe. You are home in Michigan at last.
#PearlHarborDay
#JoeNightingale #USSOklahoma #USNavy


<iframe src="https://lnkd.in/eY6Ppye5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" loading="lazy"></iframe>

1458

On Two New Job Alerts to Kick Off the Weekend:
STELLA is hiring both a Director of Customer Success and Digital Marketing Specialist.

Jennifer (Blount) Sanford, VP of Marketing for STELLA and parent company, Telepathy Labs asked if we would share two key roles now available at their organization.

👉DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SUCCESS

This candidate should possess:
⭐5+ years as a leader in automotive retail or customer service organizations.
⭐Able to manage teams well
⭐Strong empathy and care for customers
⭐Driven for growth and revenue
⭐Deep understanding of value drivers for recurring revenue business models
⭐Process Oriented
⭐Desire for continuous learning
⭐Excellent communication and presentation skills

Responsibilities will include:
📌Manage and Lead Customer Success Activities
Onboarding, Training, Customer Support
📌Driving Strong Customer Outcomes
Increase renewals and keep churn low
Expand revenue through cross and up-sell
📌Monitor and Measure Effectiveness
Define + establish desired operational metrics
Create reports for Executive team
📌Lead a Strong Team
Recruit contributors and Managers
Develop onboarding and performance processes for team
Foster collaborative style within team and cross-departmentally
📌Enhance Effectiveness via Technology
🎯Relevant experience required, preferably with a Bachelor's Degree.

👏👏👏

👉DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

⭐Responsible for all Email + Digital Marketing activities.
📈Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

🎯Requirements:
👉Proven experience as a DMS or DMM
👉Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Google Analytics and AdWords
👉Familiar with web design and content management systems
👉Strong verbal and written communication skills.

A note from our partners at STELLA:
⭐⭐⭐STELLA is a virtual customer assistant that uses
cognitive conversational artificial intelligence to answer phones, talk to customers, and replace core BDC functions like setting appointments. Our team is 100% remote with scientists and developers worldwide.

We are actively onboarding dealer customers and in need of talented professionals to join this high-energy team. We are a team of savvy hustlers with a great sense of humor. If you're interested in joining our team, contact Jennifer at jennifer.sanford@telepathy.ai. Jennifer (Blount) Sanford⭐⭐⭐

The company offers competitive compensation in a terrific start-up environment. Health and flexible PTO are also part of the offering.

For more career opportunities like this or to add your company to our website, contact us at https://lnkd.in/drWghYE

Foster Strategies Group ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving Excellence in Automotive Careers

1457

Status is reachable

⭐Laurie Foster(She/Her) • 1stPresident l Foster Strategies Group

1yr • 1 year ago

Not only is Brene Brown's highly anticipated book finally here, it's huge! It's a surprisingly heavy book and I hope and trust that the contents inside of it are of equal weight and significance.

As I flip through the pages it's clear that this is going to be an incredible journey. And it looks like this book is going to arrive in some of my friend's hands as well.

Such a great surprise on a Sunday afternoon.

#AtlasOfTheHeart
#BreneBrown

1456

Every. Conference. Call.
If your meetings are sounding like this and you'd like some help with more strategic and engaging interactions, give us a call.

Circle back with me and we can close the loop on this , but only after we synthesize the data and get the synergies going between the teams. 😂

1454

On Searching for Fresh Talent and Engaging Innovative Speakers, Writers and Podcast Guests: I may know a few people who can help ensure your success.

If you are like most media channels or event planners, the struggle to land interesting and relevant speakers your audience will enjoy and thank you for adding.

This applies to our many publications as well.

It's not as easy as you might think to land Thought Leaders and Subject Matter Experts who understand and embrace the concept of sharing insights, not using the platform as a veiled attempt to sell their wares.

When you are looking to enhance your next event, presentation, podcast, articles or publications, be sure to reach out here first. We have a great track record of pairing you up with the best people for the job.

Foster Strategies Group ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving Excellence in Automotive and Beyond
#Speaking #Presentations #Articles #Podcasts

1451

On Emerging Companies in Automotive: The Investor Edition
Our industry is currently flooded with an influx of #VentureCapitalists, #PrivateEquity and other investment groups. Even savvy, progressive #Dealers are jumping in the game as they can witness first-hand these smaller companies who have created incredible solutions.

The #UsedCarWeek conference with Bill Zadeits and his team at Cherokee Media Group smartly invited Steve Greenfield to add #NAVicon to the event. Here we saw companies ranging from the earliest of startups to George Chamoun of ACV Auctions generously and honestly telling their stories. The ups, the downs, the realities of attracting investments and harnessing growth opportunities.

I invite all investors and friends to join me as I spot these companies and support them in their early stages and Go-To-Market strategies. My phone rings constantly with companies with excellent founders and entrepreneurs who have worked hard to build outstanding solutions.

Once doing this, they need our help with awareness, visibility and reach, and we create strategic plans that begin with accurate and engaging messaging to the market.

Start-ups need a lot of support and are typically bootstrapped. It's my privilege to help them get over these last few hurdles including attracting needed cash from investors. There are new companies with innovative and highly profitable solutions, they just need added support to scale and do so with proficiency.

I welcome calls from businesses of all sizes as you arrive at the place where the next step of growth is needed. We are #strategic partners, proudly going shoulder to shoulder to get the ball rolling. We don't just talk, we do the work with you. The congratulatory dinners come when we win.

If you would like the inside scoop on who we see rising and opportunities at the door, reach out.

For smaller companies, we proudly help you and your hard-working team and have creative and flexible arrangements to make it easier for you to secure our services. When we say 'yes' to helping you, you have a true partner.

Presidio Investors Portico Capital AudientisAlan Haig Allen B. Knightsgate Ventures Cliff Banks Skye Haulman Daniel Gonzales Steven Apicella Shane Stender 🌊 AJ McGowan Marc Steiner Jordan Day Aaron Bickart Eric Brown William May John Fountain Jeremy Kuchenbecker Peter L. Fong Jennifer (Blount) Sanford Jennifer Reid Kirsten Von Busch Jeremy Sacco Brian Miller Steve Jones, CPA John Possumato, Esq. Elena Ciccotelli

Foster Strategies Group ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Driving Excellence in Automotive Innovation and Investment #founders #innovation #growth #startups #entrepreneurs #investment #opportunities #banks #Automotive

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