I find Alex to be a genuine person. There is a deep care and loyalty to his team, a commitment to the industry he serves, and a whole lot of empathy for the modern car buyer.
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I’ve been getting myself into a little trouble lately. I just don’t understand how the conflict of interest in the current agency model has lived on for so long. Charging clients fees which are based on a percentage of ad spend just seems crazy to me. Some of the metrics justifying that spend seem even crazier. Most of them aren’t even tied back to meaningful measurables.
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Would you rather spend your marketing dollars on ads, or on content that’s created to optimize lasting brand connection? There is an existing conflict in the ad world that is forcing many organizations into ad spend that is out of balance. Because the economy is good right now, I feel like no one is paying attention and I want to start the conversation.
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A lot has changed in the business world since I first ventured out to start my own business with a few thousand borrowed dollars and a rusty 1984 Chevy Astro. In the 17 years since there are so many things that 2019 Paul would have been able to teach 2003 Paul. I guess that’s why experience really matters.
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I recently visited Bergstrom Automotive, a dealership group out in Wisconsin, and a thought came to me. Are you doing something because it’s relevant to the culture, or are you being authentic with yourself in what you do?
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One thing I’ve learned throughout my life is that leadership is not a respecter of industry, age, situation or just about anything else. Leaders understand how to serve.
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It’s been two weeks and I’m STILL having flashbacks about how awesome ClarityCon 2019 was… seriously! I know I touched on the event last week, and how empathy was a key theme across all the speakers, BUT... the reason I threw the event needs to be told, too.
Understanding the right way to run a business, both internally and externally, took time. And seeing the old ways of doing things plateau motivated me even more to spread my ideas.
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We try to control all the things we can’t, and ignore the one thing we can: OUR MIND.
The one thing you can control is choosing how to react to a situation. Life happens… and you can’t control that. BUT reacting positively and with clarity is something YOU CAN control.
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We announced CLARITYCON while producing this podcast at a conference!! #metaconference #metapodcast #hashtag
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It seems the word "disruption" is thrown around pretty loosely these days. Ernie Garcia legitimately disrupted one of the largest retail industries in the USA. Automotive.
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What’s the difference between crazy and eccentric? My guest today says where you fall on that spectrum depends on how much money you have. I think he’s eccentric, he says he’s not rich enough. Either way, he’s one of the most interesting men I’ve met in a long time.
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When BowTie Terrance found himself selling cars nearly 800 miles from home, he found a way to make sure people knew who he was. I can’t wait for you to meet him.
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Excuses are poison. They rob you of your potential. Nobody cares about them. Ok…maybe your mom. But that’s it.
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The seismic shift in consumer demands has finally caught up to dealerships. Consumers want more than a “deal”, they want to feel understood, valued and respected. They deserve it.
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This week feels good.
We are fortunate enough to be one of the first outlets in the country to cover a bomb-drop of an upcoming product release from vAuto. We have Dale Pollak as a guest talking about a big secret which is about to change the auto industry…again. There have been whispers in the industry regarding what is going on and my hope is that this interview brings some much needed CLARITY and expectation.
Clarity is something I’m obsessive about. Not because it benefits me, but because it benefits everyone; Your customers, your team, and yourself. When any type of communication isn’t clear, things begin to go wrong. Assumptions and misinterpretations often take over and we end up with a mess. At best, we’ve wasted a lot of time.
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There are two words that have always reaped more return for me than any other. Go. Do.
For those of us who are immersed in a fast-paced, competitive world, they are essential. Because life and business are competitive. If we aren’t progressing, growing and intentionally seeking out improvement…well, someone else who is will take what we once called ours.
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Speechless. That was my response when I was asked by a co-worker about my trip to the Ciocca Auto Group based in Allentown, PA. Now I’ve had the privilege of being in and out of hundreds of dealerships throughout my career in automotive. I’ve seen all types of leadership. Good leaders, dysfunctional leaders, brilliant leaders, co-dependent leaders, temperamental leaders and on and on. RARELY have I found generational leadership which was so well executed, that the incoming generation truly garners the same respect as the former.
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TWO IN A ROW! We have another innovative thinker/operator on this weeks show as we talk about some high-tech push back in auction level acquisitions. Jonathan Hakes, the used car director of the Dorschel Automotive Group in Rochester, NY tells us all about his experience hosting a Mannheim physical auction at the dealership. We discuss how this is a response to the disruptive approach of ACV auctions and similar offerings.
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