Driving Dealership Success & Salesperson Effectiveness: Dealer Relations at automotiveMastermind

Author: Sarah Hicks, VP of Dealer Relations

In late December of last year automotiveMastermind welcomed Sarah Hicks to lead Dealer Relations, our team of dedicated consultative support for our valued dealer partners.

Sarah is an accomplished automotive executive with over 15 years of experience in sales leadership, operations, and strategic account management. Known for her ability to build strong client relationships and deliver measurable impact, Sarah brings a deep understanding of dealership operations and a passion for empowering teams to succeed with effective strategies.

Now having crossed the country to spend time with both our team and our customers, she wanted to share her thoughts on what Dealer Relations means to automotiveMastermind.

Since joining automotiveMastermind this year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a team that is not only passionate about innovation but deeply committed to the success of our dealer partners helping them achieve greater sales intelligence.

With a background rooted in building high-performing teams and a focus on strategic growth, I wanted to share my perspective on Dealer Relations – one that emphasizes partnership, empowerment, and long-term value driving tangible dealership growth.

Pictured: Dealer Relations Manager Norma Williamson empowers our partners at McKinney Buick GMC

The Mastermind Advantage Extends Beyond Technology

At its core, automotiveMastermind is more than just an automotive technology provider.

Our platform is a comprehensive solution that empowers dealerships to drive loyalty, conquest new customers, and optimize service-to-sales opportunities using predictive analytics.

Whether it’s through our AI-powered tools like Mastermind CoPilot or our mobile capabilities that free salespeople from their desks, the Mastermind platform is designed to meet dealers where they are and help them go further. The technology is top-notch, but what truly sets us apart is how we deliver it.

We Are Your Dedicated Dealer Relations Partners

Dealers today don’t just want a vendor. Dealers want a partner that understands their business holistically and can offer actionable insights that go beyond the product. They need a true dealership consultant. That’s where our Dealer Relations Management (DRM) team comes in.

We’re not just showing up, we’re showing up with purpose. From in-person workshops and launch excellence processes to ongoing training and support, our team is embedded in the dealership experience.

We work with everyone from the service drive manager to the sales floor, ensuring that every stakeholder is equipped to maximize ROI and improve effectiveness with our dealer support services.

Pictured: Sam Scott, celebrating the Sterling McCall Toyota Fort Bend team after their recent Sales Excellence award win.

How Our Dealer Relations Team Delivers Proactive Strategies

Our approach is proactive, not reactive. We don’t shy away from tough conversations, we embrace them.

Whether it’s navigating automotive inventory shortages, shifting market dynamics, or evolving customer expectations, our team is prepared and resilient. We celebrate wins, but we also lean into challenges, using them as opportunities to grow stronger and deliver even greater value.

In the past six months I’ve spent time with teams across the country. All stand out in their own way, but I wanted to share an example of our values in practice: our team in Northeast Ohio. Led by Brent Tebeau, “Team Tractor” embodies collaboration and a commitment to excellence and streamlining dealership processes. They have made a measurable impact not just in performance metrics, but in their passion for empowering sales teams. Associate Director Jason Dwyer’s leadership in redefining our launch process is a testament to how we’re continuously evolving to meet our dealer partners’ needs.

Ultimately, Dealer Relations is the backbone of automotiveMastermind. It’s about more than service; it’s about investing in people. When you invest in Mastermind, you’re investing in a team that’s dedicated to your success every step of the way.