Meyer was speaking in a breakout session of the virtual session on the importance of value-added products to bolster a dealer’s second gross and maintaining customer satisfaction.

“I believe that, even with the current situation of the pandemic, human interactions are still an important factor in keeping the customer for life,” he said.

He told the delegates that one way of retaining your customer is to keep the communication flow open and look at the relationship in the same way as a marriage. “Just like a successful marriage needs open and regular communication, so does your sales staff need to keep continuous contact with the customer. This means not only relying on the automated digital platforms sending out messages, but picking up the phone yourself and calling the customer,” he explained.

“Ask your customers if they are satisfied, and if they are unhappy about something, ask how it can be resolved and then actively try to sort out the problem,” Pheiffer emphasised a well-known, but sometimes neglected fact.

A customer-centric approach, according to Meyer, means that all communication activities are well coordinated. This means that every person in contact with the customer must take full responsibility and assume that the buck stops with them.

“Keeping customers happy and anticipating their needs, will undoubtedly mean a happy and returning customer, which inevitably could lead to an increase in sales and profitability,” he said.

In conclusion, Meyer said that by keeping the customer updated continuously with relevant and appropriate information, customers can be shaped into life-long ambassadors for your dealership and your brand.