ASE Educational Foundation [RR 630]

ASE Educational Foundation [RR 630]

Many of us support education at the high school and college level giving of our time, guidance, and advice to advisory boards. If you are not I highly recommend getting involved. There are not enough independent voices on advisory boards. This is an important show where you will learn the role of the ASE Education Foundation in our schools and who is the biggest poachers of technician talent.

Find the key talking points for this episode at remarkableresults.biz/e630

Are You Playing Checkers or Chess with your Resources?

I learned the game of chess years ago but never got into it, but rekindled my knowledge about chess from the limited series ‘The Queens Gambit’ on Netflix. I never appreciated the strategies the chess masters need to know to be at the top of their craft. Watching the docuseries I started to recall the…

Managing Family Business Dynamics [THA 218]

Managing Family Business Dynamics [THA 218]

Too often we are subject to the stereotypes associated with family working in business together…favoritism, entitlement, a cloudy culture. But with a clearly defined role, you can actually celebrate having family involved and enjoy watching your business flourish. My panel shares their wisdom on walking the fine line integrating family into your business.

The panel: Judy Walter, Zimmerman’s Automotive, Mechanicsburg, PA
John Klarkowski, AutoPro Auto Service, Brooklyn Park, MN
Joe Hanson, Gordies Garage, Roseville, MI.

Find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a218

Charging What You Are Worth – Part 2

We presented a Town Hall Academy on ‘Charging What You Are Worth’. It is amazing how many listens we get from podcasts that discuss this topic. The problem is real and too many of us don’t understand the math behind running a profitable business; business math. Sales minus parts cost equal gross profit. Gross profit…

Scan Tools Part 1 [RR 629]

Scan Tools Part 1 [RR 629]

Scan tools…who should be the one investing in scan tools? The owner? The technician? How often are you turning away jobs because you don’t have the right tool? Does a journeyman plumber need to buy their own tools to do a job? I don’t think so! These are all questions we cover in this episode with Matt Fanslow, Keith Perkins, and Bill Nalu. A wide-open panel discussion you will enjoy and learn just one thing.

The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkablersults.biz/e629

Women Shop Owners Round Table [CC 087]

In honor of March’s Women History Month, I assembled a panel of lady shop owners to discuss the women’s role in the aftermarket. The ladies brought some wide-ranging perspectives and I loved the trajectory of this discussion. No matter your position or gender in our beloved aftermarket give this episode your due. The ladies were on fire.

Judy Haglin and Shop Tour at Fine Tuned Auto with Ken Wedow – [AW 047]

Guest Host Judi Haglin from Haglin Automotive talking about getting back to basics. The Virtual Shop Tour by Kenny Wedow from Fine Tuned Auto in Broomfield, CO. Kenny recently built a brand new facility. Trivia Challenge: What do Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, Ducati, and Porsche have in common? Listen for the fortune cookie wisdom of the week.

From Hobby to Drift Racing Career with Matthew Haugen [RR 628]

From Hobby to Drift Racing Career with Matthew Haugen [RR 628]

Has your love of cars turned from hobby to career? Was it on the backburner as you pursue other ventures but somehow you always circled back to it? In this episode with 28 year old Matthew Haugen we learn his journey from being a baby in diapers trying to take off the wheels of his dad’s corvette, to becoming a professional drifter and successful YouTube influencer, with a special trip to Japan in between. Find out how he did it!

Find the key talking points for this episode at remarkableresults.biz/e628

Auto Repair in the Decade of the Nineties [THA 217]

Auto Repair in the Decade of the Nineties [THA 217]

It’s quite fitting this episode is being released on a Thursday…because it is the quintessential #throwbackthursday. My panel is taking a trip down memory lane in the 1990’s…the era of OBD2 and the huge shift in technology. Change is never easy but it is always a necessity, hear how my guests handled the changes and adapted in order to move forward. You can watch the video of this episode and find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a217

How to Have a Four Day Work Week with Eric Henley [RR 627]

How to Have a Four Day Work Week with Eric Henley [RR 627]

As a shop owner, how does a 4 day a week schedule sound to you? Would you like some extra time with family and friends? In this episode find out how Eric Henley
from H-Teck Auto Care does it! Be careful, you might free up some quality time!

The key talking points for this episode that make for a great meeting agenda reside at remarkablersults.biz/e627

A Very Personal Story with Kevin Eckler [RR626]

A Very Personal Story with Kevin Eckler [RR 626]

Do you see good in people when they don’t? Do you have a heart for people that struggle? Do you try to pull out qualities from good people?” If you answered yes to these questions then you know what it’s like to invest emotionally into friends, family and employees.

In this transparent episode, Kevin Eckler, from Foreign Car Specialists in Poughkeepsie, NY explains a situation in his business that pulled at his heartstrings but also hurt his business culture. Kevin takes you on a journey that changed him and his business. A very personal story.

Find the key talking points for this episode at remarkableresults.biz/e626

Have You Started Your Apprentice Program? [THA 216]

Have You Started Your Apprentice Program? [THA 216]

How many times have you heard “there is a technician shortage problem.” Is there really a technician shortage or is the real problem that there is a shortage of qualified technicians?

In this episode, we discuss the entire apprenticeship journey through the eyes of Jason Molinar. Find out how Jason literally switched gears as a pharmacy technician to becoming McNeil’s Auto Care’s most recent apprentice graduate.

As a business owner, the solution to staffing issues and shortages is…you. Now’s the time to build an apprentice program and “grow your own” technician. Jason’s story is powerful and should motivate you to start. A must listen to help ensure your business continues into the future.

Only Real Maple Syrup on My Pancakes

I will not order pancakes at a restaurant that doesn’t serve real maple syrup. I always wanted to understand how maple syrup is produced and I’m a junkie for learning new things. Over the weekend we stopped by a ‘sugar shack’ just a few miles from our home. There is a lot of work that…

Employee Review Process with Bryan Kelley [RR 625]

Employee Review Process with Bryan Kelley [RR 625]

Employee Review …two dreaded words for both the owner and the employee. But, with my guest Bryan Kelley’s unique approach it might be something everyone looks forward to. Bryan owns Valley Automotive Electric, Covington, WA, and is the ASA Northwest President. Brian and I did an episode on Hiring practices in Feb 2021 episode 611 and is the perfect pairing to this episode.

In this episode, we dive into a role reversal with employee reviews. Should it always be the owner that does the reviews? Are they the ones observing the day-to-day pulse of the business? Some are … some not. What if the employee reviews were done with everyone in the business as a collective group once a week? The culture of your business is dependent on the attitudes of your employees. It’s time to sit back and listen to what your people have to say.

EOS Part 2: Vision with Barry Barrett [RR624]

We are on part 2 of our 7 part series on the Entrepreneurial Operating System with Barry Barrett a certified EOS implementer. The EOS system includes simple concepts and practical tools that help entrepreneurs get the most out of their business. There’s finally a system to build your leadership team through vision, traction and healthy disciplines
In this part we are covering “Vision,” the foundation of your business. As a business owner, it is critical to get everyone on board with where you are going and how you will get there. And that starts with establishing your core values and focus within the business and mapping out short-term and long-range goals. It’s time to put your ideas and brainstorming thoughts on paper.

Rethinking Your ASE Certification [THA 215]

Rethinking Your ASE Certification [THA 215]

Did you know you need a license to cut hair but you don’t need a license or certifications to change brakes on a vehicle? And why do industry owners and technicians not value ASE certifications? That is the question of the day.

Joining me on this lively discussion on ASE is Trish Serratore, Sr. VP Communication, ASE, Mark Murphy, Lead Technician, Dynamic Automotive and technician and mentor Bryan Stafford from Parkway Automotive in Little Rock, AR

A great way to attract and keep customers is by letting them know YOU have certified technicians working on their vehicles. It is also a strong part of your value proposition. Now think about this …… If you value your ‘career’ in our industry wouldn’t ASE Certification be at the top of your list?

Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from taking the tests, there are practice tests and plenty of support located on the ase.com website to guide you along the way including the new recertification app.

Lessons on 3rd Generation Family, Networking and the Front Counter- Steve Mancinelli [RR 623]

Lessons on 3rd Generation Family, Networking and the Front Counter [RR 623]

I caught up with Steve Mancinelli, AMAM, who proudly wears the scars of battle as a 3rd generation shop owner. Family business, networking, and learning how to run a great business are challenges we all face and Steve shares his many moves through the labyrinth of barriers that got him to where he is today. In his section of Denver, there have been 6 shops and 23 service bays have closed since the pandemic hit. Either they liquidated, retired, or moved due to high rent in the downtown area during the pandemic. Besides many wise thoughts, Steve talks about women at the front counter.

The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e623.

Shop Fire – Protect Yourself

Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t comment in my blog about an episode recently released. I’ve got no choice but to move you to listen to ‘Shop Fire’, episode 617 with Matthew Fanslow. Instead of saying it is a ‘must listen’, I know now that this is a ‘REQUIRED listen.’ The day after the…

Chris Cloutier – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 622]

Chris Cloutier – 20 Questions in 30 Minutes [RR 622]

Here is another 20 Questions in 30-minute episode with Chris Cloutier of AutoText.me and Golden Rule Auto Care.

This unique format puts Chris in the driver’s seat as he answers some tough questions about his passions, business, and life in general. This is one of those interviews that I enjoy doing, and you’ll hear that Chris and get lost in his answers.

The key talking points for this episode with Chris Cloutier resides at remarkablersults.biz/e622.

Preventing Zoom Burnout [THA 214]

Preventing Zoom Burnout [THA 214]

Ever get burnt out on a zoom meeting or call?

The pandemic has caused us social creatures, to go indoors and away from our friends at conferences and training events. However, Technology stepped in to keep us ‘in the loop’ and engaged. Zoom was embraced along with other video conferencing platforms to give us virtual training and even cocktail parties.

Just talking to industry friends I found that for the majority we are ‘zoomed out’. Is that a real verb? So it was time to talk about it.

This panel says they are maxed out on virtual training, but we took it a step future. We all realized that virtual is here to stay. We will have hybrid training, some face-to-face and some virtual and we talk about it.

The panel says the presenters need to learn new virtual training techniques and the participants need to participate. A very eager panel that has some really great ideas on how to zoom!

This episode’s key talking points are already done for you. Find them at remarkableresults.biz/a214

The Virtual Service Advisor [RR 621]

The Virtual Service Advisor [RR 621]
Amidst the pandemic scare, shops have taken advantage of VoIP, cloud services and new technologies to serve their customers. Some have had to put their service advisor working from home for various reasons. Imagine having support for your counter in the virtual world. Is there is a future for a Virtual Service Advisor?

Our guest today, Robbie Bunch became a virtual service advisor because of the pandemic and has excelled at it. His previous experience helped make this a reality for a shop he supports. Not only is Robbie Bunch doing Virtual Service Advisor work for a shop he continues to work for his other business “Platform Digital Marketing.”

Robbie and I toss out the idea of creating an entire industry of Virtual Service Advisors to support shops when your business is growing but not in need of a full-timer or when you lose a Service Advisor and while you are looking to hire a new person to rely on a Virtual Service Advisor to take up the slack. This episode will get you thinking.

The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e621.

Millennials A to Z – Part 2 – Sara Fraser [RR 620]

Millennials A to Z Part 2 – Sara Fraser [RR 620]

Sara from Haas Performance Consulting will cover a large swath of millennials’ behaviors as it relates to being a customer or a team member in your business. Understanding this important and powerful generation will allow you to embrace them to the fullest. You may have millennial children, customers, nieces, and nephews, you may be one — Millennials account for a third of the workforce and you need to know their tendencies as it relates to relationships in the workplace and as customers.

The key talking points for this episode with Sara Fraser reside at remarkablersults.biz/e620.