What will CDK Global’s virtual 20 groups look like beyond the pandemic? – Fred Fordin, VP of Dealer Professional Services

As we transition back into more in-person interactions, many are wondering what will remain and what could become a thing of the past. On today’s show, we’re talking to Fred Fordin, Vice President of Dealer Professional Services for CDK Global. Fordin joins the show to discuss what the popular dealer 20 groups will look like moving forward.

Fordin begins the conversation by providing his perspective on lessons learned from implementing virtual 20 groups. He says that the popularity of the groups has grown tremendously since they began. With virtual capabilities, 20 groups were able to meet more frequently, benefiting dealerships as a whole.

Many participating dealers have found that virtual 20 groups helped them save valuable time. In the past, dealers have had to take time away from their store to participate in the groups. Now dealers only spend a few hours participating in the groups from a private office in the dealership.

Automotive professionals must take the lessons they’ve learned through the pandemic, and continue to apply them to business moving forward. Fordin reminds dealers of the adjustments that were necessary to survive the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. However, many dealers made the mistake of returning their old methods despite discovering new efficiencies. Fordin is hopeful the industry won’t make the same mistake following the pandemic.

Fordin doesn’t believe 20 groups will go back to the way they were entirely based on the positive response CDK Global has received from dealers. While the experiences were always high-class, participating in the groups was an expense for dealerships. The virtual setup also allows participants to have everything they need right in front of them. Fordin says that CDK Global expects to utilize a hybrid model moving forward, in which dealers participate in both virtual and in-person sessions.