BDC & Internet Sales Managers, Social Media Strategists...I need your help with something.
I am considering accepting an E-Commerce Sales Manager position here in Kansas City with a well established dealer also known as having a great reputation. The Mid-West has typically always been late to the dance on many things including Social Media and how it intertwines with the sales and marketing process. As we conducted our initial interview today which will conclude on Thursday, many thoughts went through my head as we explored each other's wants and needs for this position.
I am on everything, DE, Twitter, FB, Linked-In, YouTube, Yelp, and StumbleUpon. I am also familiarized with E-bay, Craigslist and Beezid.com. I have a fairly large following and numerous friends and acquaintences so I know I can help this dealership achieve much better results than what they're used to garnering. However, here is my problem, they really did not do much research prior to posting their advertisement for this position. When we discussed how I could help them and I told them, they looked like a deer in headlights. I had to slow things down a bit because I did not want them t think I was over-qualified or just going completely above their heads.
When I asked them how they see this process moving forward, they answered that they did not know. One guy thinks it should be a salesman really familiarized with social media, the other guy was taking one of my suggestions on how I have seen other successful dealerships handle their BDC's. I know this is long winded, but I think it is important to know what it is that I am up against prior to Thursday's interview. Please share with me how your dealership has implemented its BDC. Day's, hours, pay plan (no real numbers please) just an idea of how it differs from that of the car salesman and that of the Internet Sales Mgr./BDC. The comments will help me in turn helping them in order to know what makes an efficiant and profitable E-Commerce Sales Center. Please accept my many thanks in advance for yur time, consideration and help and have a wonderful evening.
P.S. Please feel free to share on this post, my personal email, FB or Linked-In.
Best Regards,
Bill Goodfriend
(913) 709-8618
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan The Car Man on
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An E-Commerce Sales Manager is much, much more than an Internet Manager or BDC Manager, that position is supposed to be the one in charge of the dealership's on line foot print, i.e. increasing website traffic, facebook page, craigslist posting, etc. If they are expecting you to sell at the same time, good luck. The Internet Manager and BDC Manager should answer directly to you. Those two positions are responsible for the process of how the increased traffic is handled. Phone process, email process, lead processes, etc. Be careful what you are getting yourself into and make sure that your potential employer has a clear understanding of what your expectations are and what you bring to the table. Whatever you do, don't walk into something that is undefined by any means. Just my input. If you'd like, you can contact me here and we can talk via voice if you so choose. Best of luck to you.
Dan The Car Man
209-815-7465
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Permalink Reply by Shereef on
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How many cars a month are they currently selling? I may be able to help, as I used to be the one interviewing people for this type of position....Before you scare them off with the thought of hiring you and more staff, find out if it's a small low volume store, you may be able to hande everthing yourself at first... Let me know, and I will give you my suggestions
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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Dan would 2:00 CST work? I would really like to discuss this because I am considering 3 different positions with three different companies. I sincerely appreciate your advice and help; thank you.
Dan The Car Man said:An E-Commerce Sales Manager is much, much more than an Internet Manager or BDC Manager, that position is supposed to be the one in charge of the dealership's on line foot print, i.e. increasing website traffic, facebook page, craigslist posting, etc. If they are expecting you to sell at the same time, good luck. The Internet Manager and BDC Manager should answer directly to you. Those two positions are responsible for the process of how the increased traffic is handled. Phone process, email process, lead processes, etc. Be careful what you are getting yourself into and make sure that your potential employer has a clear understanding of what your expectations are and what you bring to the table. Whatever you do, don't walk into something that is undefined by any means. Just my input. If you'd like, you can contact me here and we can talk via voice if you so choose. Best of luck to you.
Dan The Car Man
209-815-7465
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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67 new last month and 100+ used. I forget the exact number. This dealership in particular is a semi high-line. I did even more research last night since this is a multi-franchise and they need help period. I know I can help them and I want to help them but tact and diplomacy combined with getting the actual job done is by all means going to be a huge undertaking. Would it be possible to talk via phone later this afternoon? Thanks for your advice and help on this subject and have a great day.
Shereef Moawad said:How many cars a month are they currently selling? I may be able to help, as I used to be the one interviewing people for this type of position....Before you scare them off with the thought of hiring you and more staff, find out if it's a small low volume store, you may be able to hande everthing yourself at first... Let me know, and I will give you my suggestions
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Permalink Reply by Bobby Compton on
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If you're considering accepting this said position, I would like more info on your own specific thoughts, as to what you think is a successful system, pay plan etc?
Help me help you!
Cheers...
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Permalink Reply by Shereef on
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Bill
You should be able to handle things yourself at first, and once you have shown them the impact an effectively managed website can have, you should be able to add help, or develope a BDC department at that point. I would be happy to talk with you via phone, my cell number is on my Dealer Elite page. I will not be available the rest of the day today, but you are welcome to call me tomorrow between 9AM eastern and 5PM. We could also use the chat feature here on the forum if you see me online tomorrow.
Bill Goodfriend said:67 new last month and 100+ used. I forget the exact number. This dealership in particular is a semi high-line. I did even more research last night since this is a multi-franchise and they need help period. I know I can help them and I want to help them but tact and diplomacy combined with getting the actual job done is by all means going to be a huge undertaking. Would it be possible to talk via phone later this afternoon? Thanks for your advice and help on this subject and have a great day.
Shereef Moawad said:How many cars a month are they currently selling? I may be able to help, as I used to be the one interviewing people for this type of position....Before you scare them off with the thought of hiring you and more staff, find out if it's a small low volume store, you may be able to hande everthing yourself at first... Let me know, and I will give you my suggestions
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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Thanks Bobby, I think that for one, all the franchises need to have a consistent and uniform web presence which they currently do not. In fact, when you view their profiles on the 'staff' page you cannot simply click on their email addresses. Secondly they need to be on everything so that we can constantly be networking, advertising and marketing to drive more traffic to the showroom or for that matter national sales via e-bay. Lastly, I this position as working 9-6 Mon-Sat not regular salesman hours. I also think for our demographics that this positions pay plan should be a base salary + commission and bonuses. The truth of the matter in my opinion is that this specific dealership doesn't need me the entire multi-franchise needs me and then we need to get others in place directly at the dealerships.
Bobby Compton said:If you're considering accepting this said position, I would like more info on your own specific thoughts, as to what you think is a successful system, pay plan etc?
Help me help you!
Cheers...
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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Sounds good Shereef and thanks so much for your input. I'll give you a call tomorrow in the morning some time. Is there a particular time that works best for your schedule? I'll look forward to your correspondence and make it a great day.
Shereef Moawad said:Bill
You should be able to handle things yourself at first, and once you have shown them the impact an effectively managed website can have, you should be able to add help, or develope a BDC department at that point. I would be happy to talk with you via phone, my cell number is on my Dealer Elite page. I will not be available the rest of the day today, but you are welcome to call me tomorrow between 9AM eastern and 5PM. We could also use the chat feature here on the forum if you see me online tomorrow.
Bill Goodfriend said:67 new last month and 100+ used. I forget the exact number. This dealership in particular is a semi high-line. I did even more research last night since this is a multi-franchise and they need help period. I know I can help them and I want to help them but tact and diplomacy combined with getting the actual job done is by all means going to be a huge undertaking. Would it be possible to talk via phone later this afternoon? Thanks for your advice and help on this subject and have a great day.
Shereef Moawad said:How many cars a month are they currently selling? I may be able to help, as I used to be the one interviewing people for this type of position....Before you scare them off with the thought of hiring you and more staff, find out if it's a small low volume store, you may be able to hande everthing yourself at first... Let me know, and I will give you my suggestions
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Permalink Reply by Kristi Alguire on
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Bill -
If this dealership (or group) is interviewing people before they have a clear idea of what it is they want to accomplish - my suggestion would be to walk away and look elsewhere. My favorite line from a job interview was "how should we pay you?". The dealership had not done any research and had not defined any goals regarding their internet/bdc department - that tells me it was not a priority to them. If you take this job and start out small, hoping to take on more responsibility in the future, you will end up a highly skilled appointment setter. Sorry to be a negative nellie, but I speak from experience.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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Kristi, the same advice was given to me in one of the earlier posts. I will come to the final interview armed with all these responses. I think if enough people are suggesting the same thing that I must heed the advice. I wil tell them that the best thing I could for them is to remove myself from the game for the teams sake. But above and beyond that I think I will provide them a list of resources so that they can take the time in due diligence to learn more about what they want to accomplish; both their goals and objectives. Thanks so much for your input Kristi and have a wonderful day.
Kristi Alguire said:Bill -
If this dealership (or group) is interviewing people before they have a clear idea of what it is they want to accomplish - my suggestion would be to walk away and look elsewhere. My favorite line from a job interview was "how should we pay you?". The dealership had not done any research and had not defined any goals regarding their internet/bdc department - that tells me it was not a priority to them. If you take this job and start out small, hoping to take on more responsibility in the future, you will end up a highly skilled appointment setter. Sorry to be a negative nellie, but I speak from experience.
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Bill,
What is your current experience at this position, and or similar experience?
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Permalink Reply by Bill Goodfriend on
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http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bill-goodfriend-lion/10/61/4aa - Hi Bobby, I attached a link to my Linked-In account so that you can take a look at my background.
Bobby Compton said:Bill,
What is your current experience at this position, and or similar experience?
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