It’s tempting to wait until Q4 to start tackling your dealership’s financial cleanup—but by then, you’re already behind.In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes sit down with Heather Westman and Sharlene Croteau, both instructors at NADA Academy, to break down what dealers should be doing now to close out the year with more confidence and less chaos.They explain the most common year-end financial mistakes they see, like ignoring aging inventory, failing to monitor receivables, or missing floorplan costs. They share practical strategies for forecasting, involving department managers in planning, and reviewing overlooked areas like vendor lists, contract renewals, and expense allocations.Heather and Sharlene also preview the upcoming Financial Management seminars hosted by NADA, where they go even deeper on dealership operations, forecasting, and financial leadership. Learn more or register at: nada.org/seminarsFollow UsX @NADAUpdateInstagram @NADAYouTube @NADAUpdateLinkedIn @NADAFacebook @NADAUpdatePresented by The National Automobile Dealers Associationhttps://www.nada.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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The Critical Balance Between Compliance and Profitability in the Finance And Insurance (F&I) Office
The Finance & Insurance (F&I) office plays a pivotal role in dealership profitability — but with increased legal scrutiny and evolving customer expectations, success now hinges on building trust through compliance.In this episode, Chuck Bryant, NADA Academy Instructor, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to share what actually works inside a high-performing F&I department. From weekly audits and consistent menus to transparent payment conversations, Chuck walks through how dealerships can create a trustworthy, repeatable process that drives results.He also breaks down how to define real product value, why some offerings put your store at risk, and what to look for when reviewing your current F&I lineup. If you’re focused on improving performance without sacrificing integrity, this episode is for you.A resource related to this episode's topic is NADA's Driven Management Guide on "Voluntary Protection Products: A Model Dealership Policy," available online here.Follow UsX @NADAUpdateInstagram @NADAYouTube @NADAUpdateLinkedIn @NADAFacebook @NADAUpdatePresented by The National Automobile Dealers Associationhttps://www.nada.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Data on Your Terms: Secure, Controlled & Clean Data = More Sales
Security isn't just about protection, it’s about control. And for dealerships, that control over data is quickly becoming non-negotiable.In this episode, Michelle Phelps, Senior Director of Customer Success at Authenticom, joins hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to explore the importance of dealership data control. They discuss Native Vault, a free resource available to NADA members, and how it helps dealers manage, secure, and optimize their data on their own terms.Michelle shares real-world examples of what can happen when dealers overshare or lose track of vendor access. The conversation covers compliance risks, the operational impact of dirty data, and how better data practices can strengthen vendor relationships and increase marketing ROI.This episode offers actionable steps any dealership can take to protect sensitive data, ensure clean data flows, and streamline their digital operations with confidence.Follow UsX @NADAUpdateInstagram @NADAYouTube @NADAUpdateLinkedIn @NADAFacebook @NADAUpdatePresented by The National Automobile Dealers Associationhttps://www.nada.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
High prices, tightening incentives, and global uncertainty—Q2 was anything but predictable for the U.S. light-vehicle market.In this episode, hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes are joined by Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association, for the first installment of NADA’s new Quarterly Economic Report series. Patrick breaks down the key forces that shaped Q2’s market dynamics, from shifts in consumer demand and inventory levels to the real-world impact of tariffs and affordability challenges.They also get into what’s ahead for Q3—why used inventory could become critical, how hybrid sales are outpacing EVs, and what dealers should really be watching as inflation and interest rates put more pressure on customers’ wallets.If you’re looking for grounded insights and actionable perspective on what the data actually means, you’ll want to hit play.Follow UsX @NADAUpdateInstagram @NADAYouTube @NADAUpdateLinkedIn @NADAFacebook @NADAUpdatePresented by The National Automobile Dealers Associationhttps://www.nada.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Customer Journey Insights from Before, During and After the Deal
Today’s car buyers are more informed and more in control. The 2024 Car Buyer Journey Study from Cox Automotive shows how shifting expectations and smarter tools are shaping every step of the customer experience.In this episode, Jade Terreberry and Vanessa Ton join hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes to unpack what this year’s research reveals about buyer behavior, dealer opportunities, and the digital tools that make the biggest difference. They talk about the growing demand for hybrid buying experiences, how trade-in friction is becoming a key trust factor, and why more time spent shopping doesn’t mean less satisfaction.We also get into why dealers who personalize the journey before the deal are seeing better results and what steps you can take now to meet buyers where they are and build loyalty that lasts. If you're looking for real-world takeaways to improve the customer journey and keep buyers coming back, this episode is a must.Follow UsX @NADAUpdateInstagram @NADAYouTube @NADAUpdateLinkedIn @NADAFacebook @NADAUpdatePresented by The National Automobile Dealers Associationhttps://www.nada.org/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to Dealer Driven! A podcast all about your industry, from your association, focused on amplifying your success. Join hosts Camron Wilson and Michael Hayes as they explore the daily challenges and opportunities dealerships face and how to navigate through them. These 15 to 20-minute drive-time episodes will highlight the best ideas for opportunities and solutions to operational challenges you face, as well as warn you about issues on the road ahead. If you work in a dealership, this is the podcast for you!