Integrated cloud-based solutions
The dealer contact meeting process performed by manufacturers is an essential part in improving the performance of their dealer network. However, it can also be a time-consuming task for Field Operations teams that requires a lot of coordination and planning. In this post we will cover five ways to improve the contact meeting process for field operations.
Having a clear understanding of your KPIs will help streamline discussions during the contact meeting. Instead of spending time trying to figure out what metrics are important to discuss, everyone involved can jump straight into addressing areas where there are opportunities for improvement. This not only saves time but also ensures that everyone is on the same page in terms of what needs to be improved and how.
An efficient and easy way to analyze KPIs is to use data analysis tools such as a performance dashboard. A good performance dashboard will consolidate all your data sources and allow you to see how each region, district, or specific dealer is performing in comparison to others. This can help you identify trends and areas for dealer improvement. During the meeting, it is also a good idea to use visual aids such as graphs or charts to help illustrate data trends over time. Look for a dashboard that allows you to easily view and download KPI charts to present to dealers during contact meetings.
Having a set of discussion topics to create structure for the conversation during contact meetings can help you manage time more effectively. By having a list of pre-determined discussion topics, you can ensure that all necessary points and KPIs are covered. It ensures everyone stays focused and avoids getting sidetracked by unrelated issues or tangents.
One way to create structure is with a CRM solution for field operations that allows Field Managers to select KPIs and turn them into discussion topics to discuss with their dealers. This is a great way to create structure for all contact meetings. Based on the discussion topics, field managers can provide recommendations to dealers for improvement.
One of the critical components of successful field operations is a well-designed monitoring system to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. This system should include a clear structure for tracking all tasks, deadlines, and progress updates. You should also be able to send notifications, important corporate documents, and follow-up reminders through the system.
By analyzing the data collected through your monitoring system over time, you can gain valuable insights into how well your team is performing and where there might be opportunities for improvement. By implementing an effective monitoring and prioritization system, you can help ensure that all field operations are running smoothly, efficiently and are contributing to improving your overall dealer contact meeting process.
Just as it is important to monitor the activities of the field managers it is also essential to have a system to track each dealer's action plan. This can be achieved with the help of a CRM for field operations that allows you to easily define, prioritize, and assign tasks to the responsible dealer personnel and then monitor progress. With some systems you can also automatically send reminders and track previous action items during the dealer meeting to ensure each one is completed.
A good CRM system also provides real-time data on dealer performance, so you'll be able to quickly identify problems before they become major issues and take corrective actions as needed. You can use this information to make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources, whether it's training programs, additional staff members, or budget. By monitoring and tracking each dealer's action plan, you can maintain accountability across your entire network of dealerships.
Having a central location to schedule contact meetings, assign action items, and keep meeting notes is crucial to improving your dealer contact meeting process. With a CRM for field operations, all this information can be stored in one place, making it easily accessible for everyone on the team. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and has access to the most up-to-date information.
Keeping meeting notes in one location online allows for easy reference later, so you can quickly look back and see what was discussed during previous meetings. Overall, having one central location to manage all aspects of your dealer contact meetings streamlines the process and increases efficiency.
In summary, there are numerous strategies to improve your contact meeting process. First, ensure that you are properly prepared by analyzing KPIs beforehand and create structure for all your meetings with pre-selected discussion topics. Next, ensure you have a solid action plan for your field and dealers. Finally, it is beneficial to have all the planning, scheduling, and documentation of the meeting in one central location to improve efficiency.
All of these strategies can be executed by implementing a CRM for field operations solution, such as
IKON, Optimum Info’s Dealer Contact Management system. Leveraging such technology can help you streamline the entire contact meeting process from start to finish while also providing valuable insights into dealership performance metrics. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure your field operations run as smoothly as possible and that your contact meetings lead to higher levels of success in the long run.
Diana is a consultant for Product Development, Business Development and Marketing at Optimum Info, a company providing tailored software solutions for Manufacturers to improve franchise network development, dealer profitability, field operations and after-sales processes.
Let us know how we can help you learn more.
