Key Takeaways From The Inaugural e-automate Elevate Day

I've just returned from attending BTA Spring Break 2025 and am re-energized by my experience there. One pleasantly surprising highlight was the number of BTA members who told me they attended this year's event solely for e-automate Elevate Day, revealing the strong desire for a deeper dive into e-automate’s capabilities. The collaborative day went well beyond traditional software discussions, focusing instead on practical use cases and strategic enhancements that drive dealer success.

Gary Lavin and Mike Kirkpatrick of the CEOJuice team delivered a highly engaging session by addressing AI’s tangible business impacts. Rather than covering basic applications like email automation or simple research summarization, they explored how AI can:

• Analyze large datasets to generate actionable business insights
• Drive real-time, fact-based decision-making
• Optimize workflows by integrating AI in ways that enhance operational efficiency

Their discussion highlighted that AI is not merely a trendy tool but a powerful enabler for businesses when implemented correctly, directly influencing performance and competitive advantage.

Adam Jones from CopyPro Inc. was another standout presenter, offering a refreshing perspective on e-automate. Instead of a technical deep dive, Jones led an interactive and engaging discussion showcasing how e-automate can be leveraged to improve dealer operations and customer experience. His approach emphasized that the value of ERP systems like e-automate is best realized when used to enhance the customer experience rather than just ticking off a list of technical features.

A key takeaway from Jones’s sessions was that customer experience should be at the forefront of ERP focus. Rather than simply highlighting the capabilities of e-automate, the discussions encouraged dealers to consider how to leverage ERP to serve their customers’ needs better, prompting lively and insightful conversations.

A particularly defining moment occurred during one of Gary Lavin’s presentations. When asked to raise hands for those using the “Jobs” feature in e-automate, only one other attendee besides the speaker responded. This low turnout spurred a pivotal discussion when someone questioned the purpose of the feature, asking, “I know what Jobs are—but why would I use them? What do they do for my business?”

This moment encapsulated a much broader issue: dealers are often familiar with the technical aspects of e-automate. Still, they may not have full visibility into the strategic benefits of its capabilities. Over time, as a dealership evolves (and as e-automate continues to add new features)—full knowledge of the application's capabilities can become diluted within the business. This is understandable when using an application with the scope and depth of an ERP like e-automate.

However, a business may seek out new solutions to resolve a workflow issue without realizing the solution is already available in their e-automate instance. Critical solutions, like the “Jobs” feature, can be overlooked, leading to extra work and effort in finding a solution to a problem that e-automate could have eliminated. New solutions aren't always necessary, but reassessing and optimizing existing toolsets can ensure they support current business needs.

Beyond the sessions on e-automate, BTA Spring Break was packed with valuable vendor interactions and networking opportunities. I had the chance to meet with companies like Avision, Evolved Office, and AgentDealer and learned about ongoing innovations aimed at improving dealer operations. These interactions reinforced the idea that success in this industry comes from a deep understanding of existing technologies and a willingness to refine internal processes rather than constantly chase the next new thing.

More than anything, this event reinforced something I already knew:

• This industry is as strong as ever
• BTA continues to be a powerful community of business leaders who truly care
• I love supporting the BTA community and the incredible businesses we serve

The overarching message I took home from BTA Spring Break 2025: while new software solutions are often considered the solution to the challenges of evolving and growing businesses, many issues can be resolved through a more insightful use of existing technology. There is a call to action for business leaders to review and optimize their processes, remove unnecessary manual steps, and better capture key business metrics. It celebrated a vibrant community of business leaders committed to continuous improvement and mutual support—affirming the industry’s strength and resilience.

Looking ahead, the conversations sparked at this event are set to continue, driving forward a culture of innovation and efficiency among dealers and software providers alike.

BTA Spring Break 2025 reinforced a vital lesson—success lies not in chasing new technology but in mastering and optimizing existing tools like e-automate. Business leaders must assess their current processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and leverage ERP capabilities to their full potential. By doing so, they can drive innovation, streamline operations, and stay ahead in an evolving industry.