Brian Benstock’s Post

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Automotive Industry Leader | Partner, General Manager & Vice President of Paragon Honda & Acura | Follow #brianbenstock

I was just interviewed by Jim Fitzpatrick on CBT News, we discussed the CDK Shutdown and its implications for the automotive industry. Here are the key takeaways: 1. Customer Experience: Despite the outage, we’ve implemented workarounds to ensure seamless service. Paragon Honda’s reliance on A to Z Sync has been crucial, allowing electronic transactions without historical data. 2. Technology Dependency: The shutdown has exposed our heavy reliance on CDK’s systems, highlighting the vital role of technology and data in daily operations. 3. Operational Challenges: Operating without real-time data is like navigating a ship in fog—complex and uncertain. 4. Industry Collaboration: It’s essential to support CDK and collaborate across the industry. Other DMS and CRM providers have stepped up to assist affected dealerships. 5. Financial Impact: The shutdown affects financial reporting and inventory management, but I remain optimistic. Automobile dealers are among the most resilient entrepreneurs in the world and we'll find a way through this and so will CDK.

Brian Benstock

Automotive Industry Leader | Partner, General Manager & Vice President of Paragon Honda & Acura | Follow #brianbenstock

1mo

Thank you Jim Fitzpatrick for having me on your program. Click this link for the full interview: https://www.cbtnews.com/resilience-in-the-face-of-adversity-brian-benstocks-take-on-cdks-shutdown/

Larry Bass

General Sales Manager at Hoover Volkswagen

1mo

We in the car industry have always found ways to adapt to crisis. Cash for Clunkers allowed the car industry to recharge our economy and bring the country out of one of the worst financial periods in years! CDK will regroup and the car industry will maintain it’s strength!

Maria Teri

Automotive Specialist

1mo

I stand by 💯 agree! This should just make us stronger in these situations. Instead of fleeing and pointing fingers. This is another chapter to overcome and learn to be stronger than before. You and your team is only as strong as how they are lead in times like these. I am a huge CDK base it’s a great support system for dealers this has not changed my mindset of them. I hope they overcome and build stronger after this.

Robert Johnson

Principal @ ISC Coverage - Malcolm Roberts & Associates, Inc | Certified Insurance Counselor

1mo

Brian, your an amazing person. It's one thing to be a leader but, your poise, compassion, and ability to see through the fog is not something everyone can encompass in that moment when clarity is needed. Keep pushing through and inspiring others to be better. To be stronger. To just be understanding and maybe most importantly, be calm.

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Brian Awsumb

CEO at Awsumb Tech LLC | Cybersecurity Solutions Architect | IT Managed Services | Network Security | Network Optimization | Business Disaster Recovery & Backup | Professional Services |

1mo

Great interview! This CDK shutdown underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity and disaster recovery plans in the automotive industry. As a cybersecurity professional, I've seen how incidents like this can ripple through interconnected systems. It's commendable that dealerships like Paragon Honda had contingencies in place with A to Z Sync. A few key points from a security perspective: The importance of data backups and offline access capabilities The need for diversified technology stacks to reduce single points of failure. The value of industry-wide incident response coordination I'd be interested to hear more about how dealerships are balancing the need for integrated systems with the risk of over-reliance on a single provider. This incident provides valuable lessons for enhancing resilience across the sector.

Thomas Wagenberg

Thomas Wagenberg Automotive Sales & BDC Specialist | Expert in Customer Service & Marketing Strategies | Lynn University Sophomore

1mo

Thanks for sharing the interview highlights, Brian. The recent cyberattacks on CDK Global have indeed exposed significant challenges in our heavy reliance on their systems, impacting customer service and dealership operations nationwide. It’s great to hear about the innovative workarounds Paragon Honda has implemented to maintain service continuity. This situation underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and industry collaboration to support affected dealerships and ensure resilience. Staying optimistic and adaptive is key to navigating these operational challenges.

Ash Riccio

Business Development, Operational Excellence, Strategic Client Success, Servant Leadership, Sales Acceleration, Event Planning & Managment

2w

“Automotive dealers are among the most resilient entrepreneurs in the world..” 💥🏆🙏🏼 Thank you, as always, for shining the light so brightly on what matters, BB. #championmindset

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Jon Hansen

BG Products Central Kansas Territory Manager

1mo

Love this and love hearing some much needed positivity towards the whole situation which is what dealers need to be pushing outwards to their customers about the standing situation 👏

Ryan VanScoyoc

Love Others Serve Others President Resurrection Automotive Inc

4d

🌅🐕🦺🌅

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Marc Rifkin

Business Development Manager at Datasys. ALWAYS trying to do right for my clients!!! :Let's make money TOGETHER!!

2w

Wait until the lawsuits start piling up.

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