"Big
ideas need a catalyst."
Successful people turn to F. Michael Graves and his team at The Dakota Company
to get jobs done.
The Dakota Company offers several options for contracting their services, and flexibility
is one hallmark of their 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.
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 topped the longtime No.1 dealer in south Florida (Maroone
Dodge, owned by AutoNation Inc.). That shows the customer-friendly
atmosphere Graves has created hereis righty on."
- Planet Dodge, Miami, FL
|
| • |
"The
building itself is key to the satisfaction process. It's part
museum, part spanish hacienda and totally Dodge dealership," says
Alan Potamkin, Chrysler is quite pleased - and so are we."
- Alan Potamkin, Co-Chairman, Planet 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 experiance."
- James G. O'Connor
- Group Vice President
- North American Marketing, Sales and Services
- Ford Motor Co.
|
The Dakota Company has a history of creatively
approaching projects to ensure the best structure for all the parties
involved. Below are just two examples of the kind of results you can
expect when you engage the services The Dakota Company.
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 25-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.
Principals of Autotainment Ventures were working with World Class
in the contemporization of the retail automotive sales process,
and immediately were asked to oversee the recapitalization process
at this dealership. Autotainment Ventures was presented with
an opportunity to reinvent the retail automotive dealership, to
humanize the facility. Design elements used by our retail-planning
group for other major retail facilities were woven seamlessly into
the sales process. All aspects of the behavioral design effort
were used to lower the customer intimidation, enhance the purchase
experience along with building consumer trust and satisfaction.
The numbers reflect only part of the success of this dealership. F.
Michael Graves served as COO of Planet Ford for 2002, the first
year of operation, during such time 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 opened in October of 2003 after the Potamkin family
and their partners Walter and Scott Ritter selected designer/builder
F. Michael Graves and Autotainment Ventures to launch Planet
Automotive's first venture in Autotainment(TM), a new concept
in Automotive retailing, in the Florida market. 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 then 40% completed Dodge dealership
after visiting Planet Ford. The project was stopped midway
in construction to be completely redesigned to integrate as many
of the Autotainment' concepts as possible. The dealership
was a new point awarded to the Potamkin organization in a new
undeveloped part of Miami, which in defiance to those hurtles
posted 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
|
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