Dealership Fixit

On this episode of the Dealership Fixit Podcast, we interviewed Greg Gifford, an expert in local SEO strategies for dealerships and businesses.

Greg shared valuable insights into maximizing dealership visibility and improving local SEO practices. He discussed topics such as the importance of Google Business profiles and online reputation management for dealerships.

Greg emphasized actionable tips and best practices that dealers can use immediately to enhance their online presence and attract more customers to their physical locations.

Join us on the Dealership Fixit Podcast as we dive into the world of powersports with AJ Meisel, sharing his expert insights on attracting and retaining top talent in the industry.

From avoiding toxic environments to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, AJ offers actionable tips and strategies for dealership success.

Our guest, Heather Deatherage, a Digital Sales Expert and Business Partner, shares valuable insights and strategies for succeeding in the Powersports and Motorcycle dealership industry's digital marketplace. She emphasizes the importance of internet sales, well-structured Business Development Centers (BDCs), and customer retention. Heather provides guidance on distinguishing Powersports dealerships in the digital landscape and enhancing internet sales performance. If you're interested in succeeding in internet sales, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe and follow us for weekly updates.

Welcome to Dealership Fixit! Our podcast explores the world of Powersports & motorcycle dealerships. On today's episode, Angela Hieronimus, a well-known industry expert, will guide us through the intricacies of the Finance and Insurance (F&I) process. Get ready for expert advice on F&I products, training, and strategies to boost your dealership's performance. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly updates.

Dive into the world of automotive & powersports marketing with our latest podcast episode! Join us for an exclusive Fireside Panel discussion featuring Automotive Marketing Masterminds. Hosted by Digital Dealer and Carwars, this episode brings together industry experts who share invaluable insights and strategies that are shaping the future of automotive marketing.

From acquisition challenges and emerging trends to the power of AI and direct mail effectiveness, our panel covers it all. Learn how to leverage technology, optimize CRM, and foster a culture of collaboration in your dealership. Discover the secrets to enhancing customer experience, relationship-building, and achieving remarkable results.

Get ready to accelerate your dealership's success with this must-listen episode. Whether you're in the automotive industry or eager to gain marketing wisdom, this Fireside Panel is packed with actionable takeaways that will drive your strategy forward.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to tap into the minds of Automotive Marketing Masterminds and stay ahead in the competitive automotive landscape. Tune in now and rev up your marketing game! 📈💡 #AutoMarketingExperts #DigitalDealer #DealershipFixit

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Welcome to another episode of Dealership Fixit! We are now in Round 3 of our AI (Artificial Intelligence) hackathon with Shaun Raines from Hired Guns. This time, we have something special for dealerships.

Based on feedback and comments, we have put together a full Holiday campaign for powersports dealers who are looking to sell some PW50 youth motorcycles. Our aim is to provide something unique and fun as most of the marketing efforts out there are not up to the mark. To get a better understanding of the campaign, don't forget to check out our video on Youtube. We will guide you through the entire process, from the prompt to the setup, and even share a few graphics.

We post weekly updates, so make sure to subscribe and follow us! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, don't hesitate to leave a comment.

🏍️ Welcome to another episode of the Dealership Fixit Podcast! In this insightful conversation, we're joined by Jeremy Johnson from Lightspeed , a key player with over two decades of experience in the Powersports, RV, Marine, and OPE industries. 

Dive into the world of dealership management systems (DMS) and discover strategies to streamline your dealership operations.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - RV Industry Trends & Events

04:59 - Lightspeed DMS: Revolutionizing Dealer Operations

11:45 - Jeremy's Journey in Powersports

15:04 - The Evolution of Lightspeed in the DMS Industry

21:10 - Enhancing DMS Through OEM Integrations

24:41 - Streamlining Dealership Processes

30:47 - Third-Party Integrations & Lead Management with Lightspeed DMS

33:01 - Lightspeed's Approach to Support & Growth

40:06 - Tackling Dealership Pain Points with Lightspeed TMS

43:31 - Empowering Dealerships Through Education & Training

49:32 - Key Performance Indicators for Dealership Efficiency

52:47 - Powersports Industry Data Insights

58:25 - Trends in Dealership Performance

1:01:13 - The Future of Lightspeed DMS in the Powersports Industry

In this episode:

• Jeremy shares his extensive experience with Lightspeed, from its early days to its current status as a leading DMS provider.

• Discover how Lightspeed is innovating to meet the evolving needs of dealerships in the Powersports industry.

• Gain insights on the latest industry trends, data analysis, and how to maximize your dealership's efficiency.

• Learn about the importance of OEM integrations and how Lightspeed is bridging the gap between dealers and manufacturers.

• Jeremy discusses the challenges of dealership management and how Lightspeed's tools and services are designed to ease these pain points.

• Explore the future of Powersports dealerships and the role of DMS in shaping successful business strategies.

Stay tuned:

• Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights and deep dives into the Powersports industry!

• Follow us for updates on future episodes and exclusive content.

#DealershipFixitPodcast #Lightspeed #PowersportsIndustry #DealerManagementSystems #MotorcycleDealership

In this episode of Dealership Fixit, we go round 2 with Shaun Raines from Hired Guns to expand our AI Hackathon conversation from Digital Dealer 2023 to create a mini campaign for the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide launch.

In this episode, catch up with Shaun Raines from Dealer Superhero and Jacob Berry’s recap of the 2023 Digital Dealer Expo and the AI Hackathon project we worked on during the event.

The AI Hackathon, imagined by Brent Wees, was to create an entire marketing campaign for a 2024 vehicle launch.

There were 10 teams working on the project and it was timed with a strict set of requirements.

Our team was the only team to come up with a fictitious car “The Homer” from The Simpsons show while the other teams used an existing Toyota or Ford model to launch their 2024 program.

We used a variety of tools working and interchanging from one to the other, here is a list of ones we used or wanted to used:

• ChatGPT

• Canva

• Gamma

• Veed.io

• Momento

• Capcut

• Otter.io

• Jasper (Jarvis)

• Mixo

• Riverside

• Designs.ai

• Grammerly

We had so much fun and it was fun to work with all sorts of people to create this project in a short period of time. We all learned something and came away with a broader range of skills on how we can use some of these tools at the dealerships.

Not just in marketing but can be used in sales, service, parts, inventory, business, ideas, concepts and anything else that you can think of.

Stay tuned for our next round with Shaun Raines, a Dealer Superhero that’s always helping find solutions to dealers problems.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

Welcome back to this weeks episode of Dealership Fixit!

In this episode, we're thrilled to have Robin Hartfiel, Editor at Dealernews, join us for a deep dive into the heart of the powersports industry. 

Dealernews has been a cornerstone for powersports retailers for over half a century, evolving and adapting to meet the industry's ever-changing needs. 

We'll explore how Dealernews has maintained its relevance, the role it plays in advocacy, and its initiatives like the Top 100 Dealer Competition. 

Robin will also shed light on the digital transformation of Dealernews, industry trends, and share some inspiring stories from the dealer community. If you're in the powersports business, you won't want to miss the valuable insights in this episode. 

Don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Fran O'Hagan, President and CEO of Pied Piper, a mystery shopping organization that focuses on customer interactions at Powersports dealerships.

Fran brings a wealth of experience in dealership operations, having worked in the automotive and powersports industries, as well as being an avid motorcycle buyer. He is well-versed in how dealerships should interact with digital customers for sales and service.

During our conversation, we discussed the survey questions, how they are scored, and why it is important for dealerships to incorporate them into their customer outreach. We also talked about how dealerships of different sizes and with varying levels of resources can use this information to improve their processes.

We then touched on the importance of mystery shopping your own store to assess the customer experience. Fran emphasized how a poorly scored survey can highlight areas of improvement in your process, serving as a "burglar alarm" of sorts.

As we rely more on technology to automate workflows, it is important to ensure that it is working as intended. Pied Piper can provide valuable insights into the customer experience, but it is up to the dealership to make the necessary changes.

Lastly, don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates. If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

How’s your used inventory looking these days? Gone are the “Pay retail, sell for more” trade or acquisition strategy.

We sit down with Mike Murray the VP of Sales for National Powersports Auction or NPA and outline what the used motorcycle & powersports market looks like for dealerships.

Managing their current inventory is getting tougher, especially if you still have units that were purchased at the all-time high values and are still trying to “retail out of them”. It may be time to cut them loose and reinvest that into something else that can sell quicker.

We also talk about tools available and using data to make some better decisions on turning your inventory regardless of the reconditioning, parts availability, or time spent retail-ready. Does your dealer have a schedule to review bikes and have a plan when they reach a certain age?

Time for a change? The retail environment has changed this year, customers have turned back into price shoppers as they look for the deals and try to get the best possible value from their trade. Does your desk manager tell customers “they don't take in that kind of trade”? 

Overall, NPA has been a staple in powersports for not only selling your unwanted, over-aged, or non-brand vehicles but also is a great resource for acquiring motorcycles, ATVs, utv’s, and marine products to supplement your used-inventory mix.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

Welcome back to round 3 of our heavy DMS discussion on Dealership Fixit, we sit down again with Justin Quinn to discuss all things Dealer Management System (DMS). 

Welcome to this episode of Dealership Fixit, where we speak with the Business Development expert at Motorcycle Industry Jobs and the Owner of Phoenix Handlebars to discuss all things related to the Powersports and Motorcycle Industry. 

During our conversation, we gain insight into Jason's journey from his humble beginnings at a small Indiana motorcycle shop to Fox Racing in California to his current role at MIJ. 

We also inquire about the current job market in powersports and the various opportunities available. 

As the industry is seasonal and cyclical, we delve deeper into the trends observed by dealers, manufacturers, vendors, and other industry players in their search for talent.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

In this episode of Dealership Fixit, we sit down with Justin Quinn from DX1 to discuss all things Dealer Management System (DMS). The DMS is a complex software with various components that require careful management.

During this discussion, we explore the benefits of a cloud-based solution, which allows for easy mobility and management of different dealership aspects, even at events or promotions outside the dealership. It is natural to wonder if a user needs to be a "computer guy" to use DMS options effectively. However, learning the software's functionality is key to managing multiple departments, eliminating the need for a separate resident expert.

We also talk about the pros and cons of OEM integration and how it makes dealer managers and operators feel about big brother directly accessing their sales data, service repair orders, and parts transactions. Lastly, we discuss the possibility of ecommerce capabilities, which can significantly improve convenience for customers and increase revenue for dealerships.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow for weekly updates! If you have any suggestions or want to chat with us, please leave a comment.

On this episode of the Dealership Fixit, we talk to Tim Yarborough, the National Admissions Representative for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI).

As a graduate of an automotive trade school (Wyoming Technical Institute & East Valley Institute), I get to talk about what it looks like in 2023 for the young aspiring technician starting on this journey to be a trained mechanic.

We start off with learning Tim’s background, which included sales, F&I in automotive and powersports dealers and General Manager at a Harley dealer before finding his home for the last 20+ years with Universal Technical Institute in their Motorcycle Mechanics Institute.

A school known for churning out thousands upon thousands of trained technicians, many of which are still working at dealerships today.

We go over what the ideal candidate for joining the school would look like, what to expect, and what some of the training curriculum would look like. We also dive into the many different OEMs that support the school with donation bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides, watercraft, and marine vehicles to help learn on. Did you know that after 14 months, these techs are walking out of there with an associate's degree?

Diving into what day one in the workforce would look like. Typically a year and a half in of schooling, student debt, financed tools and their toolbox, they relocate to work at a new shop. Scary for some. What should dealers expect when onboarding these new techs and putting them into a mentorship with a more experienced tech or shop foreman.

Continued schooling is also a big factor! The industry and the products are getting so advanced, the OEM’s are pushing the limits, the techs need to learn how to fix it and get some further education. MMI has got your back on that too.

Overall, I harken back to my own time going to a technical school, picking out my courses, talking to dealers, and ultimately working as a certified master technician for over 7 years. It set my course and put me in the workforce within a year. Unlike many college programs that are double and triple the cost depending on the degree, most don't end up using it anyway. 

Learn a trade, skills stay with you for life. Thanks again to Tim at MMI for the great conversation, we hope you find some value in this podcast.

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In this episode of Dealership Fixit, we have Justin Quinn, a product manager at DX1, who has been a dealership advocate for a long time and has held various positions. He began at his family's store by sweeping the floors, then worked in shipping and receiving, became a parts manager, and eventually a general manager.

Justin's passion for powersports also led him to work with the Factory KTM racing team and travel the world. As a seasoned veteran of DMS and dealership operations, we discuss the Dealer Management System (DMS) and its functions in the Sales, Parts, and Service departments.

As a project manager, he is accountable for ensuring that dealers use the tool to make their lives more effective and profitable. Justin's philosophy is centered around reports, processes, and technology.

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Check Out Our New Episode!

On this episode of the Dealership Fixit, we interview our Guest, Tad Kilgore, Co-Founder & Creator of both Traffic Log Pro (TLP) & Dealership Performance 360 (DP360), 2 CRM’s still in use today with 100’s of powersports dealerships.

On this episode of the Dealership Fixit, we interview our Guest, Mike Shaug, Founder & Owner of Premier Online Marketing.

Unveiling the Secrets of Online Shopping: How to Sell Your Inventory Like a Pro

Check Us Out on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_uy3PPGhFUA

On this episode of the Dealership Fixit Podcast, we are back again with Jacob Berry & Angel Hacker discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you have not used it yet or have not heard about it’s abilities, you need to listen to this podcast.

There are lots of different programs out in a short amount of time. We look at the various ways a AI tool can help supplement a dealership staff and their responsibilities.

From customer service and online chat to the sales or desking process for writing up a deal.

Marketing programs will help content writing, social media, graphic creation, and more when utilized properly

Major unit inventory management and ordering the correct mix of vehicles that sell well and can make a good profit. 

Parts applications and a labor install guide for every make and model you might carry.

Operators trying to squeeze the last little bit out of the percentage out of every deal to help hit that next revenue goal.

Service technicians and writers can use it to better facilitate a customer's concerns and help diagnose the problem quicker and ensure better satisfaction.

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On this episode of the Dealership Fixit Podcast, we talk with Jacob Berry, formerly the Digital Marketing & Sales Director with RideNow/RumbleOn. 

Michael Masouras, CEO of MotoHunt.com joined me for a quick Heartburn to Heartbeat episode today. 

Jared joined me again to dig in on ideas for dealers to implement in this very confusing and continually evolving Coronavirus Pandemic. 

Today on the very first episode back in this year, 2021 - Episode 69 - Michael Masouras from MotoHunt.com talks Google and how dealerships can get more bang for their buck on that behemoth search engine. He worked at Google so he knows his stuff. Listen up!

Below are the links regarding tools he discussed that dealers can use today to get an idea on how well they are actually doing in search results.