Clarity Compressed with Paul J. Daly

I had a conversation about a brand experience I just couldn’t ignore. More than that, I couldn’t bear NOT sharing it with you because of it’s timely relevance. I’m excited to introduce you to my friend and colleague, the 25 year old D.P. (Director of Photography) at my agency Congruent.

I didn’t have him as a guest just because he’s cool and more in touch with the modern retail experience than most (but he is). I didn’t have him because he’s a 25 year old millennial (he’s that too). Although those things have relevance to why his opinion is important to us, the primary reason is that I wanted him to share a VERY relevant retail experience he just had because I think we can learn a lot from it.

I am fanatical about brand connection being MORE important than just about anything else in retail. In my recent book I state my belief that when you truly make an impactful brand connection, you successfully pull that customer OUT of your competitors sales funnels.

This is real-time evidence of that. If you are in the retail business or building a brand of any type, I think you will find this episode insightful and hopefully it will move you to CONNECT.

. . .

Get your copy of my first book at TheAutomotiveManifesto.com

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

Every company starts with a story. Usually that story revolves around a person and a problem they are out to solve. Today is no different. When I spent some time with Carvana CEO, Ernie Garcia a while back we saved a good portion of the interview to release after the initial segment.

To be honest, I think this is the better part.

This is where we talk about the human side of the publicly traded CVNA s founder. We talk about his perspective on why the car business is so tough and why dealers are being forced further into the struggle. Ernie shares his philosophy behind how any good company should develop a new solution. We talk about the moment he knew that solution was really resonating with consumers. Finally, we get into what he want’s his legacy to be and why t-ball is the most exciting thing in his life at the moment.

Carvana has been in the news a lot lately regarding their business model and all the stresses and pressure of a publicly traded company are certainly heavy. Don’t we all have our stuff?? Whatever your opinion of Carvana, I hope this episode gets your wheels turning (no pun intended) on what you are doing and where you are heading.

Pursue Clarity,

Paul

. . .

Get your copy of my first book at TheAutomotiveManifesto.com

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

On this week’s show I thought it was a good idea to bring it back to basics…one camera, one voice, one mic and one goal. To have you walk away with one small moment of clarity you can deploy TODAY in order to move closer to person you want to be.

I’ve found that a broad sense of “clarity” rarely comes at once. It is typically the culmination of many smaller moments of clarity over time. Those are the things that allow you to see a little bit more of who you are and most importantly, a little bit more of who you want to be.

Life and business are hard. Hard on our emotions. Heavy on our hearts and heads. They often demand the most of us and it is so easy to fall short. Usually, any time I fall short I can look back and realize things that were within my control were fumbled. BY ME!

I talk about three concepts I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. Concepts in which I want to grow in. Actually, they are concepts which I believe if I can master, will lead to VERY significant growth personally and professionally.

They are:

Selfless > Selfless

The difference between strategy and tactics.

What is the ROI of serving someone else?

I hope working through them can bring you a moment of clarity in the midst of your busy day. They work best if you share them with someone you trust and hold each other accountable to growing in them together.

Thank you SO much for being a part of this community with me…

Paul

PS. I’m thinking about putting on some top-tier, two day workshops on branding and marketing near our HQ in Syracuse where we’ll teach business owners and leaders how to develop and deploy effective brands. Is that something you would ever consider??? Let me know!

. . .

Get your copy of my first book at TheAutomotiveManifesto.com

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

One thing I’ve learned throughout my life is that leadership is not a respecter of industry, age, situation or just about anything else. Leaders understand how to serve. Leaders are experts at empathy. Most of all, leaders are not afraid of engaging the conflict required to make forward progress.

My guest today, Kevin Frye, is currently the Marketing Director of one of the largest, most progressive dealer groups in the country (Jeff Wyler Automotive), was a Navy fighter pilot who has flown hundreds of combat hours and is a man who understands and practices a high level of leadership.

I’m not taking credit, but when I asked Kevin what is the most important role of a leader, his answer included my favorite word….Cl@r**y. You’ll have to listen to figure it out.

I feel like we can all take a cue from his personal mantra of “being an agent of positive change” as you approach whichever challenges we face in the marketplace or at home.

Don’t be afraid of the friction. Don’t be afraid of the process. Don’t be afraid to lead.

. . .

Connect with Kevin Frye on LinkedIn

Follow Kevin Frye on Instagram

Check out Jeff Wyler Automotive

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

It’s been two weeks and I’m STILL having flashbacks about how awesome ClarityCon 2019 was… seriously! I know I touched on the event last week, and how empathy was a key theme across all the speakers, BUT... this week I wanted to share the overall experience that people had.

Brand is my OBSESSION. I know that it takes more than just a leader to brand well, it takes a team. People NEED to be on the same page or else it won’t happen.

A car may have all the best parts, but the driver can crash at any time. A business may have the best skills around, but no clue on how to connect with their customers.

That’s a problem.

I believe brand beats the hacks of Google algorithms. Brand is the communication of what you’re about to your customers. Brand is human. Brand is connecting with what matters most to your customers and team.

Customers are smarter than ever and you need to differentiate from your competitors. Knowing this, I had to tell others how important brand is in today’s market.

But to teach this, I needed help. That’s why I called upon Dale Pollak, Adam Robinson, Glenn Pasch, Candice Crane, and Michelle Denogean to give their perspectives, too.

And so… ClarityCon happened!

This week’s podcast is here to show you what went down and how people reacted to it.

Pursue Clarity,

Paul

PS: I’ve been loving connecting with so many of you in the comments and DMs across the platforms. If you have anything you’d like me to answer or address in an episode, LET ME KNOW! One of the best way is to mention me on Twitter @paulthedaly

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

Phew… My very first live event, ClarityCon 2019. went down last and it was a HUGE success. Looking back, it couldn’t have imagined it going much better. The speakers, attendees and my team walked away with some more vision and clarity for what it looked like to be better. I was surprised by how honest people became. The key ingredient is the center of this weeks show…Empathy.

The format involved an uplifting environment with sharp keynotes and fireside chats featuring the event speakers. Attendees were able to submit questions and comments anonymously via an app which really increased involvement and authenticity.

The vast majority of questions that came in were geared toward the ‘human’ side of business.

How do I have a hard conversation with my superiors? Am I working for the wrong boss, but the right company? I saw a Carvana license plate frame and instantly got nervous, are we doomed? How can I convince a valued, long-term team member to change and adapt? And on and on they went…

These are the hard questions and I am incredibly honored to have held an event which solicited them.

One word came up over and over…EMPATHY. Striving to understand before being understood.

Why do your coworkers work differently. Are they struggling, or just naysayers? Why does your boss hate social media? Is he scared of the unknown, or unwilling to learn? Why you work for your company? Is it a paycheck only, or do you find purpose?

Remember, the order is FIRST understand THEN it’s your turn…

Pursue Clarity,

Paul

PS: I’ve been loving connecting with so many of you in the comments and DMs across the platforms. If you have anything you’d like me to answer or address in an episode, LET ME KNOW! One of the best way is to mention me on Twitter @paulthedaly

. . .

Upcoming Speaking Appearances:

DMSC: May 19-21

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

If you want to do something that’s worth anything, you can’t get FANCY, you can’t get LAZY, you can’t get ENTITLED, you can’t stop being empathetic to those on the journey with you. Oh, and by the way, it’s INCREDIBLY difficult. This is just the way it is in life.

I’m in the same boat and I’m feeling every bit of it today. That’s ok, because I don’t EXPECT it to be easy. All my experience in life and business has confirmed this. The good news is that I have a choice every single moment. A choice to lean in, or bow out. That choice is made hundreds of times between the outside stimulus and your response to it.

If you are facing tension and friction today, that’s ok. Actually is great, because friction is what produces the growth. I call this the “transaction of growth”. Especially if the friction is the result of pursing meaningful things. Keep going!

One of the things I lean on when I’m feeling the friction created by the pursuit of meaningful things is the community of people I follow and connect with online. THIS community is valuable to me and I know it is to you too. Let’s keep pursuing clarity together.

PS: I’m trying something NEW. Since there isn’t much of a feedback mechanism for podcasts, I’m making my Twitter account the means of discussion. If you want to jam about any topic, ask a question or just let me know what you think…hit me on Twitter @paulthedaly

PSS: I just released my new book, The Automotive Manifesto and it’s gotten some great reviews and I’ve received a bunch of DMs from people who have read it. I’d love for you to check it out: www.theautomotivemanifesto.com

“Paul is changing the Automotive industry by bringing care, candor, and connection to the forefront…his Automotive Manifesto contains Truth that we can all stand behind. No matter the industry.” -Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer, Vayner X

“It takes a lot to truly blow me away. But Paul Daly’s Manifesto did just that. His perspective is fresh, insightful and spot-on. It’s a quick read that packs a powerful, profound punch…” -Dale Pollak, Founder, vAuto; EVP, Cox Automotive
. . .

Upcoming Speaking Appearances:

CLARITYCON: May 8, Rochester NY.

DMSC: May 19-21

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

P.S. I’m thrilled to announce that my first live event ClarityCon 2019 will take place in Rochester, NY in just 2 weeks on May 8th. It offers a national lineup of speakers from the automotive industry that want to help people and businesses grow, with forward thinking. I hope to see you there! (www.claritycon.app)

P.S.S. I also have a book releasing TOMORROW: The Automotive Manifesto. Find out how to take your business higher by focusing on improving your culture and customer relations.

. . .

Upcoming Speaking Appearances:

CLARITYCON: May 8, Rochester NY.

DMSC: May 19-21

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

Isn’t if funny how we obsess over controlling all the things we can’t, yet often ignore the one thing we can. The one thing you can always control is your decision.

I had the chance to head down to NYC to speak at the DrivingSales President’s Club this week and it really had me considering what keeps people from being innovative. As I thought more about it, I realized that most people see innovation as some magic ability for OTHER people. They feel like they aren’t smart enough, or fast enough or that they don’t have enough resources. Those are all untrue.

Innovation is a choice. It’s the decision you make to improve, get better and try harder to make the next version better than the last. If that is indeed the case, then you are completely in control of whether or not you are being innovative.

This works in business the same way it does in relationships. You decide, you try, you observe what happened. Rinse and repeat. Sometimes you improve and sometimes you don’t. Either way, it’s forward motion.

May you choose to pursue clarity AND innovation today. Don’t let the others have all the fun!

P.S. I’m thrilled to announce that my first live event ClarityCon 2019 will take place in Rochester, NY in just 2 weeks on May 8th. It offers a national lineup of speakers from the automotive industry that want to help people and businesses grow, with forward thinking. I hope to see you there! (www.claritycon.app)

P.S.S. I also have a book releasing TOMORROW: The Automotive Manifesto. Find out how to take your business higher by focusing on improving your culture and customer relations.

. . .

Upcoming Speaking Appearances:

CLARITYCON: May 8, Rochester NY.

DMSC: May 19-21

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here. 

What are conventions great for? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … CONNECTION. When people are in the same room, they talk, and when they talk, both parties win. Fresh perspectives, new ideas, shared tools, newfound knowledge, you name it, it’s there. Digital Dealer 26 was a great opportunity to wrap with tons of people in the automotive industry and grow.

One of the companies I ran into was Reunion Marketing, out of North Carolina. My good (internet) friends, Dane and Dave, co-founded this company 3 years ago. From sharing a living room with a few people to growing to 50 people three years later, they explain how you get people to leave a stable job to join a new, shared vision.

The secret sauce is CULTURE. Why do people want to work with you? Why do they stay? What are they saying to other people? If all these answers are positive, you’re doing something right. Ask your employees what they think. Be vulnerable, and be honest. You’ll be amazed.

I’m also happy to announce my own convention happening on May 8th in Rochester, N.Y. Clarity Con is drawing in automotive leaders from across the nation. Dale Pollak, Glenn Pasch, Adam Robinson, Candice Crane, Michelle Denogean, and myself will be speaking.

Tickets and info are available at www.claritycon.app

. . .

Upcoming Speaking Appearances:

CLARITYCON: May 8, Rochester NY.

DMSC: May 19-21

. . .

pauljdaly.com
Connect with Paul J Daly on LinkedIn
Follow along on Instagram
Follow Paul J Daly on Twitter
Like Paul J Daly on Facebook

. . .

DID YOU KNOW that the Clarity Compressed Podcast started as a creative visual production around the book “Like I See It”. We created it independently to give auto dealers an accessible way to engage the book and hopefully spread the timely message to their staff and others in the industry. We hope that YOU will use it in your dealership!

It’s engaging.

It’s FREE.

Its right HERE!

Connect with me at www.pauljdaly.com

Check out the More Than Cars Movement here.