Forward-thinking

This year’s Dealer Boot Camp will give attendees a taste of what the future could look like for dealerships. Bob Clements, president and CEO of Bob Clements International, will use the Dealer Boot Camp to share tips on how dealers can position themselves to take advantage of changes that will come to the industry.

“It’s not about what I need today but five years from now,” Clements says. “How am I setting myself up as a dealer to be successful?”

The Dealer Boot Camp features six morning sessions Wednesday through Friday. The following are a few things Clements hopes dealers attending his Boot Camp sessions will take away:

1. Technician training will be different: Service departments will look different in the next five to 10 years. As engines evolve, Clements says training also needs to evolve for technicians.
   “More engines are going to use fuel injection like automobiles,” he says. “So, our technicians are going to need different kinds of training, tools and equipment.”
2. Customers will be different: In the next few years, Clements says Millennials will start to emerge as a primary customer base. Millennials might research products online, but he says they still want a relationship with local stores and dealers. They want to be engaged with the dealerships.
   “They’re not going to want to stand behind a counter and wait,” he says. “They want to walk back with you.”
3. Parts counters will be different: More customers will want to look up information on parts on their own at dealerships. Clements says future dealerships might feature kiosks and tablets that have information on available parts or give customers the ability to purchase parts using their smartphones.
   “Everything will be done electronically with your smartphone. We need to make sure software is up-to-date,” he says.
4. Demand will be different: With the popularity of services like Amazon Prime’s free two-day shipping, more people expect to receive products faster. Clements says dealers of the future will want to improve their fill rates and inventory stocking.
   “It’s not about the price,” he says. “It’s about the availability of things.”

Clements advises any owners or managers of dealerships attend the Dealer Boot Camp sessions at GIE+EXPO.

“If you’re selling your business in two years, stay home, but if you’re planning on being in business in the next five to 10 years, this is a must-attend session,” he says. “We have a grasp on the future based on other industries. This is just a best guess at what the future for this business looks like, and I think the future looks good.”

Dealer Boot Camp sessions

Bob Clements’ Dealer Boot Camp will feature six educational sessions throughout GIE+EXPO. All are free with GIE+EXPO registration. The following are details on the sessions he will offer:

Wednesday, Oct. 17

Unleashing the Power of Your Employees – Bob Clements

8 – 8:50 a.m.

Your biggest risk as a retailer is not maximizing the performance that you are getting from your biggest expense – your employees. Bob Clements will share specific ideas on how to turn average employees into superstars. During this fast-paced workshop, he will discuss the six key motivators that drive every person and teach you how to build bonus and incentive programs that drive performance and improve attitudes. If you're ready to move your people to the next level, this is a must-attend workshop.

The New Future of Retailing – Bob Clements

9 – 9:50 a.m.

There has never been a better or more exciting time to be a retailer. A new wave of change is sweeping across the world of retail business and, as an owner, you must decide whether to ride it or be buried under its weight. Bob Clements will share his insight on the dramatic shifts that are already underway and the fundamental changes in both thought and business that will need to happen to take full advantage of the new future of retailing.

Thursday, Oct. 18

Are Your Marketing Dollars Producing You Sales? – Sarah Hey, Bob Clements International

8 – 8:50 a.m.

Are you wasting your marketing budget? Are you getting a return on your advertising investment? It is critical to know your marketing numbers – the actual cost of bringing a new customer into your dealership and how much you have to spend to entice existing customers to re-buy. Sara Hey will help you determine your customer acquisition costs and customer lifetime values, and what a well-rounded marketing budget should look like for a dealership.

The Service Department of the Future – Bob Clements

9 – 9:50 a.m.

In 10 years, what types of equipment will be coming into your shop for repair? Tools, training, setup and processes must be adjusted as manufacturers add new technology to their lines. Plus, changing customer expectations will challenge us to change with them. Join Bob Clements as he looks ahead to 2028. Discover the changes your service department might expect to see and what you can do now to prepare your team.

Friday, Oct. 19

Looking to the Future Business Management Software Panel Discussion

8 – 8:50 a.m.

One of the most expensive things a dealership invests in, outside of its people, is a business management system. With technology constantly changing, BMS providers are working to stay in front of the changes to give dealers the best possible experience. In this session, moderated by Sara Hey, you'll hear from some of the industry's leading software companies as they anticipate changes to come. Plus, learn the questions you should be asking in order to make informed decisions about software that will move your dealership forward.

The Parts Department of the Future – Bob Clements

9 – 9:50 a.m.

We live in the age of drive-thru service, convenience, speed, automation and overnight delivery. While customer expectations are changing, a well-run parts department will continue to be an integral and profitable component of every dealership. However, you can be sure that with the with the growing numbers of the YouTube generation, hobby farmers and retirees, making key adjustments to your parts processes will be critical to your success. Learn from Bob Clements the steps dealers are taking to assure they have a profitable parts department in the coming decade.