Strolid Sales Rock Stars Help Dealers Capture Every Lead
In today’s challenging automotive market, our Revenue Team has delivered exceptional results that embody Strolid’s mission to help dealerships Never Miss. April’s tightening inventories (down 10.2% month-over-month) and tariff pressures have created a perfect storm for dealers. Still, our team has risen with innovative solutions that turn obstacles into opportunities.
Link Whiteford Transforms Response Times at Steve Jones CDJR
When family-owned Steve Jones CDJR reached out for help, they weren’t just facing a minor hiccup in their lead management; they were watching potential sales walk out the door. General Manager Mike Jones knew something had to change.
“Their leads were going cold before they could even pick up the phone,” explains Sales Development Manager Link Whiteford, who quickly diagnosed the dealership’s pain point. “We’ve seen this pattern before. Our data consistently shows that connecting with customers within minutes, not hours, boosts appointment rates.”
The solution wasn’t just about technology; it required a complete rethinking of customer engagement. By implementing Strolid’s Sales BDC solution, Steve Jones CDJR now leverages our round-the-clock personalized response system that ensures every inquiry receives prompt attention, even after business hours or during peak floor traffic.
What makes this partnership particularly compelling is how seamlessly our team integrated with the dealership’s unique culture. “Mike’s team prides themselves on delivering white-glove service in everything they do,” notes Whiteford. “We didn’t just drop in a generic system; we became an authentic extension of their team, reflecting their values in every customer interaction.”
The results speak for themselves. The dealership is seeing measurable increases in show rates and maintained its sterling community reputation while navigating the transition from March’s tariff-driven sales surge to April’s inventory challenges.
Reed Zibilich Stabilizes Operations During Critical Transition
Sometimes success isn’t just about numbers; it’s about being the steady hand during times of change. This was precisely the Warrensburg CDJR/Ford situation when Sales Director Reed Zibilich stepped in to help.
“What struck me immediately was that their challenges went deeper than process issues,” Zibilich recalls. “The new ownership was trying to establish direction while dealing with BDC turnover and inconsistency. They needed more than a vendor. They needed a partner who could provide stability.”
Rather than approaching with a one-size-fits-all solution, Zibilich took the time to understand the dealership’s unique dynamics. Implementing Strolid’s hybrid BDC model, which thoughtfully combines AI-driven customer insights with genuine human conversations, provided immediate relief from staffing pressures while improving critical metrics like set/show rates.
“I remember the day their Operations Manager pulled me aside and said, ‘For the first time in months, I’m not waking up wondering if we’ll have enough people to handle leads,'” shares Zibilich. “That’s when I knew we were making a real difference.”
This approach has proven equally effective at Brown Daub Chevrolet, where chronic hiring challenges have created a ceiling on growth potential. With Strolid handling lead management, both dealerships have been able to redirect their focus to strategic priorities, including navigating April’s push to clear EV inventory ahead of tax credit changes.
Behind the scenes, our IT team deserves special recognition for ensuring these partnerships run smoothly, even when integrating with complex corporate systems. Their dedication to seamless CRM integration has been particularly crucial during this period of market volatility.
Why These Successes Matter for All of Us
The sales victories we’re celebrating this month reflect something much larger than individual deals – they demonstrate Strolid’s unique ability to adapt to the distinctive challenges of 2025’s automotive retail landscape. Industry projections of 16.5 million new vehicle sales this year mean the stakes are higher than ever for dealers fighting for market share.
What’s particularly telling is how our approach aligns with the broader industry shift identified in recent Boston Consulting Group research: 87% of dealers now prioritize operational agility over pure expansion goals. This isn’t just a temporary reaction to market conditions; it’s a fundamental reimagining of what drives dealership success.
Whiteford’s laser focus on speed-to-lead and Zibilich’s emphasis on operational stability aren’t just solving today’s problems; they’re helping our dealer partners build sustainable advantages that will serve them regardless of what market conditions emerge next.
As we look ahead, every single Strolid team member plays a vital role in delivering on our “Never Miss” promise. Whether you’re refining our AI tools to better understand customer intent, ensuring our IT infrastructure performs flawlessly, or providing the training that keeps our dealer communications authentic and compelling, your work empowers dealerships to thrive in an environment where every potential sale starts with a single lead.
Let’s continue championing the values differentiating us in the marketplace: genuine relationships, complete transparency, a sense of urgency, pioneering solutions, and unwavering ethics. After all, our success is inextricably linked to our dealers’ success.
Together, we’ll ensure no sales opportunity is ever missed.