The Dakota Company

"Big ideas need a catalyst."

S. Michael Graves and his team at The Dakota Company are trusted by successful businesses across the country to create projects, manage them, and see them through to their completion.

The Dakota Company offers several options for contracting their services, whether through Autotainment Ventures, Powersports Partners, or Migrane Inc., The Dakota Company has a venture that fits your personal needs. Flexibility is one hallmark of The Dakota Company’s success. While one project might demand the entire scope of the company's broad-based services, another may require only early-stage design, conceptual development, or project consulting. Consult the Ventures page to determine which “team” best fits your needs.

SERVICES

•	Facilities Evaluation
•	Conceptual Design and Master Planning
•	Schematic Design
•	Design Development
•	Construction Documents
•	Construction Administration
•	Bidding and Negotiation
•	Permitting and Zoning
•	Project Management
•	Graphic Design
•	Purchasing and Installation
•	Management and Staff Training
•	Aftermarket Sales Program

WHAT INDUSTRY INSIDERS ARE SAYING

•	"Our first month we (Planet Dodge) topped the longtime No.1 dealer in south Florida (Maroone Dodge, owned by AutoNation Inc.). That shows the customer-friendly atmosphere Graves has created here is right on." - Joe Herman, COO Planet Automotive Miami, FL
•	"The building itself is key to the customer satisfaction process. It's part museum, part Spanish hacienda and totally Dodge dealership. Chrysler is quite pleased - and so are we." - Alan Potamkin, Co-Chairman, Potamkin Automotive
•	“Well out in front of the trend toward a different kind of dealership is Michael Graves of Dallas, a self-described behavioral designer who has trademarked the term ‘autotainment’ to describe his concept of incorporation themed elements and creature comforts at dealerships.” - The New York Times
•	"I have never been to another dealership that mirrors this experience." - James G. O'Connor, Group Vice President, North American Marketing, Sales and Services, Ford Motor Co.

The Dakota Company and its ventures have a history of creatively approaching projects, ensuring the best results for all parties involved. Below are two examples of the kinds of results you can expect when you employ the The Dakota Company’s services.

CASE STUDY #1 - Planet Ford Autotainment Mall

In April of 1996, World Class Automotive Group purchased controlling interest in a Ford dealership, (Interstate Ford) located in Houston (Spring), Texas. This twenty-five year old dealership had produced little, if any, operational profits since opening in the early 70's. It had suffered from frequent changes in ownership and years of physical neglect, losing all its consumer trust.

Members of Autotainment Ventures were working with World Class Automotive Group to contemporize the retail automotive sales process when they were asked to oversee the recapitalization process at this dealership. Autotainment Ventures was presented with an opportunity to reinvent this automotive dealership by humanizing the facility. Design elements used for other major retail facilities were woven seamlessly into the automotive sales process by the design team at Autotainment Ventures. All aspects of the behavioral design effort were used to lower customer intimidation and enhance the purchasing experience while building consumer trust and satisfaction. The numbers below reflect only part of the success of this redesigned and reinvigorated dealership. F. Michael Graves served as COO of Planet Ford for 2002, the first year of operation. During Graves’ year as COO, the dealership reached #2 in national Ford sales.

THE NUMBERS: BEFORE

Interstate Ford (1996)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$327 per unit
Closing Rates:	Unavailable
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	143 per Month

THE NUMBERS: AFTER

Planet Ford (First Year of Operations 2002)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$1,422 per unit
Closing Rates:	43%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	854 per Month

ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND ACHEIVEMENTS

•	Blue Oval Certification: 2002, 2003
•	Partners Quality Inc.: 2003
•	President's Award Winner: 2003
•	Ten Most Innovative Dealerships by Automotive News: 2002

CASE STUDY #2 - Planet Dodge Autotainment Mall

Planet Dodge of Miami, Florida opened in October of 2003 after F. Michael Graves and Autotainment Ventures were hired to launch Planet Automotive's first venture in Autotainment(TM). In the Florida market ‘Autotainment’ was a new concept in Automotive retailing. The Potamkin Brothers, Robert and Alan, along with Joe Herman, the COO of Planet Automotive, selected Autotainment Ventures to implement the ‘Autotainment' concept at their own dealership after visiting Planet Ford (mentioned in Case Study #1). Original construction of the Potamkin’s Dodge dealership was halted so Graves and Autotainment Ventures could redesign the project and ingratiate as many ‘Autotainment' concepts into the dealership as possible. The dealership was opened in an underdeveloped part of Miami, which posed several obstacles. Despite these obstacles, Planet Dodge has been hugely successful, posting operational profits monthly since opening.

THE NUMBERS: AFTER

Planet Dodge (First Year of Operations 2003)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,122 per unit
Closing Rates:	(First Time - 24%, Be Backs - 63%) 36%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	268 per month

Planet Dodge (Second Year of Operations)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,515 per unit
Closing Rates:	38%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	305 per month

Planet Dodge (Third Year of Operations)
Per Unit Vehicle Gross:	$3,912 per unit
Closing Rates:	38%
Average Vehicles sold per Month:	338 per month

ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND ACHEIVEMENTS

•	Daimler Chrysler's Five Star Certification: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's #1 National Accessories Retailer: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's #2 Global Accessories Retailer: 2003, 2004, 2005
•	Daimler Chrysler's 2003 Leadership Challenge Award for Sales and Customer Satisfaction
•	November 2055 #3 in National Sales Volume