Genuine words of thanks and
gratitude from our clients
in many corners of the world
"After
our initial interview with Jeff and after contacting several
companies he had worked with in the past, we decided to
hire Jeff as a speaker for our organization to focus on
the KPI known as Absorption.
We
asked Jeff to present at conferences in 16 different countries
over a period of just over a month. The quality of Jeff's
presentations was absolutely top-notch and he easily handled
the occasional "naysayer" or "challenger"
in the audience through a combination of his experience
and his knowledge on the topic.
Our
people left each meeting with not only a better understanding,
but also a much better appreciation of the topic and its
value to their business. Jeff Smith single handedly drove
this highly desirable end-result for our organization.
Beyond this very positive end-result however, there is
more... Jeff was easy to work with and extremely understanding
of our needs and the outcome we desired.
In
my book, it simply doesn't get any better. Would we hire
Jeff again? Absolutely!
Thanks Jeff!"
Tom Clevinger
Board of Management - DAF Trucks
Managing Director - PACCAR Parts Europe
A Fortune 200 multi-national company
The Harley-Davidson University
In
a challenging business environment a good understanding
of metrics and KPI's is essential to maintain a profitable
dealer network. But before providing the dealers with
training it is paramount that the field force is speaking
the same language when it comes to discussing profitability
and financial analysis.
Jeff
Smith helps us providing this critical knowledge by rolling
out dealer finance operations training to the field force
of Harley Davidson EMEA.
Based
on very enthusiastic participants comments I recommend
this challenging modular training to any company which
is looking for alignment on financial terms across markets
and wants to empower their employees to become consultants
for the dealer network. Delegates mention that Jeff´s
training helps to revisit and reality-check on their business
acumen acquired in University or Business Schools and
refocus on basic analysis of real dealership situations.
Having
participated myself in the training, I can say that it
was also inspiring to see Sales Managers, Aftersales Managers
and even Controllers and Country Managers discussing KPIs
and financial interaction of departments of a dealership.
In
summary I would like to quote one delegate's feedback:
"Well
done, the best training on understanding finance I attended
in my career!"
Jörg Schmidt
Harley-Davidson University - Europe, Middle East and Africa
Well,
what can I say? I've done lots of 'business training'
in my career; accounting classes, MBA ... you name it.
Just to find that what Jeff delivers in a 6 day intense-course
is the quintessential of management accounting wisdom
that really makes the difference; delivered in a very
practical, hands on manner; theory cemented with easy
to grasp concepts! Not surprising, coming from someone
that does a rubik's cube in record time!
If
you get a chance to experience Jeff, go for it!
Markus Kramer
Marketing Director at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
"Without
question, Jeff Smith writes and delivers world-class training
programmes and we're proud to have them available to our
Porsche Centres.
I found the
quality of Jeff's preparation, the entertaining delivery
style and the ease of quantifying the learning all meant
that the sessions delivered both clear understanding and
an excellent return on the investment."
Duncan
Drummond
Dealer Training Manager
Porsche Cars Great Britain
"Jeff
has a unique and innovative way of working. This, mixed
with his direct approach, his knowledge and experience
delivers exceptional results.
His
courses are real and clients are banging the door down
to get back to the business to put in to practice what
they have learnt.
He
is not frightened to challenge and if you are confident
enough to listen he will help you make changes professionally
and personally.
Also
his books take a complex subject and brings them down
to earth. I would not hesitate to say that Jeff will help
your people and business."
Nick
Tame
Regional
Director - Renault UK
“Jeff
is THE expert in his field. He brings his multiple books
to life by giving real life examples and has been able
to coach and train our staff and our Dealer Principals.
His three phase courses make sure the learning really
goes in and the results that eminate are truly spectacular.
An
experienced industry professional who can turn around
businesses, enhance businesses and share best practice-
A Gem!”
Allan
Brownridge
Brand
Manager UK, Ireland, Africa & Middle East for Harley-Davidson
Jeff
is the Consultant's Consultant
For
some years now I've watched Jeff almost single-handedly
try to drag the Retail Motor Industry screaming into the
21st century.
The
fact that he's had more success than the rest of us is
down to his ability to speak plainly on financial and
managerial matters in such a way that does not put people
off.
Modern
motor trade managers who genuinely care about their advancement
will listen to/read what he says and take notice. He
can take them gently through life and career changing
development -More power to his elbow."
John
Fitzgerald
Motor Industry Consultant
I've
worked with Jeff Smith for over fifteen years and in that
time, with the increased use of technology, a lot has
changed.
In
some ways, technology and the never ending amount of information
supplied, can act as a distraction for our Managers and
can divert them from the basics required of running their
business well.
What
has never changed are the basic disciplines required to
run a successful business and it is these principles that
Jeff delivers so well to his audience.
We've
engaged him a number of times to make presenations at
our General Managers meetings at the Henry Ford College
and the feedback has always been outstanding.
Over
a period of time, Jeff Smith's presentations and the basic
principles within his books have been and will continue
to be hugely influential.
Daemon
Pink
Director - Ford Retail
Stratstone
PLC
Jeff
Smith is a real expert in business strategy and delivers
his speeches and training programmes in a thought-provoking
and challenging way whilst keeping it simple to understand.
His
written works have been an asset to my business operation
and are included in both daily activity and forward planning.
I
would highly recommend Jeff to add both business acumen
to your leadership teams and more importantly, bottom-line
profit to your business."
David
Kennedy
Dealer Principal - Stratstone Birmingham
and Wolverhampton
"Jeff
has made a strong impression on our dealer network staff
in the delivery of training programmes - so, much so,
that certain individuals look to specifically attend courses
that he delivers - we've never know this before,
it's unprecedented!!!
Jeff's inimitable
style and delivery has meant that our dealership staff
now have a real appetite for our training courses, what
more can be said?
Veronica
Caspari
Dealer Network Training
Nissan GB
Having attended
a 3-part course with Jeff Smith twice in my career at
Kia Motors (UK) Limited, I can honestly say the training
is "THE" course for any Motor Industry Professional
to attend. It covers all of the KPI’s that everyone
uses in their day to day business language, and tests
everyone’s understanding that they truly understand
their relevance and impact on the Dealership. Parts II
& III take you further into the mechanics of the Motor
Dealership’s Financials, and subsequently exposes
you to a whole new world of understanding. I wholly recommend
this programme to anyone serious about pursuing a career
in the Motor Industry, and who has an aspiration to understand
the true workings of a dealership across all the Departments.
Thomas
Tollet
Area Manager KIA Motors UK
Service
Management
Dear Jeff,
I just wanted
to say thanks again for a really good two days in December,
I was amazed at the improvement in all our abilities on
day two. Your unique way of explaining with CLARITY was
absorbed by us all without notes just as you said it would
on the first day.
The Top Gun
programme is by far the best two days training I have
had in my career and I would certainly recommend both
yourself and your books to anyone in the industry.
Mark Fisher
Service Manager -Jemca
Toyota Edgware Road
Lexus Sidcup, London
Having been
with a brand such as Lexus for 10 years, I've received
a lot of influential training and development. Never though
have I attended a training programme as relevant to my
job role as the Service Manager's Top Gun Programme I
attended with Jeff Smith.
As with most
things in life, if you get the foundations wrong, it does
not matter how fast you can run if you are running in
the wrong direction.
The time I
spent with Jeff enabled me to understand KPIs with absolute
clarity and as a result enabled me to use KPIs fundamental
to the Service department to check and allow focus in
particular areas.
I can honestly
say that I am better equipped to understand, budget, review
and improve my department as a result.
Thank you
Jeff.
Christopher
McTiffen
Lexus Sidcup Service Manager
I have never
met anybody capable to explain the complex world of dealership
operations in such a clear, concise and captivating manner
as Jeff Smith.
Jeff truly
inspires me. I've attended his training programmes, and
I've purchased and read all of his books!
Sinisa
Andjelic
Manager, Fleet Operations
TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV/SA
Dear Jeff
Having recently
attended the Service Managers course which you held for
the Chatfields Group, I felt I just had to write to thank
you for such an interesting, challenging and informative
two days training.
What an eye
opener! The workings of a Service department and management
accounts explained with such clarity. It has enabled me
to dissect and assess ways to improve the working practices
and profitability within my own department with a greater
understanding.
In my 25 years
in the motor trade I have never spent a more worthwhile
two days, this training course is a must for all Service
Managers.
Again many
thanks.
Yours sincerely
Andy Mosley
General Service Manager
Chatfields Manchester
Click
to see letter to Jeff Smith from Andy Mosley.
Parts
Management
Dear Jeff,
I would like to thank you very much for the Parts Managers
Top Gun Programme I recently took with you.
Having
been a Parts Manager for many years, I've been on a fair
few training courses in my time, (with BMW and many others)
and to be honest, I thought there was nothing more I could
learn. How wrong I was!!!
Your
course is excellent. It's opened my eyes to new ways and
profitable ideas on running my business that without coming
on your course, I would of never dreamed of.
I have introduced all that I have learnt from your course
and have already seen an improvement in
the running and profitability of the department.
I've also learned a great deal about my management accounts
and then of course, there's Stock Turn and its true meaning
- Why does no one else tells you these things?
I feel you have given me a new breath of life in the department
and going forward in these troubled times what I have
learnt from you will surely keep me ahead of the competition.
Thanks
again,
Mark Davey
Parts Manager - Hartwell Group
Vauxhall and Ford Franchise - Oxford
"When
it comes to understanding "the Business end"
of a Bodyshop and it's overall profitability, only those
who understand it in great depth can make it look truly
easy and Jeff Smith is definitely one of those people.
Take a
look at The KPI book, each page is simplicity itself.
Yet each is a no-frills succinct description of an important
route to understanding how business works and where the
key levers for increasing profitability exist.
I recommend
that you do one of his training courses, as many Akzo
Nobel customers have been doing for over ten years, and
you will understand 'less is more', less clutter, more
learning!
His approach,
which is truly focused on commercial gain in the workplace,
has now taken a small dedicated number of Akzo customers
to ARMS.
Automotive
Retail Management Standards being
the written proof of their application of Bodyshop Management
training in their businesses.
For me
personally, it has been a real pleasure to witness his
unique style and development of these groundbreakers,
as they go from strength to strength, bringing clarity
to their businesses and their own aspirations.
So to anyone
with any doubts, buy the book, do the training and if
you need a reference, ask any of Akzo Nobel's customers
who have walked Jeff's clear straight pathway and you
will get a resounding 'Yes, just do it!'
I heartily
recommend Jeff and his company. If he says that he can
help you to deliver your desired results, then he will.
I've worked alongside him and seen him in action for many
years and it's been a true privilege."
RAB
Lee.
Services Manager Akzo Nobel Coatings Ltd UK.
Andrew
Mooresmith writes a letter
about Jeff Smith books.
Click here to read the original letter for yourself
Dear
Jeff,
I
am just writing to tell you how much I value your books
"How To Make More Profit With Your Service Department"
and "The KPI Book" which came highly recommended
to me by a Tutor at the Henry Ford College, Loughborough.
Having
worked for some thirty years at a family-run main franchise,
starting in the Parts Department, I have always had an
appreciation for the importance played by Aftersales in
our industry. After being on more training courses than
I care to remember, the challenge is often to both incorporate&
maintain their benefits for the long term.
For
this I rely on a definitive written reference and regard
your books as my "Bibles" which are used to
encourage & direct staff and management toward the
more important priorities. The real beauty is that they
are written in a way that anyone can understand regardless
of experience partly because unlike other books they are
specific to our industry rather than adaptations from
others.
Put
simply, they are the best! I often dip into the publications
at random and surprise surprise there is always something
new to learn or well worth reminding ourselves about.
Over
the- past decade I have been closely involved with both
Car Sales and the accounts operation and could perhaps
claim to have reached a full & detailed working knowledge
of the entire Company! However, I do not believe this
could ever be the case and have just ordered your publication"Management
Accounts Made Easy" which I am confident will teach
me things I don't yet know and improve the things I do.
Kind regards
Andrew Mooresmith
Managing Director - Bourne Road Garage Ltd
All
I can say about Jeff and his outstanding training and
coaching is: if you haven't contacted him yet, you are
already too late!
Knowledgeable,
with excellent communication skills and truly interested
in improving your business performance, I would recommend
Jeff to any business.
Ignacio
de Isusi
Country Manager - UK and Ireland at Harley-Davidson
Motor Company
Jeff came
to my attention through Kia UK training and has since
become a regular provider of thought provoking ideas and
solutions to all aspects of the motor business. When my
staff have attended his training they have all asked for
more, so there is the recommendation. If you have not
read his books, I strongly urge you to do so."
Year first hired: 2004 (hired more than once)
Top Qualities: Expert, High Integrity, Creative
Grant
Long
Managing Director, Norfolk
Motor Company
Dear
Jeff
I write to
express my sincere thanks for delivering your fantastic
development programme to Harley-Davidson UK and its Dealer
Principals.
As ever, the
delegates ranged from the open minded to the "veterans"
who have seen and done it all before. However, the feedback
from every single delegate - both internally within Harley-
Davidson and from our dealer delegates - was incredibly
positive. I am certain that your programme will result
in a change in the way we all think about how a business
operates and allow us all to focus on the main priorities
to change things for the better.
It was a breath
of fresh air to experience the way in which your programme
is delivered. It never felt like a training course; instead
we all seemed to find the answers to complex puzzles from
within ourselves. Your insistence on returning to difficult
questions until it was burnt into our minds was both frightening
and hugely rewarding. One of my colleagues now dreams
about Current Ratio!
Our course
notes, together with the magnificent KPI Book will stand
us all in good stead - particularly in the current economic
environment.
It is particularly
impressive that you have happily taken calls, answered
emails and given advice to any previous delegate even
though their programme has now finished. I have benefited
personally from your help and remain a true supporter
of Insight and Jeff Smith.
I would recommend
your development programme without a single reservation
to any automotive company that is looking to improve any
aspect of its business. I cannot see anybody ever claiming
under the terms of your money back guarantee.
Keep up the
great work
Yours sincerely
David
Macpherson
District Manager, Northern UK and Ireland.
Harley Davidson
View
the original letter written to Jeff Smith
by David MacPherson at Harley Davidson
"Jeff's
"Improving Operational Performance" training
course is a benchmark for all of my Area Managers when
dealing with our Dealer Network. Without these key skills
they would not be best placed to advise on industry best
practice relevant to an individual dealers situation.
Having seen the positive impact on our Field Force, we
have worked with Jeff to successfully adapt the course
for Dealer Principals, which even the most seasoned of
operators have benefited from. The issue here is not ability,
it is the understanding of the impact of an every day
business decision. "One of the best training courses
we have attended" - a quote from both Area Managers
and Dealer Principals alike!"
Mark
Dickens
Regional Director, Renault UK Ltd
How To Sell More Used
Cars
And Make More Profit
"I normally
come away from a course with 1 or 2 ideas, but after attending
this course I am really excited about getting back to
the business because I have 9 very strong ideas/actions
to implement.
I've been
in the Motor Industry for 15 years and I've been using
words and terminology everyday but do not actually have
a clue what they mean! I feel that this course has been
a 100% success for me in my role.
Dave
Allen
Used Stock Manger
Dales Central Motors Ltd
(Renault/Mitsubishi/Seat/Suzuki)
Improving
Operational Performance
Finland and the Nordic Region
Jeff Smith’s
course on Improving Operational Performance helped me
to better understand which KPI to focus on.
The measures
of performance were explained in a clear way that you
can immediately use in a dealership. The experience I
gained from this course will certainly add value to my
work with dealers.
Bo Mouritzen
After Sales Performance Manager, Nissan, Denmark
Renault
UK Field Team
Development Programme
I had the
privilege of recently being on the receiving end of Jeff
Smith's 6 days IOP training. In 12 years professional
experience, I never attended a course as practical, didactic
and captivating. The intelligence of it lies in its revealing
simplicity. The target is the automotive industry in general
and its network of dealerships in particular.
The training
provides whoever attends it with a comprehensive and yet
pragmatic overview of the operations of a business and
the importance of Key Performance Indicators to run it.
Whether financial or operational, these KPIs need to be
relevant and pertinent enough to help analyse, manage
and take appropriate strategic actions to successfully
run a dealership.
First you
are provided with a down to earth overview of business
accounting structure relevant to a dealer. Then you are
presented with an unlimited number of Key Performance
Indicators all equally linked to the automotive industry.
The course actually teaches you which KPI to choose and
why before showing you how a dealership can be accurately
diagnosed and efficiently driven using financial and operational
data.
The material
and illustrations used during the training are inspiring,
innovative and interactive. But the strength of the programme
originates mainly from the man delivering it. Jeff Smith
brings with him extensive practical experience gathered
at dealer level. Yet it is mainly his quiet composure
and witty guidance that make the experience a truly unforgettable
one.
An experience
which I have most certainly already recommend and will
carry on recommending to anybody currently interested
and/or working in the automotive industry.
Mathieu
Pointeau
Manager, Network Quality
Renault UK
Insight training
programmes have been externally verified by The IMI and
have their QAA seal of approval, here are the words taken
directly from their assessment:
"The standard of
assessments, feedback and support to candidates
is 1st Class. Jeff Smith's approach and attention to detail
sets the benchmark for the Motor Industry."
Roger
Dipple - Lead External Verifier, The IMI.
Mark Bayliss
Qatar Automobiles Company
Dear Jeff,
Firstly I
hope you had a pleasant trip back to the UK?
Secondly I
would like to thank-you on behalf of the QAC Aftersales
Management team for the excellent KPI training course
here in Doha.
In my 26 years
in the motor trade I have never seen a course have such
a positive impact.
On my return
to work today I have been greeted by a team of people
that would appear to have spent most of their weekend
thinking of new ideas and procedures to enhance our business
buy using KPIs
My very Kindest
regards
Mark Anthony
Bayliss
Aftersales Manager
Jeff
Smith books get the royal seal of approval
from Sheikh Nawaf N Al-Thani
Read
the full article here
Pendragon
PLC
Click
here to see larger letter from Wayne Edwards
Contact
Wayne
Edwards by email
National Franchise Director of Pendragon PLC
Dear Jeff,
For me the
pleasure of working with you has been very profound. What
we all learned is we have a lot to learn still, and we
never stop learning new approaches to business and management.
You have stimulated
my team enormously.
Best wishes
from us all here in Doha.
Paul
Maryan
Chief Operations Officer
- Automotive
NBK, Qatar
Contact Paul
Maryan by email
Click
here to see larger letter from Paul Maryan
Click
here to see larger letter from Paul Maryan
"There
are soft skills generic /classic trainings that energizes
ones brain to explain (in general terms) things one can
do to POSSIBLY become more effective in some skills and
there are the hard core technical training in some specific
area or technology to pass a certain knowledge / know
how in one or two areas…. As for the training our
top management received from you last week; it has delivered
a substantial amount of both the SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE
ALL AROUND the Automotive Industry which could be applied
immediately the following day making one not only identify
all the important KPI in the business; but also, the reason
behind each resultant KPI.
All our
top Management Team enjoyed the experience that summarized
the Automotive Business Management in two days and looking
forward to the next challenge of part 2. Thank you Jeff
for this wonderful experience."
Ayman Khaleel
Human Resources Manager, NBK - Qatar.
Dear Jeff,
I would like
to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all
your efforts in assisting me during the course of my Bodyshop
Management ARMS assignments. I have developed a skill
in report writing that I never thought was possible due
to the 'second to none' mentoring that I have received
from you.
Your mentoring
has nurtured me from a complete novice to an accomplished
report writer within the space of my first four reports.
Not only has
this enabled me to be in a position to complete the full
set of ARMS assignments with top grades, more importantly
than that, it has enabled me to apply this skill within
our business to highlight and report to others, areas
of weakness within all aspects of our business that were
impacting on performance and ultimately bottom line profit.
The presentation
of these reports has been impacting and the areas highlighted
within them that have been addressed have proved to be
massively beneficial to our company, enabling it to grow
impressively into a successful and well respected regional
brand.
Without your
assistance I don't believe that any of this would have
been achievable.
Chris
Hammond
Director - Lovells Auto Body Centres (Peterborough
and Spalding)
Click
to see the whole letter
"I
cannot overstate the impact of Jeff Smith’s presentation
at our recent Inchcape Retail Group Aftersales Managers
meeting which was held at The Heritage Centre in Gaydon.
It was wonderfully simple to understand, yet very powerful
in its approach in teaching us all how to further improve
the profitability from our Aftersales departments.
He also managed to crisply communicate the message in
a relaxed way and best of all we had some genuine fun
when completing the KPI Quiz that he asked us to do.
There were some hard hitting messages in the presentation
and we all concluded that he prepared a presentation that
seriously differentiates him from the crowd and will most
definitely help us to improve our performance.
I highly recommend Jeff as a Professional Speaker for
any conference.”
Neil
Tonks
Inchcape Retail Group Aftersales Director
"In
today's industry improving operational performance is
no longer a luxury - it is a necessary condition for survival.
Having been on two of Jeff's courses I would honestly
say that they were the most valuable I have ever attended.
They are simply a must for anyone either working directly
in, or having day to day contact with automotive retailers"
Justin Elias
Regional Director, Renault UK Ltd
"Morning
Jeff,
thank you
for a very interesting day on Tuesday. I am glad I took
the opportunity to attend for the day rather than attempt
the online assessment. I have recommended this route to
my colleagues who still have to complete the finance module.
Your enthusiasm for the subject was refreshing and the
course content was instantly relevant to my position (can't
wait for end of month accounts now!!)
You appear
to be living in the real world not viewing it through
rose-tinted spectacles. It was different to have a meaningful
assessment rather than an acknowledgment of course attendance.
I have made a start to your book and finding it very useful."
Ken Gordon
Aftersales Manager, Chathams Honda
"Many
thanks for your e-mail, and I look forward with great
anticipation to receiving your newsletters !
I enjoyed the course very much, but did find it very intense.
Perhaps 2 days would be better ! A great deal of what
we discussed were items that I had no experience of whatsoever,
so it was a massive learning curve for me.
If I had known what you showed us years ago, perhaps I
might have been a DP by now!
Thanks once again and I look forward to seeing you and
speaking with you again."
Brian Kent
Sales Manager, Hepworth Honda Halifax
"Dear
Jeff
I must
say that I have enjoyed every minute of the two days training,
I felt challenged at all times and that pushed me harder.
I feel now confident to express and share my opinion with
my team more, the KPI’s we have learnt are essential
for better managing our business.
I look
forward to go on to the second stage of the training."
Ahmed
Habib
General Manager, Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Services
"Hi
Jeff,
Just a short line to let you know- Not only have you helped
me improve my own business skills, you've also won our
company a major training award!"
Kevin
Vokes
Bodyshop Manager, The Hammond Group
Click
here to
See the whole letter
"Hi
Jeff
thank you
for a fantastic two days!
Your intention
of taking our minds out of the comfort zone for me was
an understatement “out of body may be more accurate”,
as I explained coming from my background Aftersales many
of the Sales calculation models I had no experience in
so I am quietly pleased with what I achieved and certainly
learnt.
It will
benefit all of us here not just me.
Regards
Peter
Knowles
Dealer Principal, Shepton Mallet Motors, Somerset.
"Our
underlying objective was simple. It was to help dealers
get a better return on their investment. We knew that
if we achieved this we would secure both their and our
own long-term future.
To do
this we had to make sure that both the dealers and ourselves
fully understood how a dealership should operate as
one homogenous unit and not as a collection in individual
units competing rather than complimenting each others
operations.
Throughout
the profit workshops expertly presented by Jeff, many
industry and business myths were totally exploded. Agreement
was reached as to what K.P.I.s should be measured, why
they should be measured and how they should be measured.
The outcome was a real understanding of the business
issues and the use of a common language that will make
our performance standards more meaningful and easier
to manage.
The tutelage
provided by Jeff is the cornerstone in the future development
of our Dealer Principals and Field managers. The KPI
Book written by Jeff forms the focal point of all our
management development programmes at every level.
Brian
Burns
Training Manager, Renault Trucks.
"Good
afternoon Jeff,
may I take
the opportunity to once again thank you for the best
training course I have ever attended.
I will be letting my Director know how much I enjoyed
the course and I personally think all leaders in the
group will gain a lot from it.
I have come back and I am implementing my plan to use
the apprentices as you have suggested, so I will let
you know how I get on.
I have
still not put down your book, how to make more profit
from your service department!"
Warren
Eason
Service Team Leader, Pendragon.
When
you want to know
how to make more profit and keep it...
