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Breaking up is hard to do; it’s not you – it’s me; let’s just be friends, time mends all wounds.
These are classic expressions spoken in the wake of romantic breakups, but as we all know, sometimes separation is necessary. Especially for growth.
Running a dealership is full of challenges, and besides the people you work with daily, the software you’re using is tantamount to your success. How do you find the best tech fit for you and your team? Just like when seeking new relationships, when looking for new software, there are, as they say, many fish in the sea.
1. Ask Around
Asking your dealership buddies in the area or at auction what they’re using offers great insights. Ask them process- and system-based functionality questions.
Ask them about useability: is it clunky and antiquated? Or is it modern, efficient, and easy to use like a smartphone?
2. Google It
Maybe you shopped around and nothing quite meets your needs. Time for a little independent research. You know, swipe left or right. Or in this case, Google it!
Are you looking for a DMS with a CRM component, inventory management, and built-in accounting? Or are you looking for inventory management packaged with a website?
3. Speed Dating: The Demo Done Right
Take a test-drive or two or three of your options. Demos are like speed dating.
Much like in dating, being curious and asking tough questions during a product demo inches you closer to the right solution for your dealership.
Does your rep sound like a software salesperson or a dealership consultant? Does your demoer get to know you and understand your needs? Ask yourself if the system you’re previewing is like aspirin to your current wounds.
You’ve Got This
Familiarity breeds comfort, thus why so many stand pat and keep using what they’re using. But shopping for a new DMS forces us outside our comfort zone and challenges us to rethink how and why we operate the way we do. What works for us and what doesn’t. What gives us the greatest opportunity to grow and operate not just for today, but for years to come.
Finding a new tech partner may be daunting and nerve-racking, but, as they say, good things are worth the wait.