Volker Jaeckel

Key Account Consultant for Germany | B2B | D2C

AUTOMOTIVE SALES & MARKETING LEADER | 24 YEARS U.S. MARKET EXPERTISE

I've spent over two decades transforming how luxury automotive brands connect with customers in the world's most competitive market. One of my greatest achievement? Leading Mercedes-Benz of Temecula to 30% market share growth during the 2020/2021 pandemic, recognized by MBUSA as the ONLY dealership worldwide that grew while others stagnated.

PANDEMIC SUCCESS STORY
- Generated $2.16M additional revenue during COVID-19
- Achieved 300% marketing ROI through AI-driven strategies  
- Increased service revenue by 297% and parts revenue by 174%
- Grew internet leads 39%, inbound calls 89%

HOLISTIC BUSINESS APPROACH & EXECUTIVE COACHING
I don't see dealerships as separate profit centers – I see them as symphonic business systems. As a Certified DISC Business Executive & Marketing Coach, I help C-level executives understand the correlation between R&D, Marketing, Sales, Service, and Customer Experience, using data analytics to optimize total organizational health.

BUSINESS COACHING & ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
- Affiliate Business Coach: Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, CA 
- Executive in Residence Coach: California State University, San Marcos
- Founder & President: FocalPoint Business Coaching & Training Temecula Valley
- Featured Speaker: "Communication Breakthrough" & "DNA of an Entrepreneur" programs
- International coaching for automotive companies in Germany, Italy, and the U.S.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & SPEAKING
- Author: "The Digital Dealership" (2014) 
- Co-Author: "How to Survive and Thrive" (2024) with Reebok founder Joe Foster
- International Keynote Speaker: Autohaus eMarketing Days & DEKRA Gebrauchtwagentage (Germany), Internet Motors Milano, Digital Dealer Conferences
- Monthly workshops: Entrepreneurial Resource Center, Chamber of Commerce events

MULTI-BRAND EXPERTISE
Latest: Successfully managed 8+ luxury brands simultaneously - Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Sprinter, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, Jaguar, Land Rover with $9.8M budget responsibility.

CERTIFICATIONS
- Professional Certified Marketer® (American Marketing Association)
- Certified Digital Marketing Professional (Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin, IRL)  
- International Business Executive Coach (Brian Tracy International)
- Certified DISC Behavioral Analyst (FocalPoint International)

Currently seeking strategic leadership and digital marketing opportunities with progressive European automotive groups ready for digital transformation and executive development.

German Citizen | EU Work Authorized | Fluent German & English

Member of the Digital Sales & Marketing Advisory Board | B2B

➤ Serving an advisory role thru strategic reviews, suggestions, and program support to continuously enhance the quality of Volvo's national online exposure and programs.
➤ Consult Volvo's national manager suite through monthly meetings to enhance dealer network offerings.

Can you believe it? 17 years later, more gray set, wrinkles - nope, and still on the mission to change the digital automotive strategy here and abroad. To the next 17 years!

Volker Jaeckel - Top-10 automotive eCommerce Directors in the U.S. in 2009

Showing kindness at work doesn't have to make you look like a weak leader. This article explores the balance between kindness and authority in management. It discusses how leaders can maintain empathy and compassion without compromising on decision-making or effectiveness.

#strongleadership #empathy #ThePursuitOfLeadership #businessleadercoaching
https://lnkd.in/gFmiwuHn?

Open article: Transcript: How to be a kind manager — without being a pushover by ft.com

Transcript: How to be a kind manager — without being a pushover

Marcus Aurelius made one of history's worst leadership decisions. He chose his son Commodus as successor, and Rome paid the price. His private journal reveals why smart leaders make catastrophic choices. 

Spoiler: It's probably running your leadership team right now. 

Part 2 of my Marcus Aurelius series is live in The Pursuit of Leadership.

#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #Communication #ThePursuitOfLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureMatters

View newsletter: In the Pursuit of Leadership

Part 2 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership Last week, I told you about binge-watching Gladiator and Gladiator

Open article: When Ego Runs the Show (And Nobody Tells You) by Volker Jaeckel • 8 min read

When Ego Runs the Show (And Nobody Tells You)

Weekend plans: Gladiator (I + II) movie marathon. Unexpected result: Leadership wake-up call. Marcus Aurelius wrote himself daily reminders about not screwing up as a leader. The once most powerful man in the world needed these notes. What makes you think you don't? 

Part 1 is live in my newsletter "The Pursuit of Leadership."

#leadershipdaily #leadermindset #leadershiplessons #focalpointcoaching #CoachVJ

Part 1 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership I spent last weekend doing something I rarely do. I binge-watched 

Open article: The Self-Awareness Crisis Destroying Your Leadership by Volker Jaeckel • 7 min read

The Self-Awareness Crisis Destroying Your Leadership

You've read about the self-awareness crisis. You've seen how ego destroys teams. Now here's what to actually do about it. Marcus Aurelius practiced this for decades. Most modern leaders won't touch it. 

Part 3 of my series is live in The Pursuit of Leadership newsletter.

#Leadership #CultureTransformation #ExecutiveLeadership #ThePursuitOfLeadership #LeadershipSkills #TeamBuilding #focalpointcoaching

Part 3 of 3: What Marcus Aurelius’s Private Journal Reveals About Modern Leadership This series started with a weekend binge-watch. Gladiator and Glad

Open article: The Ancient Solution Modern Leaders Won’t Try by Volker Jaeckel • 8 min read

The Ancient Solution Modern Leaders Won’t Try

IQ gets you into the boardroom, but only EQ allows you to lead it effectively. When you are wondering why your team is hitting a wall, the culprit might be a lack of emotional resonance rather than a lack of talent. 

I’m breaking down the findings from Daniel Goleman’s book "Primal Leadership" and how they apply to modern DISC behavioral assesment dynamics in today’s post.

#DISC #FocalPointCoaching #BehavioralAssessment #newleadership #PrimalLeadership

I believe we’ve all seen it. A C-suite filled with the “smartest people in the room.” They have the MBAs, the 10-year growth strategies, and the most 

Open article: The Ghost in the Boardroom: Why Your KPIs Are Crying for Help by Volker Jaeckel • 3 min read

The Ghost in the Boardroom: Why Your KPIs Are Crying for Help

Hey Managers, on which side do you see yourself? More on this can be found in my latest NL article "The Ghost in the Boardroom" - link below 👇 

https://lnkd.in/gxm_Ms-d

If we look past the geopolitical headlines, there is a subtext that every executive needs to hear: The Doomsday Clock is a scoreboard for failed leadership.

#focalpointcoaching #leadershipcoach #wakeup

The Doomsday Clock moved to 85 seconds before midnight this week. The closest it's been in 78 years. Reason? Scientists cite "failure of leadership" at the highest levels.

I read that announcement and saw the same patterns playing out in every boardroom I've worked in. Failed leadership looks the same at every level. The scale changes. The behaviors don't.

You're not negotiating nuclear treaties. But you are making daily choices that either move your organization forward or push it closer to its own midnight.

I wrote about the five specific changes executives can make tomorrow to break these patterns. Read it here ...👇 

#failedleadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipskills #5vor12 #eleventhhour

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds before midnight this week. That's the closest it's been in 78 years. The 

Open article: When Scientists Warn Us About Failed Leadership by Volker Jaeckel • 4 min read

When Scientists Warn Us About Failed Leadership

Your leadership style hasn’t evolved since 2016?
Sorry, you aren’t leading!
You’re reminiscing.

A decade ago, we were obsessed with "engagement surveys," "climbing the ladder," and the "globalization" of the office. 

In 2026, those concepts feel like relics. We’ve moved from the Engagement Era to the Augmented Era, and the rules of the game have fundamentally changed.

Leading today isn't about having all the answers.

It’s about being the person who knows how to ask the right questions. Whether addressed to a human team or your AI partners.

The shift from managing to orchestrating is the defining challenge of this year. 

Below is what that looks like in practice:

AI Fluency > Digital Literacy: It’s no longer enough to "use" tools. 
You need to partner with AI to augment your strategy and decision-making.

Psychological Safety > Employee Engagement: Retention isn't about perks; it's about creating "brave spaces" where failing fast is safe, and wellness is a core KPI.

Skills-Based Agility > Corporate Ladders: The ladder is broken. We’re now building internal talent marketplaces based on "adaptability & learnability."

Real-Time Coaching > Annual Reviews: The feedback "sandwich" is officially stale. In 2026, we thrive on continuous, AI-assisted feedback loops.

Check out the visual breakdown below for the full "Then vs. Now" comparison.

#Leadership2026 #FutureOfWork #AILeadership #ManagementTips #CoachVJ  #FocalPointCoaching

Leadership Tips 2026 vs. 2016 by Coach VJ (Volker Jaeckel) @ Focal Point Business Coaching Temecula Valley, California

How did Leadership evolve in the last 10 years?

Mike theCarGuy

Digital Marketing Specialist | Automotive Online Presence Expert
Dedicated digital marketing professional with over three decades of experience in automotive leadership, specializing in elevating businesses' online presence. I help companies dominate local search results, optimize Google Business Profiles, and create compelling brand narratives through innovative digital strategies.
Key expertise includes:

Google Business Profile Optimization
Local Search Marketing
Strategic Branding
Social Media Management
Digital Engagement Strategies

Committed to driving business growth by integrating cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation, enthusiasm, and success. Proven track record of helping businesses transform their digital footprint and connect meaningfully with their target audience

President

Coachella Valley VW

General Sales Manager

UpdatePromise

Lead sales efforts for UpdatePromise's innovative service lane technology solutions, driving revenue growth and market expansion.
Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve and exceed sales targets in the retail automotive dealership sector.
Build and maintain strong relationships with dealership service departments, understanding their needs to offer tailored software solutions.
Conduct product demonstrations, training sessions, and presentations to showcase the benefits and ROI of UpdatePromise's software.
Collaborate with marketing and product development teams to align sales strategies with market trends and customer feedback.
Analyze sales data and market trends to identify opportunities for growth and improvement, implementing actionable insights.

Sales

DealerBuilt 

Sharing more about DealerBuilt, #TheProvenDMS, OpLogic, the most capable CRM in automotive, and Vistadash, The CLear-Cut Choice For Everything Marketing with car dealers across the country looking to reach greater levels of success!

Marketing Coordinator at DealerBuilt/OpLogic/Vistadash

Sales Engineer

Account Manager

Consumer Experience Specialist

Raceway Ford

* Integral part of the dealership effort as it doubled annual new vehicle sales volume from 2013 through 2015 (600-1300+) significantly increasing profitability and zone market share (3%- 8%).
* Directly managed a sales team that held the highest gross average and sales efficiency with forward thinking leadership
* Led multiple projects and initiatives including:

~Acquisition and installation of new CRM software including competitive research, implementation and training of staff resulting in reduced costs and improved efficiency in sales.
~Creation and implementation of Internet sales process, email and video templates and lead flow management
~Assistance with multiple community out reach projects including:

* Drive 4 Ur School
* Mission Inn Run
* Citrus Heritage Run
* Susan G. Komen Run
* West Coast Thunder
* Also facilitated dealership participation in more local events increasing visibility in the local community

~Claimed, created and managed all dealership business listings and profiles increasing the dealerships visibility via organic search dramatically increasing resultant leads, traffic and calls.
~Increased dealerships social media presence with focused attention on content marketing and engagement, ex: increased Facebook likes from 877 to over 9,400 with an average post reach of 1,300+. Increased visibility of Google+ business page to over 1,400,000 views
~Created ongoing sales training curriculum with focused daily attention to the 'steps of the sale', phone skills and product knowledge
~Monitored dealer’s online reputation and ensuring with prompt responses and resolution of issues.
~Initiated partnership with automotive artist Danny Whitfield to provide a custom print to new Mustang owners increasing customer satisfaction and social conversation

DCH Gardena Honda

New Car Sales Manager/Internet Sales Dir./Social Media Dir.

I’ll keep this short: I help dealerships sell more cars, retain more customers, and win more business online.

For over two decades, I’ve led high‑performing sales teams and developed digital strategies that deliver measurable results. As General Sales Manager for Coachella Valley VW and owner of Mike theCarGuy Digital Marketing, I’ve seen firsthand how combining strong in‑store processes with powerful online engagement drives both traffic and closing ratios.

What sets me apart?
	•	Proven retail performance: Consistently increased volume, profitability, and CSI scores at multiple rooftops.
	•	Digital marketing expertise: Built dealer‑level social campaigns that reached tens of thousands and generated showroom traffic.
	•	Leadership that sticks: I coach teams for accountability, confidence, and consistent follow‑up, the things that move the needle.
	•	Community connection: A SoCal native deeply involved in the Inland Empire car scene, helping dealerships stand out locally.

I know that with my experience, some may wonder if my expectations, personal brand, or digital focus might overshadow the store’s needs. Let me be clear: my goal is to amplify your dealership’s success not just add another name to my resume. I’ve led in high‑volume stores, adapted to different ownership styles, and proven that my personal following and marketing skills directly drive showroom traffic for the dealerships I serve. I’m as comfortable on the sales desk closing deals as I am crafting a social campaign that fills the lot. More than anything, I’m looking for the right long‑term fit where I can build, grow, and win with the team.

I’m not just looking for the next job, I’m looking for the right dealership to partner with, where I can increase sales, improve process execution, and strengthen the brand in the community.

If you’re open to a conversation, I’d love to share specific examples of how I’ve helped dealerships achieve double‑digit growth and how I can do the same for you.

taplio

The Battle

Volker Jaeckel

Mike theCarGuy Correra

Followers

Posts

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Performance ScoreVolker Jaeckel's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Volker Jaeckel

Mike theCarGuy Correra

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Volker Jaeckel's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreVolker Jaeckel's LinkedIn Performance