• DigitalDealer-horizontal-Logo
  • ATTEND LAS VEGAS
    • Attendee
      • Registration & Pricing
      • Agenda At-A-Glance
      • Exhibitor List/Floor Plan
      • Sponsor List
      • Hotel & Travel
      • Hosted Dealer Program
      • FAQ
      • Mobile App
    • Exhibitor
      • Exhibit/Sponsor
      • Advertising Opportunities
      • Exhibitor Resources
      • Exhibitor Tips
    • Education
      • Overview
      • Show Schedule
  • ABOUT
    • Conference Overview
    • Best Of Awards
    • Become a Speaker
    • Press Inquiries
    • Partnership Programs
    • Health & Safety
    • Contact Us
    • Get Updates
  • RESOURCES
    • Webinars
    • Downloads
  • NEWS
    • Auto Retail News
    • Digital Editions
    • Press Releases
    • Submit Editorial
    • Subscribe
  • .
  • ATTEND LAS VEGAS
    • Attendee
      • Registration & Pricing
      • Agenda At-A-Glance
      • Exhibitor List/Floor Plan
      • Sponsor List
      • Hotel & Travel
      • Hosted Dealer Program
      • FAQ
      • Mobile App
    • Exhibitor
      • Exhibit/Sponsor
      • Advertising Opportunities
      • Exhibitor Resources
      • Exhibitor Tips
    • Education
      • Overview
      • Show Schedule
  • ABOUT
    • Conference Overview
    • Best Of Awards
    • Become a Speaker
    • Press Inquiries
    • Partnership Programs
    • Health & Safety
    • Get Updates
  • RESOURCES
    • Webinars
    • Downloads
  • NEWS
    • Auto Retail News
    • Digital Editions
    • Press Releases
    • Submit Editorial
    • Subscribe

DealerPoint: May 21-23, 2024
Conference & Expo:
October 8-10, 2024

REGISTER NOW EXHIBIT / INQUIRE
Q

NEWS:

Digital Dealer | Technology
April 1, 2010

Five Tips for Prepping Staff for System Change

Posts:
Digital Dealer | Technology
April 1, 2010

Five Tips for Prepping Staff for System Change

Probably the best thing that happened to me as a controller was change.  I worked for one dealer that liked to buy dealerships, so I learned about buy/sells.  I worked for a dealership group that liked to move general managers around (and sometimes out), so I learned how that position either succeeds or fails.  I worked for a few that liked to save money by changing computer systems – and that change was the best learning process for me.  By changing computer systems you learn a lot more than you probably want, like how to handle emergencies, where data is stored, and how your computer system processes data.

The best computer conversions that I have seen have been where the controller and other managers are completely prepared.  Having a great install team from the DMS provider or easy to use software helps, but I find that success is in the hands of your key management.

How? One of my favorite stories is about a wise man who is famous for being able to tell what others are thinking.  Someone who wants to prove him wrong carries a live bird hidden in his hands behind his back. The person goes to the wise man and asks, “I have a bird in my hand, is the bird alive or dead?”

If wise man says “dead”, the person can open hands to let it fly away.  If he says “alive,” the person squeezes the bird dead behind his back.  The wise man answers, “The answer to that question lies in your hands.”

Making a change go easily is in your hands.  There are five keys to handling change:

  1.  Get the other humans involved.  If your key management was involved in the decision, then they have a vested interest in making sure the change goes well.  If you’re changing computer systems or buying new software – make sure they are involved in the selection.    As a computer consultant, I always recommended assembling a technology committee of a parts manager, controller, service advisor or warranty clerk, Internet manager, and the dealer/GM.  They should see the new options and vote on the one they like the best.
  2. Schedule the change for the best time of the year or month.  If you’re converting computer systems, the best time of the year is after a quarter ends and the best time of the month is between the 10th and 20th.
  3. Make a plan for everything that can go wrong.   Let’s say that you’re changing computer systems.  What if you can’t open up a repair order on the morning of “go live?”  Do you have a plan to still get the work completed?  Remember that we used to fix cars all the time without a computer.  How can you calculate payments?  Can you hand-write contracts?
  4. Have a backup plan for #3 items.  Your backup plan for not being able to write service on the new or old computer would be to have a download of your parts inventory – so you can charge out parts and your customer’s history and vehicle file downloaded so you can figure out what they have had done (if you’ve gone away from hard copies.)  Do you have some blank repair orders?  Great.  Otherwise, what can you use to create a repair order?  Excel?  Quickbooks?
  5. Clear your schedule and everyone else’s.  During change it is important that you focus on this one change and not have meetings planned, vacations schedules and even ask employees to delay doctor’s appointments.  Have each key manager prepare a staffing plan of how they are going to get through this change with the current staff and if you might need some temporary help while your staff goes through training.  During a computer conversion, employees are only 25% productive.  Are you okay with only 25% of the bank deposit getting to the bank?  How about only 25% of your sales?

If you use these five steps for every change – especially a computer conversion or new software installation – you might end up with a live bird when it is all over, but the answer is in your hands!

 

 

 

Digital Dealer•Technology

SHARE

Share on Email
Share on Linkedin
Share on Facebook
Share on Pinterest
Share on Twitter
← Previous Article Next Article →
Posts Dealer/GM News

New Research Reveals Age and Gender Differences in Vehicle Add-On Purchases

When consumers purchase cars at an auto dealer, they often buy supplemental products and services called voluntary protection products (VPPs). These provide additional coverage and protection for certain vehicle components or services not covered by
Posts Dealer/GM News

Nearly 4,000 Car Dealers Ask President Biden to Slow Down EV Push

Car dealers are asking President Joe Biden to “tap the brakes” in his administration’s electric vehicle (EV) push. A total of 3,882 franchised car dealers the U.S., calling themselves the EV Voice of the Customer, published the letter on No
Posts Dealer/GM News

New Research Reveals Age and Gender Differences in Vehicle Add-On Purchases

When consumers purchase cars at an auto dealer, they often buy supplemental products and services called voluntary protection products (VPPs). These provide additional coverage and protection for certain vehicle components or services not covered by
Posts Data & Analytics

Digital Retailing Continues to Grow at Auto Dealerships

A recent report found car dealers offering consumers the ability to do a deal online has grown to 40% in the last year—but an urgent need to cutdown on repetitive steps happening in the showroom. Nearly all car dealers currently using digital retai
Posts Dealer/GM News

Ciocca Agrees to Purchase 10 More Pennsylvania Dealerships

The Ciocca Dealership group is growing its holdings in Pennsylvania. The agreement has Ciocca purchasing Apple Automotive, the automotive division of York County, Pa- based Stewart Companies. Terms of the deal was not disclosed, with the final transa
Posts Dealer/GM News

Mercedes Launches First Charging Hub in U.S.

Mercedes-Benz is offering a change to the way Americans charge their vehicles in the same way Starbucks altered the routine of getting a cup of coffee. Mercedes, in a joint venture with MN8 Energy to launch a network of premium electric vehicle (EV)
Posts Digital DealerEveryone

Digital Dealer Unveils New Branding & Announces Launch of DealerPoint, Offering Targeted Networking and Driving Innovation

Digital Dealer has revealed its new branding and announced the launch of DealerPoint, a dynamic addition to its event portfolio.   This unveiling of the refreshed logos marks a symbolic step forward for Digital Dealer, aligning with its commitment
Posts Dealer/GM News

Hyundai Dealers Will Be the First to Sell Cars Through Amazon Platforms

Amazon is getting into the (virtual) car dealership business. At the Los Angeles Auto Show Nov. 16, the Seattle-based online behemoth announced auto dealers for the first time will be able to sell vehicles on Amazon’s U.S. store in 2024—with Hyun

NEWSLETTER

SUBSCRIBE

DEALER MAGAZINE

Dealer Magazine March/April 2023 Issue Featuring an Interview with NADA 2023 Chairman
MAGAZINE

Explore All Our Brands

FOLLOW US ON

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
© 2023 Emerald X, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT    CAREERS    AUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS   DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION   TERMS OF USE   PRIVACY POLICY