THA 004: Preparing Your Business For Sale

Preparing Your Business For Sale brings real world experience from a shop owner that just sold his business, one that is starting his succession plan and a business coach and consultant to bring the objective and metrics to this discussion.

Join Gary Plimmer, Ron Haugen and Bob Greenwood for this very frank and game changing Academy forum.

THA 003: Top Qualities of a Service Adviser

The service adviser has an important role in the automotive service industry.

Listen to a discussion with Ron Haugen from Westside Auto Pros in Des Moines Iowa and John Epstein from John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA.

Why should advisers understand and monitor their benchmarks, establish goals, and have access to them? They need to be able to connect with a broad range of people and personalities to include the customers, fellow coworkers and vendors. Service advisers also need to be able to stay calm under pressure and handle all the minor details. Many more learning moments presented by your industry colleagues.

THA 002: Resolutions

Resolutions are set at the beginning of the year and broken within weeks. This discussion from your industry peers shows how to create and hold on to your resolutions/goals and make things happen.

Join Barry Barrett Director of Training at RLO, Bill Nalu owner of Interstate Auto care in Madison Heights, MI and Jerry Kubitsky from Summit Transmission of La Mesa, CA

THA 001: How to Improve Customer Loyalty

All business strives to build customer Loyalty.

In this episode we talk with Jody DeVere, CEO of Ask Patty, shop owner Greg Skolnik from Motor Works in Rockville, MD and John Eppstein owner of John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA.

Jody, Greg and John shared their tactics and strategies to build a loyal customer following.

RR 230: Technician Round Table Part 2 -Heipp – Landry -Fanslow

What do Three Diagnosticians think about Silver Bullets, Critical Thinking and the Future of Diagnostics.

Bob Heipp, Peter Landry and Matt Fanslow, bring a big dose of their passion to the second technician round-table. This discussion generated talk on important and trending topics, that for these working techs, are important.

In this episode Bob, Peter and Matt expressed their feeling on technician pay, computer skills, augmented reality, and flat rate among others. There are over 20 key talking points. Invest in understanding how these three professional technicians and trainers look at the industry, especially the commitment to perpetual training and for creating a better and sustaining aftermarket.

RR 229: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 3

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 228: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 2

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 227: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 1

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 226: Connected CARS Detroit May 2017 – An Overview

The Future is Now. Are You Preparing for the Future of Automotive Repair?

Held in Detroit on May 18th & 19th, 2017 and presented by ASA, Automotive Service Association, Connected CARS (Congress of Automotive Repair & Service) and organized by Donny Seyfer. This training conference brought industry trainers, automotive engineers and service professionals from all parts of North America to learn about rapidly advancing vehicle technology. Participants got an important glimpse into the world of the connected car with in-depth and detailed looks at ADAS, Next Gen Vehicle Networks and the future of diagnostics.

Listen to a compilation of seventeen of your industry peers as they discuss their reaction to this top industry event. There is no time like now to best understand the speed and gravity of technology. This conference helped serve up the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the ‘connected’ service professional.

RR 225: Jose Gonzalez – Educator

When you have big goals, and are determined to make a difference you can do just about anything!

Jose Gonzales was a working technician for 16 years for a dealership and an independent. He always admired automotive trainers and that motivated him to become an instructor in post-secondary. While he was was teaching, Jose completed his AAS degree in automotive technology then switched to become an instructor in secondary education (high school).

As if that wasn’t enough, Jose then completed his bachelors in business administration. When you hear Jose tell the story, you’ll realize he has a master plan and his moves were calculated and resolute. He loves teaching and is preparing for even more opportunities in the future.

Jose Gonzales is an educator who is shaping our future technicians, yet he says there are challenges to get some students to move to post-secondary or college level; he explains in the interview. Jose counts Jim Morton as an important mentor to him.

RR 224: Family Business: Three Dads Point of View

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. The Dads Speak About Their Family Business and Their Role and Relationship with their Sons.

Service professionals Terry Beachler, Gary Pontious, Sr. and Joe Palermo discuss their family business and the relationship with their sons. Many know that family dynamics is so rewarding and can also have their challenges, however if you make it work the results are personally gratifying.

I’m grateful to the three sons for gathering their dads for this interview. There are many great talking points; traits that they share with their son, the dads’ current role in the business, who is the bigger risk taker, how they see new technology, managing the numbers, the importance of communication and trust and special advice for all family business.

Simple Solution to Minimize Cooling System Comebacks

Simple Solution to Minimize Cooling System Comebacks Bobby Bassett, the Manager of Training North America for Gates Corporation shares important facts about cooling system repairs.  LISTEN HERE. Bobby provides the simple secret to maximize customer satisfaction when you replace a water pump. The stats on alleged defective water pumps is staggering and that is why…

RR 223: Family Business: Three Sons Point of View

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. Second and Third Generation Service Professionals Speak About their Role and Relationship with their Dads.

Brett Beachler, 3rd generation join second generation sons Tom Palermo and Gary Pontious, Jr. in a discussion on the family business and their father son relationship. The aftermarket is mostly lead by family businesses and many business owners are contemplating succession.

Learn how these three sons have grown up in the business and how they see their role and what their dad has taught them about leading into the next generation.

RR 222: Dwayne Myers from Dynamic Automotive

Vice Chair of CCPN is Honored as a 2017 ASE/Autocare World Class Technician

Dwayne Myers tells his story that starts in the Army and ends with the 2017 ASE/Auto Care World Class Technician Honor. It seems that everything Dwayne Myers did in his career helped pave the way to this recognition.
 
A partner in the four-shop operation Dynamic Automotive in Frederick County, MD, listen to Dwayne’s message that anyone can have success. He says, “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go after the great.”
 
Dwayne shares some great wisdom on Dynamics commitment to training and building a team. He sees a bright future for all shop owners and provides a great piece of management wisdom: ‘Never Talk Mad’.

RR 221: Bill Greeno from Quality Automotive & Smog

An Unyielding Commitment to Customer Service is Facilitated through Communication Education.

Bill Greeno from Quality Automotive and Smog in Truckee, CA and a business consultant with a focus on leadership and management is big on communication. He and his team work hard on building strong internal communication, that he says makes huge difference in his unyielding customer service.

He also believes that having a satisfied staff is pivotal to customer service success. Having a shared vision is at the core of this. Their Vision Statement is “Your Trusted Local Auto Care.” Their service related conversations revolve around their Vision Statement and it is the launch pad for discussions regarding new ideas and/or changing a policy or procedure.

RR 220: Barry Barrett & Tom Ziglar

Selling and Personal Inspiration Times Two! Join Two Sales and Personal Improvement Trainers that Speak Directly to all Aftermarket Professionals.

Barry Barret, Director of Training at RLO and a Ziglar Legacy Certified Coach and Tom Ziglar, CEO of Ziglar Inc. bring their personal improvement passion as it relates to all automotive aftermarket professionals.

We talked about ‘The Wheel Of Life’, The fastest way to success is to replace a bad habit with a good habit, how to create a perfect start to your day, Zig Ziglar stories and much more. Enjoy a very inspirational episode that could become one of your most listened to interviews.

RR 219: Nick Lenhart from Lenhart’s Service Center

Fourth Generation Millennial in Partner With His Dad Speaks to the Challenges of Succession, Debt Management and the Changing Industry.

Nick Lenhart from Lennart’s Service Center Tire Pro’s brings a very honest and transparent discussion to the table. On top of the legacy customer service that Lenhart’s is known for they are big in community philanthropy. Nick shares the story on one key tool they use to do community outreach.

Nick shares why they made a move to Tire Pros and that their move to DVI was important and rewarding. He explains the strategy he uses on social media why improving his balance sheet is important to his dad’s succession plan with him and the value he places on networking and twenty groups.

RR 218: Rick Escalambre, Educator – Trainer

We call aftermarket professionals independent and that mislabeling has a negative impact on the industry.

Rick Escalambre the 2015 Vision Educator of the Year, retired two years ago from Skyline College and is busier than ever as an adjunct professor and contract trainer.

He is an author and member of NASTF Education Committee and involved in the educators think tank at Vision KC among others.

Rick is very outspoken on licensing and having a standardized training model in post-secondary education. Among the talking points: getting involved in education, shops recruiting at the college level, and creating strong apprentice programs. This career educator will have you thinking hard about his perspectives.

RR 217: Stacia Hamp from Community Auto

Father & Daughter Team Keep their Strong Culture at the Forefront of their Shop and Get Recognized by BBB with their Highest Honor.

Stacia Hamp and her dad Eric Warrington have worked together for 13 years. They’ve forged a strong working relationship and the business has blossomed.

Stacia’s dad Eric, built the business on trust and ethics. She says dad has the heart of the business culture firmly in hand and no better tribute than in being recognized as the winner of the 2017 Northern Colorado Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in the Small Business Category.

Stacia talks training, the value DVI has brought to their business, the value of having a mentor, how dad and daughter bring their diverse personalities into a perfect focus for the business among many more key talking points.

RR 216: Dennis McCarron from Dealer Strategic Planning

Stop with the millennial Nonsense

Dennis McCarron, formerly Bridgestone’s National Management Instructor, joined Dealer Strategic Planning, Inc. (DSP) as a group facilitator and is now Executive Director.

At DSP, Dennis and his team help independent aftermarket dealers manage the financial, branding, and human resource aspects of running a business.

Dennis shares his passion on the value of twenty groups, the importance of cash reserves, the power of payroll management and suggests that it is time to embrace the millennials as great customers and employees. A solid interview with great lessons.

RR 215: Derek Kaufman from Schwartz Advisors – Business Model Transformation

Prepare for coming trends, emerging technology and business disrupters as the aftermarket prepares for the future.

Derek Kaufman, Managing Partner at Schwartz Advisors is focusing his future lens on today’s trends that will have a big impact on how the aftermarket does business tomorrow.

Will you be prepared to change your business model because car sharing, autonomous cars, augmented reality, an increasing hybrid share, multi-party leasing, among others will force you to do business differently as the future unfolds.

Aftermarket players are innovative and responsive to turn these realities into a business advantage by offering service alternative that are fully competitive with the OE shops.

RR 214: Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg from Turnkey Marketing

Did you know that it may take 12 marketing touch points with your customer or potential customers to get them you’re your door?

Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg owner of Turnkey Marketing is totally focused on the service professional.

Many service professionals do marketing and social media well. You will affirm you strategies with Carrie-Lynn. If you struggle with marketing or social media, you will find many ideas to help you get started or to help you understand how to start.

The episode contains talk on customer touch points, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linked In. We also cover organic content creation and how to optimize all your marketing channels for the greatest impact for your efforts.

RR 213: Wayne Colonna from ATSG

Did your first car hold the fate of your future career?

Wayne Colonna, President of ATSG tells an outstanding story of his first Ford 269 with a C4 Transmission. It was fate that this car and his determination to fix it would lead him to become a highly sought after trainer in the aftermarket.

He put his time in the industry and found himself working for the Automatic Transmission Service Group in 1991. By 1992 he began conducting seminars across the United States and Canada.

Wayne has published many articles and manuals, and has traveled to over 10 different countries to conduct specialized seminars in addition to a heavy travel schedule in the US. He talks about the biggest problems in the transmission industry and the trend to do more automotive repair. Wayne also has a theology degree and is a minister.

RR 212: Chuck Abbott from CPS Automotive

VP Sales for CPS Automotive shares his views on the needs of the service professional.

Chuck has a challenge in finding good automotive sales people and relates that to the challenge in finding good technicians and shop owners. He also believes that top shop operators will pick up the slack as service centers close or continue to be challenged in today’s business climate. He talks Turbo Chargers, maintenance vs. repair and the boomer retirement providing opportunity for young entrepreneurs.

Chuck Abbott also serves on the board of directors for the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA). He is also a newly elected board member of Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) and is a member of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

RR 211: Judi and Dana Haglin from Haglin Automotive

Husband and Wife Team Keeps Careful Watch on all Details of their Business.

Judi and Dana Haglin work together so well because they say ‘They are opposites’. Each of their own passions help drive their successful business. Haglin Automotive, a twelve bay shop in Boulder, CO, was recognized in 2015 as Motor Age Top Shop of the Year. They continue to look for ways to improve their systems and marketing that will give them a competitive advantage.

The Haglin’s are all about team and culture and share many great ideas and insights on marketing, training, and stress relief. They share their rules for finding harmony in their personal and business relationship, their core values and their top strategy to corral new customers.