Beyond The First Pencil

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Kathi and Mike are back with an episode to catch you up on what’s hip and what’s not in the world of using AI. We both come from dealerships so our perspective is different from that of a vendor’s. There’s a lot to learn and say about this exciting new tool but for now, here’s what we’re seeing as a practical way of incorporating AI to enhance operations without feeling overwhelmed by it all.

Netflix Documentary: The Greatest Night in Pop

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

The 2023 Cox Automotive Service Study reveals a significant shift in consumer preferences regarding vehicle service providers and customer experience. While dealerships historically led as the preferred choice, they are now facing increasing competition from general repair shops. This change is driven by a decline in consumer trust towards dealerships.

Music: 

Mikes favorite Xmas song: The Waitresses: Christmas Wrapping

Remastered Joy Division Oct 1979 Apollo Theater Manchester UK 

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

We’re back after a short hiatus. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Kathi and Mike reminisce about their journey through automotive social media and online reputation management. 

Music: 

RIP Shane MacGowan/The Pogues

FairyTale of New York (1988)

The Dubliners and The Pogues (1987) 

The Irish Rover

Here’s one with Joe Strummer (The Clash) (1987)

I Fought the Law

Documentary: Crock of Gold - A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan

RIP Geordie Walker/Killing Joke

Eighties

And Mike’s favorite: Love Like Blood

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Mike just got back from the Digital Dealer Conference in Las Vegas. We have thoughts.

Twitter, the platform we’ve loved for 14+ years, is officially dead. While both of us are still there, we are down to about 5% of the amount we used to be. Many sane users have been looking for a place to go. We’ve tried most of the new platforms and we think one has the best potential.

We also touch on AI prompts (ie: where the magic happens). This article is super helpful.

In our music segment:

Mike recommended this book: The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Kathi reflects on Club Lingerie, a small club on Sunset that was ground zero for a generation of music fans.

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

For some reason, Kathi and Mike have both been witnessing a lot of disturbing customer treatment lately. This week, we share a few stories and then discuss how that’s a losing proposition in today’s retail environment.

Then, we discuss why it’s important to have a written social media policy and some training to mitigate online crisis management.

And finally, Google Business Profiles are giving users another way to connect with their customers.

Music segment:

Midnight Special: Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter Group 

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

One of the most important parts of social media strategy is to monitor comments. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes out of your day to review comments and respond where appropriate, or advanced as using online marketing and data analytics tools. All of it will provide valuable insights into customer sentiment, customer experience and perception of your brand.

In our music segment:

Bowie 11/16/73 on The Midnight Special youtube channel: 

Space Oddity

Jean Genie

Duet with Marianne Faithfull: I Got You Babe

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Got a question? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

We can all agree that change is hard, right? It’s super easy to retreat into the comfort of old habits (we’re all guilty of it!). Change is often accompanied by uncertainty, discomfort, and even fear and so resisting seems like the easier route. But when we view large and small shifts as opportunities rather than setbacks, new worlds open up. 

Kathi shares a bit about what’s happening on America’s public lands and the wild horses who live on them. If you’d like to know more and/or get involved, get in touch with Kathi (email below or via social media). No matter how small, your action helps save lives.

Our music segment:

Suburban Lawns 

Janitor

Gidget Goes To Hell

Unable (live)

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. 

Got a question (or two or three)? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

You should consider your social media profiles as company assets. Don’t run the risk of losing them by giving outsized access to vendors. You wouldn’t give a vendor keys to the store so they can work on the vending machine, right? 

Mike got a new mic!

Music segment:

The Cure

Elvis Costello

Got a question (or two or three)? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

Kathi and Mike believe delivering the very best customer experience is crucial to dealership profitability. When it comes to selling cars, not all customers are created equal. Some approach the dealership with a lack of trust and the expectation of an adversarial buying experience. Sometimes, people are just shady, which happens in any business that deals with the public. We share our insights on how to mitigate issues with tricky customers.

Kathi shares her latest update on the Facebook/Meta ads experience. It ain’t good.

In our music segment:

Belinda Carlyle’s birthday

Anniversary of New Order’s album Substance

Kathi’s hot movie tips:

The YouTube Effect (documentary)

Mark Cavendish: Never Enough (documentary on Netflix)

Painkiller (Netflix) 

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. 

Got a question (or two or three)? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]

Kathi and Mike are car biz veterans. We strive to make the car biz a better place.

Mike shares his less-than-5-star dealer service experience and as with all things dealership customer related, we are inspired to share content ideas for service dept personnel and the marketers who love them.

Kathi shares her experience running the Hanaeleh horse rescue’s Hay Fundraiser on social media. She conducts these fundraisers three times a year and every time there are more changes that create obstacles for a successful result. 

In our music segment:

RIP Paul Reubens AKA Pee-Wee Herman

Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo

👉Sign up for Kathi’s newsletter here👈

If you're a car person (worked/working in dealerships like us) we want to hear from you. 

Got a question (or two or three)? Email either (or both) of us!

Kathi: [email protected]

Mike: [email protected]