Lever

What do Tesla's Cybertruck and the original iPhone have in common? 🤔 Let’s take a look at their industries, CEOs, and their historic (and hiccuped) product launches: 🚙📱Both were unveiled with huge fanfare by CEOs known for pushing boundaries - Steve Jobs in 2007 and Elon Musk in 2019. When Elon unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, it sent shockwaves through the automotive world. Its radical design was unlike anything we'd seen before. Straight out of Blade Runner 2049. Fast forward to June 2024, and the Cybertruck is now the best-selling vehicle over $100,000 in the U.S 📈 This, DESPITE a massive recall of nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks due to a potentially dangerous accelerator pedal issue. Sound familiar? Rewind to 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone. Critics were quick to point out its lack of features compared to other smartphones at the time: no MMS, no stereo Bluetooth, a slow EDGE data network. You know, basic smart phone features 😅. PCMag's review called it a "revolution for the few" due to its high price and carrier lock-in. The launches had memorable hiccups - Jobs secretly switched between buggy iPhone prototypes on stage, while the Cybertruck's "armor glass" windows shattered in a demo ⚾️ 😳 But the issues only fueled more media buzz, and consumers lined up and put down deposits 💰. Here’s the thing: consumers are willing to pay a premium for groundbreaking innovation and design that makes a statement. The Cybertruck's success, even with its flaws, echoes the iPhone's trajectory. People lined up to get their hands on a device that redefined what a phone could be, just as they're clamoring for the Cybertruck's futuristic vibe. 🔮 Both the iPhone and Cybertruck represent their company's attempt to reimagine an industry. The iPhone ushered in the modern smartphone era, while the Cybertruck aims to accelerate electric pickups going mainstream. 📈 Some analysts believe the Cybertruck could ultimately become for Tesla what the iPhone is to Apple - an iconic product that defines the brand and unlocks massive growth and cultural impact. The Cybertruck still has a lot to prove, with recent leaks revealing early design challenges it's working to overcome. But if the original iPhone's success over initial skepticism is any indication, betting against Tesla's bold vision could be short-sighted. The Cybertruck and iPhone both show that in an age of incrementalism and “design-by-committee”, taking big swings at innovation - even if controversial - can capture the public's imagination and transform industries. Will history repeat itself? Time will tell. Let us know your thoughts 👇

“Arbitration, it appears we’ve been bamboozled”

99% of dealership activities are non-revenue generating 🧐 Think about it: • Inventory management • Paperwork and compliance • Employee relations/ HR • Tech stack maintenance • Marketing operations • Floor plan management The list goes on. (Overwhelming, right?) Traditional floor plans only add to the headache with opaque pricing and confusing programs 😵💫 We flip the script: 1. Predictable Monthly Costs 🗓️ No more surprises. Our fixed-cost subscription means you know exactly what you're paying each month. Floor 30 cars or 100 - your cost stays the same. 2. Unlimited Flooring Potential 💸 Got a hot month? Floor as many vehicles as you need without worrying about per-unit fees. Your growth shouldn't be penalized. 3. Simplified Operations 😌 Spend less time crunching numbers and more time closing deals. Our model eliminates the need for constant calculations. 4. Transparency 🤲 No hidden fees, no fine print. Just straightforward pricing that lets you focus on your business strategy. 5. Aligned Incentives 🤝 We succeed when you succeed. Our flat-rate model encourages you to move more inventory - because that's how we all win. Our CEO and Co-Founder, John Mizzi, said it best: "Our subscription model isn't just about simplifying costs - it's about empowering dealers to focus on what they do best: selling cars." It's not just about saving money. It's about freeing up your mental bandwidth to focus on growth. That's what we're offering. Let's talk about how Lever can put you in the driver's seat of your success 🚙💙

New Lever die-cut stickers just dropped 🔥 (We had to take advantage of that Sunday morning lighting for a photo op 📸) Raise your hand in the comments if you want one sent your way! 🙋♂️

Hiring for Controller at dealership. Education Requirements: - Ph.D. in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Statistics.

Have you ever seen the iconic “Think Small” ad by Volkswagen? 😍 VW’s 1959 ad juxtaposed their tiny VW Beetle on a stark white background and made a BIG statement💥 It also simultaneously moved a metric ton of metal and changed the ad game for decades (minimal hyperbole). This ad didn't just sell cars - it rewrote the rules of advertising. It celebrated the Beetle's compact size, unique design, and affordable price point. 🚗💰 Volkswagen's U.S. sales skyrocketed from 20,000 units in 1958 to over 500,000 in 1968. The campaign's success proved that consumers wanted authenticity and simplicity in advertising. 📈 "Think Small" left a lasting impact on the auto industry. It showed that small, efficient cars could compete with the comparatively-speaking, gas-guzzling “boats” of the time. Volkswagen paved the way for a new generation of compact vehicles that prioritized practicality and value (See: Honda in the 80’s). 🌱 But the ad's influence reached beyond the auto world. It revolutionized advertising as a whole, inspiring brands across industries to embrace minimalism, honesty, and creativity in their messaging. 🎨 Also, we think the format lends itself pretty well to our product, what do you think? 😏 #automotive #marketing #advertising

Each week, we're getting to know a new Lever teammate. Today, the spotlight is on Jason Bartz, our Head of Growth 📈 We sat down with Jason, and here's what he had to say: 🚙 What’s a typical day look like for you? 🙍🏻♂️ What's a typical day at Lever? Never heard of it! 😅 Most days you'll find me working with my incredible Sales and Customer Success teams, crossing out pages of the playbook and writing new ones. We're problem solving and continuously looking for ways to improve our product and processes. 🚙 What’s your favorite part about working at Lever? 🙍🏻♂️ The opportunity to be a part of something great. We're building an incredible team and tech, and supporting our dealer partners with world-class service. At our early-stage, each one of our teammates contributions are important. 🚙 What’s your favorite car and why? 🙍🏻♂️ First gen NSX (has to be Formula Red). It was a halo car growing up, looked like an F16, and had that VTEC 🔥. 🚙 Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? 🙍🏻♂️ You'll find me spending time with my kids, partaking in amateur 35mm street photography, and involved in supporting the WNY entrepreneurial scene. 🚙 If you had a theme song play when you walked into the office, what would it be? 🙍🏻♂️ Peter Bjorn And John - Young Folks Thanks for all that you do Jason! 🚙💙

When you think of AI in cars, what do you think of? KITT from Knight Rider? Uber robotaxis? 🤖🚙 Artificial intelligence enabled vehicles are reshaping how we drive, and they’re more than just an Alexa or Siri button slapped on your steering wheel. (And no we’re not talking about ChatGPT enabled vehicles…yet) AI is promising to change transportation, making journeys safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable than ever before. Let’s break down the different types of AI being used in cars today: 1. Driver Assistance 🧠 AI helps with steering, acceleration, or braking. Think adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. 2. Partial Automation 🚘 AI can control steering and acceleration/deceleration simultaneously under certain conditions. 3. Conditional Automation 🛣️ AI manages most driving tasks, but you need to be ready to take over when prompted. 4. High Automation 📍 AI operates autonomously in most conditions but within predefined areas. 5. Full Automation 🤖 AI handles all driving tasks under all conditions without human intervention. Artificial Intelligencd is revolutionizing transportation with features like: 🔧 Predictive Maintenance AI predicts potential issues before they become big problems, ensuring timely maintenance. 🎙️ Voice-Controlled AI Assistants Hands-free control over functions like adjusting climate settings or playing music. 🚗 Enhanced Driver Assistance Systems AI augments driver capabilities with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. In the market for one? Here are some AI-enabled cars on the road today to check out: - Cadillac Escalade: Hands-free driving with GM’s Super Cruise. - Genesis G90: Highway Driving Assist for enhanced highway driving. - Chevrolet Tahoe: Advanced safety features with Super Cruise. - Tesla Model S: Autopilot with options for Full Self-Driving Capability. - BMW X5: Traffic-jam assist and adaptive cruise control. - Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Semi-autonomous driving with the Driver Assistance package. - Volvo V90 Cross Country: Standard Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving. What’s next? We’re still holding out for our talking 82 Trans Am…

At Lever, we’re Slack/Zoom kinda folks 🚙 Nothing against our Teams buds (blink if you’re okay 🫣) (And we won’t judge you too much if you’re a Webex user) Keeping in sync with distributed teams and multiple offices is mission-critical when you’re building great teams, culture, and tech. Here are some of the tools we’re using to live our best async lives: 💬 Slack: A no-brainer here. Channels for specific business functions and quick huddles to work through ad-hoc problems. 📹 Zoom: For those recurring, long-form meetings. *️⃣ Loom: When we need a quick explainer or walkthrough without the meeting. 🎙️Fireflies.Ai: Notes? What year is this? Fred transcribes, summarizes, and keeps action items of all online meetings—keeping everyone in sync and organized. 💌 Superhuman: Okay, admittedly not the whole squad is using this, but those that are, fly through their inbox one keyboard shortcut at a time. With the new 2.0 release, we’re sure to see more collaboration than ever. What tools are keeping your organization humming remotely? Share them below 👇

Movie tickets, ordering DoorDash, buying a pair of pants: Little screen purchases 📱🎟️🌯👖 Plane tickets, appliances, booking vacations: Big screen purchases 👨💻✈️📦🏝️ Now, buying a CAR 🚗 We know there are apps (and maybe we’re a little biased 👀), but how are you making this purchase? 🤔