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The financial and insurance (F&I) office is often viewed as the bridge between a dealership's profitability and customer satisfaction. While processes and product knowledge are vital, adopting a servant mindset can transform F&I operations into a cornerstone of trust and long-term customer relationships. Here's how embracing a servant leadership philosophy can enhance your F&I operations at automotive, RV, marine, and powersports dealerships. 

Are you ready to elevate your career in the automotive industry? Adam Marburger, best-selling author, serial entrepreneur, and CEO/Founder of Ascent Dealer Services, has something special on the horizon: his upcoming book, “The Servant Leading F&I Manager”.

Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” While he was talking about hockey, this quote applies just as well to our world in F&I. If you don’t offer every product to every customer on every deal, you’re leaving money on the table. 

As an F&I manager, you’ve likely encountered a range of objections from customers. Addressing these concerns effectively can significantly improve your dealership's finance and insurance (F&I) department’s performance. Let’s explore the top three objections and how to overcome them. 

Whether you’re an automotive, marine, powersport, commercial truck, commercial bus, or recreational vehicle dealer principal, chances are you’re constantly seeking ways to enhance not only gross profit but customer satisfaction and loyalty too. One way to do this is to ensure that your F&I team always adds GAP coverage to every deal.

We all have a title on our business card. Most of the time, it’s Finance Manager or Business Manager. I think titles are important...

For those of you that have followed my journey, you know I’m an avid Martial Artist. I’ve been fighting in rings, cages, and on the mats my entire adult life. Martial Arts has not only changed my personal life but my business life as well. For that reason, I use many analogies in my coaching sessions related to my experience with martial Arts.

The automotive industry from previous decades is almost unrecognizable from its current state. Fast-forward 50 years from now, and it will be unrecognizable again. In the late 90s, the internet age was a transition point for many dealers. Business thrived for those who adapted to the change.

We have all been in this situation; we are in a closing with a customer, and they are really engaged in the process. We have built great rapport. They like us. They are engaged in the conversation about finance products.

For years, F&I managers have been successful at payment manipulation and repair scare. We have learned how to extend the term and use fancy closing techniques to close down the payment buyer...