Cody Hammer is the Area Sales Manager for Trusted Tire and Auto in Bismarck, N.D. Despite not having an automotive background, Cody's career path shifted from construction to sales after being inspired by a radio advertisement featuring the general manager of Trusted Tire. With a natural gift for communication and a deep-seeded desire to positively impact people’s lives, Cody thrives in his role by prioritizing empathy and understanding toward customers, a quality he believes is essential in customer service.

In this episode…

In the competitive automotive services industry, building strong customer connections is crucial for success and loyalty. But how can salespeople truly connect with customers throughout the sales and service experience?

According to Cody Hammer of Trusted Tire, connections can be made with customers by empathizing with their stress and anxiety when they need automotive services. He aims to make customers feel at ease by offering transportation options, providing clear communication through digital vehicle inspection reports, and using light-hearted humor to elevate the experience. By aiming to understand each customer's unique driving needs and budget, he is able to recommend the right tires. After making a sale, Cody follows up with customers to ensure satisfaction and create a more personal connection.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge talks to Cody Hammer about creating genuine customer connections through empathy, transportation services, digital inspections, and humor. Cody shares how he tailors recommendations based on driving needs, budget, and lifestyle cues. He highlights follow-ups, thank-you notes, and tells a story about assisting a stranded customer. Other topics include Cody's rural upbringing, his career transition via people skills, and his favorite movie.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Cody Hammer talks about growing up in rural North Dakota, enjoying outdoor activities like hunting and fishing
• The value of empathy and understanding customers' anxiety when they need automotive service
• Why providing alternate transportation options for customers is important
• Making customers smile to elevate their experience
• Following up after a sale to ensure customer satisfaction and create a more personal connection
• The importance of tires as the only contact between the vehicle and road
• How Cody transitioned from a non-automotive background by focusing on strong people skills

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• About Cody Hammer
• Trusted Tire and Auto
• Jarid Lundeen on LinkedIn
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.