Every distributor/dealer principal or general manager has a valuable storehouse of operating experience.  Currie Management Consultants has developed an effective way to facilitate the sharing of these distributorship/dealership operating strategies, ideas and programs.

 Currie Management Consultants has organized groups of distributors/dealers for the sole purpose of exchanging operational ideas and strategies. These distributors/dealers meet on a regular basis (three times a year) where they exchange detailed information about their individual businesses and address problems and solutions to today’s issues. The distributors/dealers usually represent the same manufacturer, thus, their problems and their financial information are quite similar.

 Typically, a two-day program begins with considerable time spent on a composite review.  This is a review of the critical financial and operational variables taken from information submitted by distributor/dealer participants. Currie Management Consultants summarizes this information and presents it in a structured format to facilitate discussions. Distributors/dealers then review each variable and are able to ask questions of fellow participants regarding specific performance.

 The second major part of the two-day program is devoted to an “idea exchange.”  Here, distributors/dealers exchange specific profit improvement ideas with the professional guidance of the moderator.

 The third part of the program involves a learning experience where the focus is on a specific topic such as: compensation, insurance, recruiting, tax planning, facilities and the like.  Occasionally, an outside speaker supplements these sessions with a demonstrated expertise in the topic.

 Finally, a part of the two-day program is used as an open forum.  Here, distributors/dealers are encouraged to discuss operational issues not on the agenda in order to brainstorm ideas.

 We know from first-hand experience that one year of participation in a Distributor/Dealer Group will produce such significant profit and operational improvements; you’ll wonder why you didn’t join a group sooner.

Follow the link to read an article about 20 Groups by Lynn Grooms.