OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -

After generating significant positive response from the inaugural workshop in February, NCM said Wednesday that it will be the sponsor of three additional Jeff Cowan’s Pro Talk Service Advisor Workshop events this year.

The first event — which took place Feb. 23 through Feb. 24 in Kansas City — was designed to show dealers how to help their fixed operations teams bolster service sales but generate stronger customer satisfaction and retention at the same time. There were 22 students attending.

“What an experience!” said NCM president and chief executive officer Paul Faletti Jr. after sitting in on the event. “The room was full of both service managers and service advisers, and I can tell you that everyone left not only believing they could increase their performance, but more importantly, they left equipped with proven practices that, if utilized, will increase performance.”

Officials also shared that Faletti also emphasized that Cowan’s approach centers on looking after the customer on the service drive rather instead of trying to sell the customers what they don’t need. This strategy allows the approach to work, he emphasized.

“I’m very impressed by the NCM organization since visiting the headquarters in February,” Cowan noted. “We not only share a common objective to improve the total dealership profitability for our clients, we also share a wealth of knowledge and experience built over decades working in, and on behalf of, the retail automotive industry.”

The remaining 2011 NCM Institute-sponsored Pro Talk Service Advisor Workshops are slated for:

—May 11-12
—Sept. 14-15
—Dec. 7-8

They will be held at NCM headquarters.

More information can be found at www.ncm20.com or by calling (800) 958-2921.