Auto Repair in the Decade of the Eighties [THA 194]
Auto Repair in the Decade of the Eighties [THA 194]
Welcome to another trip down memory lane and a flashback to the decade of the 1980s. My guests recall that the new tech that came out in the decade was learned through trial by fire and carburetors could be diagnosed with your ears. A fun time where the music was made by hair groups…. what was your favorite group?
This was an era too where the Chrysler Caravan, Fiero and the IROC-Z debuted. When the phone rang during this period, they said that 80 percent of the time that caller would-be customers and 12 D Cell Batteries to make the Boom Box work. And of course, the mullet was the hair cut of choice. If you don’t remember because you are too young, then listen to what your brethren, who came before you, remember about the decade of the eighties. BTW There are pictures of the entire panel from the 1980s in the show notes
The panel, Kevin Eckler, along with wife Lisa own Foreign Car Specialists, in Poughkeepsie, NY, Paul Marquardt, Northwoods Auto Techs, Rhinelander, WI was the National NAPA ASE Tech of the Year for 2010 and is a NAPA Autotech Trainer
Rich Falco, Instructor at CTI (Carquest Technical Institute) and John Bridgwater, Wright’s Automotive Service, San Leandro, CA. The show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a194 where you’ll find pictures and links to my panel’s previous episodes.
Apprentice Stories [THA 193]
Apprentice Stories [THA 193]
In your circles do you find that the discussion is trending toward finding top talent? All aspects from networking, writing great ads, improving hiring systems and improving your business culture is credited to finding and keeping top talent.
How much success are you having finding great talent out of the available pool? I believe the time has come, in a big way, to “grow your own”. For many that concept seems nebulous. Something you hear about, know you should do, but can’t even begin to know where to start.
I’ve done at least 10 podcasts on apprenticing and career pathing. Most recently Town Hall Academy #185 dedicated to understanding apprentice programs. This episode is a bookend to #185 and I call it Apprentice Stories. Listen to two apprentices and a mentor talk candidly about the process and results.
Anything worthwhile takes time and effort and installing an apprentice program in your shop is as right as having lifts in your bays.
I will have links to important apprentice programs you can embrace listed in the show notes at remarkableresults.biz/a193
Improving Work Flow [THA 192]
Improving Workflow – THA 192
We are talking about Improving Workflow in the Shop. The panel gave their best in sharing disciplines and processes that work for them. If you are a student of process improvement you’ll appreciate the discussion and if you are not you’ll realize you must start.
The panel includes Mike Davidson, Parkway Automotive, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Industry Essentials with a DOL Approved Apprenticeship Plan, Corey Evaldi, Olmsted Auto Care, Olmstead, OH, Andrew Minkler, Bavarian Motor Repairs, Capital Heights, MD and Steve Wootton, Technical Adviser, Ultimate Auto, Truck and Equipment in Cromwell, CT.
The detailed key talking points can be found at remarkableresults.biz/a192. Remember you can use the talking points to help create your own next steps or meeting agenda.
Mike Davidson shares the most important question that he asks every one of his team members.
Incentive Plans [THA 191]
Incentive Pay – THA 191
We are talking about Incentive Pay. You will conclude from this episode that there is no silver bullet to this answer. There are a lot of moving parts to create compensation plans unique to your business culture for the results you, your employee, and team need to have to best serve your customer and to create financial rewards.
I invited a great panel to discuss incentive pay: // Seth Thorson, from EuroTech Auto Service, based in New Brighton, MN and also the owner of LMV Bavarian a BMW tech support company. Bryan Kelley is here from Valley Auto Electric, Covington, WA, Active and chairman of ASA Northwest and Bill Haas, Haas Performance Consulting, and Business Manager of NACAT, the North American Automotive Teachers
The detailed key talking points can be found at remarkableresults.biz/a191 along with Bryan’s chart on 23 motivators of people. Remember you can use them to help create your own plan or meeting agenda.
Succession Planning: With an Internal Candidate [THA 190]
THA 190 Succession with an Internal Candidate
In keeping with my goal to keep the succession theme burning as we face the reality that many of you need to retire and sell your business and many of you would like to become business owners.
This episode reveals a transaction with two internal non-family successors. Bob Ward anchors this episode as he helped orchestrate this transaction.
I’m with business owner Steve LaFleur from Prescott Import Car Service and one of the internal co-buyers, Dave Mendez. Dave has worked for Steve for 10 years.
This very candid conversation will help move your succession plans forward and you can get all the key talking points from this episode at remarkableresults.biz/a190. These key talking points will make for a great planning agenda.
Delayed Maintenance: The Power of Appointments [THA 189]
THA 189 Delayed Maintenance – The Power of Appointments
This episode is about delayed maintenance and the power of appointments. You are going to find fascinating data and information that will help you make strategic changes in your business.
I’m with Bill Thompson, President, IMR Inc. / automotiveresearch.com and shop owner Brett Beachler, Beachler’s Vehicle Care and Repair, Peoria, IL
To see the data referenced in this Academy episode you can watch the video on the show notes page or find each chart on the show notes page.
BTW there is a ton of great advice here but don’t take my word for it, listen until the end, even in two sessions. Get all the key talking points on the website at remarkableresults.biz/a189
Succession With a Family Member [THA 188]
THA 188 – Succession with a Family Member
Family succession can be different than selling to a non-family member, yet many components of a transaction are similar. Jessica and Ron were very forthcoming and business coach Dave Justice helped shape the plan.
The panel: Ron Tinner, owner of Sparks Tire and Auto, along with his daughter Jessica Carrino. Jessica will become the owner, and they share their story about making a family transaction work. David Justice from Repair shop of Tomorrow is their business coach.
Succession is one of the hottest trends in our industry. So many want to retire, pass the business on to family or sell to a team member. Selling to another shop owner or group is also in the cars. We can’t talk about this enough.
For the key talking points, audio and video go to remarkableresults.biz/a188.
Labor Rates: A Function of the Business Not the Market [THA 187]
THA 187 Labor Rates: A Function of the Business Not the Market
Labor Rates is a very touchy subject for some shop owners. It is the sacred measure that customers rate you on. If you believe that this episode is for you.
We are covering multiple labor rates, an approach to calculating your rates, and what the future holds as far as the importance that labor rates ill be to your business if not most critical already today.
If you are struggling to make money there are many areas you need to pay attention to, and most importantly your labor rate. Is your rate based on the market or on the function of your business.
The panel: Bob Greenwood, AMAM, President and of the Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center, Business coach, and as I like to say one of the best numbers guys in the industry. Also Business coach Brian Gillis the Cheif Strategist at You Net-Results and joining us halfway through is shop owner Bill Nalu from Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, MI
Live at the Grill with Chris Della Bella [THA 186]
THA 186 Live at the Grill with Chris Della Bella
Welcome friend to a first for the Town Hall Academy. I attempted to pull off a live cooking show with my friend Chris Della Bella, the Director of Market Development, Northern US for Advance/Carquest. We had some tech glitches, but we created a short and fun episode that accomplished our goal.
You know food is a universal language and breaking bread with people is one of the most intimate and fun relationship builder.
Imagine a cooking show in audio format. Our industry is known to hold cookouts for the team and with that idea in mind, we held a live cooking show. Sure you can listen to the podcast or go to the show notes page or my Youtube channel to watch Chris in action. remarkableresults.biz/a186
I hope you have plans this week to cook out for your team and your family while practicing social distancing.
Apprentice Program – Grow Your Own Technician [THA 185]
THA 185 Apprentice Programs – Growing Your Own Technicians
Do you need a technician? What are you doing about it. There is some great talent available as an outcome of the pandemic; however, it won’t last.
Here is another episode on apprenticing. This is a recurring curring theme on the podcast. I will put up a link on the show notes page that displays all podcasts that helps you learn about apprentice programs.
The panel: Pete McNeil, shop owner, Mc Neils Auto Care, The NAPA 2020 Shop Owner of the Year, Sandy, UT, 2 Locations. (Expanded Sandy location to 16 bays and use it for education). Jake Sorensen, Technician, the 2019 NAPA ASE Technician of the Year, He is an ASE Master technician with L1,2 and 3 advanced level certifications. He is the shop manager and diagnostic technician at McNeil’s Auto Care in Sandy, UT and Alexia Murphy, Program Specialist, Department of Workforce Services, State of Utah
The key talking points listed on the show notes page will make a great meeting agenda or outline for change find them at remarkableresuts.biz/a185
Decade the Seventies – Talking Auto Repair [THA 184]
Decade the Seventies: Talking Auto Repair – THA 184
What was auto repair like in the decade of the seventies? In order to make this panel work, I needed to find aftermarket leaders that are still active in the industry and who were in the trenches in the seventies. I found them. And what you are going to hear is an incredible journey from their collective memories.
Listen to this cast: Mitch Schneider, Chris Chesney, Maylan Newton, Jerry Kezhaya, and Bob Pulverenti. Needless to say, this group had so much fun sharing their escapades as technicians or shop owners. Even if you weren’t a member of the class of the seventies you’ll appreciate the stories of how things were and without them, we wouldn’t have what we have today.
Key talking points and links to my guest’s previous episodes at remarkableresults.biz/a184
Selling Your Business – The First Steps [THA 183]
THA 183 Selling Your Business – The First Steps
I’m with coach and consultant Bob Ward from Warden LLC and perpetualbusiness.co, and David Justice, Coach with Repair Shop of Tomorrow. David sold His three shops and now supports shop owners to build their legacy.
You are going to find out about an exciting concept of building a perpetual business, which means it outlasts you. In essence, you prepare to sell your business the day you open, taking the stress of preparing your business for sale
The key talking points for this episode are already done for you, find them, and my guest’s bios at remarkableresults.biz/a183. These key talking points will make for a great planning agenda.
Business 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
Fake 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.
Why 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
Boutique 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.
Your 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…
Financial Help For Your Team [THA 177]
THA 177 Financial Help For Your Team
This is an episode I’ve wanted to do for some time. This living paycheck to paycheck syndrome can be corrected. Many spend beyond what they make and they get a raise and the differential is also gone. It is usually a spending problem, not an earning problem.
My panel that includes Danielle Bohlmann, Owner, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA, Dave Martin, Owner, Martin’s Auto Repair, Phoenix, AZ, Frank Scandura, Owner, Frank’s European Service, Las Vegas, NV and Drew Horton, Technician, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA
A bunch of great insights here and you can find them on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a177. These key talking points will make for a great meeting agenda.
Social Media Strategies as we Re-Open the Economy [THA 176]
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, the owner of Turnkey Marketing, founded her boutique marketing firm after moving from New York where she was in charge of the direct response marketing for a 10 BILLION dollar company (Emblem Health). She went on to be the Director of Marketing and won the 2nd place Infusionsoft Ultimate Marketer Of The Year Award. Carrie-Lynn graduated…
The Value of a Strong Banking Relationship [THA 175]
The Panel: Denise Guyton-Boyer, SVP Commercial Lending, FCB a Division of ACNB Bank. Denise’s banking career has included branch management, consumer and residential lending and commercial lending. She attended Community College, University of Maryland School of Banking, Xerox University of Commercial Lending. Mark Roberts is the owner of Roberts Properties, Inc, Managing Partner of…
Adapt or Die – A Look Ahead [THA 174]
Carolyn Coquillette of Luscious Garage, San Francisco, CA chairs the ASCCA Connected Cars Committee, serves on the ASCCA Board of Directors and is active in her local San Francisco chapter. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Shop-Ware. Look for Carolyn’s other episodes HERE. Scott Brown is an ASE Master Certified Automobile Technician with over three and a half…
Training 2020 and Beyond – Future Techniques and Strategies [THA 173]
THA 173 Training 2020 and Beyond: Future Techniques and Strategies
The challenges we have now and into the future, regarding training, are so apparent in this episode. Will you shift and adapt to the many ways of acquiring training into the future. Will we be changing how we deliver knowledge? Do we need to let some of our old training techniques die? Will we embrace career pathing? And will shop owners be more supportive and pay for training? Some of the answers are here now.
Rich Falco came to me with this Academy topic and I was hooked. Who wouldn’t want to listen to a discussion on ‘Training 2020 and Beyond: Future Techniques and Strategies. He brought along Jim Cokonis and Matt Fanslow. You know me I’m a very curious person and I want to learn something new every day. This episode brought out both of those traits. In Fact I got more than I anticipated and so will you.
Talking points for a great meeting agenda at https://remarkbleresults.biz/a173
Insurance Reviews – What if Scenarios [THA 172]
Bambi Crozier, wife and co-owner with Neil Crozier, of Car Clinic in Lowell, AR (Northwest Arkansas), has a passion for the hardworking shop owner. Her vision to Change the Face of Automotive Care motivates and inspires every aspect of her daily operation. She entered the industry in 2012 as an entrepreneur shortly after moving back…
Multi Shop Operations – Acquisition – Selling [THA 171]
Greg Bunch is the owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, a five-location automotive and service business in Colorado. Greg started his passion for cars at 15 when he began rebuilding a 1966 Volkswagen Bug. Greg has moved from a Volkswagen mechanic to ASE Master Technician, to Management, to starting his shop 18 years ago in his…