Mentor Mentee’s Post

Few stories are as inspiring as the Ford family's. Their journey is an incredible example of the deep impact that visionary leadership and robust family governance can have on a company's legacy. Established by Henry Ford, the Ford Motor Company was not just a car manufacturer; it was an institution that revolutionized industrial production and the global automotive industry. Central to its success was a commitment to innovation and quality, but equally important was its understanding of family dynamics and succession planning. Key practices that guided the Ford family included maintaining strong family involvement and a clear vision for the future, which ensured stability and continuity. They believed in nurturing leadership within the family, preparing the next generations not just to take over but to evolve the business in line with contemporary challenges and opportunities (I love this idea, not just inherit, but lead). This story shows how well-articulated family governance and commitment to core values can shape a business’s journey across generations. For all who seek to blend family with business, this case of success highlights the potential to create a lasting impact that transcends generations. -- 💼 #familybusiness #ford #leadership #legacy #generations

'Cos you're #worthit. A tale of Value: "A father said to his son, "You graduated with honors. Here is a Volkswagen Beetle that I bought many years ago... It is over 50 years old, but before I give it to you, take it to a dealership downtown and ask how much they are offering you." The son went to the dealership, came back to his father and said, "They offered me $10,000 because it looks very used." The father said, "Take it to a pawn shop." The son went to the pawn shop, came back and said, "They only offered me $1,000 because they say it is too old." Finally, the father asked his son to take the car to a classic car club and show it there. The son took the car to the club, came back and said, "Some people at the club offered me $100,000! because it is a very rare car and sought after among the members." The father said to his son, "I wanted you to understand that the right place appreciates you in the right way. If they don't value you, don't be angry, it just means you're in the wrong place. Those who know your value are the ones who truly appreciate you. Never stay in a place where they don't recognize your value!" 👷♀️People will place different Values on you depending on their perspective and understanding. 🦸♂️It is important to seek out not just environments where your worth is recognized and celebrated but also where you recognise your own value. You're Worth It.❤️ #valuedrivenleadership #coaching #mentorship #leadself #notyouraveragengineer #purposedriven #emotionalintelligence

Leadership Skills in Automotive Dealerships Effective leadership in automotive dealerships is key to driving success in a competitive industry. Here are some essential leadership skills to excel in this fast-paced environment: - Clear Communication: Communicate expectations, goals, and strategies clearly to your team to align everyone towards a common objective. - Empowering Team Members: Encourage autonomy and decision-making among team members to foster growth and innovation. - Adaptability: Stay agile and adaptable in response to changing market trends, customer preferences, and industry disruptions. - Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your own emotions, as well as those of others, to build strong relationships and resolve conflicts effectively. - Strategic Thinking: Develop a long-term vision and strategy for your dealership, taking into account both internal capabilities and external opportunities. - Accountability: Hold yourself and your team accountable for results, learn from mistakes, and continuously improve performance. Investing in leadership development not only benefits individual leaders but also enhances overall dealership performance. To further explore this topic, consider attending our upcoming Lunch and Learn session on leadership skills in automotive dealerships at https://lnkd.in/g4bM2nuK.

Extra! Extra! Read all about #JMFamily’s journey from dealership roots to a multifaceted automotive enterprise. Discover insights from our CEO and President, Brent Burns' recent talk at the University of Miami Herbert Business School’s “The Future of Leadership” series, below.   #WeAreJMFamily

Think back to the moment that your life changed—a mentor who believed in you and gave you the opportunity to own your first dealership. Now, as you contemplate the next stage of your journey, consider the possibility of passing on a generational changing opportunity to someone else. At Gill Automotive Group, we understand the profound impact of mentorship and succession planning. If you're considering selling your dealership, we can help you find the right person to continue your legacy. Our team specializes in recognizing potential and guiding individuals towards success in the automotive industry. Whether you're ready to sell or transition into a mentoring role, we're here to assist in identifying promising candidates who are eager to take the reins. By partnering with Gill Automotive Group, you can ensure that your legacy extends beyond your own career. Together, let's empower the next generation of dealership leaders and pave the way for their success. Are you ready to pass on the torch? Let's start the conversation today.  #Automotive #automotivenews #automotiveindustry #nada #successionplanning #Legacyplanning #dealerships

Pushing Limits Together – On Mountains and in F&I! Out here with Dillan Arnold and Glenn Lundy, taking in the breathtaking views after a wonderful hike. It’s moments like these that remind us about the essence of teamwork and the thrill of conquering peaks – both literally and figuratively. In F&I, just like in hiking and exploring the wilderness, the PATH isn’t always smooth, and the inclines can be steep. But having the right team by your side makes all the difference. Dillan Arnold's expertise in subprime lending strategies and Glenn's innovative leadership approaches inspire me every day to push the boundaries of what we can achieve at 800% Elite Automotive Club. Every challenge we overcome together mirrors our daily grind in the dealership – strategizing, executing, and climbing towards new heights of customer satisfaction and dealership profitability. Here's to more adventures and continued success with an unbeatable team. Let's keep setting the pace in F&I, one peak at a time! #800percent #Finance #Leadership #AutomotiveIndustry #800Elite

I'm always fascinated by the corporate jargon that companies use when announcing significant leadership changes. To be clear, I've been as guilty of this as anyone at various points in my career, so I am not pointing any fingers. But the desperation to create pleasant outcomes for everyone (often forced by non-disparagement clauses) can frequently overwhelm the content, and in the end that ultimately means no one really understands what's going on. Case in point this morning with Volvo, who are parting ways with their deputy CEO Bjorn Annwall, and simplifying their management structure. The internal memo says that the business is making "some organisational changes that are designed to increase simplicity, speed and collaboration and reduce complexity by flattening our structure in the Commercial part of the business - enhancing the responsibilities of the regions and empowering the employees that are closest to the customers to make key decisions." What the message could instead have said is "we're working in a very competitive environment, and we have to cut costs. So we are leaning out our management structure to make that happen." Also the message around Annwall's departure could do with some work, shifting from saying that he "will step out of his role and support the transition of the new organisation before taking his next step outside of Volvo Cars" to "very sadly, as part of this process Bjorn Annwall will be leaving after helping us transition to the new structure, and we wish him the very best in his future career." I love Volvo as a brand. My daughter is about to start driving, and I still think of them as a safety-first option ideal for someone you care deeply about, which demonstrates the strength of their brand positioning. Now they just need a little push forward on their corporate messaging...

Terry Taylor's journey, as detailed in Forbes, is a remarkable tale of a reclusive billionaire who quietly built a vast car dealership empire, valued at $1.9 billion. Despite his immense success, Taylor remains an enigma, likened to 'Batman' for his elusive nature. Starting in his father's dealership, he expanded his network to over 120 dealerships, emphasizing privacy and substance over public recognition. Taylor's story inspires a different narrative of success, highlighting the power of humility, strategic thinking, and discreet leadership. In an age where personal branding is often key to business success, how does Terry Taylor's preference for privacy challenge conventional business strategies? 🤔 #TerryTaylor #AutomotiveEmpire #UnconventionalLeadership

🚗 Leaders on Wheels: Weekly Insights into Automotive History and Leadership: Enjoy! In 1956, #Ford embarked on a pivotal journey as it became a publicly traded company, marking a significant shift in decision-making dynamics within the organization. With the emergence of marketing trends indicating a need to redefine its competitive positioning, the creation of the #Lincoln brand set its sights on challenging rivals like #Buick #Oldsmobile, and #DeSoto while the introduction of the Continental brand aimed to capture the high-end sedan market. Under the leadership of Henry Ford II, the company ventured into uncharted territory with the establishment of the #Edsel division. This strategic move, advocated earlier by Edsel Ford (father of Henry Ford II), aimed to bridge potential revenue gaps by developing a new mid-level sedan line. The formation of the Edsel division expanded Ford's dealership network to approximately 10,000 outlets, aligning more closely with competitors like Chrysler. Amidst great anticipation, the Edsel made its debut, backed by meticulous marketing research and innovative features. However, public reception fell short of expectations, with the distinctive horse-collar-shaped grille drawing criticism and comparisons to sour fruit. Despite #ambitious efforts, the Edsel line faced a swift demise, culminating in a staggering loss of $400 million over its brief three-year existence. Reflecting on this chapter in automotive history underscores the importance of visionary leadership and strategic decision-making. While the Edsel venture may be remembered as one of the industry's greatest missteps, it serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks and complexities of navigating market dynamics. As MBA professionals, let's draw inspiration from such experiences to steer our organizations toward sustainable growth and innovation. Let us examine the leadership qualities exemplified by Ford. It is important to acknowledge that leadership remains a constant presence, both in commendable and less favorable decisions. #VisionaryLeadership: Establishing the Edsel division addressed potential revenue gaps, showing forward-thinking in the automotive industry. #StrategicThinking: Henry Ford II strategically positioned the Edsel division to compete in the mid-level sedan market, leveraging market trends and consumer preferences. #RiskManagement: Despite planning, the Edsel faced challenges, highlighting the importance of mitigating risks associated with new initiatives. #Adaptability: The Edsel's demise underscores the need for leaders to remain adaptable to changing market conditions. #ReflectionandLearning: Reflecting on the Edsel venture provides insights for future decision-making, emphasizing continuous learning for leaders. #Leadership #AutomotiveHistory #NotEveryDecisionWorks #Iterate #MBAInsights 🌟

We work in the most impactful industry in this country.  We change lives through offering career opportunities that are tied to work ethic, character and passion instead of degrees, skill sets, and years of experience.  We change lives for our customers by ensuring that they can get where they want to go in life through having safe, reliable and affordable transportation.     I will start by saying that I adore and respect all of the men who have helped me grow in the auto industry over the last 25 years! And I am passionate about being a part of the solution to attract, retain and develop more female leaders for our future. Women make up half of the population in our country yet less than 25% of automotive retail (dealership employees) are women. Less than 10% of dealership GM’s are women and less than 5% of Dealers and owners are women.     For our industry to be our best, we must have all perspectives and ideas at the table – all genders, all ages, all races, all backgrounds and all experiences.  Where I know we can create the most change right now is investing in women leaders for retail automotive.  Together with Danelle Delgado, we are creating a one year training and coaching community for women who currently lead a department in a dealership – sales, finance, parts, or service who have a desire to grow your leadership skills and grow your career to make a larger impact in your dealership, your auto group and our industry. We have 25 women from CMA and are looking for 25 women from other dealer groups to join us. The year will include a weekly virtual training (20-30 minutes per week), a monthly live coaching call, a community for Q&A and mentorship and at least 6 guest speakers (men and women) to help tie the leadership lessons learned directly to the opportunities that we have every day in our dealerships. The Team Engage training platform will be the backbone of this community – the 13 Rules of Engagement that Danelle has been training our leadership team on for the past four years. Within the Team Engage App, there is a community where we can post questions and ideas to share with each other. I also hope to learn more from this community on how we can better support and encourage women in leadership in our dealerships. This is a solutions only group - no complaints or excuses -  only great ideas that would help us support all women across the industry. Any Dealers or GMs that are willing to invest in your female leaders to join us, I will share any and all information that we learn! If you would like more information on the investment and application, send me a message and I will connect you! Applications are due by July 14th so that we can onboard and kick off together on July 24th. #TeamEngage #WomenInAutoRetail Beth Lucchesi, Judi Anderson, Mandy Housley, Miranda Jiggins, Melissa Rourke, Geneva Benson, Carmen Hinton, Jennie Lockett, Tiffany Spencer Kimberly Garner, Jessie O., Mindy Williams, Stephanie Eversole,