Walter Straus Email & Phone Number

Greater Atlanta Area

DEKRA is a nearly 90 year old company that has become a global leader in Consumer, Commercial and Industrial testing, inspection and certification with a presence in over 50 countries with 30,000+ employees.DEKRA provides customized solutions for many of the largest companies and OEM's worldwide.

Serving as primary executive level partner for large dealer groups consulting on business strategies and best practice solutions to move clients toward their desired performance goals. Responsible for the performance of 400+ accounts throughout the Southeast and leading a field team of 8+ regional account managers and 5 area sales reps.Proposed, negotiated and closed profitable revenue contracts with 126 major dealer groups throughout 9 states comprising over 700 total business locations.Coordinated all aspects of client interaction across all customer-facing teams with rapid response for legendary customer satisfaction.Providing support that exceeds customer expectations with a 98%+ retention rate for customer base and over 90% program adoption rate for CARFAX's all-encompassing Advantage Dealer contract.Consistently exceed quarterly and yearly metrics. Providing an average 19% YOY revenue growth for the past 4 years during a down market by focusing on specific market opportunities for clients. (Best Practice seminars, Webinars, point-of-sale collateral, online marketing SEO/SEM, service retention practices, new program adoption training)Managed regional rollout of new marketing programs and coordinated meeting with regional managers and key decision makers within major accounts.Negotioated revised pricing structures with clients. Responsible for the highest regional conversion penetration rate nationally in contracts for new Premium Advantage Dealer unlimited access program.Delivered client status reports and performance metrics to client Executives, Owners and general management to optimize information flow of market activities and national trends to enhance the clients engagement of CARFAX programs and products.

Coordinated process strategies to improve CSI/SSI resulting in top 10% national store ranking.Developed yearly business plans with targeted action goals monitored with weekly performance measures and quarterly review meetings.Installed/monitored customer tracking and BDC system resulting in improved online shopping experience, service customer conversions, and improved sales closing ratios.Developed an in-house Used Vehicle Certification Program designed to increase service contract revenue and reduce reconditioning turnaround times to average 48 hours.Maintained dealership web-site design and inventory listings.Interfaced with district/regional management and national advertising agency to share marketing strategies and create local promotions.Assisted with the acquisition of new locations and opening of new facilities.

Launched new store and trained sales staff on product and luxury market customer expectations.Trained sales staff on lease terminology, presentation skills, and credit qualification requirements.Implemented a structured customer tracking system.

>> Regional Account Manager in FloridaProvided problem analysis and management consultation with a unique retail focus.Responsible for market penetration in sales and improving fixed operations profitability.Monitored dealers for franchise standards on facility, signage financial reporting, etc.Created a standardized model mix/options within the region to reduce product confusion for retailers and consumers which improved vehicle sales and CSI each month.Initiated localized advertising programs with tier 2 and tier 3 marketing funds targeted at prospective Subaru buyers to improve brand awareness and market penetration.Consulted on inventory cycles, adjusted product mix to improve dealer’s sales and reduce inventory floorplan expenses.Consistently achieved top rated district sales improvement.Received Top District Sales Manager Award in December of 1996.Developed district action plan and trained dealers to grow extended service contract objectives.Identified new opportunities for open points within the market and provided recommendations franchise relocations or terminations.>> Southeast Region Sales Training Manger for 9 states. Responsible for needs-based training on product, process improvement, and compliance programs at over 130 dealers in nine states.Focused on product knowledge and customer handling skills for corporate and retail staff.Delivered individualized, in-store training and off-site seminars throughout the region on improving lease and factory extended service contract penetration.Initiated product launch programs: Subaru Outback, 2.5 GT, and Outback Sport.Assisted with regional auto shows: displays, product training, customer handling, etc.

New England & Mid - Atlantic

Sales/Service training for New England Region and Mid-Atlantic Region Presented proactive solutions that assisted Volkswagen in achieving the best single year improvement in sales satisfaction in the J.D. Powers survey index.Designed and delivered interactive training for management development, and staff skills programs through coaching and mentoring to support Volkswagen’s cultural change.Performed dealership quality audits to ensure that facilities remained within franchise guidelines for inventory representation, service procedures, and required documentation.Focused on sales and finance training for VW’s product introductions and sales promotions.Performed service training seminars for OBDII upgrade.

Advanced from sales, finance and management while co-handling the corporate training program for the Saturn facilities.Tasked with re-launching the group’s fourth Saturn location that was floundering in its first 6 months and quickly tripled sales and exceeded all monthly and yearly business plans.Provided aggressive leadership and built a sales staff that consistently exceeded sales goals by 150% in both units and dollars.Initiated a liaison position to interact with management and staff to ensure a continuous flow of information, ideas, and concerns.Spearheaded an experiential education program associated with Pecos River Learning (Larry Wilson) and the Saturn division designed to facilitate individual and organizational change and growth.

Ba - Marketing Management, Business, Product Development

College Of Business