Page 2 - MIADA-Q3 2023

MISSISSIPPI DEALER
The official digital magazine of the
MISSISSIPPI Independent
Auto Dealers Association
AI is Not Going to Take Your Job 1705 Old Whitfield Road, Suite A
msiada.org

Pearl, MS 39208
By Jarrod Kilway, COO, Konect.ai
T (601) 939 - 9866 | F (601) 939 - 9882
CHAIRMAN
ow more than ever, the very leads were submitted when the dealership Bentley Nolan – Nolan Brothers Motor Sales
mention of implementing AI was closed. This statistic isn’t surprising Tupelo, MS
in business evokes polarizing when you really break it down. If a customer
Nreactions from people, is contacted by a dealership during their PRESIDENT
especially when it comes to the automotive work hours, there is a strong chance they Russell Wilmoth – American Automotive, Inc
industry. Selling cars has always been, won’t respond. After-work hours are more Yazoo City, MS
and always will be, about people. No convenient for a lot of people, and if there’s VICE PRESIDENT
automated system could ever replace that. anything we’ve learned about customers in Bryan Morris – Long Beach Auto Auction
It is understandable that some dealerships automotive, it is that convenience is king. Long Beach, MS
are skeptical when it comes to AI. But the AI is accessible 24/7 and it is a helpful tool VICE PRESIDENT
truth is, when implemented effectively, AI when it comes to making things easy and Dodd Turner – Turner Auto Group LLC
is tremendously helpful to both consumers efficient for a customer in the early stages of Greenwood, MS
and dealers alike. AI is not just the future, buying a vehicle. AI can provide guests with SECRETARY
it’s the present. The most important thing for the immediate gratification of a response Randy Luster – Hazlehurst Auto Sales LLC
dealers is understanding precisely how it can at a time that works for them. Of course, Hazlehurst, MS
work for them. a software program won’t always have the TREASURER
perfect answer 100 percent of the time. But Michael West – Direct Auto
UNDERSTANDING CONSUMER GOALS it can assist in driving the customers toward D’Iberville, MS
For a long time, the automotive industry the next steps. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CHAIR
standard when it came to contacting Thomas Conner - Heritage RV Center
customers was to call, text and email the very INTEGRATION ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS
second a lead came in. But data has shown The last thing dealers need is yet another Canton, MS
that it’s less about making immediate contact portal to log into. So when it comes to AI SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIR
and more about being strategic in when in automotive, it is important to integrate Brian Johnson - Auto Mart of Flowood
exactly you contact a customer. For example, it into the existing foundation you already Flowood, MS
a dealer participating in a case study in April have. When everything is kept native to
of 2023 reported that 40 percent of their one platform, it makes for a more holistic Mississippi Dealer magazine is published
quarterly by the MIADA, representing quality
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