RR 384: Women In Auto Care 2018 Honorees!
Women In Auto Care 2018 Honorees!
In this episode, we are talking with the 2018 Women In Auto Care honorees. Share their achievements, triumph and the road to their success in this long-form audio interview recorded at AAPEX 2018.
Tammy Techlenburg, President of Women In Auto Care and the Vice-President of Global Sales and Marketing Operations for Spectrum Brands, Dawn Zieren, SVP Global & Strategic Initiatives, The NPD Group, Kathleen Jarosik, Owner, Xpertech Auto Repair, and Nicole Huard, Manager, Category Management and Consumer Insights, Robert Bosch LLC, grace the remarkable results radio airwaves discussion this industry milestone.
RR 383: AAPEXedu 2018 The Road To Great Technicians – Roundtable
AAPEX EDU 2018 The Road To Great Technicians
A fundamentally valuable discussion as we get ready to deal with the tsunami of seeding our industry with our future technicians that will have the competencies necessary to perform mechanical and diag work and the need to develop career paths for every level of technician.
We need apprentice and mentoring programs that are universal to the industry, along with an industry moving in the same training direction so we can create competent technicians to work on the tech and safety issues of our future vehicles. We do not need our government involved in directing competencies, we need to do it ourselves.
This discussion is one you’ll need to hear time and time again. You will need to be involved and help move this initiative forward. Don’t wait to get involved. A first step is to become a member of NASTF. It is Free. Go to NAFTF.org
RR 382: A Champion for Women in The Automotive Industry
A Champion for Women in The Automotive Industry
Jody DeVere is a champion for women in the automotive industry, and her company AskPatty.com, Inc. serves as an important point of contact for many women who are seeking the very best experience to buy a car and service by visiting Certified Female Friendly® automotive retail locations across the United States and Canada.
In this episode, we will be sharing with you the misconceptions that we have in hiring women in the industry. Jody says that there are only 26% of women working in the automotive industry and that we can and need to do more to grow that number.
RR 381: SVI – Secure Vehicle Interface: The Future In Secured, Standardized, And Direct Access to Vehicle Networks
Repairing and Diagnosing Tomorrows Tech With Access and Authority Using Secure Vehicle Interface
Joe Register is Vice-President of Merging Technologies at the Auto Care Association.
Joe is on the cutting edge of technology as it affects our industry and to be at the table as it relates to who owns the data and who can have access to it. In this episode, we will be discussing how SVI: Secure Vehicle Interface can have an impact on our future by authorizing and authenticating who can have access to vehicle data.
Although the standards and implementation strategies continue to be developed, you will understand the significance that SVI will have on the aftermarket.
Authorized access to vehicle data will not only help in the vehicle repair, but help users understand the automotive/driver behavior, surroundings, status of the vehicle, entertainment, lifestyle, and everything you can muster in a connected car that brings safety and security for its owners.
RR 380: UNCOPYABLE. How To Create an Unfair Advantage Over Your Competition.
Uncopyable. How To Create an Unfair Advantage Over Your Competition
Steve Miller is best known as Kelly’s Dad and The Marketing Gunslinger. He is the best selling author, speaker, and a renowned marketing strategist. He has helped numerous organization stand out and become uncopyable against the stiffest competition available.
In this episode, we will be sharing with you all the main ingredients on how to become uncopyable. We will bring you the strategy you need to gain that advantage that your customer would be coming back to you and to you alone. Discover that unique quality that will help you stand out!
RR 379: A Banker and a Master Tech Build a BMW Specialty Shop – Down Under
A Banker and a Master Tech Build a BMW Specialty Shop – Down Under
Ken Christie is the Chief Financial Officer of the Australian Bank division of National Australia Bank whose passion for collecting and racing cars decided to find a partner and build a BMW specialty shop. Ken partnered with BMW Mastertech, Mark Higgins and they created BM Performance Centre in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia
In this episode, we will be tackling issues and challenges of running a shop in Australia and surprisingly, it is very similar to the challenges and issues we have with our aftermarket in North America. With wide arrays of topics including customer retention, the Australian technician shortage, and earnings, a tech apprentice program like Europe and the Australian immigration policy. Learn what their BM performance experience is and get a taste of the Australian Aftermarket parts industry.
Enjoy this great study in contrasts and similarities.
RR 378: John Passante – You Can’t Handle The Truth – The Power of Performance Reviews
Dr. John Passante – You Can’t Handle The Truth – The Power of Performance Reviews.
John Passante is a legacy automotive aftermarket Human Resource professional and the President and CEO of The Organizational Development Group. He’s worked with and for some of the biggest names in our industry including Monroe/Tenneco, Delphi, Moog and Car Quest.
In this episode, he illuminates how performance reviews can become part of the culture of all businesses. He covers high grounds on the importance of leadership, understanding personal goals, culture, strategy, and values in the performance review process.
John also shows us tips within the episode on the right way to write your own review.
RR 377: Gary Smith – The Knowledge Of Electricity Is The Basis Of Every Solution To A Diagnostics Problem
The Knowledge Of Electricity Is The Basis Of Every Solution To A Diagnostics Problem
Gary Smith has been fascinated with electricity his whole life and understands that the more you know of electricity’s core fundamentals, the better diagnostician you’ll be.
He says many technicians have never been to a basic electric class so how will survival in today’s repair environment keep pace with the ever enhancing tech, circuits, and modules. Gary like so many other trainers I’ve interviewed can’t say it enough. You must continually train, invest in yourself and get to a basic automotive electrical class every three years.
Ham radio enthusiast, Gary Smith, tells the story of Edward Weston who invented a tool in circa 1893 that you still use today.
Thanks, Gary, for the reminder that you must be curious if you want to solve diagnostic challenges today. He reminds technicians that after a training class, they must go back to educate the rest of the team. When you teach you learn.
RR 376: The Undeniable Rise of Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI)
The Indisputable Rise of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI)
The members of this roundtable are Chris Cloutier of Golden Rule Auto Care and Autotext.me, John Burkhauser of Bolt On Technology, and Pete Rudloff of Pete’s Garage and Flex Check Auto
The episode talks about the rise of Digital Vehicle Inspection and its importance like a smartphone to everyone. DVI is not yet the norm today but the future will require the service professional to have this tool. Since more customers want to be in control, DVI will increase the transparency with what is going on with their vehicle. DVI brings the vehicle in the bay to their home or office.
Learn how DVI will shape how business gets done.
RR 375: Trained By Techs – Creating a Training Commitment Inside All Shops
Trained By Techs – Creating a Training Commitment Inside All Shop
Recorded at ASA-PA’s the panel is Keith Perkins, Richard Falco, Tomi Oliva and Mario Rojas. We discuss the loss of our talent, that being a lead diagnostician can be profitable, that techs do side work because they are not being compensated properly, and how to get a training commitment started in a shop that doesn’t. And finally, do our shop owners really know what is going on in training classes? Think that one through.
In such a short time the Trained By Techs group has made some incredible strides. They appear at a lot of events, by spending their own money to get the word out. Their enthusiasm and dedication is exactly what our industry needs and this talented group of volunteers is sharing their passion for education in the automotive training industry.
They are diagnosing cars every day and are LEARNING new things. Watch their videos and the conversation and start your learning from there.
RR 374: Shop Talk 6 – Change or Be Changed – Dean Bailey and Doug Rogers.
Shop Talk 6: Change or Be Changed – Doug Rogers and Dean Bailey
The Roundtable has Dean Bailey, from King’s Auto Service and Hybrid Kings and Doug Rogers, Owner of Autohaus Import both from Raleigh, NC. Recorded at ASTE 2018.
They share their expert take on micromanaging, becoming a stronger leader, building a business culture, autonomous cars, setting the pace in the shop, and finding that niche that will propel you to the future!
RR 373: Shop Talk 5 – Retired and Still Helping the Industry
Shop Talk 5 – Retired and Still Helping the Industry
The Roundtable consists of Gary Summerfield, Don Griffin, and Tommy Kendall.
Gary and Don are retired shop owners, who are now landlords and Tommy is still contributing to the industry as a part-timer. They share wisdom of the ages.
Learn how their collective mindset helped transform the shops that they have operated throughout the years. We talk about training, technician pay and paying it forward.
RR 372: Edwin Hazzard – Training is the Responsibility of the Technician
Did You Know That Training is the Responsibility of the Technician?
A hard-hitting interview on technician training with trainer, writer, and mobile diagnostic tech Edwin Hazzard, Owner of Southeast Mobile Tech who has a lot to say about the responsibility of training in the aftermarket.
Edwin Hazzard owns a mobile diagnostic company in South Carolina. He contributes articles to Motor Age and has instructed in many different capacities over the years. Edwin has been a dealership technician and taught at the high school level.
He enjoys what he does for a living and sees diverse age group in classes. He says investing in training is important just to be relevant and up to date with the recent technology. If you don’t update, you evaporate.
RR 371: Technician Round Table at ASTE – Griffin-Reynolds-Steele
Technician Talk: Retention, Aftermarket Training vs. Dealership Training And How To Handle And Fix Mistakes In The Shop.
The panel consists of Mike Reynolds, Mobile Automotive Service Solutions in Charleston, SC, Shane Steele, Hoover Dodge located in Summerville, South Carolina, and Robert Griffin, Owner and technician at Griffin Transmissions, North Charleston, SC.
RR 370: Darren Garlock Treating Company Culture and Customer Retention Alike!
Treating Company Culture and Customer Retention Alike!
Darren Garlock along with his brother Dan are the owners of Silver Lake Auto & Tire Center a multi-shop organization headquartered in Oconomowoc, WI. Like so many Darren started his career in the shop pushing brooms, pumping gas and washing cars.
An early adopter of DVI, Darren explains how he and Dan split their responsibilities and how family, values, culture, and customer all intercede to form a cohesive unit that exemplifies their success. It’s a win-win strategy that needs to be applied to all aftermarket shops.
Learn how they are investing in their people, customers and giving back to their community.
RR 369: Patrick McHugh. Using a Scoreboard to Manage Shop Performance.
Patrick McHugh. Using a Scoreboard to Manage Shop Performance.
In this episode, Patrick shows us an interesting way of tracking progress and goals in his shop with his new scoreboard. It actually came from a discussion he had with his techs and his disciplines as a former pilot. The board is located in the bays of his shop and has sections for workflow and numbers.
The scoreboard is meant to be in technician speak. It has a grid that flows from top to bottom with customer name/car, incoming work, in diagnosis, ready for work and more. This entire system came from the drive to engage his technicians and ultimately provide stronger earnings for his team.
Patrick says there is a quick way to see hold-ups and to improve communication between the sales counter, office and the back of the shop. He also talks about a feedback loop using the logic of a PID Controller. (Like Cruise control for the shop)
RR 368: Shop Talk 4. Gaining New Customers Through Marketing Automation.
Gaining New Customers Through Marketing Automation
Shop Talk 4 brings Doug Callaghan from Vic’s Service Centre, David Roman Done With Care Auto Repair, and Bill DeBoer Jr, AAM from DeBoer’s Auto Sales and Service together for an open discussion.
The big storyline here is Gaining New Customers Through Marketing Automation. We’re talking lead generation, email automation, sales funnels and creating fresh organic content. And so much more.
These owners are looking to find their new customers before they need their services. is what propels them to be better at service.
RR 367: Mike Tatich. John Maxwell Leadership Certified.
Mike Tatich. John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach
Mike Tatich, President of Tatich’s TMT Automotive Inc., Bremen, Indiana made a major decision after reading many of John Maxwell’s Books on Leadership to become a Maxell Certified Leadership Coach.
Mike went through the certification program in Florida and discovered that not one person in the program was from the automotive industry. He says leadership training is one of the most valuable commitments you need to make.
He is very keen on stressing that Leadership makes a huge difference for the owner and service advisor alike. He wants to get rid of the self-limiting and fearful belief of shop owners who think that they can’t move their shop forward.
RR 366: Defend Our Marketplace – Keeping Up With Connected Cars
Defend Our Marketplace – Keeping Up With Connected Cars
Our ASCCA Connected Cars Panel; Carolyn Coquillette of Luscious Garage, San Francisco, CA, Dave Kusa of Autotrend Diagnostic, San Francisco, CA, and Niko Sougias of Charlie’s Foreign Car Service, Encinitas CA help us better understand the impact of the connected car.
The Panel discusses how the committee defends our ability to do business in the automotive aftermarket, current outlook on Connected trends, and Why is ASCCA focused on Connected Cars.
Learning and understanding this episode grants us the wisdom to either adapt or become obsolete. Continuous learning and being prepared for autonomous cars are one of the few things we need to do as we look to stay ahead of the curve.
RR 365: Reto Filli. Shop Owner Sold His Business and Became an E-Myth Business Coach
Shop Owner Sold His Business and Became an E-Myth Business Coach
Reto Filli came from Switzerland and is a trained mechanic. He and his wife ran a successful Auto Repair business for over 26 years that he sold and retired from.
His business took off when he read the E-Myth Revisited from Michael Gerber. He never looked back and he is now enjoying his next career as a E-Myth Business Coach.
We cover concepts of the E-Myth, preparing your business to sell, stop being a know it all, and apprentice programs that are needed to move our industry forward to recruit your youth into our trade.
RR 364: ASCCA Automotive Degree Program. First of Its Kind to Channel Students to Independents.
ASCCA Degree Program. First of Its Kind to Channel Students to Independents.
The ASCCA Degree Program at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, CA was forged by a small group of independent shop owners and a dedicated educator. Kicked off by Dara Bakhshandeh of CD Auto Care, in La Mesa, CA with support from John Epstein of John’s Automotive Care, San Diego, and Brad McCombs, instructor, Cuyamaca Community College.
The program was started to find qualified technicians and ASCCA (Automotive Service Councils of California) will be involved through their membership. One of their goals is to grow the program from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree which can appeal to a student who dream of owning own business one day and want to work and learn from shopowner.
This program could be developed in other states but will need an association like ASCCA to oversee it. ASCCA also offers out-of-state memberships.
RR 363: David Justice – You Must Manage Your Labor Profit Before Anything Else
David Justice – You Must Manage Your Labor Profit Before Anything Else
When David Justice sold his $5M business he was already speaking and coaching in partnership with NAPA. To help run his business David created the Labor Profit Management tool to keep a tight and smart handle on his labor and he was traveling the country and speaking to service professionals on the power of managing your labor.
Post sale he started Repair Shops of Tomorrow which not only incorporates the Labor Profit Management tools along with a focus on marketing programs.
David decided he needed to give back and is working hard to help shop owners achieve exceptional success. We talk about his three-legged stool, rewards, networking, and so much more.
RR 362: Technician Round Table – Part 6 – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow
Technician Roundtable Part 6
Our continuing Tech Talk series is back for another go at some intense thinking. Join Matt Fanslow, the diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, MN, Peter Landry, ASE L1 Master Automotive Technician from Brookfield, WI and Bob Heipp from Mobile Auto Solutions, LLC (MAS) and lead tech and Technician Manager in the Chicago metropolitan area and northwest Indiana. Both Peter and Bob work for MAS.
They are talking Valuing Techs, Marketing your diag capabilities, building a personal network, improving your diagnostic skills, ADAS, and a lot more.
Listen to their thoughts about using a mentor to help receive the max benefit from training events.
RR 361: Scott and Michael Waddle. Owner and Prodigy. Father and Son.
Father and Son / Owner and Prodigy
Scott and Michael Waddle of Precision Auto Service, Langley, British Columbia. Shows us that a tandem of father and son can unlock different creative and innovative skill sets applicable to the modern shop of today.
Listen to how Scott is nurturing his son’s gifts and transforming them into assets their shop can use. Michael’s innovative work on automotive electrical and lighting systems is phenomenal considering that he is 15 years old this year. Even though Michael still can’t do the heavy lifting within the shop, this doesn’t stop him from his creative thinking. He is creating apps for the business. Learn about them.
Scott continues to provide training and enrollment plans for his son’s future providing an inspiration to every family owned shop and maybe a succession strategy too.
RR 360: Shop Talk 3 – Millennial Shop Owners.
Shop Talk: Volume 3 – Millennial Shop Owners.
Young, energetic and committed to becoming great leaders. The panel consists of Justin Barrett of Barrett Automotive, Cornelia GA, Brett Bohlmann of HWY 7 Service Center, Newel, IA, and Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center in Bremen, IN.
Listen to these great young professionals discuss their current challenges and the advantages and disadvantages of being a young leader. This episode also addresses how maintaining a shop culture, hiring people that complements that culture, building relationships with customers and offering a unique experience.