Tag: Keith Pretty

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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Business Leaders

Contributing Author: Keith Pretty President and CEO Northwood University
Contributing Author:
Keith Pretty
President and CEO
Northwood University

The innovative and global nature of the automotive industry is not unlike the world of business education in that it is constantly evolving to the needs of customers. Business is dynamic, and it requires critical thinking, personal effectiveness, and an emphasis on responsibility.

At Northwood University, our business acumen and long-standing relationship with the automotive industry places us at an important nexus for developing future leaders. This, and our shared values, are among the reasons the partnership between EFG and Northwood is one cultivated in our students before they graduate and join the workforce ready to be leaders, difference-makers and change agents.

One of the best examples of our collaboration is EFG’s F&I Innovator contest, started in 2015. The trailblazing project designed and sponsored by EFG is truly Northwood’s curriculum at work: real-world, experiential opportunities that have real implications on our student’s futures. Northwood seeks students with an entrepreneurial ethos, and the project allows them to apply their creativity to what they have learned about the finance and insurance applications of the automotive industry. It’s a project at the important intersection of industry, education and innovation, and one we are proud to partner with EFG to promote.

The F&I Innovator contest ignites in Northwood students what we know they all possess: a desire to make a difference in the world of business. They learn through our unique philosophy—the Northwood Idea—that a free-enterprise business world allows people to succeed at the highest level, and that ethics and integrity are the basis of a successful society. Our alumni leave Northwood with the knowledge and practical experience needed to shape the world.

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EFG Companies and Northwood University Announce F&I Innovator of the Year Competition Winner

Team Vigilance Meets Consumer and Dealer Demands with 401Karrs

EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, together with Northwood University, today announced the selection of Team Vigilance as the winner of the 2016 Innovator of the Year Award competition, and the recipient of $25,000.

Team Vigilance utilized their millennial mindset, ongoing dealership research, and F&I mentor input to create “401Karrs”. The product addresses Millennial and Gen Z concerns around financial security, and delivers on dealership goals around customer retention. In addition to the team’s monetary reward, they will potentially see 401Karrs developed by EFG for market availability. Team Vigilance is made up of three team members:

  • Alec Bond from Lindin, MI
  • Houston Huff from Tuscon, AZ
  • Lucas Myrhe from Austin, TX

“We want to thank all the teachers and mentors from this competition and across Northwood who’ve been a huge inspiration and motivation throughout this project,” said Lucas Myrhe.  “With their guidance, we were able to deliver a product that is beneficial to customers and dealerships, increasing dealership profit, retention, and customer satisfaction.”

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EFG Companies Boosts F&I Provider Clout at 2016 American Business AwardsSM

EFG Honored with a Silver Award in Reputation and Brand Management

The American Business Awards Reputation & Brand ManagementEFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, announced today it has received a American Business AwardSM in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Reputation/Brand Management category in the 14th Annual American Business Awards. EFG’s entry highlighted the company’s first F&I Innovator of Year competition, in conjunction with Northwood University.

Receiving more than 3,400 entries this year, the American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s award winners. These judges found EFG’s campaign to be compelling, innovative, and a unique use of video, social media and traditional print media.

“For close to 40 years, EFG Companies has advanced the bar in providing superior client service with the belief that quality service leads to quality growth,” said John Pappanastos, President and CEO, EFG Companies. “Together with our partner, Northwood University, this student competition demonstrates our efforts to advance the industry in terms new strategies around dealership profitability and driving relevancy with growing, new segment of vehicle purchasers.”  

“EFG Companies and the F&I Innovator of the Year competition touched all of our key mission statements – incorporating the lessons of the American free-enterprise society in the college classroom to develop future leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs,” said Keith Pretty, President, Northwood University. “With changing market demographics, increased compliance, and an evolving dealership model, everyone is asking what new developments will be made in the F&I space. This competition puts our students at the forefront of that evolution, giving them the unique opportunity to mold the industry at the start of their careers.”

“The judges were extremely impressed with the quality of entries we received this year. The competition was intense and every organization that has won should be proud,” said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2016 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

For more information about the F&I Innovator of the Year Competition, visit http://bit.ly/EFGNWInnovators