Archive for July 2020
Unscripted – Mitch Schneider – The Broken Arm Episode [RR 558]
Unscripted – Mitch Schneider – The Broken Arm Episode [RR 558]
My fourth episode with industry icon Mitch Schneider. I’m calling it the “Broken Arm Episode.” Hear all about it in this episode. Mitch brought his unmistakable wit and charm to this interview as we turned on the recorder and just let it flow. No intended agenda so this is pure and raw podcasting at it’s best.
The video was also recorded. You can see it on my Youtube Channel or on the website on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/e558. You get a chance to see a behind the scenes of a podcast recording session.
Every time I can have a chat with Mitch Scheider I feel honored and as you’ll hear, like two old shoes, worn-in, comfortable, and coveted. You never want to get rid of ‘em.
If you’ve read Mitch for decades in our aftermarket press, In fact, he is still writing, this is like a live article on many topics, We talk about his book Misfire, wisdom on learning, the power of reading and his perspective on the tech shortage and much more.
Listen and view episode notesBusiness Side of ADAS – Part 2 [THA 182]
THA 182 The Business Side of ADAS Part 2
This is the second part of a series on the ‘Business Side of ADAS’ as we need to have a continual discussion on ADAS calibration. Should we invest or just outsource the work? As you know vehicle systems are highly integrated and respecting these advanced driver systems to keep the vehicle in OE operating conditions is the moral side of the importance of performing ADAS calibrations.
Listen to another great aftermarket panel talking about the Business of ADAS. With me is David Friend, owner of Mobile Tech and Wilmington Hybrids, from Wilmington, NC
Matt Lachowitzer, from Matt’s Automotive Service Center, with six locations in North Dakota, he also has a new ADAS Calibration Center and, James Carpenter, Collision Manager at Eastlake Diagnostics.
Part one of this ADAS series is in Town Hall Academy episode 138: remarkableresults.biz/a138 The key talking points for this episode can be found at remarkableresults.biz/a182
Listen and view episode notesSix Shops in Eleven Years: The Story Behind This Explosive Growth [RR 557]
Six Shops in Eleven Years: The Story Behind This Explosive Growth [RR 557]
I’m with Matt Lachowitzer, a 6 location shop owner. Matt had aspirations to become a lawyer, but a fork in the road led him to be a technician and now shop owner; 6 shop locations in under 11 years. That is an amazing feat but it required a lot of work, a strong culture, pure process disciplines, and a total focus on the customer experience. Matt also has a body shop and an ADAS calibration center.
On his way to owning 6 locations, Matt Lachowitzer dropped out of school and started working In a local GM dealership. Matt shares how he grew and transformed his business with a top culture, an incredibly strong community presence, the Teddy Bear treasure, and the Girl Scout Cookie campaign that supports local food pantries and our veterans.
Learn all about these programs and more along with how he has integrated a lottery system in training and engaged his technicians to own and teach their in house training program.
Matt’s full bio and the key talking points can be found on the website at remarkableresults.biz/e557
Listen and view episode notesAfrica’s First Technician Holding Three ASE Master Technician Certificates and L1, L2 and L3 [RR 556]
Africa’s First ASE and L1 Certified Tech With Huge Goals [RR 556]
Taurayi Raymond Sewera overcame an enormous amount of obstacles on his pathway to become an ASE world-class tech. Not even chronic pancreatitis or lack of funds stopped him from reaching his goals. He reminds us that nothing should stop you from achieving your goals. You are the only obstacle to your goals.
Taurayi talks about Vision 2020, his ASE goals, his illness, and about building an automotive school to his hometown in Zimbabwe, Africa. He is the only technician in Africa who is certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for light-duty diesel, medium and heavy-duty trucks, and advanced level specialist (L1). That in itself speaks volume of the man’s resilience.
Show notes at remarkableresults.biz/e556
Listen and view episode notesFake Reviews: How to Handle Them [THA 181]
Fake Reviews – THA181
Fake Customer Reviews, we’ve covered reviews in the past but never have we focused on Fake reviews; the Why they Happen, What to do about them and What should a response look like.
On the panel is Lauren Anderson from eight location Victory Auto Service, Minneapolis, MN, From Mighty Auto Pro in Medina, OH, and co-founder of Brakes For Breasts, Leigh Anne Best, and Mike Della Cruz, National Sales Manager, Broadly.com
And as per usual this panel delivered the goods and beyond, which is why you love listening to the Town Hall Academy.
See the show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a181 for the key talking points. Whoever in your company that manages reviews this is a must-listen.
Listen and view episode notesIf How To’s Were Enough We’d All Be Rich and Skinny- Dave Schedin [RR 555]
If How To’s Were Enough We’d All Be Rich and Skinny- Dave Schedin [RR 555]
The episode will teach you how to face your fears and understand the depth of your ego. Managing your ego and self-confidence in balance will get you the result you really need. Find out the truth behind the overconfidence and arrogance that we all try to avoid. We are all victims of whatever circumstance we chose to put ourselves into. The sooner we understand that the better off we are at handling difficult situations.
My guest is a coach and a former shop owner, Dave Schedin from Computrek Group a
Coaching and Training Company. Dave has 40+ years of experience in the automotive field.
David has a powerful message for you. We are talking about the fear-based scarcity mindset that can plague the best of us. If it remains unchecked it will derail most business owners by undervaluing themselves. The opposite of this has the same effect too. You can be too arrogant when you are overconfident. You have to balance things out. You’re gonna love this episode.
Listen and view episode notesWife Raised the Kids and After 27 Years and Partnered With Husband to Open a Shop [RR 554]
Wife Raised the Kids and After 27 Years and Partnered With Husband to Open a Shop [RR 554]
In this episode, we will be visiting Russell and Connie Cook’s new world of shop ownership at Finish Line Automotive in Ocala, Florida.
They tell you how they got their money, what they put down, how they built working capital, what went wrong in the last 5 months, and how Connie had to work the shop with zero experience. Buying the shop was their decision after Connie spent 27 years raising the children. Gutsy and bold move. This is what this industry is made of.
An interesting story on how this mid-aged couple jumped into shop ownership with all four feet. They give us a nice and transparent look into how and why they did it while Russell was still turning wrenches at a dealership.
Find the show notes and key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e554.
Listen and view episode notesWhy We Have Loaner Cars [THA 180]
THA 180 Why We Have Loaner Cars
This episode showcases two shops that have loaner cars. The industry seems to be split on having loaners. This episode opens up a strong position and the reasons they have loaners.
My panel includes Greg Buckley, from Buckley’s Personalized Auto Care, Wilmington, DE and Tom Lambert, from Shadetree Automotive, Layton, UT
Greg just added three new vehicles and Tom has thirteen. There are support companies that help you with a digital and GPS loaner transaction. Find the show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a180
Listen and view episode notesUnscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]
Unscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]
This episode speaks for itself. Raw and Unscripted. And intended to push a button or two maybe one of yours. It’s a collection of ideas and thoughts from my guest’s world which resulted in nothing more than some extraordinary talk.
My guests are shop owners, Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood. They are veterans of the show and have multiple episodes between them. Andy Bizub owns Midwest Performance Cars in Chicago, two locations and Lucas Underwood from L & N Performance Auto Repair, Blowing Rock, NC
They share the challenges of attracting and retaining customers. Lucas had guidance from his coach that told him that some shop owners often fall in love with their problems and not the solutions. While Andy remains choosy in all of the customers that come through his shop. He programs his business to attract his right customers. This and much more.
Find the key talking points for this interview with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood at remarkableresults.biz/e553.
Aftermarket Pros Talk Tesla [RR 552]
Aftermarket Pros Talk about Tesla [RR 552]
In this episode we are talking Tesla and this is a topic I’ve wanted to learn more about as the aftermarket should be a source for service and repairs for this brand. Seth Thorson is servicing them and we pulled a panel together to help you fill in the blanks on where the aftermarket stands as it comes to service and parts for the Tesla.
Find the show notes and key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/e552. Not only do Scott and Seth own Tesla’s, they are working on them, in a limited way, but nonetheless they are learning how to acquire parts, and understand what is going wrong with them. My panel feels that we will be able to play a role in the service of Tesla’s in the future.
The panel: Seth Thorson, Scott Brown, and Matt Fanslow. They are veterans in the industry working on Tesla Vehicles. They know the first-hand issues and workarounds. Learn how they generate energy, securing parts, service and distribution models.
Listen and view episode notesBoutique Training: Specific – Focused – Hands On – The Training Comes To You [THA 179]
THA 179 Boutique Training
Get ready for an outstanding discussion on an important topic: Training. Shop owners Dave Denmon from Dave’s Car Care in Phoenix, Jon Bockman from Bockman’s Auto Care in Sycamore, IL sit with trainers Scott Shotton, the Driveability Guys and a Mobile Diagnostician,and Eric Zigler from E-Z Diagnostics, Peoria, IL and a trainer for Automotive Seminars and the Driveability Guys.
So why not bring the needed training for your techs and even service advisors to you. An interesting and wide-ranging discussion from four of your industry colleagues. I know training matters to you, you are going to love this discussion.
The key talking points listed on the show notes page will make a great meeting agenda or outline for change. Find them on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a179.
Listen and view episode notesA Simple Letter of Intent Transformed an Employee Into a Shop Owner [RR 551]
A Simple Letter of Intent Transformed an Employee Into the Shop Owner [RR 551]
Let’s welcome Terica Buckner. She worked for 21 years at Hawthorne Auto Clinic, Portland, OR. She was offered the chance to purchase the shop and took over ownership 2 years later in January 2020. A really good example of good succession planning. The previous owner wanted to retire and Terica wrote a letter of intent wanting to purchase the shop. She had the experience in many different roles in the business along with established relationships with the employees and customers.
Terica continues working with passion in the automotive industry and is excited to now be in the position to set new standards in an ever-changing field, especially with the current challenges COVID-19 presents.
Find the key talking points for this interview with Terica Buckner at remarkableresults.biz/e551.
Listen and view episode notesKey Trigger For Success – Communicate Better with Our Younger Generation [RR 550]
Before joining ATI, Geoff Berman worked in his family business for 16 years and had realized that the changes I wanted to make in the business were never going to happen under the current leadership. I hit the lottery when I found ATI. Now I can influence many businesses, not just the one I work…
Listen and view episode notesYour Cash Position – Staff Reductions – Overall Outlook Coming out of COVID-19 [THA 178]
Mike Chung is director, market intelligence at Auto Care Association. With more than a dozen years of experience in market research, Chung and his team provide the industry with timely information on key factors and trends influencing the health of the automotive aftermarket and serving as a critical resource by helping businesses throughout the supply…
Listen and view episode notes