Remarkable Results Radio Archives

RR 493: Do More of 2020 – Goals – Standards

RR 493 Do More in 2020

Since 2020 is on our doorstep you may just write down a few thoughts that get sparked by this discussion. The whole idea here is to share this with you so you can work toward greatness. If you are successful, I know you work at it and strive to get better each day. I also know your fuel comes from learning new things and inspiration from others.

This discussion originated as a CarmCast broadcast live on my Facebook Page. I thought it so good I wanted to share on Remarkable Results Radio My panel is Tom Palermo from Preferred Automotive Specialists and Danny Sanchez from AutoShop Solutions. I asked ‘What are you going to more of in 2020?’ The result was so good that I wanted to share their insights with a much larger audience, hence releasing it here as an RRR podcast.

RR 492: YouTube – Benefit or Burden Part 2

RR 492: Youtube – Benefit or Burden Part 2

Welcome to the second installment of Youtube: Benefit or Burden Part 2. As you go through this episode you’ll discover the stimulus for this discussion. There are many passionate people on both sides of the value of YouTube as it relates to auto repair.

The episode’s expert guests include: Paul Danner, ‘Scanner Danner’ fame, Brin Kline, shop owner and member of Trained By Techs, Shop owner and Technician Michael Broccolo, from Rochester, NY Sara Fraser from Hass Performance Consulting and Matt Fanslow shop manager and lead diagnostician Riverside Automotive.

You’ll hear some sparks fly as the passion for training and quality diagnosis was front and center. The debate over the words diagnostic vs testing was prominent and the real facts that many shops are not really diagnosing they are retrieving a fault code and using statistical diagnostics therefore shooting the parts cannon and in many cases not doing right by the customer.

RR 491: Warren Parr – Diagnostic & Intensive Labor Rates – Why and How I Did It

Warren is bringing a practical view of calculating your diagnostic labor rate. He is completely changing his earnings/profit structure by having a diag labor rate that is based on his real need to make the correct gross margin because diag time rarely sells parts.

He also explains his ‘intensive labor’ rate as it relates to big-ticket items. Warren Parr was on a while back talking to you about his PICO Scope Club that was RR episode 485.

I did an episode with Vin Waterhouse on this very subject. It was episode 471. It is one thing to have a lesson from a coach, but another to hear from a shop owner who has put this teaching into practical use.

Technician Round Table – Part 8 – Loyalty – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow [RR 490]

RR 490: Technician Talk – Part 8 – Loyalty

This outspoken trio ponders on how loyalty is defined, how it can be earned and how it can be supported. M guests for Tech Talk 8 are Bob Heipp, Peter Landry and Matt Fanslow.

Loyalty is not limited to the team, they say, it goes way beyond to the customers, stakeholders, suppliers, and even the community. They give their thoughts on creating loyal customers. They even talk about getting a label of being dis-loyal.

This is a long one but well worth the listen even if it takes you a couple of sessions.

RR 489: Louis Altazan – Total Quality Management Comes From Great Processes-Systems

Louis Altazan, President of AGCO Automotive Repair Service – Baton Rouge, LA. Louis has also studied under Dr. W. Edwards Demming the father of Quality Management. He has a lot of expertise and experience to show us regarding the processes that we need to run a successful quality shop.

This episode shows you the importance of a quality system in place. It is also useful to use Demming’s quality revolution as pointed out by Louis who served as a student of Dr. W. Edwards Demming, a renowned father of Quality Management. Louis also shares with us the 14 principles of Total Quality Management.

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?

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 486: Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Leads to High Performing Companies – Part 3

There are 4 pillars that make our discussion stand today. These pillars are the ones that solidify the company’s cultural EQ. These are personal behavior, empathy, accountability, and training.

I’m once again with Dan Taylor on our 3rd episode on the power of emotional intelligence or most commonly called EQ. This is a big topic. Welcome to the third part of our emotional intelligence series.

So glad to bring you episodes that make you think and self evaluate. If you have any type of leadership role these EQ episodes are for you. Also, see Part 2 in Episode 474 and Part 1 in Episode 461.

RR 485: Warren Parr – Learning and Innovating with the PicoScope Club

RR 485 – Warren Parr – Learning and Innovating With a PicoScope Club

My guest today is Warren Parr, owner of Complete Car Care in Fresno, CA. He is an advisor at a Junior College Automotive Program and is involved in 6 different high schools. In this episode, Warren talks about the Pico Club. It is a monthly club of shop owners and technicians that share PicoScope case studies.

Find the show notes and Warren Parr’s email at remarkableresults.biz/e485. He says that the Pico Clubs has allowed their members to be more accurate and faster with their diagnostics

Warren and the team are discovering infinite ways to use the Pico Scope in smart and genius ways through the Pico Club. Imagine everyone united for the same purpose to learn from each other. I challenge you to create this club in your area and reach out to technicians and educators in your marketplace. The limit is your imagination.

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 482: Technician Shortage Solution – College Apprentice Program

RR 482 – Technician Shortage Solution – College Apprentice Program

Think of the possibilities of hiring a young apprentice that is currently going to an automotive technical college. You get a chance to groom and mentor the young student and indoctrinate them into the world of the independent service provider.

This is one of the most powerful solutions to the technician shortage. This is not a quick fix and most quick fixes are just that ‘quick and not long term.’

The IGONC developed in concert with North Carolina a phenomenal apprentice program that brings a job, at a decent wage, for two years and paid college tuition. The students applied and were accepted into the program.

Please use this information to catapult your association, your local group to work with post-secondary automotive colleges and your state to create and fund a program like this. I’m sure the leadership team at IGONC will be happy to help you and give you all the guidance you need to make apprentice programs like this a viable component to creating our future technicians.

RR 481: David Saline – Start or Grow Your Fleet Business

Fleet is a growth strategy only if you and your people and shop are equipped to take the challenge head-on. It is easy to start small. David shares how to break into a fleet and he gives you the blueprint on what to say and do on your first cold call visit. This episode sheds light on how to start, build and grow fleet business.

David Saline, VP Sales at Drive, is a proven industry leader in the automotive and truck repair business.

RR 480: Geek Talk 2.0 Part 5 The Future of Websites. Will They Evolve?

Geek Talk 2.0 Part 5 The Future of Websites. Will They Evolve?

The Geeks are back talking websites, wait until you hear this discussion. This super-smart group creates a pile of ideas, insights, and trends to think about. I must say they were at the top of their game in this episode.

With me for part 5 of Geek Talk is Bill Nalu, Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI, Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care, Dallas TX also CEO of Autotext.me, Greg Buckley, Buckley’s Personalized Auto Care, Wilmington, DE and Karim Morsli, Winkler Automotive, Gaithersburg, MD.

They talk organic content, the impact of social media vs the value of your website, using YouTube, and they wonder if video and chat will become mainstays on websites?

RR 479: Sara Fraser – Important Millennial Buying Habits and Tendencies

RR 479: Sara Fraser – Millennial Buying Habits and Tendencies

Millennials have become the largest generation recorded. So it is with a meticulous and careful analysis that we need to understand what do millennial customers want when it comes to vehicle service and repair. We need to adjust!

Sara Fraser is a millennial with over 15 years of retail management experience. To bring her customer service, marketing, and business knowledge to the automotive industry she has recently joined the team at Haas Performance Consulting.

She shares how millennials demand a level of service, convenience and digital finesse from whoever services their vehicles. Millennial customers can’t live without their smartphone, share great experiences, want fast communications, know how to post reviews and share on social media, and like at Amazon what things quick and fast. How do you adapt?

RR 478: ASTE Panel Discussion – Technician Pay – Retention – and Benefits

ASTE: Technician Pay, Retention, and Benefits

This episode is packed with great gems of wisdom and gives you a bird’s eye view not only on some great benefits and pay ideas, but as we all must understand it starts with having an enduring business culture. All the pay in the world doesn’t trump an acidic culture.

I’m with Lucas Underwood an Automotive diagnostic specialist, he owns L & N Performance Auto Repair, Erick Bock owner of Bock Auto, and Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company.

Building a business focuses on the team you have and how to treat it like a family! We also tackled the creative benefits that entice and motivate employees more. And learn what are the most important tactics to attract and keep technicians?

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 476: Chris Cloutier and Scott Brown – Productivity Hacks

Chris Cloutier and Scott Brown – What does it take to become more Productive and Efficient?

There are a lot of ways to become productive and efficient. There are a lot of strategies and systems that can be followed by just hearing this episode. Follow the process, improve communication, leverage to software technologies, learn to improve diagnostic methods and a whole lot more!

The experts: Chris Cloutier and Scott Brown. Chris is the co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas Texas and CEO of Auto Tex Me. He spent many years in the software industry developing solutions for companies. And Scott is an ASE Master Certified Automobile Technician with over three and a half decades of professional service industry experience. He and his wife own Connie & Dick’s Service Center Inc. Together they are the productivity and efficiency duo that bring results.

RR 475: Dirk Fuchs and Jeff Bly – Will System Training Impact a Technicians Ability to Diagnose and Improve Shops Profits

RR 475: Dirk Fuchs and Jeff Will System Training Impact a Technicians Ability to Diagnose and Improve Shops Profits

Why do we shun training? It is a huge industry problem. Our trainers know that the same people show up time after time. Not many new faces. What does that say about the state of our industry? Why do we ignore the power of training? Do you know that it supports your efficiency?

In this episode, Dirk Fuchs Technical Training Manager at ZF Group and Jeff Bly NAPA Autotech Curriculum Developer say that many young industry techs want and need training. But why aren’t they getting it? Why do Canadians show up for training at greater numbers than in the US? What are regarded as preferred training methods in the US versus European; knowledge-based or solutions based training? All of these questions will be answered in this podcast.

This episode will open your eyes to possibilities for you and your future in the industry.

RR 474: Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Leads to High Performing Leaders – Part 2

Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence leads to High Performing Leaders – Part 2

Leadership has its different styles and strategies. How well you lead depends on how you treat followers and how you treat yourself as a shepherd towards its own flock.

Throughout time, we learned that there are different types of leaders, leaders who have different mindsets, discipline, strategies and even outlook. As you have studied lessons of leadership you may have discovered a formula that works, grows your influence and builds a team. So much of your leadership skills are about your Emotional Intelligence or EQ. We are talking EQ in Part 2 with Dan Taylor, a Senior Business Advisor at Transformers Institute

We will be expanding on our discussion of Emotional Intelligence and its relevant effects on leadership as a whole and how it can impact the aftermarket industry.

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 470: Automotive Students Speak Out on Their Future

An interview with three automotive technology students who share their outlook on their schooling and so much more. I’m with Travis Mawhir, Ryan Kostek, and Jarrett Laska three automotive post-secondary students from the State University of NY at ERIE.

I enjoyed sitting with these three students at the college to hear them give their perspective on mentoring, starting wage college debt, tools, and independents vs dealership opportunities. I’m with Travis Mawhir,
Ryan Kostek, and Jarrett Laska. Listen to what these automotive students are thinking at this stage in their lives Join me for a refreshing and interesting view of our future talent

RR 469: ASA Technology and Telematics Forum 2019

RR 469: Technology and Telematics Forum 2019

This episode contains transformational information that you’ll need to know and want to know. The more you know the better decisions you’ll make in steering the strategy of your business. Better yet the knowledge will keep you on your tech edge.

We heard topics ranging from the psychological effect of autonomous vehicles, simulated augmented reality testing, and specific strategies from Ford and GM. We learned about the work of Debra Bezzina the Managing Director of the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Trust me you’ll want to hear about what Debra is working on.

This ‘brain drain’ panel includes Bill Nalu of Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, Michigan and Frank Leutz from Desert Car Care in Chandler, AZ.

Find the talking points and the Bios at remarkableresults.biz/e469. My big take-a-way is the discussion of balancing cybersecurity and access to data. As I said earlier, get your geek on!