Best Dealership Operations Podcasts (2025)

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From Conventional Dealership to AI-Driven Operations: A Conversation with Troy Ottmer 52:53

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8d ago52:53

52:53

Send us a text Troy Ottmer brings forty years of dealership experience to a forward-looking conversation about artificial intelligence and its profound impact on the equipment industry. Drawing from his unconventional career path—spanning automotive, medium-duty, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, forestry, and recycling sectors—Troy s…

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Ep. 675 - How to Convert Social Media Leads Into Car Sales, with Shasta Haddock 31:44

2h ago31:44

31:44

In this episode, my guest is Shasta Haddock, Chief Operations Officer at Epic BDC and host of I'm A Car Chick Podcast. With over a decade in automotive, she’s built high-performing BDC teams and even created the industry’s first elite response team that turns social media traffic into real showroom appointments. We get into some very real challenge…

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Is AI Helping You Dealers Sell More… or Just Confusing Everyone? 1:09:42

3d ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Car dealers are being sold the promise of AI, but are they buying into the wrong parts? In this episode, we dig into the real problems AI should be solving inside a dealership. From aging and acquisitions to marketing waste and misused chatbots. Most vendors are selling chat AI that sounds good but misses the mark. If you’re a GM, owner, or decisio…

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How Capital One’s Chat Concierge Is Changing the Dealer-Customer Relationship with Tim Mullins 8:17

3d ago8:17

8:17

What if the future of your dealership didn’t just rely on humans or AI, but the two working together in ways we’ve never seen before? In this episode my co-host Sarah Vantine and I sit down at Uber’s World Headquarters in New York City with Tim Mullins, Chief Market Transformation Officer at Capital One. Together, we explore how technology is rewri…

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Two People, One Transaction: The Naked Truth About Money 1:01:10

3d ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Send us a text The economic revolution we've been waiting for isn't just coming—it's already here. In this eye-opening conversation, Steve Clegg brings decades of financial expertise to explain how artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency are fundamentally restructuring global commerce by eliminating the layers of middlemen that have traditionall…

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Ep. 674 - The Most Overlooked Profit Center in Your Dealership, with Janis Showers 34:05

7d ago34:05

34:05

In this episode my guest is Janis Showers, founder of The Car Girls, who has spent more than 25 years helping dealerships turn phone calls and customer conversations into lasting relationships and profit. We dig into why the simplest interaction—the phone call—is still one of the biggest stumbling blocks in 2025, and what that says about the way de…

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How Uber for Business Is Helping Dealers Cut Costs Overnight with Christie Wilson 5:19

10d ago5:19

5:19

In this episode, my guest is Christie Wilson from Uber for Business, and we sat down together at Uber’s headquarters in New York City to talk about how Uber is reshaping customer transportation in automotive. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why “courtesy rides” are no longer just about shuttle…

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Ep. 673 - Why Your Dealership Experience Is Worth More Than You Think, with Megan McDowell 26:01

14d ago26:01

26:01

In this episode, my guest is Megan McDowell, Vice President of Operations at TrueCar. Megan’s career started on the sales floor at Lexus of Austin and took her all the way to the executive table without leaving the automotive industry. We dig into what she learned from those bell-to-bell dealership days that gave her an edge in leadership, and how …

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What’s Next for Dealers? with Christopher Walsh (CEO Reynolds & Reynolds) 9:12

17d ago9:12

9:12

In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher Walsh, President and Acting CEO at Reynolds and Reynolds — a man who’s spent 38 years inside the walls of one of the automotive industry’s most influential companies. From starting in customer support to now steering the entire ship, Chris has seen every side of the business… and he’s not slowing down. 👉 R…

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The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Navigating Change 1:06:13

17d ago1:06:13

1:06:13

Send us a text Are you prepared for the unprecedented transformation sweeping through the equipment dealer and rental landscape? In this eye-opening conversation with industry veteran Nick Mavrick, we dive deep into how technological advancement, market consolidation, and changing buyer behaviors are reshaping the entire industry. "If you continue …

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Ep. 672 - If you believe AI will replace your job… you’re right 23:10

21d ago23:10

23:10

Let’s just be real. The ground has shifted—and it’s not just a ripple. It’s a full-blown seismic shift under every industry, every role, every business model. In this episode, I’m unpacking what that actually means for those of us in the retail auto world and beyond as we navigate artificial intelligence. You’ve seen the AI overviews show up before…

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What Most Dealerships Get Wrong About Their Technicians with Marco Zwanenburg 6:19

24d ago6:19

6:19

In this episode, my guest is Marco Zwanenburg, Aftersales Consultant, mentor to technicians, and someone who's spent over 30 years in the service bay trenches—and lived to tell the tale. We sat down live from Uber HQ at Three World Trade Center with Sarah Vantine and a room full of fixed ops pros to talk about a subject that’s hot, a little uncomfo…

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AI is not your competition—it's your most powerful ally in business. 56:28

25d ago56:28

56:28

Send us a text The artificial intelligence revolution isn't coming—it's already here. For equipment dealerships caught in the crossfire of technological disruption, adaptation isn't just recommended; it's essential for survival. When Ron Wilson attended a birthday party and learned that two people's children had recently lost their jobs to AI, it s…

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Ep. 671 - The Secret Car Sales Strategy Your Competitors Don't Know About 23:18

28d ago23:18

23:18

We’re throwing it back to one of the most practical and actionable episodes of MC on the Mic—and for good reason. This strategy is so simple, it almost feels too good to be true. But it's exactly the kind of innovative (not inventive) move that the top 1% in sales and service swear by. In this solo episode, I break down a three-step framework that …

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How RevolutionParts Is Changing the Way Dealers Sell Online with Ibrahim Mesbah 7:09

1M ago7:09

7:09

In this episode, my guest is Ibrahim Mesbah, Co-Founder and CEO at RevolutionParts. We caught up at Uber’s NYC headquarters to talk about something most dealerships overlook—the real power sitting inside the parts department. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Ibrahim shares how a casual poker co…

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Ep. 670 - GET OUT of the Customer's Way, for crying out loud! with Gary Graves 26:32

1M ago26:32

26:32

In this episode, my guest is Gary Graves, the kind of guy who can build a SaaS platform by day and grade a dirt road by night. One foot in the tech world, the other in the real one. Equal parts futurist and hands-on problem solver, he's spent years collecting and analyzing the conversations dealerships have with their customers—and the insights he’…

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The 29% Retention Lift: What BG Products Discovered Across 263 Dealerships with Rob Leary 7:00

1M ago7:00

7:00

What if one change in your service process could boost customer retention by 29%? That’s not a hypothetical. That’s what BG Products uncovered, and in this episode, Rob Leary, Director of Sales at BG, joins us to unpack exactly how. We’re coming to you from Uber’s World Headquarters in New York City. Sarah Vantine and I sit down with Rob for a powe…

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Ep. 669 - Why Tires Might Be Your Dealership’s Most Overlooked Goldmine, with David Pulla 24:14

1M ago24:14

24:14

In this episode, my guest is David Pulla, President of Dynamic Tire, one of Canada’s largest tire distributors. We dive into a part of the business that most dealers overlook—tires—and explore how they’re not just rubber on a rim, but one of the most practical tools for increasing retention, profitability, and service traffic. We talk about how dea…

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UCDP Ep #77 – AI in Dealerships & EV Retail Innovation w/ Ross Tinkham & Alex Lawrence 35:58

1M ago35:58

35:58

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach Klempf is joined by Ross Tinkham, Go-To-Market Leader at Podium, and Alex Lawrence, CEO of EV Auto, a leading EV-only independent dealership and Podium customer. Fresh off the buzz of post-NIADA conversations around AI, Zach explores how artificial intelligence is transforming communication, sale…

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The 95% Conversion Blueprint: Inside Today’s Top BDCs with Scott Davis 20:46

2M ago20:46

20:46

In this episode, my guest is Scott Davis, Founder of Volie, and we’re talking about what most dealers are missing when it comes to inbound calls. We’ve all heard about outbound strategies and BDC hustle—but what about the people calling you ready to do business? That’s the focus here. Scott breaks down what he’s seeing across high-performing stores…

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Ep. 668 - Should You Buy a Dealership in 2025? with Arthur J Madjarian 24:37

2M ago24:37

24:37

In this episode I’m joined by Arthur J. Madjarian, a guy who’s been neck-deep in retail automotive, pivoted into mergers & acquisitions, and now helps dealer groups grow, exit, and scale smart. If you’ve ever wondered how M&A works in the auto industry, or whether dealership ownership is still worth chasing in 2025, this is your episode. Arthur tal…

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How to Build a High-Trust, Low-Turnover Dealership Team with Brett Sutherlin 23:47

2M ago23:47

23:47

In this episode, I sit down with Brett Sutherlin from Sutherlin Automotive Group for a powerful conversation about what’s actually working in today’s dealerships. Brett pulls back the curtain on how his team is flipping the script—turning service drives into high-trust buying opportunities, building custom software to appraise every car that rolls …

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Ep. 667 - The New Rules of SEO for Car Dealers in 2025, with Colin Carrasquillo 47:20

2M ago47:20

47:20

In this episode, my guest is Colin Carrasquillo, Digital Marketing Manager at Nielsen Auto Group. We’re diving into some of the real challenges and solutions that most dealers are thinking about but rarely talk about out loud. We talk about what it actually looks like to get your vendor partners working together instead of pulling in different dire…

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Can We Really Fix What’s Broken in Fixed Ops? with Andrew Wright 22:36

2M ago22:36

22:36

In this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, Sarah Vantine sits down with Andrew Wright, Managing Partner at Vinart Dealerships, to pull back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes—from navigating tariff uncertainties to solving the growing technician crisis. We talk about how tariffs could shake things up, how technician shortage…

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Ep. 666 - What Most Dealerships Gets Wrong About CRM, with Sam Maimone 26:28

2M ago26:28

26:28

In this episode, my guest is Sam Maimone from Activix, and we’re diving into a part of the car business that most people think they’ve figured out—but really haven’t: CRM. We talk about why most CRM setups are missing the mark and why buying more leads won’t solve the real problem. Sam shares what he’s seeing inside hundreds of dealerships and the …

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Used Car Prices, EV Struggles, and the Inventory Crisis Ahead with Steve Greenfield 20:53

2M ago20:53

20:53

In this episode, my guest is Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures, and together with Sarah Vantine, we dive into what’s really happening in the auto market right now. We talk about why dealers are suddenly feeling the pressure on inventory, how consumer behavior is shifting, and why used car prices are still hanging stubbornly high. Steve shar…

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Growing From Within 33:57

2M ago33:57

33:57

Send us a text Are you constantly searching for new growth opportunities while overlooking gold mines within your existing business? In this eye-opening conversation with industry veteran Ron Wilson, we explore how equipment dealerships and service-oriented businesses can substantially increase revenue by looking inward rather than outward. Ron dra…

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Ep. 665 - Why Fixed Ops Isn’t Back-End—It’s the Backbone, with Nicole Dolphin 21:57

2M ago21:57

21:57

In this episode, my guest is Nicole Dolphin, Retail Development Manager at Groupe Touchette, and we’re digging into the part of the dealership that doesn’t always get its fair share of attention—Fixed Ops. Nicole shares how the service department isn’t just about oil changes and tires. It’s a relationship hub. It’s where trust is built (or lost). I…

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UCDP Ep #76 – NIADA Convention 2025, Dealer Advocacy & Market Shifts w/ Jeff Martin 18:18

2M ago18:18

18:18

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach Klempf welcomes back Jeff Martin, CEO of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), to discuss the upcoming 2025 NIADA Convention, major changes in the used car market, and how independent dealers can thrive amid uncertainty. Jeff shares what to expect at this year’s convent…

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How to Make Your Parts Department More Profitable Without Adding Headcount with Thomas Bednarczyk 15:35

2M ago15:35

15:35

In this episode, my guest is Thomas Bednarczyk, National Sales Director at Infomedia, the makers of Microcat EPC — a parts catalog used by over 220,000 people worldwide. We talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but quietly keeps the whole dealership running: the parts department. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtabl…

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The Profitable Path: Transforming Service From Cost Center to Profit Engine 58:48

2M ago58:48

58:48

Send us a text What if everything you thought about running a service department was backward? That's the provocative question at the heart of this eye-opening conversation with John Dowling, author of "Service by the Boxes" and decorated Marine. The fundamental misconception crippling most equipment dealerships is seeing service as a cost center r…

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Ep. 664 - How to Create a High-Performance Dealership Culture, with Jill Schulman 34:51

3M ago34:51

34:51

In this episode, my guest is Jill Schulman, USMC veteran, leadership coach, and author of The Bravery Effect. We dig into the surprising role that bravery plays in building high-performing cultures—not just in the military, but in dealerships, teams, and even our personal lives. Jill shares the science behind why playing it safe actually leads to b…

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How to Future-Proof Your Dealership (and Yourself) with John Traver 21:25

3M ago21:25

21:25

In this episode, my guest is John Traver, CEO of Traver Connect—a longtime leader in business development and a good friend of the Roundtable. We talk about something every dealership leader should be thinking about right now: how to future-proof not just your business, but yourself. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we di…

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Ep. 663 - The Laws That Top Performers in Retail Auto Obey, with Alan Dickie 23:36

3M ago23:36

23:36

In this episode, my guest is Alan Dickie, President - www.AlanDickie.com and a returning DPB alum. Alan’s one of those guys who doesn’t just talk about success—he breaks it down to the bone. In this conversation, we explore what he calls the “laws” that make success predictable in life and business. We talk about why most salespeople stay stuck sel…

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UCDP Ep #75 – Automotive Tariffs, Inventory & EV Trends w/ Kevin Roberts of CarGurus 30:53

3M ago30:53

30:53

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Kevin Roberts, Director of Economic & Market Intelligence at CarGurus, to decode today’s whiplash market—from March’s tariff shock to the spring surge in used-car supply. marries first-party shopper data with macro-economics, why dealers shifted from clearing aged units to stocking up,…

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How AI, Recalls, and Reconditioning Are Changing Fixed Ops for Good with Laurie Halter 17:39

3M ago17:39

17:39

In this episode, I sit down with Laurie Halter from Charisma! Communications—Laurie works with some of the most trusted names in Fixed Ops, and in this conversation, we get into how they’re winning—and what you can learn from it. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: We talk about the rise of recall…

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Ep. 662 - AI, Accountability, and the $30 Leak in Your Marketing, with Matt VanDyke 23:35

3M ago23:35

23:35

In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, I sit down with Matt VanDyke, President of Shift Digital, to unpack some of the most pressing—and overlooked—topics in automotive marketing right now. From mobile-first lead strategies to AI-powered insights, Matt brings a rare, high-altitude perspective that cuts through the fluff and actually makes sense of…

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Why Streaming TV is a Game-Changer for Automotive Marketing With Owen Moon 15:09

3M ago15:09

15:09

In this episode, my guest is Owen Moon, CEO of Dealer Stream, and we’re digging into how dealerships can finally use streaming the right way—to actually reach and influence today’s real customers, not just chase impressions. We talk about why traditional advertising isn't keeping up, and how connected TV is fast becoming the place your next service…

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Ep. 661 - What Agentic AI Means for the Future of Automotive Retail, with Barry Hillier 31:21

3M ago31:21

31:21

In this episode, my guest is Barry Hillier, co-founder of Auto Agentic A.I. and someone I’ve known and respected for years. Barry’s got a deep background in SaaS and marketing, and he’s one of those rare people who can make complex tech make sense—and more importantly, make it useful. We talk about what AI actually means for dealerships, business o…

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How to Legally Maximize Warranty Reimbursement in 2025 with Leonard A. Bellavia 22:07

3M ago22:07

22:07

In this episode, my guest is Leonard A. Bellavia, Esq., Founding Partner at Bellavia-Blatt, PC and the voice behind DealerLaw.com. With tariffs tightening their grip, market volatility, and OEMs playing hardball, the automotive world feels a bit like walking through a minefield right now. But Len brings clarity, strategy, and a whole lot of hard-ea…

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Ep. 660 - How To Turn Friction Points Into Profit Centers, with Jacqui Barker 24:47

4M ago24:47

24:47

In this episode, my guest is Jacqui Barker, Global OEM Strategy Director at Keyloop, joining me from the floor of the Toronto International Auto Show. We get into the real stuff—the behind-the-scenes friction points in today’s car buying journey and what needs to change now if dealerships want to stay relevant in a world of evolving tech and rising…

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Why Technician Videos Are the Secret to Doubling Service Revenue with Liza Borches 23:47

4M ago23:47

23:47

Ever wondered why some service departments are raking in higher revenue while others are struggling to keep up? The secret might be hiding in plain sight — and it’s all about technician videos. In today’s episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, Sarah Vantine sits down with Liza Borches, CEO of Carter Myers Automotive, to uncover how a simple yet power…

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Ep. 659 - Expanding Your Dealership’s Revenue Stream, with Shahin Alizadeh 30:07

4M ago30:07

30:07

In this episode, my guest is Shahin Alizadeh, President and CEO of Downtown Auto Group – a powerhouse in the automotive and real estate industries. Shahin has redefined what a dealership can be, transforming a small, struggling lot to then developing a leading edge Auto Complex But this isn’t just another dealership success story. Shahin dives deep…

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Why the Future of Service Is No Longer in the Dealership with Nolan Armpriester 16:06

4M ago16:06

16:06

My guest in this episode is Nolan Armpriester, Director of Operations at Kinley Automotive Group in Pennsylvania—home to the #1 mobile service operation in the country. In this episode, we dive into how Nolan and his team scaled a mobile service department from one van to over 30 mobile units, executing more than 35,000+ repair orders annually—with…

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UCDP Ep #74 - Modernizing Trade-Ins and Dealer Payments: Tim Zierden, TradePending 20:49

4M ago20:49

20:49

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Tim Zierden, Chief Operating Officer at TradePending, to unpack how the company’s trade-in, payment, video, and retention tools are “making automotive simple” for more than 5,000 dealerships. Tim shares what drew him to the role after two decades at Cox Automotive, KAR Global, and Deal…

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Ep. 658 - Lessons in Influence from One of Canada's Most Respected Leaders, with Agnes Di Leonardi 22:21

4M ago22:21

22:21

My guest in this episode is Agnes Di Leonardi — an automotive executive, a lawyer, and one of the few recipients of the prestigious Order of Canada for her contributions to the industry. With over 30 years of experience across companies like Ford, Mazda, and Sym Tech Dealer Services, Agnes brings a wealth of knowledge about leadership, inclusion, a…

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UCDP Ep #73 – Real-Time Lot Management with Mike Hanna of TrueSpot 22:56

4M ago22:56

22:56

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with Mike Hanna, CEO of TrueSpot, an innovative company transforming fixed ops with real-time vehicle and key tracking technology. They discuss how TrueSpot’s solutions minimize wasted time, cut costs, and ultimately enhance the customer experience. From initial challenges and triumphs to u…

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Beyond Exceptional: The New Blueprint for Automotive Customer Experience Success with 18:31

4M ago18:31

18:31

What if your service department could create experiences so powerful... customers would never dream of going anywhere else? In this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, I’m thrilled to sit down with none other than Moazzam Abu Bakar — best-selling author, customer experience futurist, and one of the brightest minds reshaping the retail auto industr…

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Breaking Down Dealer Reviews 42:15

4M ago42:15

42:15

Send us a text Dealership operational excellence has never been more critical than in today's consolidated market. Troy Ottmer, a seasoned dealership executive turned consultant, dives deep into the often-overlooked opportunity of departmental reviews and their power to transform profitability. The equipment dealer landscape has changed dramaticall…

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Ep. 657 - Human First, AI Fast: The New Sales Formula, with Kyle Mountsier 21:23

4M ago21:23

21:23

In this episode I’m hanging out in person with my good friend Kyle Mountsier—COO at ASOTU (Automotive State of the Union), we talk about everything from AI implementation in dealerships to the real reason human connection is the most valuable currency in retail auto. We’re recording this one in person from New York City, floor-sitting style (yep, y…