From global franchises, to PLC's and owner drivers,
they all have something to say about us

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Jeff Smith
Author of
The KPI Book

 

Jeff-Smith.com

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Jeff Smith Training Courses

The KPI Book


Jeff Smith Books

FREE KPI
Profit Builder

Jeff Smith,
Conference Speaker

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Insight Training Home Page

Contact Insight Training

 

 

 

Genuine words of thanks and gratitute from our clients
in many corners of the world

 

"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

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"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

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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

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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 Edgware Road

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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

 

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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

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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.

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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 this 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

 

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"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.

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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

 

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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

 

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"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

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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)

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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Jeff Smith books get the royal seal of approval
from Sheikh Nawaf N Al-Thani
Read the full article here

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Pendragon PLC

Click here to see larger letter from Wayne Edwards

Contact Wayne Edwards by email
National Franchise Director of Pendragon PLC

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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

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"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.

 

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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

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"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

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"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

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"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 acknowledgement of course attendance. I have made a start to your book and finding it very useful."

Ken Gordon - Aftersales Manager, Chathams Honda

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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.

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