What does it take to tackle the daily challenges of running an automotive dealership?
Controllers work in a complex role. They’re responsible for training and keeping teams of employees—with varying levels of experience—up-to-speed on complicated regulations, adjusting hiring practices to retain talented employees, and building a family culture in the process. It’s a role that requires experience that goes beyond the job description. Dealertrack DMS has found the best way to grow our knowledge is to do more listening and learning from these experts—and here’s what you had to say:
On building partnerships with your DMS provider…
“Get an answer and don’t be embarrassed about asking the question…at least one person needs to have a complete understanding and grasp of the DMS software and be able to explain it to other employees.” – Reid Williams, Bill Macintyre Chevrolet Buick
On building culture…
“I’m probably at work more Monday through Friday, so that’s really my family…We’re still building a team, but that really did a lot for me; just making it feel like I’m not a number and I’m not somebody who is easily replaceable.” – Liz Nueman, Finance Controller at Audi Kirkwood
On training the team…
“You want to make sure the training [aligns with the] actual culture of the dealership and not just what the manufacturer checks off.” – Karli DeVall, Karli DeVall Accounting
Watch the entire roundtable discussion above and then check out https://us.dealertrack.com/controller-guide/ for more.
