Does Your Dealer Block Social Media?

[joe.webb]

Social media access can be a real bugaboo for some dealerships to grasp the concept of.  However, if allowed on the desktops and encouraged to use rather than abuse the mediums, it can be very beneficial.

I recommend my dealer clients to open up the desktops and allow FB access provided they 
a)  "Like" the dealership page
b)  Once a week, share either a review, video, or blog from the dealership's page on their own page.

(This way, you are expanding your sphere of influence.  If you dealership's only multimedia posted that week was a video customer testimonial another salesperson received, the coworker won't be happy sharing it on their page BUT it will start humbling them enough to start obtaining their own customer testimonials from their own clients).  

The sales teams have to understand that they must give a little to get a little.  If they want to be social with their own FB connections, they must reciprocate by being social (and re-sharing) with their employer.

 

[joe.webb]

Granting social media access can be a real bugaboo for some dealerships to grasp the concept of.  However, if allowed on the desktops and encouraged to use rather than abuse the mediums, it can be very beneficial.I recommend my dealer clients open up the desktops and allow FB access provided the employees a)  "Like" the dealership pageb)  Once a week, share either a review, video, or blog from the dealership's business page on their own personal FB page.(This way, as the dealership, you are expanding your sphere of influence.  If your dealership's only multimedia posted that week was a video customer testimonial another salesperson received, their coworker won't be happy sharing it on their page BUT it will start humbling them enough to start obtaining their own customer testimonials from their own clients.  Also, you are ensuring that their soc med connections are being made well aware of their employment at your store.  Now, their "friends" will never be able to use the excuse "I didn't know you worked at a dealership" after purchasing a vehicle from someone else.)If the employees agree upon this (and also agree to not personally friend any customers they sell for fear of a negative post affecting the relationship between dealership and client), then FB access should be given.The sales teams have to understand that they must give a little to get a little.  If they want to be social with their own FB connections, they must reciprocate by being social (and re-sharing) with their employer.

 

[Adam Boalt]

I have read a lot of studies on this topic and found that when employers lock down these pages, employees will just use their smart phones to do the same.

 

[B Uttich]

Keep all channels open as a mean to sell more cars! Have your employees share your message with their friends. The more eyeballs on your message the better!

 

[Tom Gorham (blog)]

Years ago, we had filters on the sales staff computers.  Then we realized we only needed good rules and understanding by the (adult) sales staff.  We've had no problems.

 

[dinof777]

We have open access to Facebook and other social sites but block the games on those sites. We found people playing farm-ville and mafia wars instead of working.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Tom - I totally agree with you 100%. It's frustrating to be an "Adult" while having my privileges taken away due to others actions and lack of maturity. It's like being in elementary school when the whole class gets punished for what another does.

Treat your people like adults. When they step out of line, handle the situation one on one. Having filters and blocking sites (other than harmful sites) is a lazy move for lazy people.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

I've seen these addictions first hand. The receptionist are many times guilty of this action. Dealers rarely take advantage of the extra time a receptionist has on their hands. Lost efficiencies right there.

I can understand why some business would block social game. I've seen some harmful viruses find their way through some of these games on facebook.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

This is exactly what happens. Our dealerships blocks ALL social (and most others) sites while allowing a small window for access between the hours of noon and one. Instead sales people, service and managers are sitting at their desk, or around the corner of the building on their phones accessing their facebook accounts. They find a way.

Question is - having to go out of your way like this cause additional inefficiencies? OR - are social apps on your phone not really "out of the way" and how most prefer to connect anyways?

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Solid plan Joe! Talk about amplifying the message.

You have the opportunity to visit dealers all the time. Are you seeing any dealers consistent with this strategy? And if so -- any real world results to report back with?