Podcasts about MPI

The director general of MPI comments on methane mitigation and whether we’ve broken our climate change policies. We also discuss El Niño, bird flu, and the yellow-legged hornet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GUEST BIO:Jim Russell is a transformational leader with 35+ years shaping the meetings and events industry. A former EVP at Freeman and VP at PSAV, he brings deep expertise in global P&L leadership, client experience innovation, and behavioral science informed engagement. Jim currently serves as Chair of MPI's International Board of Directors and is founder of Veterans in Ascension, a nonprofit supporting the veteran community. HIRE THEM TO SPEAK:Follow Jim Russell: LinkedIn BioFollow Scott Bloom: eSpeakers BioFollow eSpeakers: eSpeakers Marketplace ABOUT NO MORE BAD EVENTS:Brought to you by eSpeakers and hosted by professional emcee, host, and keynote speaker Scott Bloom, No More Bad Events is where you'll hear from some of the top names in the event and speaking industry about what goes on behind the scenes at the world's most perfectly executed conferences, meetings, and more. Get ready to learn the secrets and strategies to help anyone in the event industry reach their goal of putting on nothing less than world-class events. Learn more at nomorebadevents.com. ABOUT THE HOST:A veteran comedian and television personality who has built a reputation as the go-to choice for business humor, Scott has hosted hundreds of events over two decades for big and small organizations alike. Scott has also hosted his own weekly VH1 series and recently co-hosted a national simulcast of the Grammy Awards from the Palace Theater.As the son of a successful salesman, he was exposed to the principles of building a business at an early age. As a comedian, Scott cut his teeth at renowned improv and comedy clubs. As a self-taught student of psychology, he's explored what makes people tick and has written a book (albeit a farce) on how to get through life. He's uniquely positioned to deliver significant notes on connecting people and making business seriously funny. And who doesn't like to laugh? Learn more about Scott: scottbloomconnects.com PRODUCED BY eSpeakers:When the perfect speaker is in front of the right audience, a kind of magic happens where organizations and individuals improve in substantial, long-term ways. eSpeakers exists to make this happen more often. eSpeakers is where the speaking industry does business on the web. Speakers, speaker managers, associations, and bureaus use our tools to organize, promote, and grow successful businesses. Event organizers think of eSpeakers first when they want to hire speakers for their meetings or events.The eSpeakers Marketplace technology lets us and our partner directories help meeting professionals worldwide connect directly with speakers for great engagements. Thousands of successful speakers, trainers, and coaches use eSpeakers to build their businesses and manage their calendars. Thousands of event organizers use our directories every day to find and hire speakers. Our tools are built for speakers, by speakers, to do things that only purpose-built systems can.Learn more at eSpeakers.com. SHOW CREDITS: Scott Bloom: Host | scottbloomconnects.comJoe Heaps: eSpeakers | jheaps@eSpeakers.com

Like the show? Show your support by using our sponsorsNeed to update your shop systems and software? Try Tekmetric HERESave 15% on your next Launch Tech USA tool with code Launch15. Use that code at checkout HEREIn this episode, Jeff Compton sits down with JT the Car Guy, a longtime Chrysler and Stellantis technician and YouTube creator, to discuss dealership life, content creation, and the changing automotive industry. JT shares his journey through two decades in Chrysler dealerships, the value of brand specific experience, and the challenges facing technicians today. They also discuss flat rate, apprenticeships, EVs, MPI videos, service advisors, diagnostic support, OEM parts, and the realities of working in a dealership.The conversation also explores building a YouTube channel, handling criticism, staying anonymous online, sharing knowledge without gatekeeping, and balancing life as a technician with life as a content creator.Timestamps:00:00 OEM vs. Aluminum Cooler00:57 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro02:30 Two YouTube Channels Explained04:57 Handling Haters and Censorship05:52 JT's Origin Story in Dealerships07:28 PT Cruiser Era and Reputation09:45 Filming Limits and Brand Focus13:47 Training Apprentices and EV Shift18:28 Old School Tools and Engine Talk24:02 Flat Rate Pay and Tech Shortage26:37 MPI Videos and Advisor Role31:02 Comebacks and Customer Service33:47 EGR to VVT and Vacuum Pumps35:15 Vacuum Pump Talk35:37 Cousin Pookie Origin37:55 Troubleshooter Life38:57 OEM Parts Only39:40 Dealer Diagnostic Reality43:16 Recalls and Dispatch45:17 Dash Work Nightmares48:03 DIY Comment Wars50:00 YouTube Creator Economics53:58 Early YouTube Influences58:34 Instructor vs. Freedom01:02:10 Sharing Fixes, Not Gatekeeping01:04:22 Forums and Allpar Days01:06:16 AI Customers and STAR Cases01:10:30 Future of Remote Diagnostics01:13:23 Network Fix Saves the Day01:14:18 Toyota Yoda Pay Dispute01:15:48 Staying Anonymous Online01:19:00 Creator vs. Shop Tech01:21:27 Warranty Time Reality01:24:03 Caravan Steering Rack Saga01:26:37 EV Future and Health01:30:15 Training Apprentices Today01:32:39 Tool Trucks vs. Retail01:37:04 Advice for New Techs01:40:30 SEMA and LLC Protection01:42:39 Dorman Cooler Controversy01:46:54 Wrap Up and Channels01:51:07 Final Thanks and Outro Follow/Subscribe to the show on social media! TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffcompton7YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheJadedMechanicFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091347564232

What if the best thing you could do when an internet lead comes in is NOT immediately pick up the phone? Give me 60 seconds. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm breaking down how I approach internet leads before the first call ever happens and why great salespeople don't just call leads. They call stories. Where does the customer live? Have they bought or serviced with you before? Have they submitted other leads? What do the CRM notes tell you? What are they driving now? What might have brought them back into the market? Those clues change the conversation. We'll get into why salespeople become too attached to one VIN, how to ask questions that open up more possibilities, how to make an appointment actually worth leaving home for, and why your text and video strategy should sell something customers can't find on your website: YOU. Because customers have plenty of cars, inventory and information. What they don't have everywhere is someone who understands them, makes the process easier and gives them a reason to trust where the conversation is going. Before you dial the next internet lead, read the story. You'll ask better questions, show you value and appreciate people and create an appointment with a whole lot more value.

What if the biggest service problems your dealership faces aren't happening when the customer arrives? What if they started days earlier? In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, Jen shares a lesson from a veteran advisor that completely changed the way she teaches appointment preparation: "Don't wait for problems to show up. Go looking for them." Elite advisors don't just manage appointments. They preview them. They look ahead for the landmines that create frustration: A recall part that never arrived A customer who declined work last visit A high-mileage vehicle with possible surprises A transportation issue A customer history that should change the conversation Because customers remember surprises far longer than they remember great service. Jen breaks down how professional advisors can use appointment notes, vehicle history, recommendations, rewards, recalls, and preparation to create smoother conversations, stronger trust, and better approval opportunities. The appointment doesn't start when the customer arrives. It starts when you decide to prepare for them.

What if one of the biggest opportunities to improve CSI, service retention and work approvals happens before the MPI is even completed? In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm breaking down the first 90 seconds of the service experience and why service managers should be paying a lot more attention to what happens when an advisor first walks toward that vehicle. Customers pull into the service drive with uncertainty. How long will this take? What's this going to cost me? Is something expensive about to be wrong with my car? Before they trust the recommendation, they're deciding whether they trust the person making it. That's where great advisors separate themselves. We'll talk about how curiosity, preparation, body language, better questions and clear expectations can completely change the customer experience. I'll also give service leaders a simple coaching exercise they can use right on the drive: stand back, watch the interaction and ask yourself whether you can tell which advisors genuinely enjoy helping people. This isn't about teaching your team another script. It's about helping advisors slow down, pay attention, reduce uncertainty and become the person customers actually want helping them make decisions about their vehicle. Because when we win the first 90 seconds, everything that happens next gets easier.

Dom talks with REX Producer Jo Grigg about the big ag stories of the week, including the government's proposed break-up of the supermarket duopoly, major ag projects receiving funding from MPI and what is cattle laundering? Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with former NZ Olympic rower Ella Greenslade about competing in the recent Mongol Derby, regarded as one of the toughest and longest horse races on the planet. They discuss the hardships she battled, how she managed to finish in second-equal place, her rowing career and returning to the family farm in North Canterbury... And he talks with REX Producer Jo Grigg about the big ag stories of the week, including the government's proposed break-up of the supermarket duopoly, major ag projects receiving funding from MPI and what is cattle laundering? Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

What if the biggest mistake with an internet lead happens before you even say hello? In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm breaking down why I want salespeople to take 60 seconds before making that first call not to wait, but to investigate. Where does the customer live? Have they done business with the dealership before? What's sitting in the CRM? What might they be comparing? Those clues can completely change the conversation. We'll get into why curiosity beats jumping straight into the vehicle, how to make an appointment actually worth showing up for, why more options can create more customer confidence, and how texting and video can help customers remember YOU not another walkaround of a car they've already seen online. The car isn't the differentiator anymore. Information isn't either. Your ability to understand the customer, make their life easier, and give them confidence in the next step is. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships. Want 30-Days FREE? Go To https://bit.ly/4dv62Ef for a LIMITED TIME! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

In this episode of What the Fixed Ops?!, hosts Russell Hill and Charity Dunning welcome Josh Arnold, Master Technician and Co-Founder of Within Spec, for an insightful conversation about the automotive technician shortage, technician retention, mentorship, and what dealerships need to do differently to develop the next generation of skilled automotive professionals. Josh explains why the industry's technician problem may be less about a shortage of young people interested in the trades and more about a shortage of dealerships equipped to develop them. From clearly defined career paths and strong shop leadership to consistent mentorship and follow-up, Josh argues that dealerships must give technicians a reason to see automotive service as a long-term career rather than simply a job.The conversation also explores the power of video MPI and technician-to-customer communication. After seeing firsthand how customers responded to technician videos, Josh developed his own customer-focused approach and eventually trained approximately 150 technicians on video inspections. Rather than treating video MPI as another tool for selling repairs, Josh believes technicians should use it to educate customers, create transparency, build relationships, and improve long-term service retention.We talk about:Why the technician shortage isn't simply a recruiting problemThe importance of mentorship for young automotive techniciansHow dealerships can create clearer technician career pathsWhy Master Technicians need opportunities to continue growingRecruiting technicians with honesty and real-world expectationsHow dealerships can improve technician training and retentionWhy video MPI should focus on trust instead of sellingBuilding stronger technician-to-customer relationshipsChallenging the "that's how we've always done it" mentalityHow Within Spec is building a community for the next generation of techniciansJosh also shares what becoming a teacher and mentor taught him about his own career, why being questioned can make technicians better at their craft, and how the Toyota philosophy of Kaizen—or continuous improvement—continues to shape his approach to automotive service. His message to dealerships is clear: recruiting young talent is only the beginning. Developing, supporting, challenging, and communicating with technicians throughout their careers is what ultimately keeps great people in the industry.Whether you're a dealer principal, fixed ops director, service manager, shop foreman, technician, advisor, or automotive professional, this episode delivers practical insights into technician recruitment and retention, automotive mentorship, video MPI, customer communication, and building a stronger future for dealership fixed operations.BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HEREhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfhttps://www.youtube.com/@fixedopsmarketing?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfGet watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts:https://www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfJoin Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!Don't forget to send us a message here!https://www.fixedopsmarketing.com/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtf#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations

The Final Podcast, the Future of Nuclear Medicine In this final podcast, I talk about what I see as the future of nuclear medicine. I talk about the key things, AI, Radiochemistry and new hardware.   To get in touch with me email me at nucmedpodcast@gmail.com Direct link to iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/the-nuclear-medicine-and-molecular-medicinie-podcast/id1444565219?mt=2 Older podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-nuclear-medicine-and-molecular-medicine-podcast/id94286547 You can get the podcast page at both http://nuccast.com and http://www.nuccast.com with the feed to put into iTunes or juice or your favourite podcast software can be found at http://molcast.com/. The cardiac subset of the podcast can be found at http://cardiac.nuccast.com/ Please pass on information about this podcast to your colleagues and to your CPD provider.Link to VideoLink to Audio

Customers don't buy when they've been convinced. They buy when they feel confident. After listening to thousands of dealership calls, Jen Suzuki has noticed a pattern: average salespeople focus on getting the appointment, overcoming the objection, or defending the vehicle. The best salespeople focus on something entirely different reducing uncertainty. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, Jen breaks down the overlooked skill that influences whether customers respond, keep appointments, make decisions, and ultimately buy. You'll learn how to identify a customer's "confidence gap," ask questions that uncover what they're really weighing, and respond to "I need to think about it" without creating more pressure. Jen also challenges one of the dealership's favorite measurements: appointments set. Because setting an appointment doesn't mean much if the customer never became confident enough to show up! If your customers keep disappearing, delaying decisions, or shopping multiple dealerships, the answer may not be a stronger close. It may be a better conversation.

What does it take to keep growing when automotive retail is becoming more complex not less? Ivette Dominguez Drawe began her career selling BMWs. When the opportunity came to become a dealer, she and her husband mortgaged their home, opened credit cards as a backup plan and stepped into ownership during one of the industry's most uncertain periods. Today, their organization employs approximately 700 people, continues to acquire dealerships and remains deeply invested in its employees and communities. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, Ivette shares what she looks for when evaluating an acquisition, why good people matter more than a quick operational overhaul and what leaders underestimate when introducing major technology changes. She also gets candid about changing a DMS and payroll platform within weeks of each other and what the experience revealed about communication, accountability and team buy-in. We also explore the growing affordability problem, preparing the next generation to enter a family business, the danger of treating technology like a magic bullet and why innovation sometimes requires trusting your instincts before all the proof exists. But the heart of this conversation is bigger than dealerships. Ivette believes leadership means developing people, recognizing their contributions, celebrating wins and giving back without expecting something in return. Technology can create efficiency, but empathy, accountability, difficult conversations, recognition and community relationships still belong to human beings. This is a conversation about taking courageous risks, staying open to change and building a business that means something beyond the numbers.

Have you ever finished a conversation with an internet future buyer and thought, "That went really well" only to never hear from the customer again? Here's the harder question: What did that customer actually gain from talking to you? In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm digging into the heart of how I teach sales: Every customer should leave a conversation with more clarity, confidence, convenience, or useful direction than they had before it. Customers can find inventory, specifications, pricing, reviews, and vehicle comparisons everywhere. Information is no longer rare. Judgment, experience, and personalized guidance are. I'll show you how to move beyond answering questions and immediately asking for an appointment. You'll learn how curiosity uncovers what actually matters, how to turn vehicle information into customer-specific guidance, and how to create a next step that feels helpful instead of pushy. Because customers can get the car almost anywhere. What they can't get everywhere is someone genuinely committed to helping them make a great decision.

Nearly 5.6 million students in U.S. public schools are classified as English Learners, and over 2.3 million are enrolled in secondary grades. Yet bilingual programs are heavily concentrated in the elementary grades, leaving many older multilingual students in grades 6 through 12 without access to programs designed to build their language skills while mastering grade-level content and meeting course requirements for graduation.   States and districts have considerable autonomy to pursue policies that support the diverse learning needs and academic success of multilingual students. What steps can they take to create, implement, and sustain bilingual programs in secondary schools?   This webcast features findings from a report answering that question, based on interviews with bilingual education experts, district leaders, and higher education faculty across California, Illinois, New Mexico, and New York. Speakers unpacked the key obstacles bilingual programs face, shared promising practices from the field, and offered recommendations for state and local policymakers and stakeholders ready to expand access.  Speakers: Margarita Machado-Casas, Professor, Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education, San Diego State University; President, National Association for Bilingual Education  Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Strategic Advisor, Californians Together  Lorena Mancilla, Associate Director for K-12 Partnerships and Policy, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, MPI  Victoria Kim, Associate Policy Analyst, National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, MPI  Moderator:   Delia Pompa, Senior Fellow for Education Policy, MPI    www.migrationpolicy.org  

Yellow-legged hornets pose a significant threat to honey bee colonies. While New Zealand's biosecurity response efforts are providing reasons for optimism, overseas experience offers important lessons on how colonies, beekeepers and industries adapt when hornets arrive. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Andrew Dare speaks to Dr James Sainsbury, who recently completed a research project developing a yellow-legged hornet readiness guide for the apiculture industry. They discuss what we can learn from overseas experience and how this research can support New Zealand's current biosecurity response. If you think you've seen a yellow-legged hornet, take a photo and report it to MPI by calling 0800 80 99 66 or emailing info@mpi.govt.nz. For more information and to see photos of the hornet please see the MPI information page here: https://bit.ly/Y-LH

Two service advisors can work in the same dealership, see the same customers, recommend the same repairs and get completely different results. Why? It may have very little to do with the estimate itself. After training with so many service advisors, I've noticed that customers often begin deciding whether they'll approve the work long before the MPI is complete. They're paying attention when the advisor greets them, remembers their name, asks about their plans for the vehicle, explains what will happen next, provides updates and keeps every promise. Each moment either deposits trust into the relationship or withdraws it. That changes the way we should think about selling service. The recommendation is not the beginning of the sale. It's the moment the advisor discovers whether enough confidence was built to support the recommendation. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I break down how high-performing advisors make small relationship deposits throughout the customer experience, why thoughtful questions make recommendations more personal and how trust affects approvals, retention, CSI, referrals and income. You'll also hear one question that can completely change the recommendation conversation: "How long are you planning to keep your vehicle?" The practical challenge is simple: before presenting the repair, make three intentional deposits. Use the customer's name. Ask a question that reveals what matters to them. Explain what happens next. Then notice how differently the recommendation conversation feels. Here's the question worth debating: When a customer declines necessary work, are we too quick to blame the price—or should we examine the experience we created before presenting it? Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |

Rassismus hat Folgen für die Gesundheit — psychisch und körperlich. In der neuen Folge von „Ach, Mensch!“ erklärt die Rassismusforscherin Dr. Muna Aikins, warum Diskriminierung ein Gesundheitsrisiko ist und was sich im Gesundheitswesen ändern muss. Hier erfahrt ihr mehr über die Arbeit von Dr. Muna Aikins am MPI für Bildungsforschung. Hier findet ihr mehr Informationen über den Afrozensus 2020. Hier findet ihr das Gutachten für den Verein Decolonize Berlin: „Koloniale Kontinuitäten in der Berliner Medizin und Gesundheitsversorgung“ Hier findet ihr „Die Haut meiner Seele“ von Muna Aikins. ➡️ Artikel zum Nachlesen: https://detektor.fm/gesellschaft/ach-mensch-muna-aikins

Rassismus hat Folgen für die Gesundheit — psychisch und körperlich. In der neuen Folge von „Ach, Mensch!“ erklärt die Rassismusforscherin Dr. Muna Aikins, warum Diskriminierung ein Gesundheitsrisiko ist und was sich im Gesundheitswesen ändern muss. Hier erfahrt ihr mehr über die Arbeit von Dr. Muna Aikins am MPI für Bildungsforschung. Hier findet ihr mehr Informationen über den Afrozensus 2020. Hier findet ihr das Gutachten für den Verein Decolonize Berlin: „Koloniale Kontinuitäten in der Berliner Medizin und Gesundheitsversorgung“ Hier findet ihr „Die Haut meiner Seele“ von Muna Aikins. ➡️ Artikel zum Nachlesen: https://detektor.fm/gesellschaft/ach-mensch-muna-aikins

I've listened to thousands of dealership phone calls, and there's one moment I hear over and over: "Do you have the vehicle?" "Yes." "Great. When can you come in?" And then we wonder why the customer doesn't show. As a trainer and sales coach, you must have great questions, the right questions. They must uncover important aspects to gettng appointments that show. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm breaking down how I coach salespeople to stop collecting information and start collecting reasons for the appointment. The customer hasn't driven the vehicle yet? That's a reason. They're comparing two models? Reason. They have a trade? Reason. They've never owned your brand? Reason. They're unsure about financing, features, space, lifestyle fit, or what's actually right for them? Those aren't objections to overcome. They're opportunities to help. You'll learn why curiosity beats scripts, how to weigh one question against another, how to uncover the customer's real situation without making the conversation feel like an interrogation, and how to stack enough value that the appointment becomes the customer's logical next step, not your sales pitch. Managers, this is a great episode to use with your team. Listen together, pause it, role-play the questions, and challenge your people to identify the reason behind the appointment before they're allowed to ask for one. I make my training accessible because I genuinely love watching dealership people get better, gain confidence, make progress, and WIN in their roles. And I'm grateful to the sponsors who help make Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki and this education possible: LotLinx, Matador, and ZukiTalk. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

There are things being said on dealership sales floors every single day that we need to retire. "What offers have you received?" "Who else are you shopping?" "What do I need to do to earn your business today?" "We're not going to lose your business over $200." As a trainer and coach, I understand where these responses came from. Many of us were taught them. But buyers changed. Today's customer has information, choices, pricing, reviews, trade values and multiple dealerships sitting in the palm of their hand. And every sentence we use either makes that customer feel helped or handled. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I'm challenging the way we think about some of the most common "objections" in automotive sales: "I just want your best price." "What's my trade worth?" "I don't want to come in." Because I don't think these are objections at all. They're buying moments. The customer isn't necessarily fighting you. They're trying to reduce uncertainty, understand their options and feel confident enough to take another step. I'm breaking down the simple approach I coach in dealerships: Positive → Value → Next Step. Start by embracing what the customer wants. Add something that genuinely helps them. Then lead them toward a logical next step. No boxing match. No clever comeback. No trying to prove the customer wrong. Throw value, not punches. Managers, this is an episode I'd absolutely use in a sales meeting. Put your team's current responses on the board and ask one question: Does this make the customer feel helped or handled? Then rebuild the conversation together. Because dealerships have spent years teaching salespeople to master the comeback. I think it's time we master the conversation. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

What if the thing you think makes you better at selling is actually costing you deals? In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, sales coach and trainer Jen Suzuki breaks down one of the most common habits she sees in dealership training, call recordings, and role plays: salespeople talking too much. A customer walks in and the salesperson immediately starts explaining inventory, incentives, MPG, warranties, pricing, features, colors and specials. It feels productive. It feels like selling. But there's one big problem: you haven't learned anything about the customer yet. The more you talk, the more you guess. I explain why high-performing salespeople don't try to control conversations by filling every second. They lead with curiosity. They ask better questions. They listen for clues. And they're comfortable enough to let silence do some of the work. You'll learn why customers often tell you exactly how to help them, if you give them enough room to talk and why silence after presenting numbers may be one of the most powerful moments in the entire sales process. You'll also hear a simple challenge you can immediately take back to the showroom: after asking a question, wait two seconds longer than feels natural. Because you don't get paid to talk. You get paid to understand. The more you talk, the more you guess. The more you listen, the more you win. When you master that, you stop pushing deals and start guiding decisions. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki brings practical sales, service, leadership and automotive training straight from the dealership floor designed to help automotive professionals grow their skills, confidence and results. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

The first car a customer asks about is rarely the one they actually buy. So why do so many salespeople build the entire opportunity around ONE vehicle? A customer calls about a black Tahoe they found online and immediately the salesperson locks in: availability, price, features, photos, incentives and appointment. Meanwhile, that customer may be looking at multiple vehicles and talking to multiple dealerships. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, automotive sales coach and trainer Jen Suzuki breaks down a strategy she calls EXPAND THE BUY. The goal isn't to talk customers out of what they want. It's to learn enough about them that you can help them discover what else might work. Are they committed to that exact trim? That color? That equipment? What actually attracted them to the vehicle? What matters most? What else could potentially fit better? Those questions create something every salesperson needs: ROOM. Room when the vehicle sells. Room when the payment doesn't work. Room when they arrive and don't love the color. Room when another vehicle catches their attention. Room to become their automotive expert instead of the person assigned to one VIN. Jen explains how expanding the buy can create more flexibility, stronger appointments, better vehicle presentations and more opportunities to keep a deal moving. The mindset shift is simple: Stop thinking: "I need to sell them this car." Start thinking: "I need to help them find the RIGHT car." You're not there to match people to inventory. You're there to guide decisions through curiosity, questions and expertise. The first car gets their attention. The right car rolls out the door. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships. ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1 https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

What really creates a great leader? It's probably not what you think. In this episode of Dealer Talk, I sit down with Dave Wilson, founder of Preston Automotive Group, to talk about something much bigger than dealerships, profits, or expansion. We talk about the moments nobody sees. The mentors who shaped him. The difficult conversations every leader eventually has to face. Why culture always starts with character. How "show the love" became a core business philosophy. Why humility is a competitive advantage. And why the best leaders never believe they've arrived. Dave shares lessons from buying his first dealership at just 22 years old, making painful hiring decisions, learning from expensive mistakes and building an organization where people genuinely want to stay and grow.  Whether you lead a dealership, a department, or a small team, this conversation is a masterclass in leading with courage, consistency, and compassion. If you're looking for leadership advice that goes beyond business tactics and into the mindset that builds lasting organizations, this episode is one you won't forget. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

Have you ever made it all the way to the desk only to hear... "I just need to think about it." Most salespeople blame the numbers. The trade. The payment. The manager. But what if the deal was actually lost before you ever sat down? In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked skills in automotive sales—the vehicle walk-around—and why it's far more than pointing out features. Customers already know the specs. They've researched the technology. They've watched the YouTube videos. What they haven't done is imagine how that vehicle fits into their life! You'll learn how to stop giving feature tours and start creating emotional ownership by connecting every benefit to your customer's lifestyle, family, commute, hobbies, and daily routine. Because when customers can picture themselves driving the vehicle...Price becomes a smaller conversation. Objections shrink. Confidence grows. And the desk simply confirms a decision they've already made emotionally. If you've ever wondered why some deals feel effortless while others become a battle, this episode explains exactly why. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

The primary production committee heard from DOC and MPI this week during a briefing on bird flu. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Most advisors think they need more traffic. They don't. They need stronger conversations. In this episode, I'm breaking down one of the biggest reasons advisors hit an income ceiling and it has nothing to do with your dealership, your manager, or the economy. We'll talk about why some advisors consistently outperform everyone around them, how confidence changes customer decisions, why discounting quietly destroys your paycheck, and the mindset shift that separates order takers from trusted consultants. If you've ever caught yourself rushing through presentations, apologizing for price, avoiding objections, or wondering why someone else is making more money in the same shop... This episode is for you! 20-minutes that could completely change the way you present repairs and the way customers respond. Confidence isn't something you're born with. It's something you build. And it pays. ACTUALLY. PERIOD.

The poultry industry believes it's as prepared as it can be for bird flu. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has announced legislation requiring anyone with more than 100 birds to have a bird flu prevention and response plan. Mainland Poultry chief executive John McKay told Mike Hosking the industry and farmers have been working closely with MPI, and learnt from countries that have already dealt with the virus. He says you can have the best strategies in the world and still get hit by disease, so having these plans is the best way forward for farmers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of bird nerds and nature lovers have been keeping an eye on the bird flu arrival in our country. What can we do, what can't we do and what should we do to keep them as healthy and as safe as we can? Here are some things we can consider, published by Predator Free NZ staff: Image credit: John Bruin We are aware that some migratory birds have always been seen as carriers of that flu - it's quite logical that the skua was first found. It probably indicates that many more of these Antarctic birds are full of flu, especially when they get together in places where we, humans, rarely get to. MPI 0800 80 99 66 to report sick birds Image credit: Alex H Weller Using bird feeders? I am not too convinced that is a good idea. Big flocks of all sorts of birds could cause contaminations, maybe not bird flu, but I have seen a lot of silvereyes with Pox on their feet and faces. Yes, I know that Pox is a different issue with birds, but it simply pays to be careful with large numbers of birds hanging around bird feeders. While there is currently no official recommendation to take down bird feeders, they need frequent cleaning to help protect birds. The disease can spread through saliva on nozzle feeders, so clean them daily by scrubbing with hot water and dishwashing liquid (wear gloves and a mask!).  Open dishes and containers accumulate poop and are high risk. Predator Free recommend stopping their use immediately, which makes total sense. If you are trapping pests with eggs and raw poultry as lures… A big bucket of mayonnaise and a small squeezable container. Raw eggs and bird meat could contribute to the spread of disease. While the risk is very low for now and there is no official recommendation to stop using these lures consider phasing them out for now, especially if you use raw egg as a lure in and around your trap. As an egg alternative, we recommend egg-based mayonnaise, which is pasteurised and therefore doesn't pose the same risks as raw eggs. Image Credit: Predator Free Tamahere Keep cats safe and happy at home Cats seem to be very susceptible to severe illness from Avian Influenza H5N1 and could contract it from exposure to wild birds. Keeping cats safe and happy at home minimises the risk of being exposed to the disease, and it's best for our wildlife too. Oh, and while we are at it, keep your dog on a lead too! Makes sense, don't you think? Image credit: Fiona Taylor MPI: 0800 80 99 66 to report sick birds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most service advisors assume price is the problem long before the customer ever says it. That's where profit disappears. In this episode, Jen Suzuki challenges one of the biggest habits hurting dealership service departments: discounting before exploring better solutions. Learn why financing should be one of your first "bats" instead of your last resort or never, how immediate discounts quietly destroy your ELR, gross profit and customer confidence and why the best advisors never assume someone can't afford needed repairs. You'll hear practical examples of how to present financing naturally, protect the value of your technicians' work, increase MPI approvals and create conversations that build trust instead of negotiation. If you're serious about becoming a stronger advisor while helping more customers repair their vehicles before small problems become expensive ones, this episode is for you. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |

Krankhaftes Übergewicht zählt heute zu den größten Gesundheitsproblemen weltweit. Die Erkrankung erhöht das Risiko für Diabetes, Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen und viele weitere gesundheitliche Probleme. Jens Brüning erforscht die Ursachen und untersucht, wie unser Gehirn den Stoffwechsel steuert. (00:00:47) Opener (00:39:02) Trenner (00:39:54) Closer Hier erfahrt ihr mehr über das Max-Planck-Institut für Stoffwechselforschung in Köln. Hier erfahrt ihr mehr über die Forschung von Prof. Dr. Jens Brüning und seinem Team am MPI für Stoffwechselforschung. ➡️ Artikel zum Nachlesen: https://detektor.fm/wissen/ach-mensch-jens-bruening-adipositas

When people think about a Service BDC, they usually picture someone answering phones and setting appointments. Emma Cole saw something completely different. When she stepped into one of the largest service departments in the country, there wasn't a blueprint waiting for her. She had to build the department, earn trust with advisors, hire the right people, create new processes, and figure out how to keep a team motivated while making hundreds of calls every day. And she did. In this episode, Emma shares exactly how she built one of the most impressive Service BDC operations I've seen. We talk about finding opportunities that most dealerships overlook, building a team that actually wants to win, handling declined services, keeping advisors and BDC on the same page, and why leadership has to be hands-on when the pressure is on. If you've ever wondered whether a Service BDC can make a real impact on retention, customer experience, and service revenue...this episode will probably change your mind. We cover: How Emma built a Service BDC from the ground up. The lead sources most dealerships never work consistently. Why declined services deserve their own strategy. How to hire people with hustle—not just experience. The biggest mistakes BDC teams make and how to avoid them. Why communication between advisors and BDC can make or break the customer experience. One thing I loved about Emma... She never waited for someone to hand her a process. She built one. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

The director general of MPI updates the latest on the bird flu after Mainland Poultry, the country’s largest egg supplier, is putting hundreds of thousands of free-range chickens into lockdown following two positive cases last week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Primary Industries received 157 notifications of dead or unwell birds on Saturday alone, after bird flu was detected in two wild birds last week. There have been no new confirmed cases of the highly contagious H5N1 strain. Mary van Andel, chief veterinary officer at MPI spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A native hawk in the Wairarapa has been confirmed as the second case of bird flu in New Zealand. The animal was sent to a wildlife hospital after suffering a head injury where the disease was found upon routine testing. Minister of Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard told Heather du Plessis-Allan that they are working with farmers in the region. "From an MPI perspective, we are touching base with all, I think there's about 13, egg producers or poultry producers in the Wairarapa. So, teams getting in contact with all of them just to check, are they confident in their biosecurity measures they've got?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More cases of bird flu seem inevitable here, according to some experts. Our first infection with the globally spreading H5N1 strain has been confirmed in a migratory brown skua, found on Wellington's Petone Beach last Friday. Auckland University Professor Dianne Brunton says it's not even clear if our next likely case will be linked. "New Zealand is kind of in the middle of nowhere, of course, but we are surrounded by seabirds - we're the seabird capital of the world." MPI is asking people to stay vigilant and report any groups of sick or dead wild birds. The illness is a low risk to humans, and our poultry and eggs are safe to eat. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody wants to know what the best dealerships are doing differently. So I went straight to someone who sees them every day. In this episode, I sat down with Joel Dalbo, one of NADA's longtime Dealer 20 Group moderators. He spends his days in rooms with some of the highest-performing dealer principals and leadership teams in the country, so I wanted to know... What are they talking about right now? What challenges keep coming up? And what separates the stores that consistently outperform everyone else? What surprised me most was how often the conversation came back to the basics. Hiring the right people. Developing leaders. Executing the plan. Not trying to fix five things at once. We also talked about AI, and Joel shared something I thought was really interesting. The dealers who are winning aren't waiting around to see what happens. They're experimenting, learning from each other, and figuring out how AI fits into their business before someone else figures it out for them. If you're leading a dealership, managing a team, or just trying to build a stronger operation, this conversation is full of practical ideas you can actually use. We cover: The biggest leadership mistakes Joel sees over and over. Why execution beats great ideas every time. How top-performing dealers hire, coach, and keep great people. What Dealer 20 Groups are saying about AI today. The dealership metrics Joel thinks deserve a lot more attention. One thing Joel said really stuck with me... There aren't any magic shortcuts. The dealerships that keep winning are usually the ones that never stop getting better. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

Officials are on high alert after the first case of H5 bird flu was confirmed in New Zealand yesterday, after being detected in a sea bird found on Petone Beach in Wellington. MPI's chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel has been at the forefront of the response and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Paul Goldsmith responds to criticism of so-called move-on bill; MPI's chief vet on H5 bird flu in New Zealand; Matt Doocey on $35m boost for forensic mental health; CEO Interview: Lincoln Agritech's Professor Travis Glare; Pete Monk on starting a legal career in his sixties

AI is everywhere right now. But here's the question that really matters... Why are some dealerships getting great results while others are frustrated and wondering if AI is even worth it? In this episode, I sat down with Kevin, Chief Product Officer at Matador AI, to talk about what actually happens behind the scenes. How do they decide what features to build? What are they seeing across hundreds of dealerships? And what separates the stores that are making AI work from the ones that aren't? One thing really stood out to me... The technology usually isn't the problem. Adoption is. We talked about why AI isn't something you just turn on and hope for the best. It takes partnership, feedback, training, and leaders who are willing to keep improving right along with the technology. I also loved hearing how the Matador team studies real dealership conversations every single day to find friction, improve the product, and help dealers spot opportunities they didn't even know they were missing. If you're thinking about AI, already using it, or trying to figure out why your results aren't where you hoped they'd be, I think you'll get a lot from this conversation. We cover: Why dealerships struggle with AI adoption. How Matador learns from real customer conversations. What successful dealers are doing differently. Where AI is heading next in sales and service. Simple lessons any dealership can use, no matter what AI platform you're running. This is a conversation about building a dealership that's ready for what's next! Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

People hear me teaching every week. They see the energy, the passion, the coaching, and now AI innovation. But they don't always know where it came from. In this special interview, ASOTU Founder & CEO Paul Daly turns the microphone around and asks me the questions I rarely get asked. We talk about how I got started in automotive, why I built eDealer Solutions over two decades ago, what I've learned from training thousands of dealership professionals, and why helping people believe in themselves still matters more to me than any sales process. We also dive into the future of dealership leadership, AI adoption, why old-school sales tactics are losing their effectiveness, and how leaders can stay relevant without losing the human connection that makes this industry so rewarding. I also share the story behind creating ZukiTalk, why consistency matters more than talent, and what continues to motivate me after more than 20 years of coaching dealerships across North America. If you've ever wondered what drives me, why I care so deeply about this industry, or where I believe automotive retail is headed next, this conversation gives you a look behind the scenes. Because at the end of the day... I'm not just passionate about selling more cars. I'm passionate about helping people discover what they're capable of becoming. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

How do family offices and ultra-wealthy families use life insurance to build, protect, and transfer wealth for generations? Want to See If Whole Life Insurance Can Improve Your Wealth? Schedule Your Clarity Call Here: https://bttr.ly/bw-yt-aa-clarityIn this BetterWealth episode, Caleb Guilliams sits down with Family Office Expert, Steven Bowles to break down the strategies behind dynasty trusts, estate planning, family banking, liquidity, tax-efficient wealth transfers, and how life insurance can help create lasting multi-generational wealth for 1,000+ years.Connect with Steven Bowles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbowles1/Watch the Interview on Youtube for Visuals - https://youtu.be/wV_sCxxH5EgLearn More About BetterWealth: https://betterwealth.comChapters:Defining the Family Office Structure: (0:01:57 - 0:05:08)Exploration of what constitutes a family office and when it becomes a necessary strategy for high-net-worth individuals.Legacy and Generational Thinking: (0:05:08 - 0:08:06)Insights drawn from ultra-wealthy families, such as the Rockefellers, and the importance of long-term planning horizons.The Strategy of Outsourcing Risk: (0:08:05 - 0:15:53)Analysis of why insurance is utilized as a tool for risk management rather than just a financial commodity.Liquidity and Wealth Preservation: (0:15:53 - 0:27:15)How insurance acts as a buffer against market volatility and provides necessary liquidity at the end of a lifetime.Family Harmony and Planning: (0:27:15 - 0:31:20)The intersection of estate planning, buy-sell agreements, and maintaining family unity through structured wealth transfer.Trust Structures Explained: (0:31:20 - 0:37:16)Understanding the role of irrevocable trusts, dynasty trusts, and the trustee's role in managing policy loans.Premium Finance Analysis: (0:37:16 - 0:42:46)A critical look at premium finance strategies, the risks involved, and the danger of treating insurance as an arbitrage play.Reviewing MPI and Kai-Zen: (0:42:46 - 0:53:56)Discussion on the potential risks of MPI and Kai-Zen.Deep Dive into Dynasty Trusts: (0:53:56 - 1:04:46)How intentionally defective grantor trusts function to remove assets from a taxable estate while providing long-term legacy benefits.Education, Stewardship, and Infinite Banking: (1:04:46 - 1:11:35)How wealthy families prioritize the lifetime education of the next generation to steward inherited wealth effectively.DISCLAIMER: https://bttr.ly/aapolicy*This video is for entertainment purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.Financial Advice Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for education, discussion, and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice or recommendation. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial or tax advisor. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of the information on this channel. Neither host nor guests can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred by applying any of the information offered.

For nearly 30 years, John Inman, CEO McCurley Dealerships has helped lead one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected dealership groups. But this conversation isn't about awards or success stories, it's about what leadership looks like when the industry refuses to stand still. We talk openly about the pressure leaders face as AI reshapes retail, why execution is still harder than strategy, and what separates organizations that adapt from those that get left behind. John shares how his team is evaluating new technology, involving frontline employees in major decisions, improving fixed operations and staying focused on the one thing that never goes out of style: earning customer trust. If you're a dealer principal, executive, manager, or simply someone responsible for leading people through change, this episode offers practical insight. Just honest conversation about what it takes to build stronger teams, make smarter decisions, and keep moving forward in an industry that's evolving faster than ever. Sometimes the biggest competitive advantage isn't finding the next tool. It's building a team that's willing to grow with it. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

The best salespeople don't win because they know the most features. They win because they understand people. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, we dive into one of the biggest mindset shifts in modern selling: customers don't buy logically... they justify their decisions logically after they've already made an emotional one. We'll explore why facts alone create price shoppers, how emotional connection reduces resistance, why customers never argue with how they feel, and how asking better questions uncovers the real reason they're buying. Whether you're in sales, BDC, service, or leadership, this conversation will challenge how you communicate with customers and help you create more trust, stronger relationships, and more confident decisions. If you've ever heard, "I need to think about it," this episode will help you understand what your customer is really trying to tell you and what to do next. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

In this interview from the 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, Pam Nicoletti — president of the Master Painters Institute (MPI), an AMPP subsidiary — shares updates on MPI's expansion into industrial testing and its recognition (MPI Champion Awards) of paint manufacturers and specialists. Future priorities for the organization include the development of additional industrial standards; promoting QP 9 accreditation for commercial contractors; and opportunities to expand globally. For additional information, check out MPI's recent feature on the nationally syndicated This Old House Radio Hour.

Sudan is experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis, with nearly 14 million people forcibly displaced by civil war, famine, and acute food insecurity. Yet the scale of suffering has not translated into proportionate global attention or funding: the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan remains only 10 percent funded, leaving a gap of more than $1.4 billion. In this episode of World of Migration, John Thon Majok, Director of MPI's Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative, speaks with Margaret Monyani, Founder and Executive Director of the OLAM Africa Research Institute, about why Sudan's crisis has not been prioritized on the global stage. They discuss the regional spillover effects on neighbors such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt, as well as how foreign aid cuts are compounding the response gap. They also explore what a more effective and coordinated international response would require.

Is your short-term rental truly set up to cash flow, or are you just hoping the market will do the heavy lifting for you? Most hosts look at dynamic pricing as a "set it and forget it" tool, but real revenue strategy requires getting behind the wheel of your data.In this episode, I sit down with Colorado host and revenue strategist Melissa Stewart, the founder of Rev Collective. Melissa scaled from zero to four high-performing mountain cabins in under two years by combining a value-add investment blueprint with a highly intentional, data-driven revenue management strategy.We talk about:Buying distressed mountain properties for maximum negotiating power, doing a full gut rehab to build equity, and leveraging a smart refi to roll into the next deal.Moving past simple bulleted descriptions to craft narrative-driven listing copy that makes guests feel like they are walking through a storybook.What a "healthy" MPI looks like, how to recognize if you are underpriced or overpriced, and why treating dynamic pricing tools like autopilot is a massive mistake.Designing interior and exterior spaces with a strict guest avatar in mind—from luxury robes and sound machines to curated coffee and tea stations.Shifting your mindset around money as energy, shedding old financial stories, and building wealth that creates real opportunities for other women in hospitality.Melissa pulls back the curtain on how her background in accounting and data analysis gave her a unique edge in the short-term rental market. You'll hear how she bridges the gap between high-end hospitality and cold, hard data, and how she built her company specifically to empower women hosts who love the guest experience but feel overwhelmed by numbers and tech.If you are ready to stop guessing on your pricing, master your local pacing, and inject serious intention into your operations, this conversation will completely redefine your approach to revenue. Get ready to stop relying on market luck and start commanding the rates your property deserves.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:14] A short introduction about our guests Melissa Stewart and shared her journey from exiting a business to getting into the short-term rental industry[03:06] Melissa reflects on how a background in real estate and a desire for lifestyle-driven wealth building led her and her husband into the world of short-term rentals[05:30] How strategic investing, leveraging equity, and taking bold action helped Melissa scale from one short-term rental property to four in a relatively short time[07:36] Melissa and I dive into how taking on distressed properties, embracing renovation challenges, and viewing obstacles as opportunities helped accelerate equity growth and STR success[12:31] How embracing problems, adapting quickly, and treating short-term rental hosting as a constant problem-solving business is essential for long-term success [14:36] Melissa unpacks how creating intentional five-star guest experiences, strategic branding, and emotionally driven listings became the foundation of cash-flowing STR properties at the top of the market[21:10] Melissa highlights how overlooking listing strategy after investing heavily in a property is a common mistake, and how emotional storytelling and optimization are key to turning beautiful homes into booked STRs[24:54] How STR success depends not just on design, but on operations, pricing, and listing strategy working together to drive higher nightly rates and long-term profitability[28:08] Melissa shares how her passion for entrepreneurship, wealth building, and supporting women in business ultimately led her to launch The Rev Collective[34:16] Melissa's emphasis on active revenue management as a critical profit driver that requires strategy, oversight, and expertise beyond Pricelabs[38:15] Melissa's guidance on using listing optimization, market pacing, and key revenue metrics to make smarter pricing decisions and improve booking performance [43:23] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“Know your obstacles. That way when they come, they're opportunities.”“We cannot leave any stone unturned when it comes to positioning ourselves for getting that booking, these guests have so many options in front of them on the OTAs.”“If you're not operating well, your reviews are not going to be what you need them to be, and you're going to fall to your competition in the marketing.”“Stick to doing things that you're good at and delegate the rest.”“If your ultimate goal is to cash flow to build wealth in this real estate, you know, gig that you've got going, if that's your goal, then revenue management should be your top priority when it comes to running your business, because that's how you make your moneyLet's Connect:Website : www.revcollective.co Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/itsmelissastewart Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

Most AI conversations focus on the technology. This one focuses on the people building it. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I sit down with Tasso Roumeliotis, Founder & CEO of NUMA AI, for a candid conversation about leadership, change, AI adoption, customer experience and what dealership operators need to understand as artificial intelligence becomes part of daily operations. What fascinated me most wasn't the product. It was learning how an outsider to automotive earned trust inside one of the most operationally complex industries in the world and what dealership leaders can learn from that journey. We discuss: • Why most AI failures are actually adoption failures • The resistance employees feel when AI enters the workplace • How leaders should communicate AI change to their teams • Why understanding the people behind AI matters as much as understanding the technology • The future role of dealership leadership in an AI-driven world • How AI can improve visibility into customer experience and operational performance • Why empathy may become the most valuable human skill in automotive retail • What operators should be thinking about now to prepare for the next few years Whether you're a dealer principal, general manager, fixed ops leader, sales leader, service manager, BDC director, or simply curious about where automotive retail is headed, this episode offers practical insight into the leadership side of AI transformation. Because the future won't be determined by who buys the most AI. It will be determined by who leads people through change the best. Subscribe for weekly conversations focused on leadership, customer experience, AI, sales, service, and dealership growth. Check out our sponsors! LotLinx.com is a VIN Management Platform that enables precision automotive retailing via /AI/ technologies that improves dealership profitability. Matador.ai, AI That Fully Automates Sales & Service Conversations For Dealerships.ZukiTalk.com helps service advisors by making clear, consistent MPI calls that educate customers and increase approvals. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |  https://apple.co/38lmHM1  https://spoti.fi/3uQ2nd1 | Jennifer@edealersolution.com | 954-873-8029 | edealersolutions.com | Meet me! bit.ly/3J7011t  |  Loyalty-Based Selling Strategies on CBT News | https://bit.ly/3JlcXAx

The companies that win at scale don't become more corporate. They become more human.  Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where people can succeed. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I sit down with Dan Clara, newly appointed CEO of Asbury Automotive Group and one of the most respected operators in our industry. After nearly 24 years with the same organization, Dan shares what it really takes to scale a company without losing culture, accountability, employee loyalty or customer trust. We talk about career paths, employee ownership, retention, onboarding, training, leadership accessibility and why communication may be the most underrated skill in automotive retail today. Dan also shares lessons learned from leading through acquisitions, implementing technology at scale and navigating AI without losing sight of the human experience. One of my favorite takeaways was simple but powerful: People create the experience. Technology can make us more efficient, but leadership is still about building trust, developing talent and staying connected to the people doing the work every day. If you're a dealer principal, GM, fixed ops leader, sales manager, service director, advisor, or anyone looking to grow your leadership impact, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who has spent decades rising through the ranks and helping build one of the largest automotive groups in the country! And his final advice might be the most important leadership lesson of all: Stay uncomfortable. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |

Today, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Cleo Battle, the President and CEO of Louisville Tourism and the new Chair of the International Board of MPI! Cleo is an amazing person! He joins us today to share his inspiring journey and dive into what matters most for tourism and why every seat counts. We hope you enjoy listening to today's captivating conversation with Cleo Battle! Cleo Battle Biography: Cleo Battle, a hospitality industry veteran of nearly 35 years, currently serves as President & CEO of Louisville Tourism. Before coming to Louisville, he spent 12 years as Vice President of Sales & Services of the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau in Richmond, VA. He held the positions of Director of Sales and Sales Manager at the Richmond CVB. Battle began his hospitality career in the hotel industry by working for Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Sheraton Hotels. Battle is a native of Denver and a graduate of Metropolitan State University in Denver with a bachelor's degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. He earned his Master's of Business Administration in 1997 from Averett University in Virginia. He is both a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE). Battle's most recent industry recognition includes the Events Industry Council 2020 Social Impact award winner, Business First Louisville's inaugural Power 50 as well as The Courier-Journal's 12 People to Watch in 2021. Battle currently serves on the Meeting Planners International Board of Directors, the Kentucky Derby Museum Board of Directors, the Louisville Sports Commission Executive Board, the LRAA Board, the Kentucky State Fair Board, the Louisville Zoo Foundation Board, the Funds for the Arts Board, and the Board of the Northeast YMCA of Louisville. He is the Past Chair of Destination & Travel Foundation, Destination International Sales & Services Committee, and the Virginia State University Hospitality Department Advisory Board. Cleo's journey Cleo was a college track-and-field athlete. In his third year, he tore a leg muscle. He was still undecided about what he would major in at the time. So he spoke to a school counselor, and she suggested hotel restaurant management. He signed up for the course, started taking classes, and began working as an intern in a hotel. Hotel work came naturally to him, and he worked in many different positions. Then he got hired into the management training program for Promise Hotels, and his career took off! How athletics set Cleo up for success Learning how to run hurdles gave Cleo adaptability and flexibility. He also learned many other skills from athletics that he needed to grow and become successful in his career. A strong team Cleo truly understands the importance of having a strong team! He learned that you cannot do everything by yourself in business and that you are only as good as the people around you. His old boss from Richmond, Virginia, taught him that the key to any successful endeavor lies in hiring well. He used to tell Cleo to hire well, provide good resources, and then get the hell out of the way!  Trust Trust is an essential ingredient for teamwork. People do much better when they work in a professional space where constructive criticism is valued, they can be honest about their thoughts, and they know that their opinions will be respected, regardless of what the leaders ultimately decide. Every seat matters At staff meetings, Cleo always tells his organization's members that every seat matters. He wants them to understand that regardless of whether they are the Director of Sales, a marketing manager, or an administrative assistant, their seat in the organization still matters! Enabling people Whenever there is new subject matter, Cleo enables his team by inviting them to share their thoughts and opinions and offer ideas. Cleo's current position Even though his current position as President and CEO of Louisville Tourism involves a lot of legislative work and more talk about politics than about customers, Cleo still feels it is vital to stay true to the core mission of Louisville Tourism and to bring visitors to the community. MPI Since the first of January, Cleo has been the Chair of MPI and serves on the International Board of Directors. He insists that his team has a growth mindset rather than a recovery mindset. The cost of doing business has changed. Since the pandemic, the cost of doing business has changed. So a lot of work has to be done on the industry brand to help those outside it see its value, what is being done, why it is important, and how the industry impacts people's lives. Getting more people to join the industry Cleo points out that hotels, convention centers, museums and attractions, restaurants, and airports cannot work from home. So the industry will need to figure out the right balance between automated and personal services, going forward. He believes the industry must invest in its brand to make more people aware of why it is such an exciting industry to join. Appreciation and acknowledgment Cleo believes that openly acknowledging his staff members and appreciating their work is the best way to encourage them to provide customers with the best service! Connect with Eric On LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Website Listen to The Business of Meetings podcast Subscribe to The Business of Meetings newsletter Connect with Cleo Battle On LinkedIn Louisville Tourism MPI Books mentioned: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin