ATD to Launch NADA University at Convention in February; Training and Technology Designed to Boost Performance and Profits

Initiative Includes Four ‘Automotive Centers of Excellence’ Delivered by Leading Interactive Training Systems Provider LightSpeed VT – www.nadauniversity.com

McLEAN, Va. (Dec. 22, 2009) – In February 2010, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and American Truck Dealers (ATD) will launch NADA University – an unprecedented online education and cutting-edge technology resource for NADA’s dealer members to enhance business performance in a complex marketplace.

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All of my DealerRefresh articles are inspired by something I have come across recently. This one is certainly no exception.  As most dealership employees whose job focuses around “the Internet” I too wear quite a few hats. One of those hats screams I am the CRM Dude at my dealer group. It is actually one of my favorite responsibilities because it is a never-ending cycle of developing better process, and I find that fun! In my travels from store to store, I come across the same question from frustrated sales people again and again:

Why hasn’t this CRM stuff helped me sell any more cars?

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Wishing everyone a Fantastic Holiday Season
and looking forward to am exciting 2010!

UPDATE!!

What Cool Tech Gift did you get for the Holiday?

Comment over in the Forum!

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After having spent the last week mystery shopping dealers, I am going to go on record and say that the auto responders currently being sent are a complete waste of the customers’ time. I have yet to see one that really impressed me.

Generally there are two scenarios one would send an auto responder; the “on-hour” and the “off hour” auto responder. If your CRM is incapable of differentiating between the two, then I would demand this feature from your CRM vendor, or consider finding a new CRM vendor.

Let’s start with the “on-hour” responder. Is there really any need to send one of these? Your sales team or Internet rep should be able to respond to a lead in a timely manner, thus who needs the auto responder. That first real message from the salesperson is the auto responder. For those of you saying “what if we can’t get to them right away?” well I would say that’s hogwash. There is no reason why a dealership shouldn’t be able to respond to an Internet lead within 15 minutes. If you can’t, then some process is broken in your dealership. This is a customer visiting your dealership in the form of an electronic transmission. Would you let somebody stand out on your lot for 30 minutes before going out to help them? Then why should an Internet lead be any different.

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DealerRefresh Welcomes a new sponsor – Dealix

Dealix provides dealers with the most efficient way to connect with new and used car buyers who are researching their auto purchases on the independent sites across the Internet.

The Dealix Lead Platform

Dealix’s state of the art Lead Platform sources, validates, and delivers high quality leads fast. Dealers benefit from the significant investment Dealix has made in our platform.

• Faster Lead Delivery: Nearly 90% of Dealix leads reach our customers in fewer than 30 seconds, enabling them to respond to consumers’ requests for information without delay, which provides a better overall consumer experience and leads to faster sales.
• Reduction in Delivery of Duplicate Leads: Platform enhancements include additional processes to recognize customers requesting more than one auto quote, and to ensure that dealers are not served duplicates.
• Quality Controls: The Dealix Lead Platform incorporates TARGUSinfo On-Demand Lead Verification Services^TM to confirm the consumer’s name, address, and phone number contained in all leads.

The Dealix Quality Pledge™

To read more about Dealix lead services and  their Quality Pledge, click here.

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