Why Speak to Fifth Graders? [THA 292]

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Raising the image and perception of our industry starts with getting involved with schools. If you’re involved in your local community college or high school, I would like to put out a challenge that you also visit the elementary and middle schools. The students are buzzing with energy, questions, and already have a leg up on technology. If you’re not involved with any schools, what’s stopping you?  You can’t afford to not put your time into students, teachers, and school counselors. The impressions you leave on the youth are critical to creating opportunities for our industry’s future.

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Car Coach Reports with Lauren Fix [RR 775]

Carm here from the Aftermarket Radio Network and my guest is Lauren Fix. Lauren is a nationally recognized and trusted automotive expert, media guest, journalist, author, keynote speaker and radio and television host. Lauren is also from my hometown, Buffalo, NY. I caught up with Lauren, and we discussed her take on electric and autonomous vehicles, supply chain issues, and her passion for cars that are propelled by an Internal Combustion Engine.

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Customer Perceptions Part 1 – Bob Cooper and Bill Greeno [RR 773]

In this episode, we are jumping into the mind of your customer. From their perspective, do they prefer to use the term mechanic or technician? Ask a customer … How much do they think a mechanic/technician earns? What is your customer’s opinion on a service advisor having visible tattoos or smelling like cigarettes? Bob Cooper asked these questions to a panel of consumers at the 2022 Elite Invitational in San Diego, and their answers will certainly surprise you. And more importantly, what should you do in your business having this knowledge?

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The Women of NAPA AutoCare [RR 771]

Joining me is the powerhouse team of women behind NAPA AutoCare. Napa has almost 100 years of dependability and remains the brand you can trust. My panel of ladies discusses the future, what makes the NAPA Family so strong, Tesla parts availability, training, and the collective strength of their AutoCare Members. 

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2022 Napa Technician Of The Year: Meg Lewis [RR 769]

We are at the NAPA Expo joined by the 2022 Napa Technician of the Year, Meg Lewis. She is the first female winner and is a huge advocate for automotive training and reaching the youth in schools. I’m also joined by Matt Fanslow from the Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast. We discuss goals, passions, work-life balance and advice to women in the industry.

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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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Ron Capps: Two Time World Champion NHRA Driver Turned Team Owner [RR 767]

We are at the 2022 Napa Expo with reigning two-time world champion Ron Capps, who has just recently started his own Motorsports company. Find out what it’s like being both the driver and team owner. Listen to Ron explain the initial rush when his race car goes from 0-100mph in 7/10 of a second. He says It’s all about his team and the processes and procedures.

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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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What Do Technicians Really Want? – Jimmy Alauria and Jason Stretch [RR 765]

We all know that there’s a shortage of workers for mostly all businesses in all industries because of the great resignation. As a shop owner, how are you attracting the best technicians? Are you promoting your culture and the opportunity to work in your business? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what is important to technicians? What are they looking for in a shop, and do you offer it? Jimmy Alauria and Jason Stretch discuss the results of a recent technician survey that might surprise you. And how the value of the survey shapes the ads that attract superstars.

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My Computer Was Hacked: Now What? – Tom Sciortino [RR 764]

How secure is your computer and internal network? Could it survive malware or a virus? For most of us, our system just runs and is out of sight, out of mind…until something happens. I’m with Tom Sciortino, a good friend and local shop owner in my hometown, and his business computer got hacked. Tom’s personal accounts were also hacked.  He bought a couple of laptops he didn’t know about. Don’t let this happen to you; keep listening to find out how he discovered the hack and the changes he made to protect his network. 

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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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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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Prepare for the Future [THA 277]

How do we prepare for the future? In this episode listen to the insights from the perspective of a shop owner, technician, instructor, COO, and trainer. Times have changed, so how do we get the younger generation passionate about our industry and our high-tech vehicles? What does the future of ADAS and electric vehicles mean to the aftermarket? 

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“You’re Not A Technician, You’re A Technical Expert” Aaron Becker [RR 745]

I’m with Aaron Becker at the TST Big Event 2022. His stepfather-in-law is the late Myron Stein, inventor, product innovator, and founder of Airsept. Aaron is the President of Airsept and we discuss Myron’s famous donut and coffee selling tactic, and new products, and if you listen until the very end of your podcast player, you might hear a little backstage chatter with my daughter Tracy. By the way, I got to know Myron during my early days as a podcaster and he was an encourager and always told me like it was. I’ll miss him.

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“Vision, KC Is My Happy Place” [RR 743]

Candice and Jesse Beuttenmuller come every March from WaKeeney, KS. to the Vision KC Hi Tech Expo. Vision KC, they say, is their Happy Place, therefore shutting down the shop to attend. Their town is so small it doesn’t even have a stoplight! Since we recorded the episode they changed the name of their business to ‘Old 40 Auto Care’. We also discuss the importance of communication with their customers. As a side note, we had a lot of laughs and fun while recording this episode.

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Wide Open Training Discussion with No Agenda [RR 741]

Dive into the minds of three incredible industry trainers in the studio of the 2022 Vision KC Hi Tech Training & Expo.  We had no agenda, just some friends chatting with a special dynamic and their passion for the advancement of the aftermarket. Some of what we covered: what are their perspectives on electrical theory, becoming a trainer, and training in general, you’ll also hear talk about business culture, mentoring and so much more. Profound fun awaits you.

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Celebrating Educators [RR 736]

You know I am passionate and committed to education. A very informative discussion to keep you up to date with high school and post-secondary education with these educators who were at VISION KC to keep up with technology.

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Training Think Tank [RR 732]

What’s better than having 3 trainers sit down with me at Vision 2022 and record their very candid conversation. Be a fly on the wall as we discuss hybrid training, student assessments and breakout teams. My panel shares their experiences and together we push the boundaries of training in our industry.

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Restructuring New Staff – Vinnie Lucido [RR 728]

The idea of completely restructuring your staff seems impossible, right? So how did Vinnie Lucido do it after his brother and partner retired from the business? And how did his role as the sole owner and operator change? I asked Vinnie all these questions, in the Vision KC studios, including his perspective on interns and how he can work such a few hours a week.

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Brought His 14 Team Members to Vision – Travis Troy [RR 726]

I asked Travis Troy, point-blank, what did it cost him to take his entire team to Vision this year. I talked to so many shop owners at Vision KC 2022 that closed their shops to take their entire team for some of the best training and networking both Technician, Service and Management. I stopped counting at 30 the number of shop owners who closed their shops there had to be 100 or more based on my simple survey results. Some strategies were to uplift and cross training their people into leadership roles by selecting that type of training. Travis and his partner Josh know they’ll get a huge return on their training investment. The message: get out of your comfort zone.

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Coaches Lab: Turn Around a Struggling Shop [THA 265]

Asking for help and admitting you need help is often the last thing struggling business owners want to do. They also might not know who or how to ask. My panel of coaches has experience in the shop business and has a huge tenure as successful aftermarket business coaches. They’ve seen a lot and have helped many find unrivaled business success and a path to financial freedom.

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