Shows
The Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers 31 - Miles 33 & 34 - Believe in Your Abilities & Avoid Burning BridgesIn this episode, Gene addresses how learning and perfecting skills can help you compete against industry giants. He also addresses how, while best not to burn bridges, there are times that relationships come to an end permanently.
Most importantly, Gene discusses why he chose not to get revenge or act with anger toward someone with whom he would have been justified in doing so...
...based on his faith and guidance from scripture.
2022-08-2416 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 30 - Mile 32 - Be Ready to PivotNew Podcast - Be Ready to Pivot
In this episode, Gene talks about a number of ways we may need to pivot to something new or different, including having a Plan B.
He also talks about his experience in launching the US version of Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution including hosting the training videos.
Enjoy!
2022-08-1113 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 29 - Miles 30 & 31 Knowing Your Why & Your Stuff!New Episode!
Gene returns from the break last week with two Miles and Markers, including his early days at Mitsubishi Motors North America. In Mile 30, Gene discusses knowing the "Why" of your projects, not just the why of your life. In Mile 31, Gene talks about his experience working on a project with J.D. Power and Associates, and how even the "experts" may not always know "your" stuff!
Enjoy!
2022-08-0417 minThe Miles And The MarkersTMATM Episode 28 Mile 29 - Words Are Powerful Tools"EVERYONE IS SCRIPTED!"
Gene begins this episode with a prayer for the President of the United States who just came down with COVID. As Christians, we are called to lift our leaders in prayer regardless of our personal opinions about their party or their leadership.
Next, Gene challenges the current trend of eliminating Scripts from training and addresses how he has taught the appropriate use of scripts, beginning with the idea that "Tom Hanks is not Forrest Gump!"
Enjoy!
2022-07-2114 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 27 - Mile 28 Know Your PurposeGraphic True Story Alert
In this episode, Gene discusses how he discovered his purpose in business, and more importantly, his purpose in serving others.
Author Brad Metzler said,
"Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind always."
Gene unpacks this with a riveting story from his automotive experience and helps the listener understand the importance of empathy for others.
Enjoy!
2022-07-1519 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 26 | Mile 27 - Return to Face New ChallengesReturning to Retail
In this episode, Gene discusses his return to Service Management at his previous dealership. Among other things he discusses:
* Adapting to less than ideal circumstances
* Overcoming Technology Issues (The handwritten RO)
* Firing an abusive customer
* Dealing with late Warranty Claims
* Facing unexpected changes and learning from them
* Oft quoted "scriptures" that are not actually in the Bible
2022-07-0622 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 25 Mile 26 | Represent Wherever You AreChallenge to Represent Well!
In this episode, Gene discusses how traveling for business can be a challenge to personal integrity. He also argues that failure to represent well negatively impacts more than you personally or your family. It can also destroy other people and your business.
This episode includes quotes from Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, and Zig Ziglar, as well as selections from Holy Scripture.
2022-06-2919 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers 25 Episode 24 - Faith and Business Can AlignWarning. In this episode, Gene addresses several topics that could be considered controversial. These include the use of certain language in the car business and faith in a personal God vs. other beliefs that are more accepted in the business world. He discusses how working with Saturn made practicing his faith easy because of the aligned values. Regardless of what you believe, we all can work together if love, acceptance, and forgiveness (all tenets of faith) are practiced.
2022-06-2224 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Podcast 23 Mile 24 -Learning Requires Involvement & CoachingIn this episode, Gene talks about his first experience facilitating as a team at Saturn, and how coaching helped him eliminate a bad habit while speaking. He also talks about the difference between training and facilitating, plus the importance of consistent, and ongoing coaching.
Gene challenges corporations to stop sabotaging training by lack of focus, and by creating fires that cause training to be put on the back burner.
Special thanks to Joe Jordan and Charlie Brown for helping me become the facilitator that I am.
2022-06-1518 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 22 | Mile 23 Expect and Be Ready for ChangeWe don't like change! Unless it means change for the better, or we believe it's going to be better! In this episode, Gene discusses the change from retail to travel work, and both the benefits and some of the drawbacks of life on the road. He also takes us down a sidestreet called Intrinsic Motivation. Why is it important for leaders to understand what motivates their staff?
Enjoy!
2022-06-0815 minThe Miles And The MarkersGoals Can Be Achieved - The Miles And The Markers - Episode 21 Mile 22In this episode, Gene Girdley shares how he got the call to be interviewed and how he received an offer to become part of Saturn's Retail Training Team. He also takes a deep dive into what really happened to the Saturn Brand, and he challenges consumers to demand change by doing business with manufacturers and dealers willing to do things right. For more information about the demise of Saturn, see this article https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/08/saturn-gm-innovation-leadership-managing-failure.html?sh=62585e126ee3
2022-05-3016 minThe Miles And The MarkersMile 20 Podcast Number 21 - The Miles and The MarkersGene returns with a new episode including the story of how his success was chronicled in Sales and Marketing Management Magazine, which featured the Top 25 Sales Forces in America in October 1998. The cover featured Michael Dell. This was a key transition point that set the stage for Gene to move from retail automotive to becoming a trainer for Saturn.
There's an added bonus at the end of this segment as Gene reads a prayer of thanksgiving from The Book of Common Prayer.
Enjoy and have a blessed week!
2022-05-2215 minThe Miles And The MarkersPay it Forward - Mile 20 The Miles and The Markers - Episode 19In this episode - Pay it Forward, Gene begins with his perspective on the recent Kentucky Derby surprise, and his view that there was more to it than strategic planning, goal setting, and belief. In a contrarian view to common motivational and self-actualization points of view, Nikola Tesla said, "The human being is a self-propelled automaton entirely under the control of external influences. Willful and predetermined though they appear, his actions are governed not from within, but from without. He is like a float tossed about by the waves of a turbulent sea."
Enjoy!
2022-05-1119 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 19 - Mile 18 Work the Plan"Working The Plan", means doing what is necessary to accomplish the goal. Like focusing on the road to your destination. In this episode, Gene discusses his transition from a sales consultant to a finance manager, and the many things he learned along the way. He also shares some interesting stories about how dealerships take advantage of mistakes made by manufacturers and lenders.
2022-05-0220 minThe Miles And The MarkersEpisode 17 - Always Be Ready to Act - The Miles and The Markers Mile 18Always Be Ready
So much in this episode about being ready when the opportunity arises. Once again ahead of its time, Saturn becomes the first to market a full electric vehicle (GM's EV1) and that gave me a chance to prove my ability as a trainer. I also share the role my friend Chris Saraceno played in helping me. I am pleased to share the new song from Chris' book, The Theory of 5, in this episode. I also share my philosophy about achieving goals and the role spirituality plays.
2022-04-2916 minThe Miles And The MarkersShare Your Goals and Ignore the Scoffers - Ep. 16 The Miles and the Markers Mile 17One of my favorite chapters! In this episode, I unpack how I set a goal to become a Saturn trainer and some of the negative feedback I received. I also share examples from personalities in the Bible, and I share about my good friend Joe Jordan!
Enjoy!
2022-04-2021 minThe Miles And The MarkersPrioritized and Fun Training - Episode 15 of The Miles and The MarkersIn this episode, Gene tackles two chapters of The Miles and the Markers. He talks about his experience in being trained and the changes in training that have occurred during his career in automotive.
2022-03-2327 minThe Miles And The MarkersFollow Up & Follow Through - The Miles and The Markers Episode 14In this episode, Gene talks about the importance of follow-up, how to follow-up, and why relationships are the most important part of sales and business. Gene also discusses his recent visit to NADA 2022, and a new contact from Ukraine.
Gene is the author of The Miles and The Markers book - available on Amazon.
#Thegenepool
2022-03-1621 minThe Miles And The MarkersAlways Be Learning! The Miles and the Markers - Episode 13In this episode, Gene plays a fun clip from a personal interview with Jay Leno, and he discusses the idea of learning as a knowledge bank account that you can draw from when things in your world change suddenly. Gene also addresses current events and the need for each of us to be mindful and grateful.
2022-03-0218 minThe Miles And The MarkersValues Matter - The Miles and The Markers - Mile 12VALUES MATTER!
In this episode, Gene goes deep into how the principles of dealership operations were created at Saturn Corporation, and he challenges listeners with the question: Are your visions and values posted, easily understood, and lived by all team members? Do customers know and experience your core values?
2022-02-2324 minThe Miles And The MarkersSales Is An Honorable Profession - The Miles and the Markers Episode 11Highway to Heaven? That was the headline from Sales and Marketing Management Magazine highlighting Gene's transition from minister to a car salesman, finance leader, and eventual corporate trainer for Saturn.
2022-02-1622 minThe Miles And The Markers8 Leaders Who Cared - Miles and the Markers Episode 108 Leaders Who Cared!
Do you care enough to give away your time, your experience, your ideas, and your passions? In this episode Gene shares stories from those who made a difference in his life by imparting their ideas, strategies, and behaviors to others.
#thegenepool #loveoneanother #leadership #success
2022-02-0926 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 9 - Believing Means DoingIn this episode, Gene returns after a week away and tells the story of standing up for a customer based on values established by his company. Live what you believe is the theme. He also addresses a recent issue he took a stand on that required him to defend his position on something in which he strongly believes.
2022-02-0220 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 8 - Pay Attention to Life’s CluesPay Attention to Life's Clues
In this episode, Gene talks about how his default in business was to do it with someone else and not take the lead. Being an entrepreneur requires one to take the lead and risk the loss of income and business relationships.
#thegenepool #faithhopelove #integrity #character
2022-01-1915 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 7Slow Down to Speed Up! In this episode, Gene shares stories from his experiences and how rushing through processes actually cost more time and money.
#thegenepool #automotive #fixedops #business #success
DelRaeLearning.com
2022-01-1117 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers Episode 6 - Be Open to New IdeasBig Announcement!
In this episode, Gene discusses something new in 2022 that he and his wife are venturing into for their business. He also discusses how he got into his first business called Gene's Auto-Doc while providing mobile service to customers way back in 1979.
#thegenepool #automotiveindustry #fixedops #personaldevelopment #podcast
2022-01-0518 minThe Miles And The MarkersMile and Marker 5 - Do The Right ThingGene shares true stories of those who have and have not done the right thing by customers. He also addresses the current state of the world in terms of leadership and how we're all going to need to do what is right in the future.
#thegenepool DelRaeLearning.com
2021-12-2929 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers: Mile 4 Use Technology WiselyIn this episode, Gene explores how technology can be a polarizing topic when it comes to the customer experience. Gene uses an example from the Bible that may not, on the surface, seem to be relevant, but upon further review makes all the sense in the world.
2021-12-2124 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and the Markers Episode 3 - Live With IntegrityIt's been said you haven't really made it until you have haters. Today Gene shares what could be a controversial story near the end of the podcast based on his refusing a job over how the women dressed. This episode connects the story of Being There, with the story of Living with Integrity. It also addresses how living with integrity is a choice, regardless of the circumstances that life throws at you.
This podcast is based on the book The Miles and the Markers available in paperback and Kindle editions. https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Markers-Experiences-improve-enhance/dp...
2021-12-1513 minThe Miles And The MarkersThe Miles and The Markers 2 - Tapped By a Hall of FamerIn this episode, Gene discusses his early years in baseball and how he was taught how to pitch by Hall of Fame Pitcher Don Sutton. He then begins the journey with Mile and Marker One - Being There.
Follow Gene's YouTube Channel, at LinkedIn, and on Vimeo
Gene is the President and Co-Founder of DelRae Learning and Development. His company is the exclusive production company for The Fixed Ops Roundtable, The Weekly Edition, and The F.O.R. - Cast podcast.
2021-12-0823 minThe Miles And The MarkersGene Girdley‘s The Miles & The Markers Podcast 1In this podcast, Gene discusses the initial story behind the book and dives into the introduction, while telling you a bit more about some of what you might read on the pages alone.
2021-12-0219 min