How we Cultivate

Our Mission

Next Level’s mission is to accelerate your business growth through the development of your people.  Our proven, innovative methods drive long-term success on a personal level and in the automotive industry.

Our Selling Philosophy

Customers don’t like to feel sold. Serve your customers by collaborating with them to solve their problems. Next-Level focuses on cultivating trust-based relationships with customers – resulting in increased sales and building lifetime loyalty to your brand.

Research shows that customers who service with you are 3x more likely to buy their next vehicle from your dealership!

Our Process

TEACHING

DEVELOPS

KNOWLEDGE

COACHING

DEVELOPS

SKILL

REINFORCEMENT

DEVELOPS

LASTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE

At Next Level, we are communicators!

We have helped literally hundreds of automotive dealerships take their teams and business to the next level. As a result, we are able to offer you time-tested guidance and proven solutions that have been refined over decades of real-world implementation and execution.

Don’t take our word for it — see what our clients have to say. 

  CLICK HERE to visit our Testimonials page.

“In the past few years I have introduced several clients to Dean and his team. We have found that Next-Level’s suite of online elearning modules, coupled with his team’s experience and expertise in the store, has always produced improved results. Next-Level’s performance is measured by results only. I highly recommend them.”

Ric Gregson

Ric Gregson - 20 Group Moderator - CDK Global - Performance 20 Groups Retail Consultant

OUR CERTIFICATIONS

HELP ME GROW

MY Auto BUSINESS

Ray McNeill

Ray began his career in the automotive business over 47 years ago, working in every facet of the dealership for the first 21 years and consulting/developing others for the next 26 years. Ray started in the sales department learning the business from the ground up. He also worked in parts and service, completing his dealership career with ten years as a Fixed-Ops Director.

Ray guided a large metro store that operated two shifts, open daily from 7:00 am – midnight. His dealership was top ten in the country for CSI, always profitable, and had a staff that remained together for years.

Dean Estep provided Ray with the opportunity to launch a second career as a facilitator by permitting him to teach a class with only 24 hours to prepare. Ray studied the material, taught the class successfully, and the next (as they say) is history.

Ray’s dealership foundation launched the second half of his career where he naturally took to developing and consulting for dealerships and the aftermarket. For the past 26 years, Ray has worked with over fifteen manufacturers in various roles including: facilitator, corporate team leader, remote learning host, coach, webinar presenter, course designer, focus group moderator. He joined Service Operation Specialist, a national recognized training company where he progressed from project manager to National Field Manager. Ray also has experience in assessing, consulting and training coaches and staff for Bombardier Powersports dealerships in the US and Canada.

Ray’s thorough understanding of Fixed Operations leads to instant credibility among dealership personnel and he is thrilled to rejoin Dean Estep and the Next Level Automotive Group team.

In his spare time, Ray enjoys restoring older vehicles, riding motorcycles and boating.