Scott Bishop is the Vice President of Passenger and Light Truck Tire Sales for the independent channel at Sailun Tire Americas, which specializes in offering a diverse range of tire brands. He has a wealth of experience in the tire industry, having worked his way up through other reputable companies like Bridgestone and Falken Tire over the years. Scott developed a passion for cars early on building motors and drag racing with his father.

In this episode…

Scaling an automotive business requires open communication and a focus on value. What is the key to success in the tire industry?

According to Scott Bishop, Vice President of Passenger and Light Truck Tire Sales for the independent channel at Salem Tire Americas, success comes from building relationships, providing value, and focusing on existing customers more than pursuing new ones. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and offering data-driven solutions to grow your business. Scott also notes the importance of open communication, even when addressing difficult issues.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Scott to discuss his career in the tire industry, which started with his love of cars and has led him through sales, retail, and management positions. They talk about the value segment of the tire market, as well as building relationships with customers.

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

• [02:15] Scott Bishop details his unforgettable first encounter with Mike Edge
• [05:10] The challenges and joys of running a tire store
• [06:14] Why relationships are vital in the tire industry
• [15:58] The growth potential within your existing customer base
• [19:17] Memorable stories from Scott's adventurous tire career
• [25:59] Scott's favorite travel destinations and culinary experiences

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Scott Bishop on LinkedIn
• Sailun Tire Americas
• Bridgestone
• Falken Tires
• SEMA
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "The quality of our product is really, really good. I would compare it to a tier two all day long."
• "Relationships are everything. That's why I enjoy this part of the business; there's so many people I communicate with daily that I really like."
• "We're not looking to sign new independent dealers. We're just looking to grow with what we have."
• "If you want good food, go to Louisiana. It makes my mouth water just saying the name."
• "People want the straight story. They don't want to go around the situation to get to it."

Action Steps: 

1. Build and maintain strong relationships: By fostering genuine relationships with clients and colleagues, you can create a supportive network that helps navigate challenges and enhances your professional life.
2.  Embrace continuous learning and adaptability: Staying curious and adaptable allows you to seize new opportunities and remain competitive in a constantly evolving market.
3. Leverage data to identify growth opportunities: Using granular data can uncover potential growth areas for existing customers, ensuring you’re meeting the needs of your clients more accurately.
4. Approach challenges with transparency and directness: Addressing issues head-on builds trust and credibility with clients, establishing a reputation for honesty and integrity.
5. Diversify your interests and experiences: Having diverse experiences can make you more versatile and resourceful, allowing you to tackle challenges from different angles and adapt to new situations more effectively.

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.