Ep. 665 - Why Fixed Ops Isn’t Back-End—It’s the Backbone, with Nicole Dolphin

In this episode, my guest is Nicole Dolphin, Retail Development Manager at Groupe Touchette, and we’re digging into the part of the dealership that doesn’t always get its fair share of attention—Fixed Ops. Nicole shares how the service department isn’t just about oil changes and tires. It’s a relationship hub. It’s where trust is built (or lost). It’s often the reason someone decides to buy their next vehicle from you—or not. We talk about how dealerships can better introduce customers to the service side before problems happen, what most teams get wrong about customer handoffs, and how to make your fixed department feel less intimidating for first-time visitors. Nicole also shares her journey from receptionist to parts manager in luxury stores and what she learned about emotional intelligence, leadership, and navigating a male-dominated industry. If you’re trying to figure out:How to actually retain customers long-termWhat emotional intelligence has to do with customer loyaltyHow to develop your people without micromanaging themWhy knowing where to park can make or break a customer’s trust... ...you’ll want to hear this one all the way through. - - - This Episode"s Sponsor FlexDealer Need Better Quality Leads? FLX helps car dealers generate better quality leads through localized organic search and highly-targeted digital ads that convert. Not only that, they work tirelessly to ensure car dealers integrate marketing and operations for a robust and functional growth strategy. - - - Leave a Review: If you"re enjoying the podcast, we"d love an honest review here. - - - Socials: Follow on LinkedIn Follow on YouTube Follow on Facebook