👤 This guide applies to the Planner module and is relevant for users with the Dealership User or Dealership Approver role.

Getting Started

Dealerships use Planner to build marketing plans that align with national activity while remaining tailored to local goals and audiences. This guide walks you through the full lifecycle, from creation to submission and approval.

💡 Pro Tip: The National Plan is your blueprint, but your Dealership Plan should reflect what works for your local market and budget allocation.

How to Make a Dealership Marketing Plan

Step 1: Build your Plan

Choose the planning year
Choose ‘Create Plan’ to begin.
This will create a blank Dealership Plan under the National Marketing Plan, ready for updating.
Choose ‘Create Activity’ to add marketing activity to your Dealership Plan.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the National Marketing Plan displayed above as a reference for campaign timings.

Step 2: Create Activities

For each campaign activity:

Add an Activity Name.
Set Start and End Dates.
Choose a Funding Source:
- Dealer-Funded (your own budget)
- Co-op Funded (Head Office contribution)
Assign a Category and input the Estimated Cost.
Click Save to add the activity.

💡 Pro Tip: The funding source you select will determine how spend is tracked and reported.

Step 3: Complete and Submit

When you have finished Creating Activities, click Complete from the Settings menu.
This notifies your Dealership Approver (if applicable) for internal review.
Once approved internally, the Dealership Approver clicks Submit to submit to Head Office for Approval.

Withdrawing a Submitted Plan

If your plan is Submitted and hasn’t been Approved by Head Office, you can withdraw it to make further edits:

To do this, go to Settings and click Withdraw.
The plan will revert to Draft, allowing you to make changes before resubmitting.

Understanding Plan Statuses

Draft: You can freely add, remove, or change activities.
Complete: The plan is locked for dealership-level review.
Submitted: Following Dealership Approval, this plan is awaiting Head Office review.
Approved: Plan is finalised and locked. No further edits can be made.

Understanding the Feedback Section

If Head Office requests changes, they will be added to the Feedback Section.
Review comments, update your plan, and resubmit.
Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation notification.

Making Plan Updates (Versioning)

Approved plans cannot be edited.
To update your plan mid-year, go to settings > Duplicate.
This creates a new version (e.g. Version 2) starting in Draft.
All previous activities are carried over and editable.

💡 Pro Tip: Plan versions may be reviewed quarterly or biannually depending on Head Office policy.

FAQ

What if my plan is rejected?

If you plan is rejected check the Feedback Section, make the requested updates, and resubmit.

Can I edit a submitted plan?

Yes, you can edit a plan when it has been completed or submitted, but not when it as been approved by Head Office.

Completed Dealership Plans can be edited by selecting Modify.
Submitted Dealership Plans can be edited by selecting Revise.

How do I track my budget?

To track your budget, use the Spend Breakdown View to monitor how funds are allocated.

Creating a Dealership Marketing Plan