PMA Elements Alternatives: 6 Other Dealership Training Options

Searching for PMA Elements alternatives usually starts with a practical question, not a product complaint: your dealership's situation has changed, your budget looks different than it did, or you want to understand what else exists before committing to a multi-month consulting engagement.

This post covers six alternatives to PMA Elements and Process Management Academy — what each one is, what it does well, what it costs, and which situations it fits best. The goal is a clear-eyed comparison that helps you make the right decision for your store, not a ranking based on marketing claims.

About PMA Elements / Process Management Academy

PMA Elements, operating under the Process Management Academy brand, is a dealership consulting and training firm focused on sales process accountability. Their model centers on in-dealership consulting work — working directly with managers and sales teams to define, document, and reinforce a consistent sales process across the showroom floor.

The company's approach is built around process adherence rather than raw skill instruction. The emphasis is on getting everyone on the same page about what the sales process looks like at your specific store, then creating the accountability structures that keep managers and reps executing that process consistently over time.

Primary format: In-dealership consulting, on-site coaching, and manager accountability programs.

Best suited for: Franchise dealerships and dealer groups that want hands-on consulting to build a structured, documented sales process — particularly stores where inconsistent process execution is the core problem rather than raw skill deficiency.

Pricing model: Consulting engagements are typically structured on a retainer or project basis. Exact pricing is not publicly listed and varies by engagement scope and dealership size.

Why Dealers Look for Process Management Academy Alternatives

Dealers shopping for PMA Elements alternatives are typically running into structural realities rather than a quality problem with the program itself.

Budget and ROI timing. Retainer-based consulting requires sustained investment. Smaller single-point stores sometimes find the cost difficult to justify against the timeline for measurable results.

Consulting model fit. In-dealership consulting is high-touch by design. For dealer groups spread across multiple rooftops, getting consistent coverage from one consulting firm can be logistically complicated.

Scope mismatch. If the core gap at your store is rep skill level rather than process adherence — call handling, objection responses, appointment setting technique — a process accountability consultant may not be the right first tool. You may need skill training before process consulting gains traction.

Ongoing practice infrastructure. Consulting engagements establish a process. They do not give reps a way to practice that process daily between coaching visits. Dealerships that recognize this gap look for tools that sit alongside consulting work rather than replacing it.

Exploring before committing. Some dealers have not worked with PMA Elements and want to survey the landscape before signing. That is reasonable due diligence regardless of provider.

6 PMA Elements Alternatives Worth Evaluating

Alternative 1: DealSpeak AI

What it is: DealSpeak is an AI-powered voice practice platform built specifically for automotive retail. Sales reps and BDC agents have live voice conversations with an AI customer that simulates real call scenarios — internet lead calls, appointment setting, objection handling, trade-in inquiries, and follow-up calls. After each session, the rep receives structured feedback. Managers get a dashboard with session logs, practice volume by rep, and performance scores over time.

What makes it different from PMA Elements: DealSpeak is a practice tool, not a consulting program. It does not replace the process-building work a consulting firm does — it gives reps a place to drill the process their managers have already defined. The two are complementary rather than competing.

The problem DealSpeak solves is the repetition gap. Consulting establishes what the sales process should look like. What it cannot do is give each rep 30 or 40 additional practice repetitions per week between coaching visits. DealSpeak fills that space.

Pricing: $30 per user per month.

Best for: Dealerships that want daily, measurable practice alongside whatever coaching or consulting they are already running. Effective for new hires building call confidence before going live, and for experienced reps working on specific skill gaps.

Time commitment: Sessions run 10–15 minutes. Most teams target three to five sessions per week, which fits around selling hours.

Measurability: High. Every session is logged with performance data trackable at the rep and team level.

What it is not: DealSpeak is not a curriculum or a substitute for experienced coaches. It works best when a defined process already exists and the gap is practice volume. DealSpeak is built for dealerships that want to turn coaching events into daily habits.

Alternative 2: Joe Verde Group / JVTN

What it is: Joe Verde has been delivering automotive sales training since the 1980s. JVTN — the Joe Verde Training Network — is an online course library covering the full front-end sales process: meet-and-greet, needs analysis, the walk-around, objection handling, and closing. On-site workshops are available alongside the online content.

Best for: Dealerships that want a comprehensive, automotive-specific curriculum that reps can work through at their own pace. JVTN works well as a foundation for new hire onboarding and ongoing skill development.

Pricing model: Subscription-based for JVTN. On-site workshops priced separately. Contact the Joe Verde Group for current rates.

What it is not: JVTN is a content library and curriculum, not a process consulting program. It does not include the manager-level accountability infrastructure that PMA Elements provides.

For a broader look at how Joe Verde compares to other training formats, see our Joe Verde vs. Grant Cardone comparison.

Alternative 3: NCM Institute

What it is: NCM Associates is one of the longest-standing dealership consulting and 20 Group organizations in the industry. NCM Institute is their education division, offering courses for sales managers, F&I managers, fixed ops leaders, and dealer principals in live classroom and online formats. Their approach is data-driven — benchmarking store performance against peer groups and developing plans to close operational gaps.

Best for: Dealer groups that want management and leadership development grounded in operational metrics. NCM is well-regarded for GSM and finance manager education.

Pricing model: Course-based pricing for NCM Institute programs. 20 Group membership and consulting are priced separately. Contact NCM for current rates.

What it is not: NCM Institute is management-focused, not rep-level skill training. It is not a substitute for daily coaching or practice infrastructure.

For a wider look at dealership management training providers, that guide covers NCM and several other management-focused alternatives in more detail.

Alternative 4: Dealer Synergy

What it is: Dealer Synergy is an automotive digital marketing and BDC consulting firm founded by Sean V. Bradley. The company offers BDC training, internet sales consulting, and digital marketing services, with training content focused on internet lead handling, phone technique, and inbound lead conversion.

Best for: Dealerships and BDC teams where inbound digital lead conversion is the primary gap. Dealer Synergy's strength is internet sales, not broad floor sales process management.

Pricing model: Consulting retainers and event-based pricing. Contact Dealer Synergy for current rates.

What it is not: Dealer Synergy is not a broad process consulting program in the same mold as PMA Elements. Floor sales process management is not their primary focus.

Alternative 5: Automotive Training Network (ATN)

What it is: Automotive Training Network provides in-dealership coaching, on-site workshops, and online content for automotive retail teams across the sales floor, F&I, and fixed operations. Of the six alternatives here, ATN is structurally closest to PMA Elements — it emphasizes in-store coaching and manager accountability rather than self-paced content consumption.

Best for: Dealerships that want a hands-on in-dealership training partner across multiple departments.

Pricing model: Consulting and training engagement pricing. Contact ATN for current rates.

What it is not: ATN is not a self-service tool. Engagements require scheduling and trainer availability, which creates the same scheduling trade-offs as any on-site program.

For a closer look at how ATN compares across the landscape, see our Automotive Training Network alternatives post.

Alternative 6: Bradley On Demand

What it is: Bradley On Demand is a subscription-based online training library from Sean V. Bradley of Dealer Synergy. The platform covers internet sales, BDC operations, phone technique, and digital marketing strategy — video content accessible on demand, at a lower cost than a full consulting engagement.

Best for: Dealerships that want ongoing BDC and internet sales content without the commitment of a consulting retainer. Works well as a self-directed learning resource for individual reps and managers.

Pricing model: Subscription-based. Contact Bradley On Demand for current pricing.

What it is not: A consulting or accountability program. It does not include in-person coaching, process documentation, or manager accountability infrastructure.

See our Bradley On Demand alternatives guide for a more detailed comparison of on-demand content platforms for automotive training.

Side-by-Side Comparison

	PMA Elements	DealSpeak AI	Joe Verde / JVTN	NCM Institute	Dealer Synergy	ATN	Bradley On Demand
Format	In-dealership consulting	AI voice practice, on-demand	Online courses + workshops	Classroom + online courses	BDC consulting + events	In-dealership coaching	Online video library
Pricing model	Retainer / project	$30/user/month	Subscription + per-event	Per-course + consulting	Consulting / retainer	Consulting / engagement	Subscription
Best for	Sales process accountability	Daily practice reinforcement	Full front-end curriculum	Management development	Internet sales / BDC	Multi-dept. in-store coaching	BDC content access
Automotive-specific	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ongoing vs. periodic	Ongoing consulting	Ongoing daily practice	Ongoing + periodic events	Periodic programs	Ongoing consulting	Ongoing engagement	Ongoing subscription
Measurability	Manager observation	Dashboard, session scores	Course completion	Benchmarking data	Manager observation	Manager observation	Course completion
Manager time required	High (consulting partner)	Low (self-directed)	Moderate	Moderate	High (consulting partner)	High (in-store coaching)	Low

How to Choose Among These Options

The right alternative depends on what specific gap you are trying to close.

If your core problem is process inconsistency across the floor: A consulting-led solution — PMA Elements, ATN, or a similar in-dealership partner — addresses this directly. Content libraries and practice platforms cannot replace the work of defining and documenting a consistent process with manager buy-in.

If your core problem is rep skill level: Start with a curriculum. Joe Verde's JVTN covers the full front-end sales process in a self-paced format. For internet sales and BDC skills, Dealer Synergy or Bradley On Demand provide focused content in that area.

If your core problem is management development and operational benchmarking: NCM Institute has a strong track record for management-level education and peer benchmarking, particularly for GSMs and dealer principals who want data-driven performance frameworks.

If your core problem is that reps receive good coaching but then go days or weeks without practicing: DealSpeak fills this gap specifically. Consulting and coaching programs establish what reps should do. DealSpeak gives reps a place to practice it daily, without manager time per session. At $30 per user per month, it layers onto any existing program without replacing it.

If you want to compare the full landscape of automotive sales training programs before committing to any single direction, the automotive sales training hub covers the broader category with the same format-first approach used here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DealSpeak a replacement for PMA Elements or Process Management Academy?

No. PMA Elements provides consulting-led process building and manager accountability infrastructure. DealSpeak provides AI-powered voice practice for reps to drill the process between coaching sessions. They address different gaps in a training program and work well together.

Can a dealership run multiple training programs simultaneously?

Yes, and most high-performing dealerships do. A common combination is a consulting partner for process and accountability, a curriculum for skill content, and a practice tool for daily repetition. The question is which combination addresses your actual gaps without creating more administrative overhead than your team can sustain.

What metrics should I track to evaluate whether a training program is working?

Track the metrics that connect to the skill being trained. For floor sales process training, watch write-up rate, closing percentage, and gross per unit. For phone and BDC training, watch appointment set rate and show rate. For F&I, watch PVR and product penetration. If those numbers do not move after 60–90 days, either the training is not being applied or it is not targeting the right gap.

How long does a consulting engagement with a firm like PMA Elements typically last?

Most in-dealership process consulting programs run on retainer structures of three to six months or longer. Process change in a dealership requires sustained coaching and accountability to take hold, which is why short-term engagements rarely produce lasting results.

What is a reasonable training budget for a single-point franchise dealership?

A common benchmark is one to two percent of total payroll allocated to training. A layered approach — free OEM training, a self-paced subscription platform, and a daily practice tool like DealSpeak at $30 per user per month — can cover a meaningful range of skill gaps without the budget of a full consulting retainer.

The Bottom Line on PMA Elements Alternatives

PMA Elements and Process Management Academy serve a specific and legitimate function in dealership training — helping stores build a defined, accountable sales process when inconsistent execution is the core problem. For dealerships where that is the gap, a consulting-led engagement is hard to shortcut.

The six alternatives on this list serve different functions. NCM Institute develops managers. Joe Verde's JVTN builds front-end sales curriculum. Dealer Synergy and Bradley On Demand specialize in internet sales and BDC skills. ATN delivers multi-department in-store coaching. DealSpeak gives reps a place to practice daily, with measurable data, at a cost that fits alongside any other program.

Process plus practice equals consistent execution. Consulting and coaching establish what the process should look like. Daily practice is what makes that process automatic under pressure. If your team already has the process defined but execution is still inconsistent, that is the repetition gap DealSpeak addresses.

See how DealSpeak works for dealerships and try it alongside whatever training your team is already running. At $30 per user per month, there is no reason to choose between your existing program and adding a daily practice layer on top of it.