Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY
BRAND & TRAINING STYLE
Timeline
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Holly Smith

Cottage Grove,MN

Summary

Versatile and results-driven performance consultant with over a decade of experience leading organizational development, sales enablement, and leadership training across multi-location businesses. Specializes in diagnosing performance gaps, designing scalable training ecosystems, and aligning cross-functional teams to achieve measurable improvements in profitability, accountability, and customer experience.

A proven expert in both in-person and digital program delivery, with a strong foundation in emotional intelligence, behavioral strategy, and process optimization. Known for creating high-trust environments that empower managers, elevate employee engagement, and drive cultural change.

Collaborates closely with executive leadership and frontline teams to facilitate operational turnarounds, implement performance scorecards, and resolve interpersonal challenges that hinder growth. Equally effective in fast-paced, change-resistant environments as in progressive, growth-focused organizations. Recognized for blending strategic insight with practical coaching to produce lasting transformation at both individual and organizational levels.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Automotive Performance Consultant

AutoSolutions LLC
07.2012 - Current
  • Partnered with multi-location businesses across the U.S. to lead operational and performance transformations that increased profitability, customer satisfaction, and compliance adherence.
  • Developed a leadership and sales training program rooted in emotional intelligence, behavioral profiling, and nonverbal communication to improve closing rates and interpersonal influence.
  • Serve as a trusted escalation point for urgent operational issues, including after-hours support. Frequently act as the liaison between internal teams and third-party partners to resolve high-impact service or claims-related disputes. Known for navigating complex communication channels to turn around unfavorable outcomes, protect revenue, and maintain client trust under pressure — successfully reversed over 75% of initial denials.
  • Built and delivered scalable training ecosystems using digital content, live workshops, performance dashboards, and integrated coaching systems.
  • Designed operational SOPs, pricing matrices, and qualification frameworks that improved quote accuracy, consistency, and frontline execution.
  • Leveraged AI tools to streamline training content creation, enhance process documentation, and support real-time coaching insights at scale.
  • Facilitated in-person leadership workshops focused on ego-awareness, accountability, and decision-making alignment across cross-functional teams.
  • Collaborated with senior leadership (GMs, Regional Directors, Owners) to troubleshoot performance gaps, re-establish trust, and implement customized improvement plans.
  • Led cross-departmental alignment initiatives to streamline communication, reduce handoff errors, and increase collaboration between sales and service operations.
  • Created and implemented a weekly behavioral performance scorecard to drive clarity, coaching focus, and accountability across team leaders.
  • Served as the architect for digital tools and systems integrations (CRM, compliance, quoting) to reduce manual effort and increase visibility.
  • Consulted on partner relationships and revenue-sharing structures, including contract evaluation and account auditing to identify hidden losses or inefficiencies.
  • Played a key role in change management efforts and leadership conflict resolution during periods of transition, low morale, or poor performance.
  • Built onboarding and ramp-up programs for new managers to ensure faster assimilation into culture, systems, and performance expectations.
  • Led role-based simulation training to help frontline teams overcome objections, build rapport, and align solutions with customer needs.
  • Advised on pricing strategy and quoting protocols to minimize losses, maximize retention, and support transparent customer engagement.

Finance and Insurance Manager

Carousel Audi/Porsche
2006 - 2012
  • Managed high-value client transactions, guiding customers through complex financial products while maintaining a premium, service-focused experience.
  • Built trust-based relationships that led to consistently strong sales performance in value-added solutions and long-term protection packages.
  • Partnered with third-party financial institutions to secure competitive approvals and resolve time-sensitive funding or documentation challenges.
  • Ensured full compliance with internal policies, industry regulations, and legal disclosure requirements — mitigating risk and protecting organizational integrity.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with sales leaders and department heads to streamline approval processes, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce operational bottlenecks.
  • Recognized for balancing revenue growth with customer transparency and satisfaction in a high-expectation environment.

Skills


  • Performance Coaching & Development
  • Leadership Training & Facilitation
  • Emotional Intelligence & Behavioral Insight
  • Organizational Culture Transformation
  • Employee Engagement Strategy
  • Sales & Operations Alignment
  • Strategic Process Improvement
  • Change Management & Team Buy-In
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Training Program Design (In-Person & Digital)
  • Conflict Resolution & Difficult Conversations
  • Communication & Influence Skills
  • Adaptability in Fast-Changing Environments

Accomplishments

  • Sales Performance Turnaround: Increased sales conversion rates by 15–30% across underperforming teams through values-based communication strategies, trust-building techniques, and customer-centric presentation methods.
  • Scalable Training Platform Launch: Designed and implemented a digital training ecosystem featuring interactive scorecards, real-time coaching tools, and performance tracking to support scalable development across multi-site organizations.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration Workshops: Facilitated team-based workshops that brought together frontline sales and operations teams to role-play real-world challenges, improve communication, and enhance deal execution.
  • Process Optimization & Compliance Efficiency: Developed quick-reference guides and SOPs that streamlined customer qualification, documentation, and approval workflows — reducing delays and increasing operational accuracy.

TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

  • CRM & Workflow Systems: DealerTrack, Reynolds & Reynolds, CDK, Tekion
  • Digital Contracting & Document Management: DocuSign, RouteOne, DealerTrack, Tekion
  • Learning & Development Tools: PowerPoint, Google Workspace, Zoom, LMS platforms
  • AI & Productivity Tools: ChatGPT, Notion AI, prompt engineering for content, training, and documentation support
  • Communication & Collaboration: Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom
  • Data Tracking & Dashboards: Excel, Google Sheets, custom scorecard systems

BRAND & TRAINING STYLE

Known for building trust quickly — even with the skeptics — by being direct, grounded, and respectful. Feedback is honest and clear, without ego or sugarcoating, and always focused on helping people level up. Teams appreciate the structure and consistency I bring, especially in environments where expectations haven’t been clear. I focus on practical systems that stick, not one-time hype sessions. A strong instinct for reading people helps uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface, and that’s often where the biggest breakthroughs happen. Whether it’s rebuilding a team, restoring trust, or getting performance back on track, the goal is always the same: make it better and make it last. Teams appreciate the no-nonsense approach, and leaders often say it’s exactly what they needed.

Timeline

Automotive Performance Consultant

AutoSolutions LLC
07.2012 - Current

Finance and Insurance Manager

Carousel Audi/Porsche
2006 - 2012