Failure to communicate, or to communicate clearly, causes most issues and problems between people and within their work processes, particularly in a multi-step, demanding environment like vehicle reconditioning.
When we fail to communicate or communicate unclearly, problems remain unresolved. Delays can persist, hurting profitability. Opportunities can be overlooked, leading to finger-pointing, lost production and wasted resources.
The store general manager sets the communication standard for team members to respond to action needs, whether originating from sales or fixed operations. Yet in most situations, dealership culture is typically reactive to the next urgent issue, whether a sales opportunity, a service or parts-related matter, a personnel performance issue, a facilities question or something else.
That said, technology can help GMs meet their response standards and ensure a smoother-running business, as automation and related technologies serve as silent watchmen over key, time-sensitive processes.
For example, in today’s fast-paced, multi-step, time-sensitive world of high-volume vehicle reconditioning, consistently transparent and accountable communication means more inventory turns, faster time-to-line, greater job satisfaction and greater used-car profitability.
Here’s why we say that consistent communication cancels confusion throughout used-car vehicle reconditioning:
- It helps you see and control your entire recon process from anywhere in real time.
- It communicates the exact reconditioning position, and status of every car — where it is, where it’s going next, its repair estimates, its recon costs by car and more — is a screen swipe away.
- It enables you to know exactly where every vehicle is in your recon-to-sales process, which is essential to maximize sales and profitability as you improve your speed to sale.
- It eliminates the frustration team members feel when they can’t get and share data about the status of every vehicle in real time.
- It provides everything team members need to excel and is available on their smartphones, anytime and anywhere, making it easy to identify bottlenecks and show results to keep work flowing.
When we developed modern reconditioning workflow software in 2010, most operators, regardless of size, relied on sticky notes, wall-mounted information boards, spreadsheets on computer screens, and phone calls or texts to coordinate next steps and responsibilities. However, success was inconsistent. Although calls, texts and emails remain essential communication tools, today’s reconditioning software mainly serves as a communication channel to ensure that the entire workflow is clearly communicated and acted upon, and that accountability reporting closes the action loops.
All-inclusive communication like this keeps those involved in reconditioning informed about interconnected processes, from their individual parts to the entire system. This communication includes real-time notifications, alerts, data sharing and more to minimize workflow time and related costs. It’s like saying everyone is involved in everything. You want a process where each step has a clear name, an owner — meaning the person responsible for that step or action — and a timestamp, so no one is left guessing.
The goal is to eliminate the confusion that often arises from parts delays, vendor uncertainties and missed updates. When standardized communication flows, the result is consistency and a flawless workflow from vehicle acquisition to vehicle sale — and all the touchpoints in between. Consistent communications for your used-car department deliver:
Predictability – connect to what you expect
Leaner operations – workflow that flows
Visibility – management and staff-level activity tracking
Increased performance – fewer gaps, less unbillable time, faster speed to sale We need to have each practice in place and consistently track, measure and communicate performance. Regardless of what’s happening in the market today, when things get crazy and when we lose track, it’s reassuring to know that consistent communications keeps you in control. It’s dependable and measurable.
About Rapid Recon
Reconditioning workflow automation from Rapid Recon is the industry standard in time-to-line inventory turn and speed-to-sale vehicle revenue enhancement for automotive retailers. Benchmarking data based on 13 million vehicles processed uniquely positions Rapid Recon to advise dealers on how to improve their store’s profitability. Used by more than 2,000 dealerships, Rapid Recon ensures the accountability of processes, property, and people. Hence, dealers know answers quickly, find assets anywhere, and sell vehicles promptly to grow dealership profitability. www.rapidrecon.com CALL US: +650‑999‑0497