Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

ARPANA HARDAS

Chicago,IL

Summary

Senior Dealer Relations Manager at Spireon with strong expertise in CRM and training program development. Achieved significant sales growth through enhanced dealer engagement and product adoption strategies. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and client retention, utilizing leadership abilities to improve operational efficiency and build enduring partnerships.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Dealer Relations Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
Chicago, Illinois
10.2024 - Current
  • Establish and maintain strong, long-term relationships with dealership clients to foster loyalty and ensure adoption of the LoJack product.
  • Analyze stolen vehicle market trends to inform inventory decisions and optimize offerings.
  • Drive the effective implementation and ongoing use of LoJack's software and services by delivering initial and ongoing product training to dealership staff.
  • Clearly communicate LoJack updates, new features, and other relevant information to dealerships in a timely manner.
  • Serve as the primary LoJack point of contact for dealerships, resolving technical, operational, or other issues and escalating matters when necessary.
  • Coordinated training sessions for new dealers on LoJack features and benefits.
  • Monitor dealership performance, provide support, and help them leverage LoJack to improve their operations and profitability.
  • Work with internal teams (e.g., sales, product) and external partners to enhance go-to-market efforts and achieve company objectives.
  • Developed promotional strategies to increase dealer engagement and sales performance.
  • Facilitated communication between dealers and internal teams for seamless operations.
  • Oversaw compliance with industry regulations and company policies among dealers.
  • Implemented feedback mechanisms to gather insights from dealers for process improvements.
  • Maintained relationships with existing clients while actively seeking new business opportunities.
  • Formulated pricing models for LoJack to maximize returns for customers.

Senior Dealer Training Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
Chicago, IL
12.2021 - 10.2024
  • Led cross-functional teams to align strategic goals and operational plans.
  • Developed and implemented policies to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Managed budget allocations and resource planning for multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Facilitated training sessions to cultivate staff skills and promote professional development.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
  • Streamlined communication channels between departments to improve project coordination.
  • Oversaw performance evaluations, providing feedback to strengthen team capabilities.
  • Managed a team of 8+ employees by providing guidance, setting goals and objectives, delegating tasks, and monitoring performance.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
  • Coordinated with internal departments to ensure successful execution of projects according to timeline and budget constraints.
  • Mentored junior staff in the organization's business processes, customer service standards, and quality assurance protocols.
  • Established effective communication channels between different departments within the LoJack vertical.
  • Conducted regular performance appraisals for direct reports to provide feedback on their work performance.
  • Participated in recruitment initiatives by interviewing potential candidates and selecting suitable hires.
  • Created detailed reports on LoJack's project progress for senior management review.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures across all business units.
  • Implemented new technologies such as Dealer Management Systems integration, CRM Management software and the internal LoJack Dealer Portal.
  • Represented the organization at conferences or trade shows as an expert speaker on relevant topics.
  • Oversaw talent acquisition, training, and development programs to build high-performing teams.
  • Guided change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of the LoJack implementation and dealership launch.
  • Conducted performance reviews and provided feedback to direct reports for career development.
  • Implemented process improvements to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Reported to executive leadership on performance metrics, challenges, and strategic opportunities.
  • Facilitated team meetings and workshops to align on goals and strategies.
  • Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
  • Planned and delivered training sessions to improve employee effectiveness and address areas of weakness.
  • Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
  • Recruited and trained new employees to meet job requirements.
  • Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
  • Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
  • Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.

Dealer Training Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
Chicago, Illinois
06.2018 - 12.2021
  • Identify training gaps and develop specialized training programs for Spireon's suite of automotive technology products and services.
  • Design, develop, and deliver engaging training sessions, potentially including F&I products, e-contracting, DMS integration, digital contracting, and more, for various dealership teams (sales, support, management, service)
  • Create and update accurate and up-to-date training materials, presentations, and resources.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within dealerships, including management, sales, and service teams.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs through metrics, feedback, and assessments, using this data to make necessary improvements.
  • Maintain current knowledge of Spireon's products, processes, and industry trends to ensure training content is relevant and effective
  • Provide sales and technical coaching to dealers, acting as a strategic partner to help drive growth and profitability.

Corporate Sales Trainer

TransNational Payments
Rosemont, IL
10.2017 - 05.2018
  • Successfully performed inside sales to learn the Bancard industry.
  • Created, designed and developed the Sales Training outline and all of the Sales new hire training modules.
  • Performed new hire orientation for both sales and operations new hires.

Field Sales Trainer/Business Development Specialist

GWC Warranty
Wilkes Barre, PA
02.2014 - 06.2017
  • Develop sales pitch and provide guidance on cold calling potential clients for product promotion.
  • Provide one-on-one guidance regarding sales development strategies and protocols to newly hired sales team members.
  • Keep track of sales department productivity and take measures to enhance the same.
  • Supervise new product launches and mentor the sales team.
  • Revise sales policies and tactics based on sales numbers and customer feedback.
  • Assist dealerships with obtaining their sales goals, marketing their dealerships and other initiatives.
  • Coach Dealer Consultants on how to effectively pitch and close utilizing the Consultative Sales Approach.
  • Collaborate with the AVP of Training, AVP's of Sales Development and Executive Management to institute productive new sales initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the AVP's to identify and create solutions based on individual Dealer Consultants's needs.
  • Facilitate web based training.
  • Design and implement performance metrics to assess training effectiveness and efficiencies.
  • Evaluate new hire and veteran Dealer Consultant's performance.
  • Assist in the creation of the Dealer Consultants territory to ensure effective time management.
  • Collaborate with Operations, Marketing, HR and other business partners to meet company objectives.
  • Implement process improvements within Sales and the designated operational departments.

Corporate Trainer

Guaranteed Rate, Inc
Chicago, IL
02.2012 - 02.2014
  • Developed and maintained operation training curriculums.
  • Designated trainer for new program initiative in Sales and Operations.
  • Complete creation of training materials, slide shows and content for the HARP Broker Program.
  • Lead trainer on outside broker systems.
  • Create WebEx training announcements and ongoing knowledge bulletins.
  • Effectively train Platform Basics training curriculums via WebEx.
  • Instrumental in launch of operations and new hire training.
  • Create training test files.
  • Coordinate training activities, manuals and knowledge checks.
  • Create of training participation guides.
  • Construct training surveys.
  • Develop scripts and presentations for recorded trainings through Captivate.
  • Research various virtual training systems and modules to assist in ongoing training.
  • Attended Inside Out Coaching training to assist in the development of Branch Manager training.
  • Develop the Branch Manager training curriculum.
  • Develop and run training participation reports and acquisition and attrition reports.
  • Utilize various design tools to construct training guides relevant to sales and operations training programs.

Lead Recruiter

Guaranteed Rate, Inc.
Chicago, IL
11.2009 - 02.2012
  • Instrumental in the creation of Guaranteed Rate University.
  • Recruited, screened, and interviewed candidates for Guaranteed Rate University.
  • Responsible for hiring up to 25 people for the 5-week Mortgage 101 training class.
  • Developed and posted GRU job descriptions.
  • Performed Train the Trainer training with Hiring Managers with behavioral style interview skills.
  • Set up and attended career fairs.
  • Assisted in the development of the GRU training curriculum.

Executive Recruiter (Contract)

Global Employment Solutions
Chicago, IL
02.2009 - 08.2009

Staffing Consultant

Williams Lea
Chicago, IL
02.2007 - 11.2008

Recruiting Manager

Mark/Ryan Associates
Schaumburg, IL
06.2006 - 01.2007

Loan Consultant

Quicken Loans
Livonia, MI
03.2003 - 04.2006

Business Analyst/Brand Manager

Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI
02.2000 - 02.2003

Education

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Michigan State University

Skills

  • CRM and sales software
  • Training program development
  • Product implementation
  • Customer relationship management
  • Performance monitoring
  • Strategic planning
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Learning management systems
  • Virtual meeting platforms
  • E-learning tools
  • Behavioral interviewing techniques
  • Predictive index analysis
  • SharePoint collaboration
  • Dealer management systems
  • Regulatory compliance awareness
  • Client onboarding and retention
  • Team leadership and management

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Senior Dealer Relations Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
10.2024 - Current

Senior Dealer Training Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
12.2021 - 10.2024

Dealer Training Manager

Spireon - A Solera Company
06.2018 - 12.2021

Corporate Sales Trainer

TransNational Payments
10.2017 - 05.2018

Field Sales Trainer/Business Development Specialist

GWC Warranty
02.2014 - 06.2017

Corporate Trainer

Guaranteed Rate, Inc
02.2012 - 02.2014

Lead Recruiter

Guaranteed Rate, Inc.
11.2009 - 02.2012

Executive Recruiter (Contract)

Global Employment Solutions
02.2009 - 08.2009

Staffing Consultant

Williams Lea
02.2007 - 11.2008

Recruiting Manager

Mark/Ryan Associates
06.2006 - 01.2007

Loan Consultant

Quicken Loans
03.2003 - 04.2006

Business Analyst/Brand Manager

Ford Motor Company
02.2000 - 02.2003

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Michigan State University

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