Car dealer steers a victory

Tampa-area auto dealer John Williams and some fellow auto executives spent a portion of the past few months checking out all kinds of luxury — for research.

Williams, owner of Williams Automotive Group, visited Mercedes, BMW and even Rolls-Royce dealerships in Florida and beyond. He also checked out St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton hotel locations. The goal was to see firsthand how to cater to and work with high-end buyers because Williams is about to become a luxury dealer himself, with Lexus of Wesley Chapel. “It was an incredible experience,” says Williams of the tours.

Williams has had success in auto sales, with Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Honda and Tampa Honda, so he didn't need a sales primer.