In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of automotive technology innovation with Pedram Faed, Vice President & General Manager at Tekion. Discover the intriguing origins of Tekion's name, rooted in both science and heritage, including a connection to a significant era when founder Jay worked alongside Elon Musk.

Pedram sheds light on Tekion's unconventional approach to product testing, such as acquiring a dealership to create a real-world environment for their solutions. He shares insights gained from this hands-on experience and the importance of embracing change through a focus on people and processes alongside technology.

Exploring the setbacks faced by Tekion, Pedram reveals how they pivoted towards contactless sales during challenging times like the Covid era, leading to a shift towards mobile-forward solutions over desktop interfaces. This shift unlocked new capabilities for dealership teams, sparking a wave of innovation within the company.

Delving deeper, we discuss the common challenges dealers face with DMS systems and how Tekion's platform addresses these issues by bridging fragmented systems and disconnected OEM portals. Pedram highlights the importance of creating an ecosystem where OEMs and dealers can collaborate seamlessly on a unified platform, driving efficiency and innovation in the automotive industry.

Join us as we unravel the journey of Tekion, from its inception to its transformative impact on the automotive tech landscape, and gain valuable insights into the future of dealership operations and technology integration.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

Meet Vicki Poponi, former C Suite Executive at Honda, now automotive industry advisor with Salesforce! SHe shares her firsthand experience with Salesforce as a game-changer in the automotive industry. Discover how Salesforce, a global force for over 24 years, is transforming automotive dealerships with its innovative solutions.

Vicki delves into the essence of Salesforce for dealers, highlighting its versatility and customization capabilities. Learn how Salesforce provides an out-of-the-box solution that covers 80% of dealership needs, allowing for seamless customization through their App Store. Explore how dealers can tailor their client systems without the hassle of complex integrations, thanks to Salesforce's open API that enables developers to create add-on features.

Unravel the power of Salesforce's Auto Cloud tailored for automotive dealers, starting from the Marketing Cloud and expanding into a comprehensive platform beyond traditional CRM capabilities. Dive into the vision of Salesforce for better customer experiences, focusing on creating seamless transitions and enhancing customer interactions throughout the sales journey.

Discover how Salesforce empowers businesses to build personalized systems that align perfectly with their unique requirements, without the need for extensive IT support. Explore the limitless possibilities of Salesforce's platform, designed to elevate sales operations and drive exceptional customer engagement in the competitive automotive landscape.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Vicki's perspective on leveraging Salesforce to revolutionize automotive sales processes and deliver unparalleled customer experiences that drive lasting success in the industry.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

Let me know what you think of this series 👊- jennifer@edealersolution.com

In this episode, we explore the importance of using targeted lead lists to increase appointment set rates in a car dealership's service department Business Development Center (BDC).

Discover key lead lists that service department BDC agents should consider utilizing, including targeting existing customers, utilizing service reminder lists, following up with declined service leads, and identifying warranty expiration leads.

Learn how leveraging these high-quality leads can enhance appointment setting efforts, improve customer engagement, and drive success in the competitive automotive service industry.

Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 800-625-1590 | edealersolutions.com

🔥Check out our sponsors!🔥

CallRevu.com is the leading automotive communications intelligence platform, offering call monitoring and call analysis, with technology optimized for sales, service (fixed ops) and marketing.

LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability.