Carm Capriotto – 2020 – The Year You DO! [FTR 078]
Carm Capriotto, AAP, is a career automotive aftermarket professional. He hosts and produces the automotive aftermarket’s premier podcasts. They include Remarkable Results Radio, the Town Hall Academy and For The Record. Carm is an influencer and connector of people and speaks to the industry about what he learns each day from the essential voices of…
Anthony Williams – Update on the Automotive Institute for Science and Technology (AIST) [RR 496]
Anthony Williams is the Automotive Liason for the Automotive Institute for Science and Technology – AIST. Contact Anthony: a.williams@automotiveinstitute.org 719-641-2575 Talking Points: A brief recap on schoolProject-Based Learning vs Traditional schoolingDoing is the basis for learning in a real-world setting Find student natural aptitude Career Education combined with Core content (English, Math, Science, Etc.) PTECH…
Accepting Text Message Payments Will Transform Your Shop – Steve Ciabattoni [RR 495]
Steve Ciabattoni is the co-founder and CEO of 360 Payments, a payment technology company located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Raised in Philadelphia, Steve is the son of a small business owner who had to work two jobs just to put food on the table. Living the struggles of small business ownership firsthand gave Steve…
RR 494: Women In Auto Care 2019 Honorees
The winners of the 2019 Women of the Year Awards are: Auto Care Woman of the Year: Jennifer Maher, Chief Executive Officer, TechForce Foundation and America’s Automotive Trust Auto Care Woman of Excellence: Cindy Frasca, Chief Operating Officer, Kukui Female Shop Owner of the Year: Jamie Carlson, Owner, Ervine’s Auto Repair and Grand Rapids Hybrid…
FTR 075: Bill Hill – Yearly Bonus is All About a Commitment to Training
FTR 074: Deb Van Batenburg – Fix The Things You Tolerate
RR 488: Bill Hanvey and Paul McCarthy AAPEX 2019
RR 488: Bill Hanvey and Paul McCarthy Builds A Strong Commitment to the Service Professional
My guests today are the aftermarkets leading advocates and voices; Bill Hanvey, President, and CEO of the AutoCare Association and Paul McCarthy, President of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). Both are leading the industry towards a brighter tomorrow!
As AAPEX 2019 began we were told of a renewed commitment to the service professional. It is evident with the announcement that Repair Shop HQ will be a stand-alone venue at AAPEX 2020. It will be a homecoming event for all in the industry. My guest’s organizations jointly lead point on AAPEX as one of the world’s largest aftermarket events.
In this episode, you also hear Bill and Paul share some cool behind the scenes stuff from AAPEX and hear about the keynote speaker President Bush, and you’ll get a sense of the size and scope of the industry you earn your living in.
Both AutoCare and AASA are running hard on Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice. Initiative. You must, I repeat MUST get involved. While you are listening, if you aren’t in your vehicle, get to the internet key in yourcaryourdata.org and complete the petition. Also, get your customers involved. Get this story told; this will affect your business and your customer’s ownership of their data. We need millions of signatures. If you ‘ve ever thought of helping your industry, completing this petition is one of the most important things you can do. Yourcaryourdata.org
RR 487: Joe Register – Will You Be at the Forefront of Technology?
RR 487: Joe Register – Will You Be at the Forefront of Technology?
Joe Register, Vice-President Emerging Technologies at Auto Care. Joe has over 40 years of experience delivering progressive system solutions to companies in every channel of the Automotive Aftermarket. You owe it to yourself to listen to Joe’s previous two episodes 381 and 442.
This episode shows you that there is no hiding from technology. Adapt or Fade. Joe reiterates standardization, immersive perception tech, ADAS, Dedicated Short Range, Security, Safety, Communication, 5G, Re-Calibration, OE operating specs, and so many more.
Joe says that Technicians must continue to train because of the new tech coming. They will have great job security. Shops will need to charge enough to pay for access, systems, and their communication diagnostician specialist to get the vehicle back into OE operating specs.
RR 484: Jim Silverman – Attracting, Leading, and Growing Our Young Talent
RR 484 – Jim Silverman – Attracting, Leading, and Growing Our Young Talent
There are a lot of ways to engage our young generation in our beloved aftermarket and keep them. We can create a more team-oriented environment and have creative pay bonuses and rewards to match their desire and work ethic.
My Guest, Jim Silverman, the Director of National Accounts for ATI Automotive Training Institute, brings his years of ‘been there and done that’ wisdom and delivers an enlightening discussion that includes building a reverse pyramid in your org chart, and challenges you to think about replacing yourself. Are you interviewing for your replacement? Think about it, It may take years to do this, but you need to start now. Jim Silverman explains.
We discussed the innovative things to entice our younger generation to work with us. Designing creative pay and bonuses, bolstering teamwork, supporting employees, and devising an awesome succession plan! It’s time to reverse the cycle and adapt to the new age as we embrace our younger generation to take the mantle from us!
RR 483 – Managing On-Line Reviews – Kim Walker and Mitch Meier
RR 483 – Kim Walker and Mitch Meier – The Importance of Managing On-Line Reviews
Everyone hates to get a negative review. But the worst thing you do is to ignore them or lash back at them.
My panel does an excellent job of putting reviews into perspective and how to deal with them. With me is Kim Walker from Shop Marketing Pros and Mitch Meier from Broadly bring an impressive dialogue on the importance of how we handle reviews.
As aftermarket pros, we always want five-star reviews, but life happens and we get the occasional 1, 2, 3, or 4-star review. What do we do, how do we follow up and what does the consumer think when they see anything less than a five. We look deep into review management.
THA 144: Drug Testing in the New Age of Legalized Cannabis
THA 144 Drug Testing in the New Age of Legalized Cannabis
We are talking about Drug Testing in the New Age of Legalized Cannabis. You’ve got to pay attention to your HR policies and procedures as states continue to rule on medicinal cannabis, recreational Marijuana and the decriminalization of pot.
As drug testing is something shop owners do, what are the guidelines now with states legalizing Cannabis. What about an accident on a test drive. What type of tests are required? Have you talked to your liability insurance or workman’s comp carriers?
The panel does their best to sort this out and provide you with plenty to consider. I’m with Judy Zimmerman Walter, attorney Noah Frank, and Frank Scandura.
RR 477: Danny Sanchez – It is Not Rocket Science to Run a Successful Shop
RR 477: Danny Sanchez – It is Not Rocket Science to Run a Successful Shop
Danny Sanchez, CEO of Autoshop Solutions, likes to keep it simple and direct. Having been a successful shop owner Danny is able to share his past experience as it relates to the challenges of the day. He sees your success as the totality of the shop from the ground up! He shares some key insights that will apply to any shop or organization. We continue to build on the trending talking points that my guests say are the fundamental building blocks of a successful shop today.
Some of the things we talk about are Building a culture, investing in people, using time efficiently and having better customer service. These are the key ingredients of becoming a successful owner!
Danny warns that every time you start something new there is a heavy investment of time, time is a commodity in shorter demand than money. Spend it wisely
RR 473: Derek Kaufman on Augmented Reality – Closer Than You Think
RR 473: Derek Kaufman on Augmented Reality – A Future Game Changer
Derek Kaufman, a managing partner of Schwarts Advisors digs deep into the world of Augmented Reality. If AR lives up to its promise of faster diagnosis and faster part removal and replacement, the increase in bay turns will be the return on investment shops need to justify this technology.
Derek says Augmented reality will be an important tool in our not too distant future. The Army and Airforce mechanics have been using augmented reality for a few years to repair really sophisticated electromechanical systems.
RR 472: Jeff Rudnick – Marketing Do or Die
Jeff Rudnick – Marketing Do or Die
We are talking about marketing. For some, it is like a root canal, for others they love pulling every marketing lever they have to generate traffic, loyalty, and revenue. You may dispute this, but marketing is one of the most important jobs in the company.
I’m with Jeff Rudnick from Pit Crew Marketing creator of eWardMe Auto Shop Reward card. Just one of Jeff’s areas of expertise is loyalty cards, however, he can talk on just about anything marketing. He is providing some great insights into the barrier he sees between management and the front of the store.
He says we are governed by the laws of retail, he provides some insights into converting ‘one and done’ customers into long-termers and shares his thoughts on measuring your marketing efforts. But he sees a huge communication gap between ownership and the service advisor as it relates to marketing campaigns.
RR 471: Vin Waterhouse on Intensive Labor Rates & Financial Benchmarks
RR 471: Vin Waterhouse on Intensive Labor Rates and Financial Benchmarks
Are you aware that you are selling fewer parts? Do you understand that the hours of diagnostic work you do does not reflect the typical parts sales per hour that your financial business model has generated in the past?
So what you say. Ouch! The wrong attitude. You are bleeding to death and the math exists to prove it. You must pay attention to having an intensive or recovery labor rate. In this episode with legacy aftermarket coach and trainer, Vin Waterhouse, we get into the power and value of benchmarks and how to calculate a recovery labor rate.
If you are not happy with your net operating income (your bottom line) vs the hard work and time you spend at your business, then Vin may just help you formulate some next very important moves you need to make, so your financial strength improves.
Vin Waterhouse is President and Founder of The Waterhouse Group, an automotive Accounting, Training, and Coaching.
RR 466: Mike Davidson – Compliance to Wage and Hour Rules for Aftermarket Professionals
RR 463: Mike Davidson – Wage and Hour Laws and Keeping Compliant
As you go through this episode you’ll understand the intricacies of getting your employee’s pay reflective of the department of labor laws. It is not as easy as you have come to manage.
Mike Davidson from Parkway Automotive in Little Rock, Arkansas, been in the industry for more than 30 years and a business owner for over 18. Mike Davidson is an AMI graduate, an ASE Master Technician, is a part-time Elite Worldwide coach and was recognized as the Arkansas NAPA/ASE tech of the year seven years in a row. Mike helped start the Little Rock chapter of ASA and is currently an officer.
Mike tells the story of why he wrote the book. He’s been a big contributor to his aftermarket peers and this book is another example of Mike’s tenacity to get it right.
There are a lot of things to take note of especially when you need to conform to the letter of the law both Federal and State as it relates to wage and hour.
This is no smoke and mirrors. I recall friends who got burned on paying bonuses and which employees qualified to be salary.
RR 465: Tom Ham – Your Only Competitor is Yourself
Tom Ham – Your Only Real Competitor is Yourself
Remarkable Results Radio episode 465. There is one way to keep yourself motivated and keep your competitive fire burning at whatever stage you are in your business, and that is knowing how to compete with yourself.
What pushes you out of bed early in the morning? If you could, could you compete with yourself? Do you know how to be a better version of you than yesterday? The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday!
Tom Ham is the creator and owner of Automotive Management Network, a 12,000 plus member website dedicated to the exchange of vehicle service management information. Implementing newer techs and finding out the strengths are keys to success.
RR 463: Mitch Schneider – His First Speech 35 Years Ago, Still Relevant today!
Mitch Schneider – His First Speech 35 Years ago, Still relevant today!
Mitch Schneider is here for his second time. Mitch is an award-winning journalist, former shop owner and soon to be published novelist. For more than 37 years, Mitch operated Schneider’s Automotive — a successful 6-bay, family-owned and operated service facility in Simi Valley, Calif. Mitch has recent great news on the biggest challenge in his life as he has taken on Primary Myelofibrosis head-on. He is in his recovery mode from a bone marrow transplant. Mitch is a survivor of this rare procedure and I’m so glad to have him back to have another conversation with him.
When Mitch wrote his speech 35 years ago, he was angry. He showed his frustration and he is now reflective at the state of the industry today. It is sad to say that not much has changed. Listen and learn the issues then and now and some discussion on what we need to do remedy. Are you onboard?
FTR 061: Bill Haas – Let’s Not Make The Same Mistake We Made With R12 With Ownership Of Data? Let’s Re-think This.
RR 462: Paul McCarthy – AASA President Has the Back of the Service Professional
Paul McCarthy – The importance of Marketing and Relationship Building
I’m having a conversation with AASA’s President, Paul McCarthy. Our discussion went wide and we covered important topics that positively affect the aftermarket service industry. I walked away with a good feeling that Paul and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association have a handle on the opportunities and challenges of the service professional.
Paul McCarthy explains what AASA is doing to help bridge the connections with OE’s, suppliers and the service professional. You get to hear the latest trending talking points being discussed at all levels of our industry like the fears surrounding OEs support of the aftermarket, rideshare in NYC, consumer attitude due to the overcharged talk of recession, and the access and security of our data and more. It is good to see that Paul McCarthy and AASA are all over this and we benefit.
RR 461: Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Leads to High Performance Shops – Part 1
Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence Leads To High Performance
In the business of the aftermarket, we are always in search of leadership qualities to take our business and team to the next level. It is not necessarily how smart you are but how you manage your and your team’s emotions.
Let me set the stage; here is a quote from noted author Daniel Goleman: In a study of skills that distinguish star performers in every field from entry-level jobs to executive positions, the single most important factor was not IQ, advanced degrees, or technical experience, it was EQ: Emotional Intelligence.
This episode has the right ingredients to make you emotionally aware of the properties of your own emotions and how to incorporate them into problem-solving and to the overall emotional health of a shop. My guest today is Dan Taylor. He is the Senior Business Advisor of Transformers institute. Dan will help you understand the importance of Emotional Intelligence in leadership as a huge factor in team and customer retention.
RR 458: John Passante and Rob Tinson – Is Face To Face Communications Gone?
Fundamental Communicating and Selling. Is Face To Face Communications Gone?
Guests Dr. John Passante is a legacy automotive aftermarket Human Resource Professional and President/CEO of the Organizational Development Group. He is an adjunct professor at the University of the Aftermarket, listed in Who’s Who in Training and Development and in the Automotive Hall of Fame. John is also an Executive Coach to many aftermarket leaders.
Rob Tinson has held key sales and marketing roles in the industry. Rob is Director of Sales for North America at Schrader TPMS Solutions a leading manufacturer of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, a part of Sensata Technologies.
Do you understand the basics of communicating and selling? Learn the intricacies of creating a partnership before making a sale. Understand the importance of humanizing a lot of things which were oversimplified by the use of technology.
Life works better when we communicate either using tech or better yet face to face. (Do you remember how to do that?) Communication is very important because it is where we build trust and credibility and how partnerships are built.
RR 457: Justin Allen – Working Too Hard? Feel Burned Out?
RR 457: Justin Allen – We are working too hard. Do you feel burned out?
Justin Allen is a sales specialist with Hunter Engineering. His observation: We are working too hard. Do you feel burned out? Listen to Justin tell it like sees it. Justin supports the service professional in his role with Hunter. He’s got a keen eye on our opportunities and challenges and points out some critical needs we have. He is even an advocate of a 4 day work week.
Have you focused on your techs burn out and the quality of their family life? His responsibilities with Hunter give him a 360-degree view of the business side of the aftermarket and the rigorous efforts it takes to run a successful shop.
RR 456: Jennifer Grady ESQ – Harassment Training Required by Law
Jennifer Grady ESQ – Harassment Training Required by Law
Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. is the founder of the law firm The Grady Firm, P.C. Ms. Grady is an attorney, corporate trainer, and international speaker. She founded the firm in 2012 with a passion for helping business owners, entrepreneurs, and their families achieve the American Dream of freedom, opportunity, self-sufficiency, and success.
Are you aware that the lion share of small businesses must have required harassment training for their employees? In this episode, you have a chance to be personally updated on harassment training and the change in the law that requires training if you have 5 or more employees.
This episode helps you understand the serious issues of sexual harassment in the workplace. Never discount the fact that your business is resistant to a harassment claim. We rarely talk about this topic and it is time.
Learn how you can improve your position or understand what you need to do to implement strong policy in your company so you can minimize your exposure and also be compliant to the letter of the law.
RR 454: Danny Durbin – Integrating the Third Generation
Danny Durbin – Integrating the Third Generation
Danny Durbin is the second generation owner of Durbin Auto Parts, in Prattville, AL. He is now integrating the third generation into the business. You’ve heard the stats about the third generation? Only about 12% survive.
You decide, but I believe Danny has the right strategy to defy the survival statistics. He knows the procedure and the adaptations it takes for the survival of the generations (having been there done that). Danny is planning to pass the torch to his son, however, he decided that Andrew first needed to work outside the business.
You will benefit from this story as many service professionals are family businesses. Find out the core values needed and the mindset of what it takes to keep the family business afloat for many years to come.
Danny is an active member of the Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAS) and holds a seat on the Board of Directors.