Latest Blog

DTI – Can You Imagine?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | Jun 22, 2026

Here is another analogy to the dental industry that I think you’ll appreciate. If you are like me, we constantly see things in everyday life and connect them back to our industry. Last week, I was in the chair at my dentist’s office for routine maintenance. For both my dentist…

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All Articles and Blog Posts

The Extreme Value of Shop Tours

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 04/30/2019

I will never forget putting a call out to shop owners who wanted to tour of Frank European in…

Ready for your next shop?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 04/21/2019

I am one of the luckiest people in the industry, I get a chance to pull together smart people…

Seeding Our Future Technicians is Your Responsibility.

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 12/13/2018

I keep hearing about that greatest challenge in the aftermarket, a technician shortage. Recently instead of listening to the…

Concierge Service

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/18/2018

I have completed over 400 interviews with aftermarket professionals and there have been a few common threads I have…

The Dreaded Comeback: Four Keys To Prevention

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 09/05/2018

In an April 2018 Town Hall Academy with three shop owners, we discussed comeback prevention. They all agreed that…

Fleet Business: A Great Opportunity for Sales Growth

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 06/02/2018

Many service professionals have improved their businesses by documenting and honing their processes and systems. They also found that…

It’s time to do a SWOT

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 04/25/2018

This could be the best team exercise you’ve ever done; that is, unless you’ve done some team building exercises…

I Just Want a Simple Cup of Black Coffee!

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/25/2017

How impatient are you? When you are in a coffee shop looking for a cup of black coffee, a…

What does it take to find a great work/life balance?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/22/2017

That time of the year is upon us when we reflect on the current year regarding family, self, work…

Do You Need a Quick New Idea That Will Give You a Competitive Edge?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 10/12/2017

When your business is running at top performance, you look back and realize all the hard work it took…

Where Should You Invest Your Marketing Dollars?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 08/15/2017

Where Should You Invest Your Marketing Dollars? Marketing for customer retention and recruitment can be a daunting task. I’ve…

Simple Solution to Minimize Cooling System Comebacks

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 05/23/2017

Simple Solution to Minimize Cooling System Comebacks Bobby Bassett, the Manager of Training North America for Gates Corporation shares…

What about that old journal?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 11/18/2015

A great discovery in Oklahoma City when chalkboard drawings from 1917 were found at a high school. While remodeling…

Gold Mine

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 09/29/2015

There has been a lot of pictures of cabin air filters on social media lately and many blogs written…

Retention: Six To-Do’s for Customer Retention

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 09/13/2015

Just as much effort is needed into finding new customers as it is to keeping your current customer base.…

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2026 Automotive Training Trends Every Professional Shop Owner Needs to Know [RR 1096]

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Motor Oil supply Crisis: Fact, Friction, and What Happens Next [THA 489]

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Anyone Can Teach, But Not Everyone Can Educate: Lessons from 30 Years in Automotive Training [RR 1095]

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When Personal Stress Walks Into the Shop: How Leaders Protect Performance [THA 487]

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From Guesswork to Process: Modern Diagnostic Strategies for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1093]

05/26/2026

Failing at Retirement: Building Eight Shops in Eight Years [THA 486]

05/22/2026

The AI-Driven Auto Repair Leader: Using Technology as Your Strategic Thought Partner [RR 1092]

05/19/2026

The Rise of the Specialist: Redefining Automotive Professionalism [THA 485]

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15 Headlines in 30 Minutes: Rapid Fire Automotive News For Shop Owners [RR 1091]

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Why ADAS Calibrations Are Being Ignored in Auto Repair Shops [THA 484]

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Auto Repair Marketing Isn’t What You Think (AI Is Changing Everything) [RR 1090]

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Turn Your Parts Spend Into Team Rewards with the NAPA Team Tool Rebate [THA 483]

05/01/2026

Detective Mind Mapping: A Forensic Approach to Automotive Diagnostics [RR 1089]

04/28/2026

The Dealer Alternative Advantage in Today’s Auto Repair Industry [THA 482]

04/24/2026

Build Customer Loyalty: Branding, Event Planning, and Community [RR 1088]

04/21/2026

Meet Paige: The Auto Repair Industry’s First 24/7 AI Recruiter [THA 481]

04/17/2026

Your Shop Might Need Marriage Counseling: Fixing Communication in Auto Repair [RR 1087]

04/14/2026

How to Get Unstuck When Your Auto Repair Business Stops Growing [THA 480]

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The “Monster” in Your Head Is Costing Your Shop Money [RR 1086]

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Batman Needs a Robin: Meet Your Shop’s New Sidekick Ninja App [THA 479]

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Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Master Your Shop Management System [RR 1085]

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