What to Ask Before You Hire an In-Person Dealership Workshop

What an In-Person Dealership Marketing Workshop Should Deliver

An in-person dealership marketing workshop should provide actionable strategies to improve how your dealership handles leads and manages campaigns. You want to leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to tailor marketing efforts to attract more customers and effectively convert leads into sales. A good workshop should retrain your Business Development Center (BDC) staff on practical methods of lead management that align with real-world scenarios.

Questions to Ask Any Provider Before Signing

Before committing to any workshop, get clear answers to important questions. Consider asking:

• What specific outcomes can I expect from this workshop? Providers should give you a clear picture of the skills and strategies you'll gain.
• Who will be leading the workshop? Understanding the experience and expertise of the facilitators can give you confidence in their approach.
• What materials and resources will be provided? Knowing what you'll take away in terms of guides or templates helps gauge the long-term value.
• How is the workshop structured? Understanding the agenda and activities helps you assess if it aligns with your dealership's needs.

Answers That Should End the Conversation

If you receive vague or unsatisfactory answers to the following, consider looking elsewhere:

• "We'll tailor it as we go." A lack of structure can indicate a lack of preparedness.
• "It all depends on your team." While your team's involvement is crucial, the provider should have a solid plan regardless.
• "We can't specify the facilitators." You deserve to know who you're learning from.

What a Fair Scope of Work Looks Like

A well-structured workshop typically includes:

• A detailed agenda: This should outline each session and its objectives.
• Interactive sessions: These allow for hands-on practice and immediate feedback.
• Follow-up resources: Guides or templates you can use after the workshop are essential for continued success.
• Support channels: Access to facilitators for questions or clarifications post-workshop is a valuable addition.

How to Tell in the First Month Whether It's Working

To assess the workshop's effectiveness, monitor these areas:

• Improvement in lead handling: Are your BDC staff implementing new strategies effectively?
• Campaign engagement: Are your marketing campaigns showing better engagement and response?
• Team feedback: Is your team more confident in handling marketing tasks and leads?

If you see positive changes in these areas, it's a good sign that the workshop is paying off.

If you're considering an in-person dealership marketing workshop, feel free to ask us these questions and more. To explore further, book a call with us to discuss your needs.