In this episode of the Defining Leadership, the Driving Sales Podcast, hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon sit down with Brian Kramer, EVP at Cars.com and General Manager of Accutrade. Brian brings his vast experience and expertise to the table, discussing the latest trends and challenges in the automotive industry. He delves into strategies for effective used vehicle acquisition, the importance of digital transformation, and the critical role of AI in modern dealerships. Brian also shares insights on creating a digital culture and the impact of technology on improving customer and employee exper ..read more

Introduction to Service Manager Scorecards In this insightful episode of the Driving Sales Defining Leadership Podcast, we delve into the essential process of creating effective parts and service manager scorecards. Hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon are joined by special guest Craig Wilson, who brings his extensive experience and expert insights to the discussion. Learn why service manager scorecards are crucial for managing your service departments, discover the key performance indicators (KPIs) you should track, and get practical tips to enhance your department’s effi ..read more

In this episode of the Driving Sales Defining Leadership Podcast, we delve into the essential process of creating effective parts and service manager scorecards. Hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. are joined by special guest Craig Wilson, who shares his expert insights on the importance of scorecards, key metrics to track, and practical tips for enhancing department performance. Whether you’re a dealership manager or an automotive professional, this episode provides valuable strategies to improve efficiency and accountability in your service and parts departments.   Key Takeaways:  Importan ..read more

Welcome to another episode of “DrivingSales Defining Leadership,” the podcast where we dig into the world of automotive dealership leadership. In this episode, “Remote Work in Dealerships: Insights from Mike Donovan,” hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon are joined by Mike Donovan, CEO and co-founder of Search Engines MD. Mike shares his extensive experience managing a remote workforce and how it can benefit dealership operations. Throughout the discussion, Mike highlights the importance of work-life balance, effective communication, and fostering a supportive team environment. He explains how rem ..read more

Welcome to “DrivingSales Defining Leadership,” the podcast where we dig into the world of automotive dealership leadership. In this episode, “Dealership Excellence: Employee Certification Insights,” Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon, with over 30 years of combined automotive retail experience, share how certifications can boost your dealership’s performance. Every week, we chat about crucial topics like human capital management, improving processes, and what today’s workforce really wants in a career. Our mission is to help dealership professionals—from department managers to general managers—see wh ..read more

Welcome to another insightful episode of DrivingSales Defining Leadership, where hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon bring over 30 years of combined automotive retail experience to the forefront. In this episode, we're diving deep into the vital role of BDC (Business Development Center) managers and how their scorecards can be effectively utilized to enhance dealership performance. Joined by Craig Wilson, Customer Success Manager at DrivingSales, the discussion centers on the metrics and best practices that make BDC managers pivotal to dealership success. Episode Highlights: Introduction to BDC ..read more

In this episode of the DrivingSales Defining Leadership Podcast, host Bart Wilson sits down with Steve Roessler, Chief Evangelist Officer at DriveCentric, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership in automotive dealerships. Steve shares his expert insights on how effective dealership management strategies and innovative CRM solutions are transforming the automotive industry.  Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on: The role of technology in enhancing dealership operations Best practices for human capital management How to implement successful CRM systems Leadership tips to driv ..read more

In this episode of DrivingSales Defining Leadership, hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon sit down with special guest Michael Hayes, Director of the NADA Academy. With over four decades in the auto industry, Michael shares his invaluable insights on leadership and the evolution of dealership management. Together, they explore how modern software changes impact dealership operations and discuss strategies for fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of what today's workforce looks for in a career and how leaders can adapt to meet these evolving expect ..read more

In this episode of DrivingSales Defining Leadership, hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon sit down with special guest Michael Hayes, Director of the NADA Academy. With over four decades in the auto industry, Michael shares his invaluable insights on leadership and the evolution of dealership management. Together, they explore how modern software changes impact dealership operations and discuss strategies for fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of what today's workforce looks for in a career and how leaders can adapt to meet these evolving expect ..read more

Join hosts Bart Wilson and J.D. Mixon on a journey through the evolving landscape of automotive retail. This week on "Driving Sales: Defining Leadership," we delve into the critical role of leadership during technological transformations in dealerships. With special guest Doug Slezak, a Master Certified Support Specialist from Solera Automate Dealership Systems, we explore the nuances of guiding teams through significant software changes. Discover effective strategies for earning trust and facilitating smooth transitions, even amidst the challenges that new systems can present. Doug shares hi ..read more