The Miles And The Markers

In this episode, Gene Girdley shares how he got the call to be interviewed and how he received an offer to become part of Saturn's Retail Training Team. He also takes a deep dive into what really happened to the Saturn Brand, and he challenges consumers to demand change by doing business with manufacturers and dealers willing to do things right. For more information about the demise of Saturn, see this article https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/08/saturn-gm-innovation-leadership-managing-failure.html?sh=62585e126ee3 

Gene returns with a new episode including the story of how his success was chronicled in Sales and Marketing Management Magazine, which featured the Top 25 Sales Forces in America in October 1998. The cover featured Michael Dell. This was a key transition point that set the stage for Gene to move from retail automotive to becoming a trainer for Saturn. 

There's an added bonus at the end of this segment as Gene reads a prayer of thanksgiving from The Book of Common Prayer. 

Enjoy and have a blessed week!

In this episode - Pay it Forward, Gene begins with his perspective on the recent Kentucky Derby surprise, and his view that there was more to it than strategic planning, goal setting, and belief. In a contrarian view to common motivational and self-actualization points of view, Nikola Tesla said, "The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his actions are governed not from within, but from without. He is like a float tossed about by the waves of a turbulent sea." 

Enjoy!

"Working The Plan", means doing what is necessary to accomplish the goal. Like focusing on the road to your destination. In this episode, Gene discusses his transition from a sales consultant to a finance manager, and the many things he learned along the way. He also shares some interesting stories about how dealerships take advantage of mistakes made by manufacturers and lenders. 

Always Be Ready

 

So much in this episode about being ready when the opportunity arises. Once again ahead of its time, Saturn becomes the first to market a full electric vehicle (GM's EV1) and that gave me a chance to prove my ability as a trainer. I also share the role my friend Chris Saraceno played in helping me. I am pleased to share the new song from Chris' book, The Theory of 5, in this episode. I also share my philosophy about achieving goals and the role spirituality plays. 

 

One of my favorite chapters! In this episode, I unpack how I set a goal to become a Saturn trainer and some of the negative feedback I received. I also share examples from personalities in the Bible, and I share about my good friend Joe Jordan!

Enjoy!

In this episode, Gene tackles two chapters of The Miles and the Markers. He talks about his experience in being trained and the changes in training that have occurred during his career in automotive. 

In this episode, Gene talks about the importance of follow-up, how to follow-up, and why relationships are the most important part of sales and business.  Gene also discusses his recent visit to NADA 2022, and a new contact from Ukraine. 

Gene is the author of The Miles and The Markers book - available on Amazon. 

#Thegenepool

In this episode, Gene plays a fun clip from a personal interview with Jay Leno, and he discusses the idea of learning as a knowledge bank account that you can draw from when things in your world change suddenly. Gene also addresses current events and the need for each of us to be mindful and grateful. 

VALUES MATTER!

 

In this episode, Gene goes deep into how the principles of dealership operations were created at Saturn Corporation, and he challenges listeners with the question: Are your visions and values posted, easily understood, and lived by all team members? Do customers know and experience your core values?