Category: Press

Posted on June 13, 2016 - News, Press

Christy Roman: Changing the Face of Automotive through Leadership

Published in NCM Institute’s Blog by Lindsey Quinn Dealerships around the country struggle to find innovative ways to recruit and retain top female talent; meanwhile, women themselves face challenges balancing work and home and often have to establish their place in the traditional dealership. It’s a situation that many believe needs to change. We recently interviewed Christy Roman, founder of Women in Automotive (WIA), about the difficulties women face and asked her how the industry can address them. Read on… Read more »

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Posted on June 13, 2016 - Press

Taking Customer Care to new heights helps Treasure Coast Lexus reach new heights as well

Published in Automotive Buy Sell ReportWhen Treasure Coast Lexus opened its Customer Care Center in October of 2014, the center’s purpose was to remind customers that their vehicles needed servicing. It quickly became much more. Many of the dealership’s clients were retirees, “snow birds” who lived in Florida for the winter. They had car questions, but also sometimes wanted to talk about how proud they were of the grandkids they didn’t get to see very often. “We ended up being… Read more »

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Posted on June 8, 2016 - Press

A great customer experience starts with happy dealership employees at McGrath Acura

Published in Automotive Buy Sell ReportConsumers are doing much more of their car shopping online these days, but that doesn’t change the need for a good customer experience at the dealership. And offering that good customer experience starts with hiring the right people, Melissa Hansen, manager of client relations at McGrath Acura tells Automotive Buy Sell Report. “Our biggest customers are the internal customers, the employees,” says Hansen. “If I don’t have happy employees, the best part of their personality… Read more »

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Posted on May 25, 2016 - Press

Make your dealership more competitive by knowing what motivates your employees

Published in Automotive Buy Sell Report In 2010, Lisa Copeland co-authored a marketing proposal aiming to convince the then-named Chrysler Corp. to award an open point for Fiat and Alfa Romeo franchises in Austin, Texas. It was successful and the point was awarded. In January 2011, she became part owner and Managing Partner of the dealership. Nyle Maxwell was Dealer Principle. By this year, Copeland, who just turned 50, was ready for a change. “I didn’t want to spend six… Read more »

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Posted on May 21, 2016 - News, Press

This woman’s work – Jody DeVere and Christy Roman Interview with Strategy Mob

It’s one thing to recruit women to be part of your dealership, it’s another to retain them. Two industry leaders share how to do both. When female customers walk into your showroom, they notice when there are few, if any, women salespeople to greet them. According to the most recent NADA Workforce Study, women represented only 18.5 percent of dealership employees; 8 percent of those were employed in key positions, 91 percent in office and admin support. Those numbers need… Read more »

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Posted on May 18, 2016 - Press

Mentoring key to good management at growing Florida automotive group

Published in Automotive Buy Sell ReportHeadquarter Automotive Group is in expansion mode and Judy Farcus Serra, the Group’s CFO, is helping lead the charge. “We are really going to focus on luxury now,” she tells Automotive Buy Sell Report. Serra has the experience. She has already helped the Group acquire open points and existing franchises for Headquarter, which is based in Miami, Florida. The minority-owned Group has won Toyota’s Presidents Cabinet Award seven times, among its many accolades. Its flagship… Read more »

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Posted on May 13, 2016 - Press

Creating a personal social media brand to sell more cars

Published in Automotive Buy Sell Report Customer loyalty is something every dealership desires, and what the most successful dealerships inspire. General Motors has found that women customers are more loyal than men. “If we treat [women] right, they can be that customer for life,” says Celeste D. Briggs, director of the Women’s Retail Network and of Diverse Dealer Programs in General Motors’ dealer development. Dealerships are now competing on customer experience, and part of that experience is making their dealerships… Read more »

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Posted on May 4, 2016 - Press

Helping dealerships become more successful with women managers and buyers

Published in Automotive Buy Sell Report Customer loyalty is something every dealership desires, and what the most successful dealerships inspire. General Motors has found that women customers are more loyal than men. “If we treat [women] right, they can be that customer for life,” says Celeste D. Briggs, director of the Women’s Retail Network and of Diverse Dealer Programs in General Motors’ dealer development. Dealerships are now competing on customer experience, and part of that experience is making their dealerships… Read more »

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Posted on April 25, 2016 - Press

Adding to a dealership’s value through helping the community

Published in Automotive Buy Sell Report When the Hoffman Auto Group acquired BMW of Watertown last October, it sent out a press release announcing the change and introducing the new management. That included a photo of five members of the Hoffman family—all male. A female customer sent a letter to the Group asking why there weren’t more women in management. “I was thrilled,” says Susan Lane, manager of corporate reputation and community outreach for the Hoffman Group. Lane manages a… Read more »

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