Brandin Wilkinson: The Power of Leadership in the Automotive Industry

Brandin Wilkinson is the Director of Leadership & Performance of Bannister Automotive Group. He brings over 16 years of rich experience in the automotive sector. With a resume boasting 13 years in roles spanning management, executive positions, and ownership, Brandin has been a transformative force, enabling dealerships to witness a staggering 320% growth in net profits within a mere 12 months. His secret? A concentrated focus on leadership over management.

Leadership and Its Impact

Leadership and influence are the cornerstone in the automotive sector, playing a crucial role in sculpting company culture, facilitating growth, and motivating teams. This episode of the Parts Girl Podcast, featuring a conversation between Kaylee Felio and Brandin Wilkinson, provides valuable insights into Brandin’s impactful journey in the industry. He highlights the critical aspects of setting the right examples and devising personalized solutions for dealership teams.

The Power of Individual Contribution

Brandin puts a strong emphasis on the role of the individual in influencing the industry at large. He inspires listeners to acknowledge and utilize their inherent leadership abilities, creating a positive ripple effect within organizational cultures.

Tailored Solutions for Unique Needs

Brandin is a strong proponent of developing customized solutions, understanding that a universal approach is often ineffective in addressing the diverse needs and challenges of each dealership. He urges the importance of recognizing and tackling the distinct aspirations and hurdles each team encounters, thereby creating an atmosphere ripe for significant development and breakthroughs.

Reflection and Balance in a Fast-Paced Industry

Beyond leadership and solutions, Brandin delves into the industry’s rapid pace and the associated risks of continual high-speed operation. He stresses the importance of occasional slowdowns, reflective thinking, and maintaining a balanced approach as crucial components for overall well-being.

Conclusion: Inspiring Positive Transformations

In summary, Brandin Wilkinson’s shared experiences and insights serve as potent reminders of the transformative power each individual holds. By exemplifying leadership, innovating personalized solutions, and prioritizing personal growth, we are all capable of inducing positive change and achieving success in our domains. It’s time we internalize these lessons and aspire to create a lasting, positive influence in our industries.

Sponsors:

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our team and is powered by PartsEdge: Revolutionizing dealership parts inventory profitability, PartsEdge offers proven strategies that can boost parts sales by an impressive 20%, all while reducing idle inventory. If you’re looking to optimize your parts management, visit www.partsedge.com.

Exclusive Sponsor – Fixed Ops Marketing: Elevate your profitability with Fixed Ops Marketing, a comprehensive marketing solution specializing in viral video marketing and full-service support for service departments. Their services encompass SEO, dealer-branded video content, automation, and social media marketing. Discover how Fixed Ops Marketing can enhance your business today.

⚙️ www.fixedopsmarketing.com

? www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing

Takeaways

  1. Influence and leadership have the power to shape an entire industry.
  2. Customized solutions for growth are essential.
  3. Slowing down and investing in personal development is crucial.

Quote

“One person has the ability to influence an entire industry.” –Brandin Wilkinson

Connect

Brandin Wilkinson

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brandinwilkinson

Website: www.bannisterautomotivegroup.com

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: www.partsedge.com

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Joe Gibson: Stepping Beyond Comfort in the Dealership

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9cN_bfYyyMk

Joe Gibson is the Marketing Director at InteliChek, a company providing Dealers, Dealer Groups, and OEMs with a suite of unique, high-value products and services, as well as a powerful combination of strategic insight, business acumen, and an entrepreneurial spirit to help their clients keep pace in this intensely competitive and rapidly changing marketplace.

Have you ever wondered how dealerships determine their prices? Or maybe you’ve questioned whether you’re getting a fair deal? Well, we’ve got just the episode for you! In this episode of the Parts Girl Podcast, Kaylee Felio sits down with Joe Gibson from InteliChek, a leading fixed ops data solutions company, to shed light on the exciting world of competitive pricing analysis.

Joe Gibson provides a fascinating glimpse into the innovative tools and services offered by InteliChek. Their pricing analysis tool works diligently behind the scenes, collecting data on competitors to create apples-to-apples comparisons.

One of the key takeaways from this episode is that dealership pricing is not always what it seems. Joe Gibson dispels the myth that dealerships are more expensive, unveiling InteliChek’s studies that show dealerships can be only 20% more expensive on average, depending on the service.

Another important lesson from Joe’s insights is the power of storytelling in marketing. Even for a data-based company like InteliChek, there’s creativity to be found in delivering a meaningful message through emotional storytelling.

So, whether you’re a dealership owner, a salesperson, or a curious car lover, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge about leveraging data to drive competitive pricing. Join Kaylee Felio and Joe Gibson as they discuss the cutting-edge solutions provided by InteliChek and how they are changing the game for dealerships across the country.

Sponsors:

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our team and is powered by PartsEdge: Revolutionizing dealership parts inventory profitability, PartsEdge offers proven strategies that can boost parts sales by an impressive 20%, all while reducing idle inventory. If you’re looking to optimize your parts management, visit www.partsedge.com.

Exclusive Sponsor – Fixed Ops Marketing: Elevate your profitability with Fixed Ops Marketing, a comprehensive marketing solution specializing in viral video marketing and full-service support for service departments. Their services encompass SEO, dealer-branded video content, automation, and social media marketing. Discover how Fixed Ops Marketing can enhance your business today.

⚙️ www.fixedopsmarketing.com

? www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing

Takeaways

  1. Transparency in pricing is crucial
  2. Storytelling plays a vital role in marketing.
  3. Embracing technology can lead to business growth.

Quote

“I think being yourself and somebody that people trust goes a long way.” –Joe Gibson

Connect

Joe Gibson

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gibson-178717216

Website: www.linkedin.com/company/intelichek

Podcast: www.intelichek.com/podcasts

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: www.partsedge.com

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Kelley Reis: Empowering Employees for Excellent Dealership Experiences

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IHdzLByD2J4

Kelley Reis is an Automotive Consultant, Facilitator, Data Analyst, and CX Strategist, with over 20 years in the automotive industry. Her professional experience has spanned across variable and fixed automotive retail operations, from a single point franchise to the oversight of multiple franchises.

In the automotive industry, customer retention is a crucial aspect of dealership success. Happy, loyal customers not only bring repeat business but also serve as brand advocates. In this episode of the Parts Girl Podcast, Kaylee Felio is joined by Kelley Reis, an automotive consultant and facilitator to discuss how dealerships can improve customer retention by focusing on the customer experience.

One of the main challenges Kelley Reis highlights is the overcomplication and redundancy of dealership processes. In an effort to streamline operations and improve efficiency, dealerships often end up creating distractions that take attention away from the customer. 

Kelley also stresses the importance of utilizing technology resources effectively. Frequently, dealerships have multiple plugins and ancillary systems in place, resulting in redundant tasks for employees. Identifying these redundancies and streamlining communication channels can significantly improve efficiency and allow employees to focus on providing exceptional customer service.

Additionally, open communication among team members is vital for process improvement. Kelley advises dealership leaders to encourage their teams to share struggles and provide insights into existing processes.

In conclusion, enhancing customer retention in dealerships requires simplifying and streamlining operations. By eliminating distractions and focusing on the customer, dealerships can provide a personalized experience that builds customer loyalty. Utilizing technology effectively and fostering open communication will enable dealerships to continuously improve processes and deliver exceptional customer service.

Sponsors:

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our team and is powered by PartsEdge: Revolutionizing dealership parts inventory profitability, PartsEdge offers proven strategies that can boost parts sales by an impressive 20%, all while reducing idle inventory. If you’re looking to optimize your parts management, visit www.partsedge.com.

Exclusive Sponsor – Fixed Ops Marketing: Elevate your profitability with Fixed Ops Marketing, a comprehensive marketing solution specializing in viral video marketing and full-service support for service departments. Their services encompass SEO, dealer-branded video content, automation, and social media marketing. Discover how Fixed Ops Marketing can enhance your business today.

⚙️ www.fixedopsmarketing.com

? www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing

Takeaways

  1. Simplify processes to reduce distractions.
  2. Use technology resources effectively.
  3. Foster open communication among team members.

Quote

“We need to slow down just a little bit and take a minute to really evaluate what our processes are.” –Kelley Reis

Connect

Kelley Reis

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-reis-b4b41711

Email: kclreis@yahoo.com

Number: 404-569-0973

Kaylee Felio

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gotopartsgirl

Website: www.partsedge.com

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Navigating Strikes | The Future of the Industry

The deadline for a potential worker strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) is this Thursday, September 14th. Right now, the United Auto Workers (UAW) are in discussions with the Detroit Three automakers, namely Ford Motor, Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler), and General Motors. These talks are happening because the current four-year labor agreements, which cover 146,000 workers, are set to expire on September 14th. It’s worth noting that these three automakers account for roughly 40% of light vehicle auto sales in the United States. According to estimates from IHS Markit, if a strike were to occur, it could disrupt vehicle production in North America by as much as 75%, as reported by J.P. Morgan. Today I’ll aim to answer some of the most frequently asked questions among dealers and parts managers, share our personal experience with strikes, and explore other things parts managers should keep in mind as they navigate strikes.

Should Parts Managers stock up on parts?

When there’s a chance of a worker strike, it’s a good idea for parts managers to think about keeping extra parts on hand, especially fast-moving ones. This way, they can keep things running smoothly even if there’s a work stoppage. To strike the right balance, it’s essential to assess your parts inventory carefully. Maintaining a 60-90 day supply of fast-moving parts is the best goal for uncertain times. To calculate your 90 day supply, take your monthly sales average and multiply it by three. However, it’s important not to go overboard, as having too many parts can tie up valuable resources and storage space. Conversely, having too few can lead to lost sales. Analyze which parts are in high demand and how long it takes to restock them. By doing so, you can set aside a reasonable amount that matches both your operational needs and budget, striking a prudent balance between readiness and efficiency.

Deciding how much to stock

Figuring out how many parts to stock takes some homework. You’ll want to look at how many of each part you usually use and how long it takes to get more. Be sure to look into your manufacturer policies and whether they allow you to increase ASR-guaranteed parts, in the case of overstocking. Think about whether certain times of the year are busier or slower for your business and plan accordingly. Consider any special equipment and the trustworthiness of your suppliers. Ensure your DMS is properly set up, so the reporting you generate is accurate. This way, you can make informed decisions about your parts inventory and potential adjustments, especially if you have the option to increase ASR-guaranteed parts when overstocked.

How long can strikes last? 

The length of strikes varies quite a bit. Some get sorted out pretty quickly, while others can drag on for a long time. It depends on how big the strike is and who’s involved. It’s a good idea to be ready for different situations. Keep an eye on how negotiations are going and have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected. Remember COVID supply issues! Work out a plan with other Dealerships to purchase parts at a lower discount during the strike. 

Our experience with strikes 

We’ve been around the block in the auto parts business, and have seen our share of strikes. These situations have taught us that being ready for anything is crucial. In the past, we’ve gotten through strikes by keeping in touch with our suppliers, finding other places to get parts if needed, and making sure our team knew what to do if things got tricky. Being prepared is the best way to handle unexpected challenges. 

Other things to think about

Apart from stocking up on parts and strike planning, it’s smart to think about your whole supply chain. The car industry is changing a lot, with more electric cars and different customer preferences. Staying informed about these changes, using technology to make things run smoother, and having good relationships with your suppliers are all important for the long haul. Encourage your team to share ideas for improvements- they know better than anyone what’s working and what isn’t. Talking openly with your team members and getting their input can help you manage your inventory and plan for tough times. In a nutshell, when there’s a chance of a strike, parts managers need to be ready, but not go overboard with stocking up. Learning from experience, preparing for different situations, and thinking about the bigger picture can help parts managers succeed no matter what happens in the car industry.

What are your thoughts on the potential strike? Leave a comment below!

At PartsEdge, we’re committed to bringing you the latest insights and solutions for automotive businesses. We’ve created an extensive library of free e-books, DMS education, parts inventory education, and more editions of this series exploring industry trends and helping you prepare for the future of the industry.

Thoughts, questions, or opinions? Get in touch!

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