Remarkable Results Radio Archives

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!

RR 468: Mitch Schneider – Misfire: What to Do When Things Aren’t Running on All Cylinders

Mitch Schneider – Legacy Industry Influencer.

You know Mitch Schneider. He is truly a legacy icon of our industry. He has dedicated his life to run a great shop for decades and at the same time write and speak to help our industry grow. There isn’t an issue that he hasn’t tackled where his reader could take his wisdom and improve themselves and their business.

One thing I wanted to know is how did it all start. If you are a Mitch Schneider fan or follower you may not know this story. You’ll hear how Mitch found his stride and passion for helping the industry by writing and speaking on industry challenges and solutions.

Coming up is a very transparent and personal discussion with Mitch in a way that you may have never heard before. He is also sharing with you his biggest challenge of his life and his extreme confidence in his total recovery. It is in nature to win.

RR 467: Servando Orozco on Franchising

Servando Orozco – A Franchising Business Template for the Aftermarket

Servando Orozco, CEO and founder of Orozco’s Auto Service owns a four-store operation based out of Long Beach, CA. Franchising is nothing new to business or even in the aftermarket. Listen to Servando explain his passion for his franchise model and the value he is offering.

Servando shares his goals on his franchise model, how it can help a struggling shop owner and also create a pathway for succession for just about to retire shop owners.

Have you ever thought about doing what you love and have your franchisor guide you with systems, training, and marketing? Then listen intently. This concept may be a big part of our future.

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 464: YouTube – Benefit or Burden Part 1

RR 463: YouTube – Benefit or Burden

As you go through this episode you’ll discover the stimulus for this discussion. There are many passionate people on both sides on the value of YouTube as it relates to auto repair.

My panel is Paul Danner, ‘Scanner Danner’ fame, Brin Kline, shop owner and member of Trained By Techs, Shop owner and Technician Michael Broccolo, owner with his dad in Broccolo Automotive & Collision and 2006 SkillsUSA 1st place winner for NYS (in collision repair) and attended the national competition. Listen when Michael heaps a load of compliments on Scanner Danner and also Shop Manager and Diagnostician at Riverside Riverside Automotive, Redwing, MN, Matt Fanslow.

I believe the panel surmised a single theme. Don’t trash the professional. I know you’ve used YouTube to help you understand a home project. I have, and never has the presenter ever based a professional plumber, carpenter, electrician, etc. you get the drift that they were ripping me off. No doubt there is a lot of great information available on the internet, especially YouTube. It will not go away, however, this team did a very objective job of bringing a professional discussion on the Benefit or Burden of YouTube.

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?

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 460: Erick Bock – How to Quit Your Job and Face your FEARS – Go Where Your Passion Resides!

Erick Bock – How to Quit Your Job and Face your FEARS – Go Where Your Passion Resides!

I’m with Erick Bock of Bock Auto, Amagansett, NY, Long Island. Erick is very passionate about cars and he dreamed he was going to own a shop one day. His dreams came true when he overcame his fears and started to face them head-on.

We all know that fear is a huge wall to overcome. Listen to how Eric did it. Learn from it and maybe share this episode with a colleague who is also weighed down with the fear of making decisions and achieving your goals

His shop boasts a full-service preventive maintenance and automotive repair center. The shop performs high quality, guaranteed service you can trust at a fair price.