Turning a Broken Dealership Around With Kevin Deutsch

TimTalks: Automotive Leadership and Beyond

In this episode of TimTalks, Tim Cox sits down with Kevin Deutsch, general manager of Butler Lexus of South Atlanta, to dive deep into the strategies and leadership mindset that transformed a failing Lexus dealership into a thriving, market-leading store. Kevin shares how removing titles from business cards fostered a problem-solving culture, how daily meetings keep his team aligned, and how he empowered managers to take ownership across all departments. He also explains why transparency, both with employees and customers, has been essential to the dealership's success. This episode is packed with insights on leadership, accountability, and the power of cohesive teamwork.

Guest and Contact

Follow Kevin Deutsch, general manager of Butler Lexus of South Atlanta and radio talk show host “Car Guys” WSB Radio on Linkedin

Show Notes:

[00:00 - 01:00] – Introduction
Tim Cox welcomes guest Kevin Deutsch, GM of Butler Lexus of South Atlanta, and highlights Kevin’s extensive experience in the automotive industry, as well as his national radio show, The Car Guys on WSB.

[01:00 - 02:30] – Perception vs. Reality in Dealerships
Tim and Kevin discuss how social media often doesn’t align with reality. They explore the importance of maintaining integrity, particularly when the public's perception of a dealership doesn’t match internal operations.

[02:30 - 04:00] – Kevin's Background and Reputation
Kevin shares his background and reputation as one of the best operators in the country. He recalls his early days in the automotive industry, including his time as a pre-owned manager.

[04:00 - 06:30] – Taking Over a Broken Dealership
Kevin tells the story of how he took over a struggling Lexus dealership in Union City, Georgia. Under his leadership, the dealership began outperforming even Tesla in market share.

[06:30 - 09:00] – Removing Titles and Building Cohesion
Kevin explains his decision to remove titles from business cards, ensuring that every manager—whether in sales, service, or parts—was simply called a "Manager."

[09:00 - 12:00] – Daily Collaboration and Cross-Department Involvement
Kevin goes deeper into how his team collaborates across departments.

[12:00 - 16:00] – Changing the Customer Experience
Kevin shares his approach to improving the customer experience at Butler Lexus, from offering exceptional service in the waiting area to establishing new processes for handling customer complaints.

[16:00 - 18:00] – Pay Transparency and Daily Tracking
Kevin describes how he ensures that his salespeople know exactly where they stand every single day by logging every deal in real-time.

[18:00 - 20:00] – The Role of the Sales Desk
Kevin unpacks how he manages the sales desk differently from most dealerships. Instead of separating roles by title, his managers work together at the desk, creating a seamless operation.

[20:00 - 22:00] – A Culture of Cross-Training and Succession Planning
Kevin talks about the cross-training culture he has implemented at the dealership, where each manager is trained to understand all aspects of the business.

[22:00 - 24:00] – Monthly All-Employee Meetings
Kevin highlights one of the most impactful changes he made at the dealership: the implementation of monthly all-employee meetings.

[24:00 - 28:00] – Closing Thoughts
Tim invites listeners to reach out to Kevin and even visit the dealership to learn more about the strategies that have made it so successful.

章

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Perception vs. Reality in Dealerships (00:01:00)

3. Kevin's Background and Reputation (00:02:30)

4. Taking Over a Broken Dealership (00:04:00)

5. Removing Titles and Building Cohesion (00:06:30)

6. Daily Collaboration and Cross-Department Involvement (00:09:00)

7. Radical Transparency with Customers (00:10:30)

8. Changing the Customer Experience (00:12:00)

9. Managing Through Challenges (00:14:00)

10. Pay Transparency and Daily Tracking (00:16:00)

11. The Role of the Sales Desk (00:18:00)

12. A Culture of Cross-Training and Succession Planning (00:20:00)

13. Monthly All-Employee Meetings (00:22:00)

14. Building a Legacy of Leadership (00:24:00)

15. Closing Thoughts (00:26:00)