Forecasting Your Future [RR 826]

The future is here, consolidation is already happening. The middle-level shops will now be at the bottom end of the bell curve. What are the trends at the OEM level? Is Uber/Lyft the fleet of the future? What is the outlook of the changing service aftermarket? Recorded Live at the 2022 Institute Summit, Michael Smith, Brian Bates, and AJ Nealey discuss the future; it is happening sooner than we think. 
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Customer Amenities [THA 291]

Customer amenities aren’t just a snack bar and some coffee k-cups. It takes more to deepen a relationship.  My panel of shop owners goes beyond the free wifi and beverages to really wow their customers and make that lasting impression. Amenities are your ultimate marketing tool for your business. Take Note!
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Work Happy, Drive Happy [RR 768]

Find out how Marc Pons maintains a “Work Happy, Drive Happy” culture inside his 9 shops. Marc is also the president of ASTA in North Carolina, the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance, the folks who bring you ASTE. Marc explains the importance of setting routines to reinforce your values, it only takes 15 minutes at the beginning of each day. Can your shop spare 15 minutes? I think you can.

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How Partnerships Work [RR 766]

What does it take to build and maintain a long-term and successful business partnership? Why do so many fail? I’m with Travis Troy and Josh Mullins from Honest Wrenches, and they are debunking the misconception that partnerships in business don’t work. Spoiler alert, just like a marriage, it takes hard work and clear communication with aligned values.  
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Update: Training/Future of Hybrids and Ev’s with Craig Van Batenburg [RR 762]

I’m sitting with Craig Van Batenburg, CEO of Automotive Career Development Center [ACDC] and a former repair shop owner, with an update on the pulse of the industry and his business. Is it possible ACDC is the last existing brick and mortar building that operates strictly for training technicians Monday-Friday? Take a seat next to me and tune into our lively discussion as it relates to everything Hybrid and EV.

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Are You Selling Customer Experience or Price? [THA 284]

Price, price, price…our lives seem tied to it. And when it comes to customers, sometimes the price is the only question they feel they can ask. Instead of chalking them up as ‘price shoppers,’ are you using it as an opportunity to build a relationship and educate them on the value of your services? Many struggle with this. My panel discusses ways to make price irrelevant. Stay tuned and shift your perspective on price.

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How To Build Relationships with Students and Schools [RR 760]

How many schools have you visited recently? What is your relationship like with the teachers, and school counselors? Have you hosted a shadow day at your shop for students? If your answer is no to any of these questions, answer this one: what is stopping you? Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Dont miss this opportunity to get involved with your schools and community and properly represent this industry to our younger generation.

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The Extreme Value of a ‘SWOT’ for your Business [THA 283]

How often are you checking on the overall health of your business with your team members involved? Are you identifying and working on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, known as SWOT? How do you start a SWOT analysis? What are the benefits? How do you find your blindspots? Does knowing your SWOT give you a competitive advantage? My panel takes a deep dive into the value of SWOT and shares their own experiences.

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4 Locations and Growing – Craig Popp [RR 757]

What are the challenges of being a successful multi-shop owner? Is there an ideal scenario to buy more locations? Should you buy an existing business or build from the ground up? I’m with Craig Popp at the 2022 Elite Invitational and each of his 4 locations has a unique story to tell. Keep listening if you are in the market for another shop.

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Surviving Two Store Openings During the Pandemic [RR 750]

What is it like opening two locations at the dawn of COVID? David Eschbach shares his story around three primary business tenets. Each Take-Away is wrapped in a compelling story and supported by integrating sub-lessons. See the show notes as a guide, as this information is applicable for leading a business during any crisis or economic environment, not just during COVID.

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The Hardest Lessons to Learn – Kevin Eckler [RR 744]

There’s nothing better than catching up with an industry friend at TST’s Big Event! Dive into the blueprint of Kevin Eckler’s second location, and his transparency of learning a valuable lesson of full commitment to his employees. He explains words are just words until actions are put into place. You’ll also hear from his newest employee that was an intern at his shop.

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Details Matter [THA 274]

The complete customer experience package starts with having paid attention to details. When was the last time your shop was painted? Is the parking lot striped? What kind of coffee and amenities do you serve? Does your bathroom have extra hooks on the door? I’m with a panel of shop owners that put that extra in extraordinary. You should get a bare minimum of 5 great ideas to implement.

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20 Group Peer Review [THA 273]

How often do you have an outside perspective on your business to offer improvement ideas? What about 35 outside perspectives? Last month Brian Weeks hosted a team of shop owners from his peer group, from around the country, to dig deep into his business. Keep listening to find out what helpful tips and insights they offered and what they learned from each other.

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Ethics 101 [THA 272]

Did you know ethics, culture, and team go hand in hand in a successful business? Doing the right thing means having full transparency, trust, and integrity. Listen firsthand to my panel as they discuss ethics 101 and some standout scenarios they’ve experienced.

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Why Cleanliness Matters [AW 101]

Guest hosts and a shop tour with Henry Rose and Jeff Scruggs, Scruggs Automotive Repair, Buffalo, NY. Find out why cleanliness matters and how to implement it within your business. Plus, get an inside look at their new Annex location across the street.

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Do You Need an Estimator? [THA 271]

Is your service advisor stressed? Do you have a full lot of vehicles to repair but have technicians standing around? I’ve been asking shop owners if an estimator role in the business is an important hire. I got an ear full in this Academy Webinar on how the metrics work and the role and responsibilities to consider hiring an estimator or parts specialist in your growing busy shop. All three shop owners on my panel have this role in their shops. Stick around and learn.

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