[USER=7]@JoePistell[/USER] I wouldn't take it personally, but you've made some massive assumptions (what? LinkedIn profile view) about me. If you care to know, my experience doesn't just come from outside the dealership level. I've worked on-site at a (super) dealer with 20 rooftops. At the agency level, I've created ROI and accountability models for a sh*t ton of rooftops (uncovering massive holes in their digital marketing strategy), most of which require(d) on-site visits and communication (undocumented on LinkedIn profile).
I would agree with your assessment on the problems with DISC (amalgamation), but you're overstating the obvious with ups as a key metric.
As you well know, there are a plethora of fantastic lead generation and data provision services out there, but if a rooftop's sale process is weak (there are plenty) those services can be rendered useless. I can't tell you how many dealers I've run into that sit on a ton of qualified leads (defined by quality score measurements) that fail to close properly or say things like ""we have too many leads now and can't follow up on them properly." When you guys indiscriminately jot, "Does it Sell Cars - DISC" I say "it depends on many factors." How strong is a top's ability to close on quality leads? Do they even have a BDC? Do they have talented and proven sales people on the floor (regardless of what brought in the up)? Do they focus on women buyers? etc., etc.
You guys haven't become those same jaded guys who in the mid-1990's said, "the Internet will never sell cars, ha ha, that is just stupid -- it's location, word of mouth, newspapers, TV and radio that will ONLY sell cars!", have you?
"Be on the watchout for large dealer groups that close this divide by bringing technology teams under their roofs." Indeed, look at groups like http://www.berkshirehathawayautomotive.com (with their purchase of Van Tuyl) and you'll see much of that and done internally for the most part.
