The headcount at DealTrak HQ is continuing to grow. And, in celebration of the faces both old and new – in terms of tenure, not age, of course – we’ve decided to give you the inside track on a different member of the team each month, to learn more about what makes them tick.
This month we’re finding out more about Jon Sheard, business development manager, who’s just coming up to his first anniversary with the DealTrak team – although we don’t know how we ever managed without him.
Summarise your role in one paragraph:
Responsible for growing our business within the Midlands and North West Region. This includes – but is not limited to – ensuring our existing customers are using DealTrak to its full potential and demonstrating any new features or benefits to them.
I also look after finding new opportunities with dealer and broker prospects, as well as talking to possible integration partners.
What’s the best part of your job?
Acting as a consultant to our customers and business prospects. There’s no denying that our users love DealTrak, so having conversations with them which highlight ways to make their experience even better is very rewarding.
Which one word do you think your colleagues would use to describe you?
Am I allowed two?! If so, it could be any of the following…
Automotive geek
Systems geek
Spreadsheet lover
Volvo driver
Sports fanatic
And what word do you think best describes DealTrak?
This analogy isn’t quite right as DealTrak doesn’t describe what it does... However, our customers say that it does everything they want it to do, so my word is ‘Ronseal’ – it does what it says on the tin.
What’s been the most satisfying moment of your DealTrak career so far?
Proving to a potential client that DealTrak is a viable strategic partner which can help to transform a business.
What do you love about the DealTrak office?
Working in a space which makes you proud to bring customers, prospects and partners into the office. Some of the industry’s biggest firms have visited our HQ recently, and they all comment on the impressive set-up we have here in Leeds.
Workplace wellbeing is something which is really important at DealTrak HQ, so what’s your favourite work perk?
The DealTrak house in Ossett. What better perk could there be than enjoying a microwave meal for two – and a spot of Netflix – with the company MD? In all seriousness though, the company rent a house not far from the office, and those of us who live a little further afield will stay over from time-to-time. I hear the homemade fish pies are legendary!
If one of your colleagues could win an award (industry or office-related) who would it be and why?
The ‘Dedication To The Chocolate World Cup Award’ must go to Jon Garton.
He found 32 chocolate bars still on sale, arranged them into eight leagues of four, and created kits for them all – linked closely to their wrappers. He then organised for the whole office to vote for the winners of 24 first round games, eight rounds of 16 games, four quarter finals, two semi-finals, a final as well as a third and fourth place play-off.
Not only that, but he also wrote match reports for each game – including witty one-liners such as – ‘looks like the four fingered fanatics took too long a break’ and organised for a box load of the winning treat to be delivered to head office. Now that’s what I call award-winning devotion!
What are your hopes for DealTrak in the coming year?
To have 100’s more sites using the DealTrak platform for implementing their entire F&I strategy.
What is the biggest challenge facing the industry over the next 12 months?
Brexit is such a boring answer, but until it is sorted there will be massive uncertainty, and this will give the industry a reason for not selling as many cars as they would like.
One challenge that appears to be getting traction around solutions, is how system providers are now talking to each other to create options which make a dealer’s life easier – while still using systems that they know and love. Integration is key to simplicity, and DealTrak is at the forefront of this.