Driving Dealership Dominance: How SmartGroups? Supercharges Success

Navigating Market Challenges in Auto Retail

In the dynamic world of auto retail, the market challenges are endless. Dealers must continually navigate through the turbulent waters of fluctuating consumer demands, the intricacies of operations and inventory management, and ever-evolving technological advancements. The journey can be isolating, challenging, and overwhelming.

McKinsey & Company states that dealers are experiencing unprecedented pressures on earnings, “Retailing is changing fast for many car dealers - and their bottom lines,” as dealerships watch operating profits and ROI plunge. McKinsey goes on to say that “dealers are operating in an increasingly disrupted environment, creating the need for dealers to review their own operating models, identify and unlock operational efficiencies, and discover new ways to operate in a digital, omnichannel environment.”

The Evolution from Traditional 20 Groups

Historically, traditional 20 Groups have been the compass for auto dealers, offering a collective platform to share, learn, and grow among these challenges. Born from a spirit of collaborative betterment, 20 Groups have long fostered a culture of shared wisdom and mutual growth, aiding dealers in charting a trusted course through market storms.

However, as the dawn of automation and artificial intelligence casts its light on the auto industry, the traditional 20 Groups model is woefully outdated and seems akin to navigating modern waters with ancient maps.

So how do you survive?

Here’s how one dealer turned his despair into a narrative of hope and expansion. “I was on the verge of quitting the car business before joining SmartGroups?.?My sales are up 133 units per month, compared to this time last year,” shares?Josh Hepperly - Auto Solutions, reflecting on his transformative journey with SmartGroups?.

And here is how a newcomer found a solid foundation with SmartGroups?, “I am new to the car business and this meeting was the best across the board out of the 3 I have already been to.?Great rapport between dealers, great presentations.” - Elizabeth Lund - Good Life Motors. And seasoned dealer Jeff Long from Noblesville Imports shares, “SmartGroups? has helped me scale my dealership tremendously! Being a member of SmartGroups? is like having a 24/7/365 consultant in your back pocket.”

SmartGroups? - 20 Groups Reimagined: A Modern Take on Peer Collaboration

So what is all the fuss about SmartGroups?? We are 20 Groups reimagined and represent a modern, contemporary take on yesterday’s 20 Group model blending traditional peer collaboration with the power of advanced technology. Our sessions unfold at exhilarating venues, led by auto retail experts with a collective century of industry expertise. Delve into the realm of SmartSchedules, leverage the ease of automatic financial data retrieval and comparison, and enjoy reduced pro-rates and dues among other groundbreaking features that will redefine your expectations.? A recent attendee remarked, “Excellent content and value. Real-world solutions and discussions that apply and can be used daily!”

Performance Analysis and Benchmarking: A Giant Leap Forward

Dealers and Managers experience superior performance analysis and benchmarking services in a “fast-paced, energetic learning environment” for a future-focused, results-driven approach to overcoming challenges, enhancing profitability, and building wealth.

We help dealers avoid the steep learning curve and years of potential missteps by leveraging traditional peer group collective expertise combined with today’s technology to swiftly drive dealerships forward. “We really enjoyed meeting everyone and sharing ideas. Very informative. Great Job!" Lori Jackson, Owner, Monster Motors.

Technological Edge: Introducing LinUs

SmartGroups? are 20 Groups designed to have a smarter schedule, smarter speakers, and smarter technology, including LinUs — patent-pending software that is fully integrated with most dealer management systems for the most accurate financial comparisons.

LinUs is our proprietary and patent-pending benchmarking software and the crown jewel of our program. LinUs retrieves DMS and CRM data daily, from independent retailers across the country comparing their key metrics.

LinUs facilitates automated, precise data analysis, minimizing manual labor and delivering actionable insights for informed decision-making. Here, data is your new gold, serving as a robust tool for scrutinizing financial statements and operations, with exclusive access to group data for powerful comparative advantages and insights. You’re able to compare your numbers against hundreds of independent dealers all across the country. LinUs is a leaderboard, benchmarking real independent retail data that has never been as accurate and robust.

Meet the Visionary: Justin Osburn

Justin M. Osburn, founder and CEO of SmartGroups? is an Army veteran, certified sales trainer, and auto industry expert with a rich history including ownership of three independent auto dealerships. Known for his exemplary role as a 20 Group moderator, Justin’s dedication to elevating independent auto retailers shines in today’s competitive market. Chris Deiderick, Owner of Deiderick Motors reflects on the journey, “We’ve been involved with Justin for over 6 years and when he started SmartGroups?, we signed up without hesitation. ?It’s the best decision we’ve made to help our dealership expand and grow.”

Justin shares a glimpse into group dynamics, “We have a segment called ‘Best Practices’. Dealers present to their group a best practice that either makes or saves them money. You come with one idea for the group but return to your dealership with 19 others. These 19 best practices will pay for your 20 group experience for an entire year.”

As the CEO of SmartGroups?, his vision is to establish the top-rated 20 Group program in the automotive sector. His ideology resonates through the core of SmartGroups?, making it a hub of innovative solutions, strategic foresight, and a catalyst for transformative growth. A recent attendee reflects, “I came to SmartGroups? to learn and grow. I stayed because of Justin’s ability to run a meeting.” ?Xander Swartz, Owner, Cactus Auto. Another attendee commented, “Positive environment with highly sophisticated dealers. ?Learned some game-changing ideas at this meeting” ?and that SmartGroups? is “A great way to meet like-minded, ambitious business owners.” Aaron Zarate, Owner.?

Besides SmartGroups?, Justin leads Automotive Reinsurance Concepts (ARC) and has an exemplary history as an executive automotive dealer consultant, trainer, 20 Group Moderator, and Certified Master Dealer Instructor for NIADA. His entrepreneurial journey spans 20+ years, cultivating 9 small businesses, four of which soared to multi-million dollar enterprises.

Tailoring Growth Paths: Determining Your SmartGroups?

Determining the right SmartGroup? for your dealership is akin to selecting a tailor-made growth path. With a touch of classical elegance, SmartGroups? are organized into groups named after Greek gods, adding a layer of sophistication to our 20-group programs. Each group caters to different scales of operations, ensuring a fitting environment for shared learning and growth. Group Zeus stands as a titan, being the largest independent retail 20 group in the United States, tailored for mega dealers pushing over 500 retail units a month.

On the other end of the spectrum, Groups Achilles and Apollo focus on nurturing smaller dealers, those selling less than 75 retail units per month, propelling them towards substantial growth by transitioning them into larger groups over time. Group Poseidon, caters to retail dealers in the mid-range, selling between 80 - 200 units per month, boasting of being the most advanced 20 groups available.

Each group is structured with a unique blend of dealers, ensuring a diverse, yet relevant mix of expertise and experiences conducive to insightful discussions and constructive feedback focusing on the areas of business that most impact profitability. No one knows better how to help a dealer than another dealer.

Upcoming Engagements: Merging Excitement with Learning

We are committed to providing an engaging and stimulating environment for our SmartGroups? by providing an atmosphere brimming with creativity, innovation, and excitement. Our upcoming events include a January 2024 SmartGroups? at the Barrett-Jackson Auction, a VIP event for the largest mega dealers in the country. In May of 2024, a groundbreaking SmartGroups? will be held in conjunction with the Disney Institute.

SmartGroups? is more than a choice; it’s a strategic investment in your dealership’s future. Connect with us, and let's journey towards transformative success together, where your dealership’s triumph is our collective goal. As you strive towards market leadership, let SmartGroups? be the catalyst propelling you to new horizons of success and industry prominence.

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