How to Create Ambition?!!

Definition: Ambition is the desire for personal achievement.

As dealer principals, general managers, sales managers, parts and service managers. do we truly understand the meaning of this on a daily basis? Are we on the same page, with every employee’s, personal achievement? We are driven by $$$$$, in most cases. What drives each and every employee? Do you know?

The true testament to success, in my professional opinion, is companies that drive the bottom line, with passion. In the midst of that passion, they create and understand the personal desire, for each employee. My experience, tells the story. It took me many years, to realize, not everyone’s ambition, was to be driven to make millions. Tell that to an A type, who thinks 100 million, is not enough. Ambitious people seek to be the best at what they choose for attainment.

Now, I get it!!!

I have a great team!!! Each team member has their own ambitions. They do a great job for my company, why? I have a true understanding, for what makes each and everyone’s ambitions.

How does that create ambition?!!! I have consistent conversations, with my employees, which in turn gives me direction, to honor their ambitions!!! Red sox tickets, for the family. A little flexibility in scheduling. A gift certificate, to a nice local restaurant, for an employee’s immediate family. Employees ambitions will always change. I love that!!! Why, if they always have new ambitions and goals, then I know I can fuel them, thru fantastic conversations. Engaged in the teams life, will create ambition at never ending levels!!!

Remember ambition, can be defined as an object of one’s desire! Understand what your team members need and desire, help them attain their ambitions, you will have success at never ending levels!!!

Stay in touch with the realities of your employees lives. Let them understand, what your companies ambitions and desires are, you will have success!!! Reciprocity is the key!!

In closing, when you monitor your teams every day, for the gross profit goals, remember, when you have a string of great days, weeks, months, give back!!! Loyalty, ambition, success. We all want it, having a plan that meets everyone’s ambitions, is the long term solution!!!

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Comment by Tony Provost on March 15, 2012 at 9:47am: bc- thanks for your imput.

Comment by Tony Provost on March 15, 2012 at 8:39am: Marsh- Thank you. My professional opinion, Dealers need to get involved to improve THE INTERNAL CUSTOMER, employees. When employees understand gross profits, csi and what it takes to drive both, you have a winning team. People today have to be great multi-taskers. this business is going to be wonderful over the next 5 years. The companies that have great retention, and the right number of employees, WIN HUGE.

Comment by Tony Provost on March 15, 2012 at 8:28am: Manny- I LOVE YOUR COMMENT. I am the dealer principal, the president of my company. I am estatic that I come across as a sales manager.

Comment by Tony Provost on March 15, 2012 at 8:26am: Pat Kirley- thanks. Employee retention, is the name of the game. This is how I view the deal. 1. EMPLOYEES

2. THE COMPANY. 3. MYSELF. When you put in the energy to grow, everything works. Results. our company has been the most profitable, best customer retention, best csi, for 10 years, in this district.

Comment by MANNY LUNA on March 15, 2012 at 5:56am: Love it Tony! I agree 100% , you remind me of one of my Sales Mgrs that offered a corvette ragtop with 1000 cash with Sat and Sunday if I sold 40 cars. sold 44, win win for both of us.

Comment by Marsh Buice on March 14, 2012 at 9:07pm: Good job Tony! Your employees lay it on the line for you everyday BECAUSE you take the time to know them and understand what their goals are-then you give back. When you show you care, your employees will run through a wall for you. You set a great example others can follow. Good job brother.

Comment by Pat Kirley on March 14, 2012 at 8:11pm: Hi Tony
I like it, i particularly like your last paragraph and the remark "give back"
To get dedication and commitment you must share but too many dealerships are like spoilt kids, sharing is caring and it pays dividends.
We all appreciate the bonus, voucher etc., carrots rather than the stick.

Comment by Tony Provost on March 14, 2012 at 5:59pm: Richard- you get it. TIME. What we do with it, is the difference.

Comment by Bill Gasson on March 14, 2012 at 5:43pm: Very Nice

Comment by Richard Stone on March 14, 2012 at 5:33pm: Love this! So glad that someone actually wrote this down - I have been saying for years that cash spiffs and bonuses do not capture everyone’s attention...For monthly bonuses I used event tickets, time off, mini vacations and cash. Not everyone is motivated by the same thing. Yes, we all need money, but a person with 3 kids would be happier with a trip for the whole family (and the time to take it) rather than cash that will get absorbed into the household budget, and vise versa, a young person would rather have cash or a new lap top or not. As Tony says, spend the time to find out.