From Fixed Ops to General Manager

Are there any success stories of anyone jumping from Fixed to GM? I am contemplating attempting to make a change. Looking for ideas of how to cross over. I have worked fixed for 24 plus years and have always been told I would make a great GM. I am starting to listen as I am getting older and am looking for ideas of how to make the transition. I had a great mentor of a 3 dealer group that allowed me to partner in and oversee multiple stores. I spent time with the GM's but still focused on back end duties. We lost our franchises so I am back as a service and parts director. I am looking for a new challenge i guess. Thanks for any input

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Permalink Reply by Mike Stoner on May 16, 2012 at 3:15pm

One of the best GM's I know did exactly that. Went from fixed ops to GM and made the dealerships and others they aquired leaders in the market and in their 20 group.

Here's a 29 second clip of him talking about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRDwFz0hfhw

Permalink Reply by William Demaree on May 16, 2012 at 3:46pm

Thanks Mike!

Permalink Reply by Frank Greco on May 21, 2012 at 9:44am

I made the switch fifteen years ago,it was relativly easy.I was offerd the G.M. position primarly for my people skills. After being incharge of two very profitable service departments I used the same princeables for the entire operation. The main differnce was accountablilty there wasnt much in the New and Used side of the buisnness.

Best of Luck

Frank Greco

Acura of Huntington

Permalink Reply by Tom Wiegand on May 23, 2012 at 9:09am

You are already a remarkable success story operating one of the best fixed operations enterprises, while being a partner!  I can state that any dealer owner wanting a person of highest character, integrity and work ethic, great with people and team building, with a complete understanding of entire dealership operations will find a needle in the haystack, diamond in the ruff, best example of the best General Manager imaginable in Mr. William Demaree.  I stake my 37 years in this industry on this testimonial.  He is an exemplary example of the best of man!  There is no hidden agenda with this man.  He's simply the real deal!  Praise God! 

Permalink Reply by William Demaree on May 24, 2012 at 4:51pm
Tom I really appreciate the vote of confidence. As you can see I passed on the Toyota deal will GST. Still decerning

Tom '1TeamSynergy' Wiegand said:

You are already a remarkable success story operating one of the best fixed operations enterprises, while being a partner!  I can state that any dealer owner wanting a person of highest character, integrity and work ethic, great with people and team building, with a complete understanding of entire dealership operations will find a needle in the haystack, diamond in the ruff, best example of the best General Manager imaginable in Mr. William Demaree.  I stake my 37 years in this industry on this testimonial.  He is an exemplary example of the best of man!  There is no hidden agenda with this man.  He's simply the real deal!  Praise God! 

Permalink Reply by Russell Grosser on May 30, 2012 at 11:55am

Hello William,

As an car person who's moved to recruitment for the industry, I've found the most successful General Managers are from fixed operations.  You already know how to read financials, analyse KPI's, and have experience running the biggest revenue centre of the store.  The front end of the store is much easier to learn than the back end.

Permalink Reply by William Demaree on May 30, 2012 at 4:23pm

Thanks Russell,

Any ideas of how to successfully sell myself to a dealer that constantly is looking at a Sales Manager by default? Every job post I see askes for several years of sales not Fixed.

Russell Grosser said:

Hello William,

As an car person who's moved to recruitment for the industry, I've found the most successful General Managers are from fixed operations.  You already know how to read financials, analyse KPI's, and have experience running the biggest revenue centre of the store.  The front end of the store is much easier to learn than the back end.

Permalink Reply by Russell Grosser on May 30, 2012 at 4:40pm

My first question would be; how many times has this happened?  Have they been through several people in the seat?  If that is the case then you have a strong leg to stand on.  I don't know what your time sensetivity is on this application, but I would try to spend some time with the front-end managers to get a better idea of how it all works up there.  If you need to be evasive to keep the confidentiality of your intentions until you approach the owner, ask to spend some time in sales meetings to understand their motivations and environment so you can bring fresh training ideas to the back-end.  Make a point of learning about the monthly programs, the CRM and/or accounting system they use, and some other general areas of the operation.

 

It's very realistic to aspire to that role.  I know of a Parts Manager who got into a General Manager role with a Mini franchise.

 

Your sell, in part, is this:  You understand and can analyse the financials to see areas of improvement, You have extensive experience identifying/monitoring/acting on Key Performance Indicators, You already have the experience dealing with the factory, You bring to the table structure and time-management which many sales people don't have, plus whatever personal sells you have with regards to achievements and tenure with the company.
 
William Demaree said:

Thanks Russell,

Any ideas of how to successfully sell myself to a dealer that constantly is looking at a Sales Manager by default? Every job post I see askes for several years of sales not Fixed.

Russell Grosser said:

Hello William,

As an car person who's moved to recruitment for the industry, I've found the most successful General Managers are from fixed operations.  You already know how to read financials, analyse KPI's, and have experience running the biggest revenue centre of the store.  The front end of the store is much easier to learn than the back end.

Permalink Reply by Tony Troussov on June 14, 2012 at 1:39pm

William, in my experience, I have seen several Fixed people execute well in the GM position.  In all instances they were surrounded by great Variable people (GSM, UCM and F&I Director).  If you have that support you'll do just fine.  I have also seen the opposite of that.  Good luck in your search for the new challenge.

Permalink Reply by Jim Mahoney on August 10, 2012 at 8:16am

William,

FOD's make the best GM's hands down. They have already mastered the 2 toughest parts of the store. The skills you learn in Fixed will carry you well as a GM. I see a growing trend of GM's coming from fixed with great results. Have a sales manager or F&I director take over will take months of teaching the fixed end and even then, they will have to spend many hours just learning the basics.

I would suggest you take it and show what you can do!

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Jim

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