Automotive Sales Playbook

Automotive Sales Playbook

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  Automotive Sales Playbook Pg. 1 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010 Created by Thomas Ieracitano http://www.DigitalCarGuy.com
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  Automotive Sales Playbook STEP1: MEET AND GREET Approach – Greet, Smile, Enthusiasm, Energy, Eye Contact STEP 2: FACT FIND – NEEDS ASSESSMENT Visit – Establish empathy – Listen, Gather Information, Establish Trust Account (Never prejudge), while fact finding, build rapport. STEP 3: SELECT A VEHICLE Based on Fact Finding, Building Rapport. STEP 4: DEMONSTRATION DRIVE Salesperson drives First, use a pre-determined route. Trial Close, Demonstrate on your feet, Close on your seat! STEP 5: WRITE – UP Trade Walk, LOG IN your efforts, paperwork, CRM STEP 6: DESK - Approach “DESK” to Start transaction No numbers until this point. Secure buyer’s response and communicate to Sales Manager. STEP 7: DELIVERY – Show Time, Tour the dealership and ALL departments. STEP 8: FOLLOW UP – Sold and UnSold Customers Pg. 2 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Husband and Automotive Sales Playbook Take a Wife, Who do checkup, you greet first? From the neck-up! 1) Meet and Greet Eye contact is extremely important! Handshake, Salesperson smiles - Welcome to ________________, My name is ... and yours? Are you here to see anyone in particular? You only have ONE CHANCE to make a good First Impression! Dress for Success, walk the walk and talk the talk of a Professional Consultant. 2) Needs Assessment-Fact Find -Listen to Customer responses! 5 W’s Is this for you or some else? Are you Adding or Replacing a vehicle? and H What will you be using the vehicle for? Are you considering bigger or smaller than present vehicle? What is your present vehicle? Can we give you figures on your vehicle? BUILD Why are you considering replacing it at this time? RELATIONSHIPS What have you done to enhance the value of it? WITH TRUST & What have you liked most about it? RAPPORT What have you liked least about it? Did you buy it New or Used? Use your How long do you keep your vehicles? Personality! How many miles per year do you drive? How many miles are on the car you will be replacing? What price vehicle was it when you bought it? Are you considering the same price range this time or more? When is your next payment due? *(If paid off) what were the payments? How much will that payment be? How did you get your payments so low? Has your car been worth the present payment? What do you like about your present vehicle that you would like on the new vehicle? Why is that important? What do you want your new vehicle to do that your present one does not do for you? Why is that important? What is the biggest change in since your last purchase? The Majority of your Will this vehicle be used for work/pleasure? Time with the Customer Do you work for yourself or for someone else? should focus on the Who for? What do you do for them? How long? Investigation Process Where will most of your driving be highway or city? WHY? Do you have any warranty left on your present vehicles? Who will be the primary driver? Are there any secondary drivers? Will the other driver be involved in the selection? What other vehicles do you presently own? Can we give you figures on that vehicle? Would you consider selling any of the other vehicles? Who else would be involved in a decision as important as this one? Pg. 3 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook Meet & Greet Investigation/Counsel Feature-Benefit Presentation Trade Evaluation Present Figures Close Each triangle represents the amount of time consumed by each step in the selling process! Pick the one that would be the most pleasurable experience for both the Consumer and Salesperson! Why is it called ‘The Road to a Sale’? Meet & Greet Investigation/Counsel Feature-Benefit Presentation Trade Evaluation Present Figures Close Pg. 4 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook 3) Selection - Land on a vehicle in stock (if possible). The elite of salespeople will always walk the inventory on a daily basis in order to have a mental note of the vehicles that are on the ground and available for sale. a) While in the inventory with the Customer, choose a vehicle based on your investigation and conversation. b) This is where we can set up a Switch Vehicle that may asset in the closing later in the negotiation process. After the customer has somewhat settled on a vehicle, walk over to a like vehicle with basic or with minimal extra’s. c) Do not rely on the Computer! Don’t see what you can Sell … Sell what you call See! Daily Inventory Walk! 4) Feature/Benefit Demonstration Drive - w/salesperson driving first, discuss factory warranty, safety features, etc. During the investigation stage we have found a specific area of concern the Customer has about the vehicle (Safety, Economy, Performance, etc.) Refer to Demonstration Route Map for directions. Feature presentation - Walk around the vehicle in a secluded location and open the trunk and hood, DEMONSTRATE the Features and always give a Benefit to the customer, using that feature. Paint a Mental Picture with a relevant life experience or situation. Then switch seats to let customer drive back to the Dealership. Remote Demonstration! In order to set the stage for negotiations; Immediately after the demonstration drive ask; Other than Price, is there any other reason why we cannot earn your business NOW, while you are here? Just before entering the building; Excuse me, would you promise me one thing. (Wait for a response) If there is anything you are not happy with any time during the process, will you allow me the opportunity to try to correct it? Promise me. Why? 5) Write up, Paperwork, Trade Walk and Valuation a) Worksheet – Complete with all pertinent information completed b) Credit Application – To be completed by the Salesperson (not the Customer). c) Appraisal – Take the Trade(s) VIN & mileage directly from the Vehicle(s) before entering the building and walk around the trade with the customer, silently. d) Payoff Information - Call for accurate information. Pg. 5 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook STEP6: DESK - Approach “DESK” to Start transaction No numbers until this point, Salesperson will communicate the buyer’s responses to the Sales Manager. CLOSE-SETTING THE STAGE – T.O. Demonstrate on your feet, Close on your seat! Visit – soft drink, coffee. Introduction to (T.O.) Sales Manager (Step 1) Mr. & Mrs. Customer this is _____________; My Sales Manager and he/she would just like to thank you for considering ___________________. Always listen; never interrupt the Conversation between the Sales Manager and the Customer. Remember after asking a closing question, The first person to speak loses! A Salesperson should NEVER be the last person to speak with a customer! Pg. 6 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook 7)Delivery – IT’S SHOWTIME! Review the Owners Manuel, Service Department hours of operation, Delivery Checklist (make note of any concerns the customer may have of the vehicle) Introduction to the Service Writer Schedule the First Appointment Introduction to (T.O.) to the Business Manager (STEP 1) After the Business Manager acknowledges he/she is ready for the Customer(s), Walk the Customer(s) to the Business Office & say: MR & MRS (CUSTOMER’S NAME) THIS IS…. (BUSINESS MGR’S NAME), THE BUSINESS MANAGER OF _______________________. (BUSINESS MGR’S NAME) WILL FINALIZE YOUR PAPERWORK AND DISCUSS THE MAINTENANCE AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES THAT ___Dealership____ AND I STRONGLY RECOMMEND. BY THE WAY, (Business Manager’s Name) IS A _____ (GOLFER?)____ JUST LIKE YOU! I WILL SEE YOU IN A FEW MINUTES. (SMILE & LEAVE THE ROOM.) Even a Used Vehicle is New to (STEP 2) the Customer! UPON BEING PAGED TO THE BUSINESS OFFICE, OPEN THE DOOR AND SAY: “ CONGRATULATIONS, FOLLOW ME, TO YOUR NEW _______________! “ (STEP 3) After review of the vehicle do a Service Walk and Introduction to a Service Writer to Schedule ‘ A First Service Appointment’. Also, introduce the Customer(s) to the Service Manager! Pg. 7 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook 8)FOLLOW –UP a) 24-HOUR Follow –up Call b) Birthday Cards, Vehicle Purchase Anniversary c) Call the references on the Customer Statement, an excellent source of referrals! ASK FOR REFERRALS Ask, ‘Who will you be showing off your new vehicle to?’ When asking for referrals ask about the people mentioned! Always make an extra copy of the following for your records, Buyers Order Credit Application/ Customer Statement Drivers License(s) and Insurance Information Send a handwritten note card 30, 60 and 90 days after the sale. 30 days – Ask for referrals 60 days – How are things 90 days – Close to 6,000 miles, time for your First Service Then every 6 months sent out some type of mail piece (card, letter or postcard). Now that you have started the Relationship it is as easy as investing a little time into Your Business. Pg. 8 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010
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  Automotive Sales Playbook DAILY SUCCESS TIPS 1. LEAVE ANY PROBLEMS AT THE CURB. Stuff happens, to everyone, but you have to leave it at the curb or you won’t be effective and then everything gets worse. 2. Do YOUR “GOOD MORNING” WALK THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. Get to work 15 or 20 minutes before your shift and say “hello” to everyone in every department. 3. WALK THE LOT IMMEDIATELY. Your inventory changes every day (or at least it moves around a lot) and you have to know what you have and where it’s parked. 4. CHECK YOUR APPOINTMENTS. Check your appointments for the day and any other “To Do’s” or priorities you needed to get done today. 5. Review YOUR GOALS, ALL OF THEM. The quickest way to get what you want is to maintain your focus and work your plan. Goals get you there quick! 6. Next, GO THROUGH YOUR PROSPECT FILE. Look through every card you have on file and call every one of them. 7. CALL ALL OF YOUR WORKING PROSPECTS. Keep your “To Call Today” Prospects phone numbers with you and then if someone else is in your office, you’ll still be able to call them. 8. CALL YOUR SOLD CUSTOMERS. (Call each one every 90 days.) Do some math to find out how many you need to call each day. If you call 5 a day x 25 working days, you’ll contact 125 a month, or 375 every quarter. If you only have 375 sold customers, that’s fine, but if you have 750, you’ll need to contact 10 a day instead. 9. PROSPECT - CALL OR SEE PERSONALLY AT LEAST 5 NEW WARM PROSPECTS. Orphan owners, service customers, lists, etc. If you keep the pipeline full of contacts, you’ll always have sales working and you’ll always be busy selling cars. 10. MAKE SURE THAT YOU TRACK EVERYTHING YOU DO EACH DAY. How many phone calls, how many actual contacts from those calls, how many appointments, how many show up, how many walk in customers, etc. (check your planner). 11. MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EVERY MINUTE of your selling day that has to do with selling a car NOW or at some point in the future. You aren’t at work to make friends with the other salespeople; you’re at work to earn a living. 12.STAY AWAY FROM ALL THOSE AVERAGE SALESPEOPLE BEFORE IT RUBS OFF ON YOU! 13.WRITE THIS QUESTION ON A CARD, CARRY IT IN YOUR POCKET AND READ IT OFTEN ……. “WHAT AM I DOING RIGHT NOW, TO CREATE BUSINESS?” Pg. 9 of 9 Thursday, April 29, 2010