On the INSIDE

The past 10 years I have found myself in all different service lanes. ?I am overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the auto industry. I remember the first year, I had no idea what it took to run a service department, but it was YOU, the OEM reps, the service managers, the advisors, the other vendors, who showed me the ropes and brought me in like family.

I listened. To every word you said, I heard your pain and struggle, the needs you were facing and what you wanted and I made sure that I could find the right fit for your needs tools that actually solve something that makes your life easier and more efficient. I’ve prioritized understanding your ideal customer experience, the Service Manager’s experience, Service Advisors, Techs, and Porters, to the OEM Representative, Fix Op Directors, BDC members etc.

It has always been my mission to understand all of the roles at a dealership, in order to provide technology and processes that can make your life easier. Why ‘easier’ ? Because your number one priority is to be with the customer… and that in itself is by far the most important job you have. My goal is to shave off just an ounce of frustration and save you time to automate some of the millions of micro tasks that sit on your plate. Ultimately, you will show up as a more joyful, authentic, and present human and make a lasting impression on your internal and external clients.

Joy isn’t a word you hear used often in auto, but it’s there.

When your customer buys their dream car, you can feel it, or when that new Bronco arrives on your lot for the first time, there is a spark of joy.

There is something about our industry that brings us joy, otherwise, why would we be so dedicated to it? Almost a year to the date I have been out of the automotive industry full time. Although, at least once a week I receive a text from one of my dealerships asking me to review a product for them or a VC firm calls for consulting to see what the latest trends are in the industry.

This newsletter started for a simple reason, the automotive industry brings me joy, and I missed you all!

Now you are all “On the Inside” so welcome.

Here is the inside scoop on auto that can help give you Bullish Growth. Here is what you can expect monthly:

1. Have You Seen…? This is our gossip column for new products that I have seen in automotive that will make a significant impact on your business in the future. Whether it’s saving time or money or both, [mostly both], I will give you a review of it.
2. Roadside Chats: Interviews with the ‘Bull’ Behind the Drive What’s more inspiring than hearing a story of a technician who built a multimillion dollar company, or an area manager who became the next CEO of a large company? These are Industry leaders discussing their journey and how they rose to the top.
3. Off the Drive: This area will feature something personal, non auto related, and an offering that will, yet again, make your life more joyful and pleasant.

The newsletter will end with a sales or marketing tip, because life is sales and marketing. If you don't get that... BOOK a PRIVATE CALL with me.

This is simple and straightforward. No fluff. No handcuffs. Things I see making a difference in auto.

If you want to engage more, we have a private group of individuals who have access to new product launches or new technology releases.

B U L L G R O is my new company, we are a Branding Agency, we have been around for 1 year. We focus on brand creation and website refreshes. We do support automotive vendors in launching new products and marketing to dealerships. I don't know of any automotive vendor marketing solutions, and when I was tasked with growing automotive technology I would have loved to have a marketing partner who knew the business.

For Dealerships and OEMS We have private showcases or roundtables that are invite only. We curate the calls so you are only seeing products that fit your current need. (Be sure to register via text. This is only way to get into these Showcases.

Outside of Auto, Bullgro also specializes in startup brand development and websites. Over 5 million people started a side hustle last year. If you are one of them, join The BullRing and get a Brand logo, Style Guide and Website i.e. everything you need to launch your SIDE HUSTLE or new business. ?

Have You Seen?

Rumor has it that there is a new way to do a service walk around, except you don’t really do ANYTHING.

It requires ZERO employee effort and you still save thousands of dollars.

Most dealerships like to meet the customer on the drive with a tablet and do a “video walk around” where you point out items of concern, scratches, damages etc. In a perfect world, the idea of this is to communicate and upsell the customer, while also covering any potential “claims” that could be made on the dealership.

How awkward is this as a customer? Picture this: I am going to stand there and you are going to take pictures or a video of my car, highlighting where I have damaged my car.

BUT There is a better way… (Click here for the rest of the story)

Roadside Chats

Meet the 'BULL' Behind the Drive: Interviews with leaders who have driven their way to the top

This was my first Roadside Chat to be published (there were others years ago never released!). Chad Deaver is an automotive BULL, he actually has his bachelor in Automotive Technology from Pittsburg State University, which I had no idea this was possible. In this interview we follow his journey to becoming the COO of Quik who is owned by the CitNowGroup. They have over 13,000 dealerships in their network. They are the new force to be reckoned with, and if you haven’t looked at Quik lately you might want to, especially after this interview with Chad.

OFF THE DRIVE

This section is dedicated to personal growth. Over the years I have found that the inner work and leadership development skills is what leads us to the next level.

It was an executive at an OEM who invited me into this world of emotional intelligence and I haven’t looked back since.

MEET SLOAN.

Sloan is a transformational coach, consumer product co-founder and a longtime business strategist. She focuses on supporting leaders out of a state of anxiety and into a place of calm clarity.

As said by Harvard Business Review, "Anxiety is a reaction to stress." In the United States, anxiety is the most common mental illness, affecting more than 40 million adults each year . The good news? When well managed, anxiety can motivate us to become more resourceful, productive, and creative. It can help us break down out walls and create deeper connection in our relationships on multiple levels.

Sloan is hosting a webinar for leaders THIS week

BREAKTHROUGH HIDDEN ANXIETIES THAT ARE BLOCKING YOUR POTENTIAL SO YOU CAN OWN YOUR VOICE, MAKE POWERFUL DECISIONS AND START LIVING LIFE ON 10 IN YOUR BUSINESS AND RELATIONSHIPS!

Click Here for more information

TREND TIP

ARE WE STILL NOT USING SMS MARKETING? With a 47% ROI it's no wonder top companies around the world look to SMS marketing to gain loyal customers! I did a quick check, I looked at 10 dealership pages and didn't see one opt in. Here are the top 3 reasons why I think automotive dealerships haven't touch sms marketing.

1. The current platforms use 1 short code or phone number. Why does this matter? When you are communicating daily things such as appointment reminders, service reminders this is considered conversational. So you must first get a double opt in to market to that customer. The web has made it very easy to do that, and lots of the platforms in auto can do this. So then what the issue?
2. If a customer opts out of your Marketing message they are opting out of daily communication as well. That is the current problem. My tip as an SMS expert? Use a seperate number for Marketing.
3. Creative and Time. This goes for any marketing. Social media, emails offers, you need great creative ( ads) and time. Solution, Make a generic opt in system like the images below. Good Year gives 10% off. The others don't give anything, just a chance to be in the Know. You will be surprised how many customers want to belong to your dealership.

Look at these examples below. They are simple yet effective. Some of these platforms start at $49 a month!

If you would like to book time with me one-on-one I have hour consulting slots available here .

It's great to connect with you in the automotive world again!

Have a great day!

Nicole C. Ruiz