Welcome to Training Camp with Adam Marburger, exclusively on CBT News! Today, we will explore the critical responsibilities of the F&I department and how to bridge the gap between sales and finance to create a unified and profitable dealership environment. Join Marburger, a seasoned F&I professional, as we uncover strategies to enhance communication, secure sales, make profits, serve customers, and ensure compliance within your dealership.
Key Takeaways
1. Marburger highlights the historical division between the sales tower and finance office, emphasizing the need for better communication and collaboration to serve the dealership’s common goals.
2. The F&I department plays a crucial role in finalizing deals. Early involvement in transactions and proactive communication with the sales desk can prevent delays and ensure smoother operations.
3. With margin compression becoming more significant, F&I professionals must continuously invest in their craft. Marburger draws parallels to his jujitsu training, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and improvement.
4. Today’s consumers want to buy F&I products without feeling sold. F&I professionals should adopt a servant-leadership approach, providing solutions and helping customers understand their needs without pressure.
5. The F&I department bears significant responsibility for maintaining dealership compliance. Marburger stresses the importance of being proactive in compliance efforts to avoid costly mistakes and protect the dealership’s integrity.
"As an industry, we are selling more F&I products than ever. Why is that? Inflation's real. There's a vulnerability in the marketplace. You've got retail customers keeping cars a little bit longer now. What does that mean? They need protection, and it's our job to serve and help them." – Adam Marburger.