What I’m Looking Forward to at the NADC Fall Conference
October has a lot to offer aside from the 31st. Sure, Halloween is arguably the best holiday of the year—who doesn’t love a socially acceptable excuse to dress up as Wonder Woman or a dancing hot dog?—but what I also appreciate about this month is the opportunity it gives me to embrace something I already am: an attorney.
That opportunity is the National Association of Dealer Counsel’s 2017 Fall Conference. At most conferences I attend, I’m a neophyte: I’m learning about international accounting standards, for instance, or another specialized issue that helps us better understand our customers’ needs outside of our products.
Not so at the NADC 2017 Fall Conference. I get to be a lawyer among lawyers. Finally, a chance to talk about collateral estoppel! (I wish I wasn’t as excited about that as I sincerely am.)
This is the conference for dealership-focused attorneys. I can’t wait to connect with our clients, our partners, and some of the best and brightest minds in our industry. It’s invigorating to spend time around others who are committed to staying on top of regulatory compliance, and to see business leaders who rely on our platform to drive their culture and bottom line.
Ethics, Reputation, and Community Impact
This year, I’m looking forward to a couple sessions in particular. First, it’s great to see a session on the schedule specifically dedicated to ethics. Too often, because of the legal obligations and real-world consequences of noncompliance, dealership executives are so concerned with what their organizations are required to do that they lose sight of their non-compulsory (but no less important) ethical responsibilities. Ethics are how businesses honor their employees, customers, and communities, and we should be talking about them in tandem with compliance.
I’m also eagerly anticipating conversations about how a dealership’s reputation impacts their bottom line. Did you know that the average consumer shops among 1.6 dealerships before leasing or purchasing a vehicle? Statistically, that means that if a customer walks away from your lot, they’re buying from your competitor. A sterling reputation helps you end up on the right side of that equation. I’ll actually be presenting about this topic at two seminars prior to the NADC conference, so come find me if you have thoughts and questions about how to develop or shift your reputation—because I’ll have it top of mind.
Speaking of reputations, there’s another session on the agenda I’m looking forward to: “Community Service Project: Partnering with Local Dealerships for Summer Jobs for Under-Resourced Youth.” Many dealerships we work with are family-owned, multi-generational businesses—meaning they’re well-known and well-respected in their communities—so we’re familiar with this topic. It’s also close to my heart: I grew up in a tiny town, and our local dealership always sponsored or donated to our sports teams and raffles. It’s important for dealerships to acknowledge their place in their communities and step up to make a difference, and I’m excited for the chance to help more dealerships get there.
Schedule Time to Talk With Us
Finally, as a representative of Compli, I’m hoping to hear from our customers, contacts, and, yes, blog readers. What issues are you currently focused on at your dealership? What regulations, policies, and trends would you like more information about? Let’s talk about what’s on your mind. These conferences are always a fantastic opportunity to gather one-on-one insights from members of the industry, and I’d love to set aside some time to explore the nitty-gritty of your business with you.
If you’ll be attending the NADC Fall Conference 2017, feel free to send me an email to schedule some time together, or look for us on the conference floor. I’ll be dancing around in a hot dog costume. Just kidding—I’ll be wearing my attorney costume—although the dancing remains entirely possible.
