Part 1 of this topic discussed what to do if your Parts Manager is a parts person with little training in the art of management and/or the science of accounting.   As a general manager/dealer principle it is unfair of you to hire an under-qualified and NOT consider offering him/her proper training.  Alright, I can already see you rolling eyes and contemplating the lost time and cost of parts manager training.  Technicians are sent to training on a regular basis and the practice is rarely, if ever, questioned but Parts Manager training seems like a waste of money to some.  The fact is, there are a tremendous number of training options, formal and informal, for parts managers that range from very expensive to free.  Below is a list of some of those options:

Formal:

Manufacturer-Your OEM most likely offers training for your PM.  This one of the more expensive options but also one of the best.

Your DMS

NADA

Dealer Solutions (yes I’m plugging a competitor)

M5 Fixed Ops University

Mike Nicoles Capital Management

DealerPro Training

 

Informal:

 

If you’re a multi-location dealer group, send your PM to another location where an experienced PM can teach him/her.

If you’re not but have a good relationship with a neighboring dealer, see if that PM would be willing to help with guidance/training.

Parts & Service Manager club meetings.

 

Very informal/Self Guided:

 

Read the Dealersedge Forum daily/weekly

Read some of the parts managers blogs on the internet

Become an inventory counter on weekends (and work for someone like me).  This not only allows you to see how other parts departments are run but also earn extra money and expand your network.

 

Training not only expands the knowledge and skill set of your parts manager but also sets him/her up for success for years down the line.