 |
|
|
| |
 |
Interview with George Nenni, VP and General Manager, Dominion Dealer Solutions |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
 |
VP and General Manager, |
Dominion Dealer Solutions |
Contact Info:
george@getauto.com
|
In his new role with Dominion Dealer Solutions, George is responsible for overseeing six different groups that form a foundation to provide a total Web solution for automotive customers. The group includes Dealer Specialties, Dealer Data Services, Dealerskins, XIGroup and SelectQu.
George began his career with CompuServe, joining Dealer Specialties in 1993. He was Director of Operations in 1999 when the company was acquired by Dominion Dealer Solutions, and was promoted in 2001 to Vice President & General Manager. George has been instrumental in the growth of Dealer Specialties and in building its automotive technology services.
George graduated from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1987 with a B.S. degree in Marketing.
|
|
|
| |
|
Ted: Please tell our readers a bit about Dealer Specialties and the role that you play there.
Nenni: Dealer Specialties was started as a family business back in 1989, primarily as a provider of used vehicle window labeling services. The business was literally formed during a Thanksgiving dinner among my very large family. I joined in 1993 as the first employee. We experienced quite rapid growth from 1994 to 1995 covering every metro in the U.S. with mobile operators, all the while still focused only on descriptive window labels and FTC Buyers Guides. In 1995, as the Internet was just becoming popular, we decided to reinvent the business. We began sending modems and digital cameras out to our field reps, and started collecting the data that had previously only appeared on our window labels. In that same year, we launched our www.GetAuto.com Web site, posting 400,000 used vehicles online, and the first of its kind. It was an amazing time of early innovation on the Web. However, most of the startups were only focused on new cars. Back then only GetAuto.com and TraderOnline.com really understood the opportunities for used cars. It was only fitting that eventually we would become part of TraderOnline, which today is Dominion Enterprises.
Ted: What does Dealer Specialties do to make sure its customers' vehicles stand out online?
Nenni: We focus on presenting the most detailed and high quality representation of the vehicle. We go well beyond the standard VIN decoding, and instead describe the vehicle the same way it would have appeared on the new factory label. We know shoppers want vehicle details before stepping foot on a dealer's lot. Therefore, we take quality photos and lots of them. We also hired a 3rd party company to personally inspect and rate each and every photo our mobile operators capture. Within 24 hours of capturing a vehicle photo, our graders will approve the photo or notify our reps to quickly retake the image. We are also leading the way with vehicle videos for our dealers. We call them "Vevos." Our vehicle video product has grown 500% in the last 6 months. Our field reps communicate industry trends, including shoppers' preference of interactive videos. Dealers love the increased results from posting online videos of their cars and capturing this interactive audience.
Ted: What happens when a Dealer Specialties expert representative visits a participating dealership?
Nenni: Service frequency is something we pride ourselves on. Based on each dealer's volume, our field reps have a required number of stops, even if that dealer doesn't have any fresh units to photograph. Once they arrive at the lot, our reps quickly start collecting the data and photos, then they connect to the Web via wireless cards and upload the data. Since we update our data partners multiple times per day, the dealer's inventory is updated on the Web within hours of our rep taking the photo.
All of this is especially true if the dealer uses our sister company, Dealerskins, for their Web site. We have extremely tight data integration with Dealerskins - dealers doing business with Dealer Specialties and Dealerskins have a higher inventory refresh rate than those who don't have both. This also captures two out of three online venues that shoppers use: third-party Web sites and dealer Web sites. Our reps are also available to the dealer to help train them on our inventory decision, management and marketing tools, as well as helping them interpret their stats and activity reports.
Ted: What is the single most compelling reason for a prospective customer to choose Dealer Specialties?
Nenni: Accountability. If a dealer has a concern with any element of our service, or the service of our sister companies like Dealerskins, we will make things right for the dealer. For us, the buck stops with every manager in our company. We empower our management team to solve problems and to make our customers happy. If a dealer decides that they don't like our full-service solution, we are happy to connect them with our sister companies (DataOne Software and XI Group) who can set them up with a self-service software solution. We'll also make sure we convert the dealers' existing inventory to DataOne or XI's self-service system, to make sure their Web marketing doesn't miss a beat. Providing dealers with the option to take full-service in-house and vice versa is demonstrated through our team's flexibility, knowledge and desire to do what's in a dealership's best interest.
Ted: What's your history, what did you do before Dealer Specialties?
Nenni: I've been working since I was pretty young, holding positions in my father's commercial printing business from the 5th grade through high school. Right out of college, I became a sales rep for CompuServe in Columbus, Ohio. I joined Dealer Specialties in 1993. Since we were acquired by Dominion Enterprises in January of 2000, I've continued in my role and enjoyed every minute of it. With Dominion also owning Dealerskins, AutoRevenue, XI Group, and other automotive companies, the opportunities are endless. Dominion's entrepreneurial culture still allows me to run Dealer Specialties much like I did before the acquisition.
Ted: What do you like to do in your free time?
Nenni: I have four young children and a wonderful wife, and I enjoy spending time with them. I also enjoy taking long rides on my road bike, as well as playing a little golf.
|
| |
=========================================Advertisement=========================================
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| |
|
|
Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars |
|
| |
 |
When: August 6 – 10, 2007
Where: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Traverse City, MI
Why this conference is one of the "Must-Attends" for Summer 2007:
Today's automotive industry is on an accelerating path of fast-paced change affecting all aspects of the global business. Negotiating the road to success through industry restructuring requires skill, agility, passion, and drive. Join your colleagues at the annual Management Briefing Seminars- an industry summer tradition - for a week of sessions and networking.
Who will be presenting?:
Industry executives including: Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company; Bob Lutz, vice chairman, global product development, General Motors Corporation; Frank Klegon, executive vice president, product development, Chrysler; Jim Lentz, executive vice president, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.; Larry Jutte, senior vice president, North American purchasing, Honda of America Mfg., Inc.; John Krafcik, vice president, product development and strategic planning, Hyundai Motor America; Joseph Hinrichs, vice president, North America manufacturing, Ford Motor Company; Chip McClure, CEO and president, ArvinMeritor; and Mark Hogan, president, Magna International, Inc. will address attendees.
You won't want to miss the issue-focused sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Friday that will concentrate on innovation, design for customization, the connected vehicle and the digital highway, advanced powertrain development, supplier strategies, and global manufacturing competitiveness.
2007 Management Briefing Seminars
Monday, August 6
World Class Manufacturing I: Manufactured Solutions for Discontinuous Change
Innovate or Die!
Manufacturing: It's a Small World After All
Tuesday, August 7
World Class Manufacturing II: Driving to Lean Product and Process Development
Designing for Customization
Cooperating on the Connected Vehicle and Digital Highway
Wednesday, August 8
Automotive - The Road Ahead: Steering through Discontinuous Change
Thursday, August 9
Automotive - The Road Ahead: Steering through Discontinuous Change
Growing the Revenue Line: The OEMs' and Suppliers' Joint Interest in Commercializing Innovation
Friday, August 10
Advanced Powertrain Forum
From Traverse City to Success: Supplier Strategies and Tactics from MBS 2007
The Location: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
There is a new procedure for registering at the Resort. Once you have completed your registration for the Seminars, you will receive via e-mail a confirmation number and a link to print the Resort Housing Request form. The form can then be used to secure accommodations at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The Resort will confirm your reservation. Use this link to review the Resort's room rates. The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is the Midwest's largest full service, year-round resort and conference center. Situated on 900 acres in the northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula along the shores of Lake Michigan's East Grand Traverse Bay, the Resort is located six miles northeast of Traverse City, Michigan and 10 minutes from Traverse City's Cherry Capital Airport.
|
| |
|
| |
=========================================Advertisement=========================================
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
| |
| |
|
|
David Klanica Named EVP and CFO of The RVI Group |
|
| |
The RVI Group has named David Klanica as EVP and CFO. He had previously been Vice President and CFO for Pitney Bowes Capital Services. Klanica will report to Douglas May, President and CEO, and will be responsible for the Finance, Treasury, and Information Technology Groups. He has over 30 years experience in the field of financial management.
www.thervigroup.com
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Ernst & Young Makes Randy Miller the Global Markets Leader for Automotive |
|
| |
Randy Miller has been appointed Global Markets Leader of the Ernst & Young Global Automotive Center in Detroit. He previously served as the leader of Ernst & Young's North Center Area Business Risk Services practice in the US. As Markets Leader for the Global Automotive Center, Miller's responsibilities include global sector strategy development, thought leadership, and automotive solution tailoring and development to help grow Ernst & Young's presence and revenue in the automotive sector.
www.ey.com
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Southeast Toyota Distributors Promotes Ed Sheehy to SVP, Assistant General Manager |
|
| |
Ed Sheehy has been promoted to SVP and Assistant General Manager of Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET). Sheehy served most recently as SET Group VP of Marketing, Sales and Market Representation. In his new role, Sheehy will oversee vehicle sales, marketing, market representation, Dealer Development Group, distribution, sales planning and analysis, parts and service support, fleet operations, and consumer experience, as well as accessories sales and marketing.
www.jmfamily.com
|
| |
|
|
| |
=========================================Advertisement=========================================
|
| |
| |
|
|
Matthew Sturdevant Named Director of Product Marketing at Lund International |
|
| |
Lund International has named Matthew Sturdevant as its Director of Product Marketing. Sturdevant most recently served as their Director of Brand Management. He was the Marketing Manager at Deflecta-Shield from 1993 to 1998, helping to transition the brand when it was acquired by Lund International in 1997. As Director of Product Marketing, Sturdevant intends to focus on, building a team of marketing professionals who are as excited about the potential in this dynamic and diverse industry.
www.lundinternational.com
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Cobalt Names Julie Wainwright as EVP, General Manager of Dealix Division |
|
| |
Cobalt has named Julie Wainwright as EVP and General Manager of its Dealix Division. Wainwright began her 25-year career in management as a brand manager for the Clorox Company. A CEO for nearly a decade, she was previously the CEO of Bellamax, a San Francisco-based company that provides digital photo enhancement services. Wainwright has been recognized as one of the top women in technology by MicroTimes, the San Francisco Business Times and other organizations.
www.dealix.com
=========================================Advertisement=========================================
|
|
 |
| |
| |
|
|
Robert Beatty Wins Ernst & Young's 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year |
|
| |
Plexus Systems Founder and Chairman Robert Beatty has been named the winner in the prestigious 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program, Central Great Lakes Division in the information technology/software category. The judging criteria included a thorough assessment of recent Plexus Systems, Inc. financial performance, strategic direction and product innovation, company leadership including personal integrity, values and key employee initiatives, and community involvement.
www.plex.com
=========================================Advertisement=========================================
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
