MSN CarPoint and Reynolds and Reynolds Provide New Training
1 December 1999
MSN CarPoint and Reynolds and Reynolds Provide New Training Program to Help Dealers Understand Changing Internet Customer
New Training Features Online Seminars and Best Practices
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 1 -- Microsoft Corp. and
The Reynolds and Reynolds Company announced today the release of
the newly redesigned dealer training program for the MSN(TM) CarPoint(TM)
online automotive service (http://www.carpoint.msn.com).
The new dealer training program, developed and delivered by Reynolds and
Reynolds, focuses on the entire process of online car selling, providing
dealers with insights about the changing needs of the Internet customer,
highlighting best practices from dealerships across the country, and
delivering enhanced retailing tools. The program uses an integrated learning
approach that includes live classroom settings, online seminars, and ongoing
consulting and support through a hot line and local field representatives.
"The profile of the Internet customer has changed from a demographic niche
to the general population of car buyers, and our new training program reflects
that change," said Lindsay Sparks, chief executive officer of MSN CarPoint.
"In addition, we are including technology enhancements such as online
enrollment and Internet seminars to make it even easier for dealers to improve
on their Internet sales process and build long-term relationships with
customers."
The training program includes the following new features:
-- Sales training. CarPoint offers subscribing members dealer training
sessions led by highly skilled Reynolds and Reynolds representatives;
the trainings are held approximately 15 times each month in cities
across the country and members can attend as many as they want at no
extra charge.
-- Sales guide. For dealers who complete the training session, the guide
provides a quick reference to help them implement their Internet sales
process.
-- Online seminars. Dealers can receive online training on the DealerPoint
lead management tool and other topics.
-- Manager welcome kit. For general managers who are beginning their
Internet sales process, the kit explains the CarPoint system, the type
of employee needed for an Internet sales department and how to get
started.
-- Pretraining packet. Dealers receive this detailed packet before the
training session to help them prepare and to help answer their
preliminary questions.
-- Online enrollment. Dealers can sign up for training via the Internet.
-- Online surveys. Dealers are asked to complete online surveys following
a training session, and the resulting feedback is integrated into
future training sessions.
"Reynolds and Reynolds is committed to keeping its training on the cutting
edge so dealers stay ahead of the curve and don't become victims of the
fast-changing world of e-commerce," said Mark Brown, general manager of
e-business, Reynolds' Automotive Group. "It's eminently clear that
clicks-and-mortar will win in automotive retailing. Reynolds has long been the
retailing process leader and has created a powerful training solution for
CarPoint-certified retailers. This enhanced training will help create a
significant advantage for our CarPoint-certified retailers. We'll continue to
look for innovative methods to create e-tailing value as we release future
specialized modules and advanced courses that build around these core
processes."
Kathleen Dillon, Internet sales associate for Les Stanford Oldsmobile in
Dearborn, Mich., recently attended CarPoint dealer training in Detroit: "Our
dealership already had very successful close rates with CarPoint at
35 percent, so at first I wasn't sure if we needed the training. But the
training was excellent -- we learned that we were doing many things right, and
we also picked up suggestions for improvement. We are already implementing
ideas learned from the training."
Reynolds and Reynolds has a documented history of successfully training
auto retailers to sell over the Internet. As a strategic provider of CarPoint,
Reynolds developed the original sales process and has conducted all
CarPoint-based training to date, which includes nearly 5,100 dealership
personnel.
About The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
Reynolds and Reynolds, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a leading
provider of integrated information management systems and related value-added
services to automotive and general business markets. The company reported
revenues of $1.56 billion for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 1999. For more
information on Reynolds and Reynolds, visit http://www.reyrey.com or call The
Reynolds and Reynolds Information Hotline at 888-4REYREY.
About CarPoint
CarPoint is a comprehensive automotive Web site offering users complete
car-buying and car-care information on all makes and models. Launched on the
Internet in July 1996, CarPoint gives users fast, convenient access to
detailed specifications and pricing information, reviews and advice from
leading automotive writers, interactive decision-management tools, a new- and
used-car buying service, and personalized maintenance and recall information.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for
personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products
and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time,
any place and on any device.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and CarPoint are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.