How Brian “Mac” McIntosh Took Control of Obsolescence and Team Buy-In
Most people struggle with one system change. Mac tackled three.
In this episode of the PartsEdge Podcast, Kaylee talks with Bryan McIntosh, also known as Mac, the Parts Manager at Mike Murphy Ford. Mac stepped into leadership during a time of major disruption. Between a new DMS, shifting manufacturer policies, and inherited systems from a longtime predecessor, Mac had to fix problems that were difficult to even see.
Listen to the full episode 🎧
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/zXv2U3jseVb
Old Habits, New Problems
Mac took over a department with a strong history but limited visibility. At the time Ford had just changed its return program and rolled out RIM. The dealership had moved to a new DMS. Obsolescence was increasing, but it was unclear where the issue started.
The challenge was figuring out which problems were caused by new systems and which ones had been building for years. With limited tools, it was hard to separate the two.
When Mac started using PartsEdge, the reporting made it easier to see exactly where the inventory needed help.
Reports That Make Sense and Support That Stays Consistent
PartsEdge gave Mac reports that were easy to read and immediately useful. This freed up his time to focus on his team instead of trying to piece together what the system was doing.
He also shared how the support from PartsEdge stood out. The team gave him practical help tailored to his store. They helped him explain decisions to leadership and translate what the data meant in plain terms. This helped build alignment across the department.
Leadership That Works During Change
Mac knew that changing systems was only one part of the work. The bigger challenge was helping his team adjust to those changes without losing trust or momentum.
He focused on listening, being available, and helping each person adapt at their pace. He also called out a deeper issue in the industry. Many parts managers struggle with which metrics to use because standard benchmarks do not always reflect how things actually work inside the store. Mac leaned on custom reports to guide what mattered most.
Takeaways
• Use reports that help you separate long-term issues from short-term changes• Spend time guiding your team, not just updating processes
• Choose metrics that match what you want to improve
• Work with partners who can explain the numbers to your leadership team
"PartsEdge gave me the visibility I needed, and the support to help others see it too." — Brian McIntosh
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