Latest Blog

Are We Falling Behind the Future?

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | Oct 18, 2026

That’s a big question. And one that deserves some serious reflection. We cannot expect tomorrow’s specialists to succeed with yesterday’s education. Think back to 1997, when Toyota introduced the Prius in Japan. Many questioned whether hybrid technology would ever catch on. Some dismissed it as a passing trend. Others saw…

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Brining Attention To Sometimes Invisible Thoughts or Issues

Technician Training Strategies and Rewards

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 05/29/2019

Training is a top-five strategy in the automotive service business. Shop owner CEO’s must focus on culture, marketing, financial…

Succession – Planning One of Your Biggest Decisions

By Carm Capriotto, AAP | 05/15/2019

Ready to Sell Or Succeed Your Business? Is Your Business Attractive to a Potential Buyer? Do You Have an…

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…

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From Technician to Shop Owner: The Challenges You Never Saw Coming [THA 507]

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The Human Side of Auto Repair: Emotional Intelligence, Mentorship, and Leadership [THA 506]

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AAPEX 2026: What to See, Learn, and Experience [RR 1112]

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How to Turn Call Recordings Into Coaching, Conversions, and Customers [THA 505]

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Stop Losing Price Shoppers: Give Them a Price Range [RR 1111]

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Work Together, Thrive Together, Build a Business You Can Sell [THA 504]

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Inside the Role of a Performance and Accountability Team Leader [RR 1110]

09/22/2026

How to Develop a General Manager for Your Auto Repair Shop [THA 503]

09/18/2026

From Daily Profit to Long-Term Business Value [RR 1109]

09/15/2026

The Automotive Hiring Cycle: When and How to Recruit Top Technicians [THA 502]

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The Power of Financing: A Growth Tool for Auto Repair Shops [RR 1108]

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Daily Habits That Build a Stronger Auto Repair Shop Culture [THA 501]

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Rapid-Fire Automotive News: AI, EVs, Autonomous Vehicles, and the $19B Trade School Boom [RR 1107]

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Brakes for Breasts: How Auto Repair Shops Are Fighting Breast Cancer [THA 500]

08/28/2026

Top 5 Qualities of a Genuine Service Advisor [RR 1106]

08/25/2026

Your Shop’s Toughest Competitor Is in the Mirror [THA 499]

08/21/2026

Bring the Classroom to the Shop: Raising the Bar For On-Site Training [RR 1105]

08/18/2026

Engage, Educate, Reward: How Today’s Class Is Changing Auto Repair Training [THA 498]

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Inside the ASTA Expo 2026: Training, Technology, and Tribal Networking [RR 1104]

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Mastering Shop Flow with Online Scheduling and AI Communication [THA 497]

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Why Employees Disengage and How Leaders Reconnect Them [RR 1103]

08/04/2026

The AI-Informed Customer Has Arrived: What It Means For Auto Repair [THA 496]

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Get Out of Your Own Way: Leadership Lessons for Shop Owners [RR 1102]

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