On The Drive – Détails, épisodes et analyse

 Not all lot damage is created equal. Some damage is dealership-caused, some isn’, and within both categories, there’s damage a customer is aware of and damage they aren’t. 

In this episode, we walk through real-world service-lane scenarios, explain how misunderstandings happen, and discuss how customers sometimes leverage gray areas to seek free repairs. 

This is a must-listen for advisors, managers, and anyone navigating accountability in fixed ops. 

She’s back again—and this time, I’m learning directly from the master. In this episode, Linda Barnette shares her powerful approach to building genuine connections, not just introductions.

Linda reminds us that real success begins when we take the time to learn about others, understand their needs, and move forward with a true intention to help. When your starting point is generosity, the return is always greater than what you give.

We also dive into a common pitfall in networking: when people view an introduction as a guarantee that you’ll do the heavy lifting for them. Linda shows us how to maintain healthy boundaries, stay authentic, and still lead with service.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that making meaningful connections isn’t a tactic—it’s a mindset. And when you adopt it, opportunities, relationships, and success have a way of finding their way back to you.

Tune in, take notes, and get ready to elevate the way you connect with the world around you.

🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we dive into the question everyone in automotive is starting to ask: Is it real or is it AI? 🤔

Thuy from MIA joins us to talk about how their true conversational AI is transforming dealership sales and service—especially in BDCs and campus-store environments. MIA is not decision-tree based like so many others. It listens, responds, and engages like a real person—holding full conversations that drive results. 🤖🚗

We discuss how MIA is helping dealership teams:
🔹 Automate repetitive tasks like appointment-setting 📅
🔹 Free up talented staff for more productive, high-value work 💼
🔹 Improve customer engagement without sacrificing authenticity ❤️

This isn’t about replacing people—it’s about letting AI handle the busy work so your team can do what they do best. 🧠💪

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it live—or is it AI?” … this episode has the answer. 🎧🚀

Connect with Thuy Adomitis:
Email: thuyadomitis@yahoo.com
Connect with Thuy: Click Here to Connect with Thuy
Click to Visit Mia Labs

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: Coming Soon to a Dealership Near YOU!

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
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⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎧 Some people close deals. Others change the game entirely. In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, meet the powerhouse behind some of the nation’s most successful dealership transformations—Linda Barnette.

From high-stakes sales training rooms to the strategic table of mergers and acquisitions, and all the way to the concrete foundation of new dealership builds, Linda’s career has spanned it all. But ask her the real secret? It’s not about a flashy pitch or the bottom line—it’s about truly caring about the other person’s business like it’s your own.

Linda opens up about how she consistently connects with the so-called “unreachable” decision-makers, turning cold introductions into lifelong partnerships. Her approach isn’t about pushing demos—it’s about building authentic relationships that stand the test of time.

🔑 How to reach the unreachable
🤝 Creating bonds that outlast contracts
🏗️ Designing dealerships—and relationships—from the ground up

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/

🎙️In this episode of On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, I chat with the amazing Katy Wolda about the DISC personality model—a powerful tool that helps you connect better with customers and teammates, whether you're managing up, down, or across the service drive. 🚗🛠️

Originally developed by psychologist William Moulton Marston (who also created Wonder Woman! 🦸‍♀️), DISC breaks down personalities into four main types:

• D – Dominance 💼: Direct, decisive, loves efficiency. Keep it short and factual.
• I – Influence 🎉: Social, enthusiastic, thrives on energy and connection.
• S – Steadiness 🤝: Loyal, calm, and prefers stability. A little patience and warmth go a long way.
• C – Conscientiousness 📊: Analytical, detail-oriented, and values precision. They want all the facts—presented thoughtfully.

✨ Fun fact: Studies show teams that understand each other's DISC profiles are 42% more effective at reducing workplace conflict and increasing productivity. Why? Because they learn to speak each other’s language—literally.💡

Discover your DISC style, how to spot someone else's in under 30 seconds ⏱️, and how adjusting just a few words can lead to better outcomes, happier clients, and stronger team dynamics. 🙌

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence
 📬 Mail us at Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com
 🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: https://onthedrivesolutions.com/

Dave Rodgers returns to talk about the double-edged sword of chasing metrics. While goals are critical for training and maintaining team performance, too much focus on the numbers can lead to shortcuts, misaligned priorities, and bad behavior. Together, we explore how reports should guide your attention—not define your success. Just like in football, the game is often won in inches. Tune in for real talk on balance, leadership, and the mindset it takes to train to maintain.

✨ Love what you hear? Help us grow!

🔗 Share this episode with a friend who lives life on the drive
➕ Follow us on your favorite podcast app to get new episodes automatically
⭐️ Rate & Review us on Apple Podcasts—it really makes a difference!

🎙️ Hosted by Cindy Lawrence

📬 Mail us at Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com

🔗 Connect with us on LinkedIn
📘 Join the conversation on Facebook

Stay Curious: onthedrivesolutions.com

This week on On The Drive with Cindy Lawrence, we sit down with Christy Cartaya, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at The Collection in Miami. Christy shares her unexpected journey from the fast-paced world of marketing into the elite tier of automotive retail—where brands like Ferrari, Audi, Porsche, and McLaren are part of her daily landscape.

What started as a twist of fate turned into a remarkable career, and today, Christy leads a powerhouse team at one of the most prestigious dealership groups in the country. Join us as we talk career shifts, leadership, luxury branding, and why a visit to The Collection isn’t complete without stopping by Michelin-rated Bachour for a sweet indulgence.

From marketing mastery to showroom sophistication—this episode is as refined as the cars Christy helps bring to life. Don’t miss it!

Host: Cindy Lawrence

Email: Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com

Website: onthedrivesolutions.com

From fried wires (thanks, neighborhood squirrels 🐿️) to those “oops” repairs that don’t quite fit the warranty box, Cindy and Dave break down when dealerships step up—even if the coverage technically doesn’t.

Whether it’s a split bill, a friendly favor, or a behind-the-scenes push from your advisor, this episode reminds us that a loyal customer, a good attitude, and a weird accident can still earn you some love.

🔧 Under the Hood This Week:

• What qualifies as goodwill (hint: it’s not magic—it’s strategy)
• In-warranty but not warrantable? Yep, that’s a thing
• Why your advisor might just be your ride-or-die 🏁
• The CSI factor—being nice does pay off
• And why goodwill isn’t a guarantee... but it is a game-changer

If it’s good for the customer, good for the dealership, and good for the brand—it’s go-time. Buckle up. This one’s got heart, horsepower, and a few rodent-related surprises.

Host: Cindy Lawrence

Phone Number: 713.299.2435

Email: Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com

Website: onthedrivesolutions.com

In this unforgettable true story, Cindy takes us back to her early 20s, working in a high-end automotive accessory shop where cash was common, characters were colorful, and one day… danger walked through the door.

When three suspicious men entered the store and tension filled the air, Cindy’s instincts kicked in. No transaction. No words. Just the weight of a moment — and a single code word: “Pineapple.” It wasn’t just a safe word. It was a lifeline.

Featuring the mysterious Mr. G (yes, he carried a submachine gun), this episode blends grit, guts, and a little old-school gangster energy with the kind of quick thinking that sticks with you for life.

🔑 Why you'll love this episode:
You'll laugh, you'll gasp, and you’ll never look at fruit the same way again.

Host: Cindy Lawrence

Phone Number: 713.299.2435

Email: Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com

Website: onthedrivesolutions.com

In this fun, fast-paced episode of On The Drive, I sit down with my good friend, fellow Delray Beach neighbor, and fellow podcaster Carolina Rush—a woman who’s bought over 20 cars and has the stories to prove it.

We chat about the real-deal relationship between customers and service advisors, the value of kindness, and how just saying thank you can be the best tip of all. Carolina shares a hilarious and eye-opening moment at a Jeep dealership involving a broken radio, a backup camera, and a surprising pricing decision:

“The person who quoted me wasn’t there, and the guy says, ‘I can’t think of one reason why we should charge her another $200.’”

And then came the pigeon.
Yes, “the pigeon on the drive”—and why you never want to be the first, the last, or any pigeon at all.

We wrap with laughs, a shoutout to Carolina’s 15-year-old daughter (a.k.a. ET, the Instagram star), and a mutual realization: we definitely need to do a future episode on misconceptions in service.

So buckle up and come hang with us—because this one ends with a mic drop and a mad dash to a bar in three minutes.
I’ll see you, On The Drive.

Who is Behind the Curtain: Cindy Lawrence

Call Me, Maybe @ 713.299.2435

If you have something to say à  Cindy@OnTheDriveSolutions.com

Curious: onthedrivesolutions.com