Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick, Powered by CBT News

Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick, Powered by CBT News
Podcast Description
The Executive Profile is a podcast from CBT News featuring in-depth interviews with the most influential leaders in the retail automotive industry. In each episode, you'll hear from top car dealership executives, auto group CEOs, and industry innovators as they share how they got their start, key career milestones, leadership insights, and the obstacles they’ve faced along the way. If you're looking to learn from the people shaping the future of automotive retail, this show delivers real stories and practical takeaways from the industry's top decision-makers.New episodes drop monthly:Listen now and visit CBTNews.com for even more expert interviews, dealership news, and solutions. Follow us on social @carbiztoday and @cbtnews to stay connected and join the conversation.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show covers various topics including leadership experiences, industry challenges, community impact, and innovative business practices within the automotive sector. Episodes explore themes such as the dealer partner model, customer-first philosophies, and the transition to electric vehicles, with specific examples like Joe Serra's decentralized leadership approach and John Bergstrom's commitment to philanthropy.

The Executive Profile is a podcast from CBT News featuring in-depth interviews with the most influential leaders in the retail automotive industry. In each episode, you’ll hear from top car dealership executives, auto group CEOs, and industry innovators as they share how they got their start, key career milestones, leadership insights, and the obstacles they’ve faced along the way. If you’re looking to learn from the people shaping the future of automotive retail, this show delivers real stories and practical takeaways from the industry’s top decision-makers.
New episodes drop monthly:
Listen now and visit CBTNews.com for even more expert interviews, dealership news, and solutions.
Follow us on social @carbiztoday and @cbtnews to stay connected and join the conversation.
Aaron Zeigler has transformed his family's single dealership into a nationally recognized automotive powerhouse with 41 locations and 88 franchises across four states while fostering an exceptional workplace culture with remarkably low turnover.
• The Ferrari dealership in Lake Forest is one of the largest in the country, spanning 70,000 square feet with vehicles that can sell for over $3 million
• Zeigler's father started the company in the mid-70s after saving money from selling cars to purchase a small Ford dealership out of bankruptcy
• Building a world-class culture starts with their ”Keys to Success” program that teaches new employees expectations and empowers them to make customers happy without manager approval
• Promoting from within and strong development programs are key strategies that have enabled the company's growth
• Technology enhances the car-buying process but relationships still drive sales – very few customers purchase completely online without human interaction
• Mobile service has been enormously successful with 14 vans at 100% capacity, while the Ferrari dealership will pick up and deliver cars within a 500-mile radius
• Zeigler started their own technician school graduating 40 techs annually to address the industry-wide technician shortage
• The automotive market remains strong with luxury brands showing particular resilience, and Zeigler predicts the second half of 2024 will outperform the first half
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