AUTO CARE Connect 2025: 
WIN WITH AI Keynote Talk by Trent Gillespie
May 14, 2025

Thank you for attending Trent's Win with AI Keynote Talk at Auto Care Connect 2025!

 

Below is the AI Summary and additional resources from Trent’s keynote. Feel free to contact Trent to book an AI keynote or workshop for your organization—or to get expert advisory support as you launch your first AI SPRINT.

SPECIAL: Many attendees asked for next steps to start their AI Education. Through June 7, Auto Care Connect attendees can get 50% off my ChatGPT online course, Using Generative AI at Work, to get you started. Use code "AUTO".

Resources:

 

The AI Gap: Hype vs. Reality

Artificial Intelligence has been sold as the solution to everything—from fixing labor shortages to generating effortless profits. But the reality? Most companies are still on the sidelines. In the auto care industry, only 5% of dealers are using AI for predictive analytics—tech that's been around for decades.

The bold ones—curious, willing to experiment, and unafraid of making mistakes—are already seeing the benefits. And the good news? You don’t need deep technical skills or enterprise budgets to get started.

 

What Winning Looks Like

  • Daily AI Users = Real Gains: 20% productivity boost reported by daily users vs. none for casual users.
  • AI is Already in the Building: 40% of employees are using AI tools, often without official approval. That means companies not enabling AI are falling behind—and opening themselves to compliance risks.

  • Early Wins in Auto Care:

    • A parts retailer boosted sales by 20% and cut returns by 40% using AI-enhanced catalog recommendations.
    • A dealer gained $1M in revenue and 18% more showroom visits using an AI agent on their website.

 

Five AI Game-Changers

  1. AI as Your Teammate, Not Just a Tool
    Most people start by asking AI to write emails. That’s fine—but it's the shallow end. AI is a 24/7 expert in any domain. Ask it to help with anything you are doing. Use clear prompts like “I need…”, “Help me…”, or “How do I…?” to unlock its potential.
  2. Lightweight Task Automation with GPTs
    Think of GPTs as mini-coworkers that handle repetitive work. Use them for:
    • Recurring Tasks
    • With standard inputs and outputs
    • Where the AI has full context
    • And that are low risk
    • 60% of your daily workload is automatable—leverage it.
  3. AI Can Now Research and Plan
    New tools go beyond regurgitating info—they actually think. For example:
    • AI can research future opportunities, like new services for EV growth by 2027.
    • Use “deep research” or “reasoning agents” to brainstorm, build strategies, and identify hidden insights.
  4. Agents Are Your Digital Workforce
    AI agents can book meetings, track vehicles, prospect leads—24/7, no breaks.
    • Amazon uses AI dispatchers to manage thousands of vans in real-time.
    • You can “hire” agents for $20–$500/month.
    • Rethink your processes: Design them as if AI was a team member from day one.
  5. No-Code Development = Your Superpower
    Tools like Lindy or Make.com let anyone build custom workflows—no coding needed.
    • Use drag-and-drop interfaces to automate tasks.
    • Build your own applications or hire new AI dev shops to create MVPs for ~$5K.
    • AI has slashed the cost and time of software development in half.
    • Always follow company privacy and security policies.

 

Avoid the Risks, Reap the Rewards

AI isn’t dangerous. Poor human oversight is. Three rules to stay safe:

  • Don’t feed it sensitive data unless you're using a secure, business-grade platform.
  • Always verify output—it can be wrong or weird.
  • You’re the decision-maker. AI is just the assistant.

 

The bigger risk? Doing nothing. AI is changing the game fast—and the players who wait lose.

 

The SPRINT Framework: Six Steps to Win with AI

This isn’t theory—it’s a practical playbook. Whether you're a CEO or a technician, here’s how to move from curiosity to capability.

S — SPARK Action with Leader AI Education

The transformation starts at the top. Most leadership teams aren’t aligned or hands-on with AI yet—and that’s dangerous. You can’t steer where you can’t see.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Educate Leaders on AI: Hands-on sessions, not slide decks.
  • Assign a Transformation Owner: AI enablement is not a side project—someone has to own it.
  • Start Transformation Efforts: Launch your first AI initiative. Momentum matters.

 

P — POSITION Your Company to Win with AI

Don't just optimize for today. Ask what your customers will want 5 years from now and build backward from there.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Define Your Strengths: Know what makes you different—don’t outsource your edge.
  • Define Your Future Customer: Who are they, what do they expect, and how do they interact with AI?
  • Decide WHAT, WHEN, and HOW: Get concrete. What do you need to build, when will you build it, and how?

 

R — RALLY Your Employees to Use AI Daily

The culture shift happens here. You can’t force innovation—but you can create conditions where it thrives.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Create Safety and Guardrails: Write a simple AI Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Equip and Train Everyone: Provide tools and onboarding so people aren’t guessing.
  • Incentivize Smart Usage: Celebrate wins, highlight champions, and offer rewards.

 

I — INTEGRATE AI Into Sales & Marketing First

Revenue pays for the transformation. Start where the returns are fastest and risk is lowest.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Marketing Content & Personalization: High-quality, segmented content at scale.
  • Sales Personalization: Tailored scripts and research-driven outreach.
  • Bottlenecks: Identify the constraints slowing growth—and smash them.

 

N — ENABLE Employees with Ongoing Training

You’re not building a one-time skill. You’re building a reflex. AI changes weekly. So must your people.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Create a Learning Rhythm: Regular AI shares via meetings or newsletters.
  • Make Knowledge Shareable: Role guides, prompt libraries, and team SOPs.
  • Incentivize Continued Use: Bake AI adoption into performance reviews and bonuses.

 

T — TRAILBLAZE with New Offerings

This is where you leap ahead. Reinvent products, services, and even business models.

Do These 3 Things:

  • Invent for Your Future Customer: Create what they’ll need, not just what they ask for.
  • Spot Emerging Opportunities Early: Use AI to detect unmet demand and shifts.
  • Bet on Bold Experiments: Test high-upside ideas. AI makes it cheap to try, fast to learn.

 

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Just take one step. Every month. Whether you're a CEO or a technician, the tools are accessible—and the upside is massive.

 

Be bold, and win with AI. It’s your Day One to do so.