It’s a simple word with complex connotation at times. Pleasant, delightful, agreeable, decent, respectable, skillful, likeable, friendly, engaging, gracious, polite, kind, charming…. All these words come to mind when I think of “NICE”.  As a matter of fact, this simple/complex word has been the buzz word highlighted in many recent discussions here on the dealerELITE forum as well as in my group Carbucks in Facebook. 

If we could all be a little “NICER” to our clients, to our co-workers, to our vendors, we could really make a difference!  The auto industry, (to borrow the words from George H. W. Bush) would be a kinder and gentler industry, not only in terms of perception to the American consumer, but this difference would genuinely afford the industry the “Zest Appeal” warranted to attract talented quality people to indulge in a rewarding automotive career.

I had the honor and privilege to attend the AutoMax seminar for the past three days in Atlantic City, as an invited guest.  During this period of time, the word “NICE” associated itself with my every encounter and experience, not by accident or coincidence, but because this is the natural personality or character of the group as a whole.  My journey began with two very “NICE” AutoMax trainers greeting me at the airport, providing a shuttle back to the hotel.  Our cordial and warm exchange of conversation was followed by a “NICE” welcoming hug from Fran Taylor in the hotel lobby.  I passed the hug onto David Johnson, who was not quite sure who I was at first, but I must say, “What a “NICE” guy he is!”  “NICE” smiles and hospitality engulfed the room at the social reception as many social media relationships met physically in person for the first time! 

To commence the morning session, Craig Lockerd conveyed an authentic love and compassion to each member of his team as he recited from Og Mandino’s scroll  from the book, “The Greatest Secret in the World”…”I will greet this day with love in my heart. For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. Muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men and until I master this art I will remain no more than a peddler in the market place. I will make love my greatest weapon and none on whom I call can defend against its force.”  This set the mood for the entire seminar as a “NICE” expression of love served as an underlying theme for every topic discussed and every new relationship forged! 

This “NICE” experience was life-altering for me and I felt worth sharing because so many of these relationships were first formed in dealerELITE or Facebook.  The power of social media has not yet been revealed as there are infinite possibilities hidden here, potential relationships buried in these walls of social platforms.  However, if we engage ourselves, by breaking down the walls of fear, anxiety, distrust, all prohibiting us to take full advantage of what these formulated relationships can provide… bringing “NICE” to the automotive industry along with the prosperity, happiness and success which accompanies “NICE”.

What types of positive effects do you think being "NICE" can have regarding your personal career, your relationships with clients and colleagues, and the auto industry as a whole????

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Replies to This Discussion

Jodi, Your Christian based passion resonates from your every being! What a pleasure...looking forward to a long lasting friendship with you and others from AutoMax!


Jodi Adkins said:
Nancy, it was a pleasure meeting you. Your passion and values are so authentic and real that people can feel that the moment they meet you. To be the authentic you, walk with god and believe in AutoMax, I think the only place we can go is up. You are one of a kind, with a soul filled with grace. AutoMax is blessed to have you and this whole team of individuals on board. Imagine the possibilities by just believing in what we do? Change peoples lives, help others and lead by example. That is the road to success. Craig your passion has brought together these individuals who are now friends. As long as we believe and feel the passion of what we do, then the rest is cake, there is a huge difference of selling something but not really believing in the product they are selling vs truly believing in what you are selling.. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

...just wow....all I can say is wow!
NANCY SIMMONS said:
Jodi, Your Christian based passion resonates from your every being! What a pleasure...looking forward to a long lasting friendship with you and others from AutoMax!


Jodi Adkins said:
Nancy, it was a pleasure meeting you. Your passion and values are so authentic and real that people can feel that the moment they meet you. To be the authentic you, walk with god and believe in AutoMax, I think the only place we can go is up. You are one of a kind, with a soul filled with grace. AutoMax is blessed to have you and this whole team of individuals on board. Imagine the possibilities by just believing in what we do? Change peoples lives, help others and lead by example. That is the road to success. Craig your passion has brought together these individuals who are now friends. As long as we believe and feel the passion of what we do, then the rest is cake, there is a huge difference of selling something but not really believing in the product they are selling vs truly believing in what you are selling.. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
The word " NICE", is not often a word associated with our industry, but the professionals I have met almost always are. At AutoMax our "niceness", stems from the mutal respect that we have for each other. Everyone brings a different perspective to the table and we all learn from each other. At this conference we had the opportunity to learn and engage with great guest speskers ( Fran, Troy, Nancy, David, Jim, et all) and broaden our experiences even more. It all begins with Craig's vision and the commitment of those who are part of this company. We are not nice because of what we do, we are nice because of who we are. Thanks again Nancy for attending, and most importantly being yourself.
I've said it a few times that the traditional relationship that the car buyer and car seller has, has to change, it's a very adversarial relationship, one where each side is always trying to get the upper hand. In order to implement the kind of change that's needed to create brand ambassadors (the customers that spread the good word about the dealership) then the change has to come from within. The word "NICE" is a very good starting point but must be continued on to include integrity, over delivery, and genuine customer service before, during and after the sale.

The people who must institute this change starts with the people who hire and train new sales people to accept this new way of doing business as being the ONLY way to do business. Automax is the nations leading automotive sales recruiting and training company and because they are "NICE," over deliver and have tremendous amounts of integrity then they are the perfect people to help institute this change.

I noticed the same things you did Nancy and totally concur with everything you said.

I hope you all are having or had a "NICE" Thanksgiving!!
Nancy
It was a pleasure meeting you at the conference. Nice in my opinion is another room for another word RESPECT. or the GOLDEN RULE, as you mentioned the world would be better if we treated others as we would want to be treated. Without being said I believe this IS AUTOMAX's mission.
Abe, the feeling is mutual~



Abe Hopper said:
I was pleased to meet you ... yes, you are "NICE". Thank you for being our friend.
Rick, it was a pleasure to meet you as well! The AutoMax family is truly a family of love and mutual respect!


Rick Bryant said:
Nancy
It was a pleasure meeting you at the conference. Nice in my opinion is another room for another word RESPECT. or the GOLDEN RULE, as you mentioned the world would be better if we treated others as we would want to be treated. Without being said I believe this IS AUTOMAX's mission.
David, I was so impressed with your automotive intellect and your warm and caring demeanor...represents the AutoMax way!


David L Hoier said:
The word " NICE", is not often a word associated with our industry, but the professionals I have met almost always are. At AutoMax our "niceness", stems from the mutal respect that we have for each other. Everyone brings a different perspective to the table and we all learn from each other. At this conference we had the opportunity to learn and engage with great guest speskers ( Fran, Troy, Nancy, David, Jim, et all) and broaden our experiences even more. It all begins with Craig's vision and the commitment of those who are part of this company. We are not nice because of what we do, we are nice because of who we are. Thanks again Nancy for attending, and most importantly being yourself.
David! So great to meet you in "real life"! If we can simply just start with trying to be a little nicer, in a baby step sort of way, respect, integrity, business scruples will all follow! Step by step, salesperson by salesperson, dealership by dealership, the industry will be looked upon as one of integrity! You are so right that it starts at the recruiting and training stage by hiring individuals with no bad habits and training them with compassion on ethical business practices!


David Johnson said:
I've said it a few times that the traditional relationship that the car buyer and car seller has, has to change, it's a very adversarial relationship, one where each side is always trying to get the upper hand. In order to implement the kind of change that's needed to create brand ambassadors (the customers that spread the good word about the dealership) then the change has to come from within. The word "NICE" is a very good starting point but must be continued on to include integrity, over delivery, and genuine customer service before, during and after the sale.

The people who must institute this change starts with the people who hire and train new sales people to accept this new way of doing business as being the ONLY way to do business. Automax is the nations leading automotive sales recruiting and training company and because they are "NICE," over deliver and have tremendous amounts of integrity then they are the perfect people to help institute this change.

I noticed the same things you did Nancy and totally concur with everything you said.

I hope you all are having or had a "NICE" Thanksgiving!!
So let me ask all of you this question that Nancy put out there" What types of positive effects do you think being "NICE" can have regarding your personal career, your relationships with clients and colleagues, and the auto industry as a whole????"
People in life have there moments. I have been a real jerk before from time to time with Colleagues and in my personal life. I despised my self many times after. I almost always wished I could take back the words or at least taper them down. Over the last 20+ years I have bit my tong and killed a lot of people with kindness. It works better and I feel better about my self and my relationships. I can never remember one single time that I was nice to someone that I regret. Some times saying nothing works best. I still make mistakes but when that happens looking someone square in the eye and saying I am sorry will erase some of the damage caused by not being nice!



Craig Lockerd said:
So let me ask all of you this question that Nancy put out there" What types of positive effects do you think being "NICE" can have regarding your personal career, your relationships with clients and colleagues, and the auto industry as a whole????"
One word? HUGE! I'm tired of hearing the saying, "Nice guys finish last." I will ALWAYS treat people with dignity and respect no matter what because that's the way I want to be treated. While climbing the ladder of success I don't want to look down and see the bodies of the people I pulled down laying on the ground below me, I would much rather help those around me up the ladder with a push in the right direction.

Some people would say that being nice is for sissies and that in order to be successful you have to be a jerk, knock everybody out of your way, lie, cheat, steal and don't care who you step on. That's hogwash, the kind of success that brings I want none of. I will just continue to walk down the path of "NICE."

Being nice builds stronger relationships and it's in those relationships, relationships with your clients and others that will propel you to the upper stratospheres of success. If you don't agree then you don't see success how I see success, happiness how I see happiness, fulfillment how I see fulfillment.

That's the reason why I enjoy working with Craig and Automax, I think they feel the same way...




Craig Lockerd said:
So let me ask all of you this question that Nancy put out there" What types of positive effects do you think being "NICE" can have regarding your personal career, your relationships with clients and colleagues, and the auto industry as a whole????"

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