Academy Archives

Supply Chain: Getting Parts to Market Post Pandemic [THA 237]

Shipping delays, raw material and labor shortages along with COVID-19 are just a few challenges suppliers are experiencing every single day. As the automotive repair industry has seen a boom in business, getting parts to market is one of the most important priorities and challenges we have. In this episode, my panel gives you an inside look at the supply chain, no sugar coating, just real facts.

remarkableresults.biz/a237

Second in Command – A COO/GM Perspective [THA 236]

Second in Command – A COO Perspective [THA 236]

As an owner, the day-to-day routine seems like second nature to you. You’re the face of the business and enjoy interacting with customers and your team. How much time are you able to spend focusing on the future.

Having a second in command to manage the day-to-day tasks and employees is vital to a growing business. This episode will appeal to any owner out there and also future COO’s that have the desire to step up into that role. Find out what it takes for both sides to make it work seamlessly.
remarkableresults.biz/a236

Creating a Training Culture [THA 235]

Training in this industry is always a hot topic to discuss. Unfortunately, there are too many shops that don’t realize training employees and business owners must be non-negotiable in order to have a profitable and sustainable business. If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re already taking action to level up. Take a moment to share this episode with just one person, it may change their life personally and professionally.

The panel discusses why training is important, how to incentivize training, and what to look for when hiring people. remarkableresults.biz/a235

Service Advisor Must-Have Qualities [THA 234]

The service advisor role for the automotive industry is crucial for your business and customers. Sometimes owners try to fill that seat with a warm body without realizing the qualities and communication skills required for that position. It goes beyond being friendly and in this episode, my panel takes a deep dive from different perspectives. remarkableresults.biz/a234

Succession Strategies – A Real World Example [THA 233]

You can never start too early with succession planning. As an owner, you will either sell your business or leave your business by choice or due to unforeseen circumstances. Are you preparing for when that happens? Do you have conversations with your employees or family members about succession? Or are you coasting through the day-to-day with the mindset “I’ll get to it soon.” In this unique question and answer episode, we have a shop owner looking to retire and a CPA and a succession consultant to guide him through the process.

remarkableresults.biz/a233

Electrificaton of our Industry – Service Impact and Trends [THA 232]

Electrification of our Industry – Service Impact and Trends [THA 232]

How do you prepare for the future? It starts by acknowledging it will be here before you know it. In this episode, my panel discusses electric and hybrid vehicles with statistics and real shop research that help outline the road ahead.

Don’t be left behind. Don’t be a naysayer. Embrace and understand the role of EV’s and Hybrids. Learn all you can so you can prepare your business for the future. A critical and important podcast so you benefit. remarkableresults.biz/a232

Playing the Long Game [THA 231]

How do you “Play the Long Game?” Are you making an effort every single day or do you tend to coast when things are going well? Forecasting the future should always be on your mind with fresh ideas and plans in place to get there.

In this episode, my panel shares their ‘long game’ on finding technicians, reasons why hybrid and electric vehicle repair is a must and keeping customers for life.

Spoiler alert: they discuss things EVERY shop owner can implement. No excuses, it’s time to dive in.
Don’t forget you can find talking points to all episodes on my website remarkableresults.biz

Second in Command: A CEO Perspective [THA 230]

As your business continues to grow and perhaps you add a few more locations, or you want to work on your job as the visionary, it’s a natural progression to start brainstorming who you’re second in command will be.

Why is it important? What qualifications and qualities do they need to possess? How do you set up clear roles and guidelines between your position and theirs? All these questions and more are answered in this episode. Sit back and listen first hand to what works and what doesn’t.

remarkableresults.biz/a230

Career Paths – Technician to Manager [THA 229]

It’s always interesting to hear the unique paths people have embarked on to be in this industry and to grow in it. Seniority doesn’t always trump leadership skills and a drive to become invested and committed in the business. In this episode, my panel discusses the different career paths that they have taken while working for Dynamic Automotive and their plans for future growth within the company.

https://remarkableresults.biz/a229

Make Price Irrelevant [THA 228]

Everyone strives to implement good customer service. But what about creating an exceptional customer experience?

Being friendly and helpful to customers while repairing their vehicles correctly is plain old expected. In a restaurant or hotel or anyplace for that matter, what is going to push you to remember the experience? Have you asked your customers if you are meeting their expectations? In this episode find out how to elevate your business and culture.

Shop New Build with Seth Thorson and Troy Vaninetti [THA 227]

Whether you’re ready to expand to another location, remodeling an existing building or starting from scratch, construction and breaking ground can be very overwhelming with different challenges based on the location. How do you create and build the shop of your dreams?

Shop owners Seth Thorson and Troy Vaninetti share their experiences and offer advice with what they’ve learned during the process. Take this opportunity to get the wheels turning for a future project.

Our Industry Needs a Change [THA 226]

How do we change the mindset of others? Why do owners continue to have the same old thinking that leads to the same old results? Why are technicians leaving the industry? Why isn’t there a draw for an automotive career for young professionals?

If you are listening to this podcast you are making a conscious effort to learn and make a change in your life and your business. How do we get others to follow? In this episode, all these questions and more are discussed by my panel of business coaches. Prepare to be inspired by their passion for change in this industry.

You can find the talking points for this episode and every archived episode on my website remarkableresults.biz

Building Customer Trust [THA 225]

We all know building customer trust takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. So when does it happen? It starts with every single touchpoint you make with your customer.

From marketing to the way your storefront looks, and that first phone call, every interaction inches you further in developing trust. Find out how to polish your business in this must-listen episode.

Comebacks: Prevention, Reputation and Cost [THA 224]

How closely do you track comebacks in your shop? Do you look for trends? Is it human error or communication gaps between customer and service advisor, and service advisor and technician? Sometimes the most loyal customers arise from correcting a mistake, but often times we are unaware a mistake even happened. In this episode, my panel dives into the different scenarios that occur during vehicle comebacks and how to correct them.

You can listen and/or watch the video of this episode and find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a224

My Biggest Mistakes [THA 223]

In this episode, my panel discusses some of their biggest mistakes they’ve overcome as shop owners. We all wish we could go back in time and fix mistakes from ever happening, but unfortunately, there is no crystal ball for life. Instead, it’s important to reflect and turn it into a learning curve for ourselves and others. Take this opportunity to listen to this giving and transparent episode to perhaps avoid making the same mistakes in your business. Learn from these moments of truth.

The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/a223

10 Things That Require Zero Talent [THA 222]

What makes a person successful? Is it luck? Is it because they are born to be leaders? Can success be taught or learned? Too often we get caught up in the day-to-day grind, we lose focus on the big picture called life. In this episode, we go back to basics and discuss 10 things that require zero talent that EVERYONE can accomplish. Practice each one and you’ll be amazed at the changes that follow.

You can listen and/or watch the video of this episode and find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a222. They make a great meeting agenda.

Are You Fixing Hybrids Cars? [THA 221]

Are You Fixing Hybrid Cars? [THA 221]

If you’re waiting for a sign to get into hybrid repairs then consider this your wake-up call! You can either sit back and let a specialization opportunity pass you by, or take action and embrace hybrid repairs whose cars have been around for 21 years. Our lineup includes Craig Van Battenburg, Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC), Cameron Lee, Ernie Lee’s Service Center, and Raleigh Hybrids and Eric Carlson.

They are here to help guide you through hybrid repairs, marketing, tooling, and training. The key talking points for this episode on Hybrids reside at remarkableresults.biz/a221

Specialization with Tom Palermo and John Anello [THA 220]

We are here to talk about specialization. Ever wonder what are the pros and cons to being a specialist in a certain field of repair? In this episode, we discuss fleet business with Tom Palermo, Preferred Auto Specialists, and the world of being a mobile diagnostician/programmer and ADAS calibrator from John Anello, Auto Tech on Wheels.

Listen to their approach to specializations and how they’ve adapted to the changes in our industry. This is Knowledge you need to have as you continue to learn what makes our aftermarket tic.

The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/a220

Tires as a Profit Center [THA 219]

Tires as a Profit Center [THA219]

Did you know that roughly 33% of tires that come through your shop on customer’s vehicles need to be replaced? Are you willing to see that money go to someone else? It’s time to turn your business into a one-stop shop for your customers! Find out how in this episode with shop owners who love tires!

You can also watch the show’s video and get the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a219

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

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

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.

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.

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

Service Advisor Role Play #5 [THA 213]

Our role play subjects cover closing the expectation gap on the appointment setting call and understanding the importance of building anticipation in making the sale after the results of the DVI. We also covered how to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Service Advisor in calming the customer while building value in their services and retaining the sale. Lastly, we talked about the effective way in deferring services at the cash-out. All important and vital in building you or service advisor team.

The panel includes Clint White from Shop Vision, Dan McWilliams from Quality Service Center and Ben Lesueur from Oxford Automotive. They put their service advisor strategies for you to follow.

Find ways to compare and improve your confidence and comfort in the face of your customer. Together we have something here. This episode’s key talking points are already done for you. Find them at remarkableresults.biz/a213