Simon Bowkett, from Symco Training, shares tips and ideas on selling in the motor trade from a sales and aftersales perspective, as well as interviews with indu...
We continue our interview Jono O’Byrne, Sales Director for Endeavour Automotive. Starting off with being a mentor and learning from Billie Jean King. Jono has also worked in a couple of different agency modules, so he shares the benefit of his experience. We also look at how you move up the career ladder from sales to management, and making the job yours to lose. Then closing with Jono’s top tip. Here are the highlights: {01:54} Billie Jean King {08:40} EV Targets {17:48} Value of traditional car dealer {20:43} Agency with Volvo {23:43} Best Customer Experience {30:55} Sales to Management {32:48} Energy is the currency {34:08} Get your job on merit {38:12} How tight is your sales process About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk
--------
39:40
The Power of Customer Service
We are delighted to welcome Jono O’Byrne, Sales Director for Endeavour Automotive. Jono tells us about his journey in the motor trade, experiences and mantras. Simon trained Jono when he was first starting out, so it was lovely catch up again. There such a lot to discuss, and so much inspiration given, that we have had to split this interview into two episodes. In this part we look at Jono’s background, how to manage 23 sites, points to assess when looking at your business and his mentors. Here are the highlights: {03:57} Working at George Corbett Motors {06:51} Moving to the UK {10:10} Working for Marshalls {11:20} Difference in the Irish Market {19:30} Sweat the Small Stuff {20:45} Communication {27:25} Priorities {32.05} George Corbett and Daksh Gupta {39:25} Ask Why About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit: www.symcotraining.co.uk
--------
41:00
Selling Used EVs
Umesh Samani - Owner of Specialist Cars Stoke, and Chairman of the IMDA, joins us to chat about selling used EVs. We focus on used electric vehicles from an independent dealer’s point of view. The challenges buying and selling them initially creates and the opportunities afforded once mastered. At the moment approximately 6% of vehicles on Auto Trader are EVs, but this is growing all the time and gaining knowledge and confidence to sell them early is the key to ensuring future success. We discuss some best practices and pitfalls to avoid, that can help with the transition. Here are the highlights: {02:25} Biggest Opportunity {06:12} Confidence {07:22} Educate Consumers {10:21} Frustrated Used EV Customers {10:38} Charging {16:59} Pricing {22:34} Battery Degradation {31.27} Servicing {36:13} Sourcing {40:00} Sell by Date About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit www.symcotraining.co.uk
--------
57:04
Books for 2025
We are delighted to welcome back Jason Cranswick with another instalment of our book club. In this episode we discuss a selection of books that are brilliant to have on your reading list for 2025, if self-improvement is one of your goals for the year. The nine books we are recommending, cover everything from effective habits, to using AI, understanding behavioural science and managing the direction of your career path. These books can really increase your skill set, help you manage and understand your team and manage your business and personal finances. Here are the highlights: {03:36} 7 Habits of Highly Effective People {06:52} Unreasonable Hospitality {15:06} Show Me The Money {19:53} Co Intelligence {28:10} Thinking Fast and Slow {30:51} Elon Musk {36:39} The Squiggly Career {41:35} Rich Dad Poor Dad {43:27} Atomic Habits About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit www.symcotraining.co.uk
--------
46:06
Importance of the Trial Close
This episode its time to look at the trial close, test close or pre close, whatever you like to call it. Its an important stage that can’t be missed, as it’s asked to ensure the car is right for the customer, before you go to the numbers. Think of it like a proposal, if you went to straight to the wedding without asking the question, it would be too much, too soon. Here are the highlights: {00:57} What is the purpose of a trial close? {02:07} Why we should do it? {04:32} When do we ask it? {05:31} 3 Yes Tag questions {07:50} Evolution of the trial close {14:41} Don’t be wishy washy About Symco Training: Symco Training was founded in 2000 by Simon Bowkett and it was his belief that the business had to offer its clients something different. That difference was clear to Simon from his days in the dealership when he experienced many sales trainers who had all the answers, but were unable, unwilling or both to actually show the delegate how they could be implemented. It remains the ethos of the business today. You see, Symco only employ trainers that are committed to delivering not only in spiring and insightful training, but are equally as happy to demonstrate these skills and techniques with real customers in your own showroom. We believe in order for sales training to be effective and in Simon’s words ‘real world’, it needs to be tried and tested in the only place it matters the showroom floor. There is no room for theory when your goals are for your team to sell more cars, hours or parts and retain more profit. In dealerships around the world the focus applied by many of the sales executives is to try and sell a deal. Symco specialise in getting your teams to focus on selling themselves, the product and then supporting this with the deal. To find out more visit www.symcotraining.co.uk
Simon Bowkett, from Symco Training, shares tips and ideas on selling in the motor trade from a sales and aftersales perspective, as well as interviews with industry leaders sharing some of their best practices.
To find out more visit www.symcotraining.co.uk
Ireland