In this episode, the Lewis Brothers discuss the emotional attachment business owners have to their companies and the importance of checking those emotions at the door when dealing with customer complaints. They emphasize the need for an accountability culture within teams, defining clear expectations, and leading by example. The conversation also covers the significance of building a culture of ownership among employees and the role of feedback in continuous improvement. This conversation delves into the intricacies of customer service, employee accountability, and fostering a positive workplace culture. The speakers emphasize the importance of allowing customers to express their emotions, setting clear expectations through metrics, and creating a feedback culture that encourages open communication. They discuss the significance of psychological safety in the workplace, the distinction between accountability and blame, and the necessity of effective documentation. The conversation concludes with insights on maximizing productivity and daily goals.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers delve into the importance of understanding competition in business. They discuss strategies for analyzing the competitive landscape, building relationships with competitors, and leveraging customer insights for growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to study their competition, learn from local market trends, and create strategic advantages through competitive intelligence. The episode also highlights the significance of customer experience and the importance of quantifying business promises to build trust and long-term relationships. In this episode, the speakers discuss the complexities of customer experience, innovative strategies for trade assistance, and the importance of ethical practices in business. They emphasize the need for strategic decision-making, building trust in relationships, and the long-term versus short-term strategies in competitive markets. The conversation also highlights the significance of understanding financing ethics and shares success stories that stem from ethical practices.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers dive deep into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of small business. As technology rapidly transforms how companies operate, they highlight the critical balance between embracing automation for efficiency and preserving the human touch in customer interactions.

The discussion explores a range of AI tools and platforms that small business owners can leverage to streamline operations, enhance communication, and reduce costs. From chatbots for customer support to AI-driven analytics and workflow automation, the episode provides actionable insights on integrating technology to boost productivity without losing the personalized service that sets small businesses apart.

Key topics include:

• The growing impact of AI and machine learning on small business growth
• How to implement automation without sacrificing customer service quality
• The importance of seamless handoffs in tech-assisted customer experiences
• Managing payroll as a major business expense in the age of AI
• Evaluating the risks of AI adoption and how to mitigate them
• Why maintaining a human-centered approach is essential in a digital world
• Strategies for improving employee engagement and customer satisfaction

Whether you're a local business owner, startup founder, or entrepreneur looking to future-proof your operations, this conversation offers practical advice for adapting to technological change while staying grounded in human connection.

Tune in to learn how small businesses can navigate the crossroads of AI innovation, operational efficiency, and authentic customer engagement.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

In this episode of Crossroad Conversations, the Lewis Brothers delve into the importance of understanding competition in business. They discuss strategies for analyzing the competitive landscape, building relationships with competitors, and leveraging customer insights for growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to study their competition, learn from local market trends, and create strategic advantages through competitive intelligence. The episode also highlights the significance of customer experience and the importance of quantifying business promises to build trust and long-term relationships. In this episode, the speakers discuss the complexities of customer experience, innovative strategies for trade assistance, and the importance of ethical practices in business. They emphasize the need for strategic decision-making, building trust in relationships, and the long-term versus short-term strategies in competitive markets. The conversation also highlights the significance of understanding financing ethics and shares success stories that stem from ethical practices

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Ever feel like you're sprinting on a hamster wheel in your business—working harder but not moving forward? You're likely caught in the production trap that prevents true business growth.

The Lewis Brothers tackle a critical turning point every entrepreneur faces: the shift from production to operations. Drawing from their 79-year family business journey, they reveal how being caught in day-to-day tasks creates a ceiling for your success and quality of life. The solution? You must "fire your old self" to reach new levels.

This isn't about abandoning what made you successful—it's about creating capacity for strategic growth. The brothers share their framework for this transition: starting with proper organizational structure (maintaining a 4-8 person ratio per manager), developing detailed standard operating procedures, and planning days around high-leverage activities rather than reactive tasks.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical advice on navigating the awkward middle ground where many leaders get stuck. You've hired people to scale, but find yourself constantly jumping in with "here's how I did it." The Lewis Brothers offer tactical approaches to break this pattern without losing quality or control.

The conversation extends beyond theory into financial management, revealing how they view KPIs not merely as daily targets but as reflections of operational effectiveness. They even share a real-life example of managing a $1.7 million cash flow challenge after a record sales weekend.

Ready to transform your business from a job that consumes you into a system that multiplies your impact? This episode provides the roadmap. Follow along, implement these operational strategies, and watch your business—and life—transform.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Talent versus culture – which matters more when building your dream team? At Lewis Brothers, we've spent decades perfecting the delicate balance between hiring skilled performers and maintaining our unique company culture. In this revealing conversation, we pull back the curtain on how our 79-year family business approaches this challenging aspect of leadership.

We explore how seemingly small traditions like "Cancun Friday" (where everyone dresses in beach attire) create the distinctive atmosphere our customers immediately notice. These cultural touchpoints aren't just fun distractions – they're strategic elements that strengthen team bonds and differentiate us from 3,400 other Ford dealerships. As one customer with decades of automotive industry experience recently told us: "This place is different."

The interview process itself becomes a critical cultural assessment. We share practical techniques for looking beyond rehearsed answers to discover a candidate's true nature – from conducting informal walking interviews to involving existing team members in the hiring process. You'll learn why gut feelings matter and how aptitude tests can reveal personality traits that might otherwise remain hidden until after hiring.

Perhaps most importantly, we address the potential pitfalls of leaning too far in either direction. Hire purely for culture, and you might end up with a team that's fun but inefficient. Focus exclusively on talent, and you risk bringing in high-performers who damage team chemistry. The sweet spot? Finding talented individuals who are "moldable" – open to embracing your culture while enhancing it with their unique contributions.

Whether you're building a business from scratch or looking to strengthen an existing team, these actionable insights will transform how you approach your next hire. Join us for a conversation that goes beyond typical hiring advice to the heart of what makes a workplace truly special.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

Surviving and thriving for 79 years in business doesn't happen by accident. The Lewis Brothers pull back the curtain on how they've navigated crossroad moments and pivoted their automotive dealerships to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market.

The episode opens with a powerful revelation - despite running successful dealerships, the Lewis brothers continually evaluate and adjust their business rather than simply repeating what worked yesterday. They share practical strategies for recognizing when change is needed, including stepping away from daily operations to gain perspective. As Matt Lewis explains, "If you don't step away from your business and the day-to-day hustle and bustle, you'll never see it."

Against the backdrop of their recent move to a new state-of-the-art facility, the brothers detail how they've created unique customer experiences to differentiate themselves in an industry where products and pricing are standardized. Their niche innovations range from doubling factory warranties to 10 years/120,000 miles without extra cost, to developing remote service vans that handle recalls at customers' homes or workplaces.

The conversation takes an especially candid turn when the brothers share their business failures - including overstocking $5 million worth of luxury Wagoneers that generated $180,000 in monthly floor plan interest. Rather than hiding their mistakes, they reveal how these moments became pivotal learning opportunities that ultimately strengthened their business.

For business owners struggling with when and how to pivot, this episode delivers actionable frameworks for evaluating your current systems, creating scalable processes before you need them, and fostering a culture where employees feel comfortable providing candid feedback. Whether you're running a family business or managing a growing team, these insights will help you recognize opportunity where others see only challenges.

Ready to transform how you approach business evolution? Listen now and discover why sometimes the most important pivots happen when things seem to be working well.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!

The toughest tightrope in business might be the one leaders walk every day – balancing authority with connection, demonstrating care without becoming buddies, and growing personally while staying true to core values. This episode dives deep into the art of leadership evolution without losing your edge.

We explore the power of leading by example through our "three-minute rule" – if something needs attention and takes less than three minutes, handle it yourself. Picture this: snow needs clearing, trash needs picking up, or a customer needs assistance. Your willingness to tackle these small tasks speaks volumes without saying a word. However, we also discuss the critical importance of knowing when to step back – because while you could change the oil or rebuild an engine, that's probably not the best use of your leadership time.

The leadership journey becomes increasingly isolating as you climb higher, but that's not necessarily bad. We share practical strategies for maintaining meaningful connections with your team without crossing into territory that undermines your authority. From structured recognition events to thoughtful check-ins, there are ways to demonstrate genuine care without becoming "one of the gang."

Perhaps most importantly, we emphasize that "everyone wins when the leader gets better." Like the lumberjack who stops to sharpen his axe while others keep hacking away with dull blades, the most effective leaders prioritize their own growth and development. Through podcasts, books, mentors, or online resources, leaders who continuously learn bring fresh insights and renewed energy to their organizations.

Ready to evolve as a leader without compromising your authority or authenticity? This conversation provides the roadmap for your next steps in leadership development.

Feel the dynamic energy of the Lewis Brothers as they deliver real stories and lessons that keep local businesses on their toes, and share how experiences in the community inspire them to keep on driving.

Check out all our great episodes at CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com!