Auto Collabs
Collaboration through connection.
Hosted by Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo, Auto Collabs is your connect point to the human side of the retail automotive industry: what motivates its leaders, how they navigate change, and what keeps them pushing forward. It’s beyond-the-business-card conversations with real people powering dealerships, technology platforms, and everything in between.
From the team behind the More Than Cars movement, this podcast is built on one big belief: thriving people create thriving businesses. With candid conversations, industry insight, and just enough unfiltered banter to keep things interesting, Auto Collabs delivers authentic stories that inspire real collaboration.
// Auto Collabs is produced by Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU). Learn more at https://www.asotu.com
Auto Collabs
Why “Good” Is the Most Dangerous Word in Retail Automotive | Auto Collabs
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Jen Suzuki doesn’t walk into a room, she revs it.
In this episode, she brings her signature “Jenergy” to a direct conversation about what’s really holding dealerships back: comfort. From outdated sales processes to leaders who’ve stepped too far away from the front lines, Jen makes it clear that if you’re not pushing yourself, someone else is already catching up.
This episode also dives into the role of mentorship in a world being reshaped by AI. Jen explains why leaders need to stay hands-on, how tools like GPT are changing customer expectations, and why ignoring them is no longer an option. AI isn’t just another tool. It’s exposing who is willing to adapt and who is not.
Timestamped Takeaways
0:00 Comfort leads to getting replaced
0:33 What “Jenergy” actually means
2:14 Learning the hard way without a mentor
3:04 Why one person believing in you matters
6:02 Where leadership development is falling short
8:02 Why leaders need to stay in the trenches
8:49 The sales process is outdated
9:32 Why templates are hurting your business
11:00 How to use AI in real conversations
12:23 Handling customers who use GPT
14:09 The risks of using AI without guardrails
16:14 Why AI is not going away
18:08 The cost of missed follow-up
20:22 Discipline does not change with the season
23:18 The real test of whether you embrace change
Connect with Jen Suzuki at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifersuzuki/
Learn more about ZusiTalk at https://www.zukitalk.com/
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