Kain & Friends

David Kain

5.0 (1)
Management

Kain & Friends is a podcast that highlights Dealership Operators in the Automotive, RV, Powersports, Marine and Agricultural industries. The podcast will provide operational and marketing insights allowing listeners to have actionable takeaways that they can use to improve their own businesses.

1d ago

How a 1,000-Car-a-Month Dealer Uses AI Without Losing the Human Touch

What can automotive retailers learn from a dealership selling roughly 1,000 used vehicles every month? Quite a lot. On this episode of Kain & Friends, I sit down with Luke Manion, Chief Digital Officer at Westside Auto Wholesale in Perth, Western Australia — and my first international guest on the podcast. Luke shares how Westside manages the extraordinary velocity of buying, preparing, merchandising, selling and delivering approximately 1,000 vehicles a month while maintaining a strong focus on the customer experience. We get into owning and controlling dealership data, using AI without losing the human connection, 24/7 lead response, fixed pricing, website strategy, missed calls, response-time expectations and why dealership leaders need to personally understand and use today's technology. One of Luke's strongest messages is also one of the simplest: Technology isn't the advantage. Your data and your people are. If you're a dealer, dealership leader or automotive technology provider trying to determine where AI really belongs in the retail process, I think you'll find plenty of practical ideas in this conversation.
Oct 22

Why Great Dealerships Start with Step Zero | David Long on Kain and Friends

What’s the difference between the dealership you think you run and the dealership that’s actually running? In this episode of Kain & Friends, I sit down with my friend David Long for a conversation that moves easily between leadership, culture, recognition and the operating disciplines that drive dealership performance. David shares some terrific lessons from his career, including a story about a $1 trophy that taught him just how much recognition can mean to an employee. We also dig into his concept of “Step Zero” — what happens in your mind and heart before you ever say the first word or take the first action. And we get very practical. David explains why he believes aged used-car inventory starts on Day 10, not Day 30, and why leaders need to recognize what their numbers are telling them early enough to actually do something about it. A few things we cover: • Why guest experience really starts behind the curtain • The surprising impact of a $1 trophy and a handwritten note • What David means by “Step Zero” • Why attitude and energy matter to sustainable performance • Why aged inventory should get your attention by Day 10 • The difference between the dealership you think you run and the one you’re actually running David has a great way of combining the human side of leadership with the accountability required to run a successful business. I really enjoyed this conversation and think there are several ideas here that dealership leaders can put to work immediately. Thanks for joining us for another episode of Kain & Friends — Friends Helping Friends Build Better Businesses.
Sep 30

AI Won't Replace the Human Element in Automotive Retail | Alex Perdikis | Koons Motors

What happens when an automotive retailer embraces AI without losing sight of the people who make the business work? In this episode of Kain & Friends, David Kain sits down with Alex Perdikis, CEO and Owner of Koons Motors and Chairman & Founder of inride, for a wide-ranging conversation about automotive retail, leadership, customer experience, used-vehicle acquisition and the rapidly changing role of artificial intelligence. Alex shares his journey from washing cars while attending the University of Richmond to becoming one of the top salespeople in the Koons organization, eventually leading dealerships and becoming an owner himself. The conversation explores why Alex believes employee satisfaction drives customer satisfaction, why his dealerships maintain a culture that expects to compete for #1, and why used-vehicle acquisition represents one of automotive retail's biggest opportunities. Alex also tells the story behind inride—from its beginnings as a vehicle subscription business, through its pivot into consumer-to-dealer vehicle acquisition, and ultimately into agentic AI designed to help dealerships engage customers and acquire vehicles from their existing databases. But perhaps Alex's most important message is about people: Use technology to make people more effective—not to underestimate the value of the human relationship. In this episode: • Alex's journey from washing cars to dealership ownership • Why employee experience drives customer experience • Building a culture that expects to win • The importance of market share, profitability and accountability • Why used cars remain such an important dealership opportunity • How inride evolved into an agentic AI platform • Using AI to handle work at scale while people build relationships • Advice for young automotive leaders • Why loving what you do matters during difficult times About Kain & Friends Hosted by David Kain, Kain & Friends features conversations with automotive leaders, operators and innovators sharing practical ideas to help viewers improve their businesses. Subscribe and join us for more conversations with the people helping shape the future of automotive retail. #AutomotiveRetail #AutomotiveAI #DealershipLeadership #UsedCars #KainAndFriends #inride #KoonsMotors
Sep 17

Building a Culture People Are Proud Of | Michael Spiegel, WeAuto | Kain & Friends

What happens when a dealership puts its people and culture at the center of the business? In this episode of Kain & Friends, I sit down with my longtime friend Michael Spiegel, Dealer Principal of WeAuto. I've had the pleasure of knowing Michael for many years and watching his career grow from an automotive retailer and dealership leader to an owner, entrepreneur and adjunct professor at the University of Michigan. We talk about: • Why WeAuto's mission starts with inspiring people to grow • Building a strong culture while maintaining accountability • Developing future leaders in automotive retail • Using transparency and performance metrics to improve the business • Why employee experience ultimately impacts customer experience • How WerkandMe.com helps WeAuto support onboarding, development, communication and employee recognition • Michael's advice for the next generation of automotive leaders • Why he believes automotive retail remains an incredible career opportunity One of my favorite conversations yet because it combines two things I care deeply about — friendship and helping people grow. Thanks to Michael for joining me and for everything he continues to do for our industry. Subscribe to Kain & Friends for more conversations with automotive leaders, operators and friends who are working to build better businesses.
Aug 28

The Family Business: Lessons, Legacy & Leadership at Jack Kain Ford

There are some podcast conversations that are informative — and some that are simply special. This episode of Kain & Friends was both. I had the opportunity to sit down with my brother, Bob Kain, President and General Manager of Jack Kain Ford, and my nephew, Graham Kain, New Car Manager, for a conversation about the automotive business, family, leadership and the lessons that get passed from one generation to the next. Jack Kain Ford has been serving customers since 1959, and today Bob and Graham are carrying that legacy forward while continuing to evolve the dealership. We talk about: • Creating a truly differentiated customer experience • Why their one-price approach works • Turning used-vehicle inventory quickly • The importance of video, lead response time and engagement • Developing the next generation of dealership leaders • What Bob wishes he'd understood earlier in his career • Why Graham believes we should make the most of the time we have with our mentors And, as you might expect when you put three Kains together, there are plenty of family stories and laughs along the way. This one meant a lot to me. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we enjoyed having it.
Aug 12

From Second-Worst to #1: The Leadership Strategy That Changed Everything

What does it take to transform an underperforming dealership into one of the best in the country? In this episode of Kain & Friends, I sit down with Brendan Harrington and Daniel Syvrud of Autobahn Fort Worth to unpack a remarkable dealership turnaround — including taking their Land Rover operation from near the bottom of the national rankings to #1 overall. And here's what makes the story so interesting: they didn't get new cars or a new facility. They changed the culture. We talk about why Brendan has shifted from driving KPIs to focusing first on how employees feel, Daniel's philosophy of "Have fun. Be fun," and why great customer experiences begin with engaged team members. We also explore: Why culture can tell you things KPIs can'tHow to hire "future all-stars"Turning around a dealership's reputation one customer at a timeWhy community involvement mattersUsing AI and technology like PromptPath to make salespeople more confident and effectiveHow to introduce new technology without losing your teamCareer advice for the next generation of automotive leadersOne of my favorite ideas from the conversation is remarkably simple: Don't just look at the spreadsheet. Look through the window. How does your team feel? There are a lot of leadership lessons packed into this conversation — whether you're running a dealership, leading a department, or preparing yourself for your next opportunity. Kain & Friends — Friends Helping Friends Build Better Businesses.
Aug 5

The Dealer Who Built Success Through Systems, Not Shortcuts | Scott Falcone

What does it take to build a successful dealership in one of the most competitive automotive markets in America? In this episode of Kain & Friends, David Kain sits down with Scott Falcone, dealer partner of World Hyundai, World Kia, and the Matteson Auto Mall, to discuss the principles that have guided his career for nearly two decades. Scott's story didn't begin in a dealership. It began with a carpet-cleaning business, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a determination to learn through experience. Along the way, he discovered a lesson that continues to shape his leadership philosophy: "Systems run the business. People run the systems." Together, David and Scott explore why process and accountability matter more than personality, how great organizations develop talent from within, and why dealers should approach artificial intelligence with both curiosity and caution. The conversation also covers: • Building a culture of continuous improvement • Why great dealerships focus on activities before results • The importance of mentorship and lifelong learning • How Scott's team uses data, surveys, and AI to better understand customers • The role dealer-led innovation will play in the future of automotive retail If you're a dealer, manager, or industry professional looking for practical ideas that can be implemented immediately, you'll find plenty of them here. Please subscribe, leave a comment, and let us know what stood out most to you.
Jul 22

What High-Performing Dealerships Do Differently | Lessons from a 4th Generation Dealer

In this episode of Kain & Friends, I sit down with Nicole Denoyer, fourth-generation General Manager of Denoyer Chevrolet in Holland, Michigan, to explore the leadership principles, culture, and operational disciplines that have helped her family dealership thrive for generations. Rather than chasing the latest trends, Nicole shares practical strategies that create lasting success—from developing employees and strengthening communication to improving processes and delivering an exceptional customer experience. In this conversation, you'll discover: Why great dealerships put employees first How strong communication builds trust and accountability The leadership habits that create long-term employee retention How Denoyer Chevrolet increased its Internet lead closing rate from approximately 8% to nearly 20% The role technology plays in supporting people—not replacing them Why dealership culture is still the ultimate competitive advantageNicole also shares candid insights about growing up in a family dealership, earning the respect of employees, leading through change, and encouraging more women to pursue leadership careers in automotive retail. Whether you're a dealer principal, general manager, department leader, or simply passionate about building a better business, you'll come away with ideas you can put into practice immediately. If you enjoy conversations with industry leaders who share real-world strategies and lessons learned, be sure to subscribe to Kain & Friends for more episodes. #Automotive #DealershipLeadership #Leadership #CustomerExperience #EmployeeEngagement #DriveCentric #Chevrolet #BusinessGrowth #GeneralManager #KainAndFriends

Kain & Friends is a podcast that highlights Dealership Operators in the Automotive, RV, Powersports, Marine and Agricultural industries. The podcast will provide operational and marketing insights allowing listeners to have actionable takeaways that they can use to improve their own businesses.

Creator

David Kain
Years Active

2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Kain & Friends
Show Website

Kain & Friends