Resume

Chris Hanson has been in the car business for 13+ years selling cars on the floor, Internet Manager, Sales Trainer, Director of eCommerce for multiple operations & OEM Digital Strategist.

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Experienced eCommerce Consultant, eCommerce Director and Digital Strategist

Offering an impressive 12-year automotive background by always performing in the top of the field

Exceptional understanding of implementing Tools, Technology, Process & Training at the dealer level to increase sales by providing comprehensive solutions & direction over single & multiple store operations. 

♦Regular Speaker at SOA Meetings
♦Subaru of America Digital Expert

♦Interviewed for over a dozen articles
♦ Featured writer for AutoSuccess for 2 years

♦ Guest Speaker for AutoSuccess at NADA 2006
♦ Speaker at AutoSuccess Summit IV

♦ DaimlerChrysler Subject Matter Expert 2005
♦ Invited by Cobalt to speak on panel at NADA 2004
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Digital Strategist – Subaru Account
Carmichael Lynch, Minneapolis, Minnesota  July 2009 – Present

First hire for the new Digital Strategist positions for Subaru of America to help set up training, process, dealer engagement, digital priorities, working with SOA, the Regions and Zones.  Day to day is working on very high level strategies with SOA, their Regions and Zones, combined with working with the dealers in the field putting on workshops and in-house training.

Support Subaru of America digital marketing at the regional and local levels.

Accomplishments:
*Lowered the average dealer response rate from 21.2 hours to 4.9 hours
*Raised the dealer response rate (disposition data) from 61.3% to 93.9%
*Increased dealer website leads by 71%
*Raised the dealer close rate by 3%
*Increased dealer website conversion by 1%

Responsibilities for:

Subaru Dealerships
- Develop and conduct the following workshops
* Digital Marketing
* Lead Handling
* Dealer Website
- Conduct Dealer Meetings

Subaru Zone Staff
- Develop and conduct the following workshops
* Digital Marketing
* Lead Handling
* Dealer Website

Regional and Zone Staff
* Manage regional and zone digital initiatives including on-line media strategies
* Educate clients on the interactive techniques and keeping them
informed of changing landscapes

Priorities:
Digital Marketing
* Digital Media and Search
* Program/campaign integration
* Client Website content
* Dealer sites maintenance and process
* Assist clients in usage of digital marketing approaches to include:
* Develop SEM Plans
* Improving SEO results
* Driving participation in digital programs
Lead Handling
* Monitoring and improving dealer adoption of Lead Management tools
* Assist with dealer Lead Management processes; act as interface to field team and dealers

    Owner
    FollowUpForSuccess.com
    September 2005 – Present
    ♦ Hanson started Follow Up For Success because there was and still is such a great need to assist dealerships around the country who just do not know how to get their Internet Departments started or how to take their current one to the next level.
    ♦ Follow Up For Success would help develop and build dealers Internet Departments by using unique and innovative ways backed by his proven, solid, follow up process. In house training: process, templates, video email, blogging, phone scripts, website design and what vendors to use.
    ♦ Most of Hanson’s past clients saw 50% PLUS increases in their Internet sales by simply following the process and the techniques I gave them.
    ♦ 2006 Hanson is invited to speak at the AutoSuccess Summit IV
    ♦ 2006 Guest Speaker for AutoSuccess Magazine at the 2006 NADA Convention

    eCommerce Consulting Director
    VinSolutions
    October 2008 – June 2009
    ♦ Brought on board to work with dealers to help them grow their Internet Departments through Chris Hanson’s proven process, system and technology.
    ♦ Work with dealer base on how to successfully implement CRM/ILM/Inventory Management at the dealer level.
    ♦ Provide In-House eCommerce Sales Training
    ♦ Develop, market and put on eCommerce Boot Camps
    ♦ Developed and implemented my V.I.D. (Virtual Internet Director) Program
    ♦ Conduct eCommerce eValuation’s to determine dealers current areas of opportunities

    Director of eCommerce
    Nourse Family of Dealerships
    September 2008 – October 2008
    ♦ Hired to completely overhaul The Nourse Family of Dealerships which included Nourse Family Automall, Family Ford Lincoln Mercury, Pioneer Chevrolet Cadillac Chrysler Jeep and Nourse Interstate Automall in Ohio.

    Director of eCommerce
    Saturn of North Texas
    March 2008 – September 2008
    ♦ Director of eCommerce: Saturn of Irving, Saturn of Lewisville and Saturn of Plano.
    ♦ More than doubled the used car sales at Saturn of North Texas within two months of implementing eCommerce strategies and processes.
    ♦ Took one Internet Salesperson from selling 5 to 7 Internet sales a month to 20+
    ♦ Train and manage follow up process for all incoming leads
    ♦ Responsible for website design and changes for 6 websites.
    ♦ Full reporting of all Internet sales and ROI
    ♦ Responsible for recruiting, hiring and training of all eCommerce staff

    Director of eCommerce
    David Thomas Auto Group
    October 2006 – February 2008
    ♦ Built the eCommerce Department up to six ISM’s between the two stores and accounted for 46% of the total sales.
    ♦ Responsible for building the eCommerce Department from the ground up for first Subaru Antenna store, Subaru of Plano.
    ♦ Rebuilt Subaru of Dallas Internet Department
    ♦ Responsible for and managed all Internet advertising, website changes, Vendor Relations,
    ♦ Customer Retention
    ♦ Manage all vendor relationships
    ♦ Full reporting of all Internet sales and ROI
    ♦ Desk deals and fill in for the New and Used Car Managers at both stores
    ♦ Helped rebuild Park Cities Auto Leasing. ♦ Responsible for recruiting, hiring and training of all eCommerce staff
    ♦2008 The Internet Marketing Report writes an article on how Chris Hanson is using 800 tracking numbers
    ♦2008 Car Dealer Insider writes an article on how Chris Hanson is using Video eMail and Live Chat to sell more cars

    Internet Manager
    Hibbing Chrysler
    August 2000 – January 2005
    ♦ Became Top salesperson after the first year and every year after.
    ♦ Developed my own follow up system which created a repeat and referral customer base that accounted for 90% of my business.
    ♦ Built the 1st Internet department for the dealership from the ground up and maintained a closing ratio of 34.5%.
    ♦ Recognized by Chrysler as one of the top ten salespeople in the country
    ♦ Subject Matter Expert in Developing Your Business Web Course for DaimlerChrysler Academy (DCA).
    ♦ Picked as one of the elite group of the most successful DaimlerChrysler salespeople for the development of Prospecting for Success web course
    ♦ Pioneer of using video email to follow up with customers, create video walk-arounds and Customer Testimonials to sell cars.

    Sales Consultant
    Wallys Auto
    August 1997 – July 2000
    ♦ My introduction to the car business was at a small, family owned, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership where I had the privilege of learning the business from A to Z.
    ♦ Put in charge of running the sales department after the second year.
    ♦ Responsible for selling, appraising trade-ins, financing, purchasing cars from the auction and ordering new car inventory.