Lance Wiggins, Executive Director of ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association), discusses the importance of training in transmission diagnostics and the evolving relationship between automotive and transmission shops. He also discusses ATRA’s chapters, which encourage training and communication among members, and the association’s upcoming national training event. The most significant benefit of training attending events like the ATRA Powertrain Expo is the networking that takes place. The buzz and conversations that happen between attendees are invaluable and cannot be replicated on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. So, rev up your knowledge and invest in yourself by attending training seminars. By doing so, you will provide the best possible service to your customers and stay ahead of the competition.

Lance Wiggins, Executive Director, ATRA.

Show Notes

• Watch Full Video Episode
• The Importance of Transmission Diagnostics (00:01:24) Lance Wiggins explains the integration of transmission and engine modules.
• Keeping Customers Cradle to Grave (00:05:33) Lance Wiggins emphasizes the importance of keeping customers cradle to grave and the symbiotic relationship between automotive shops and transmission shops.
• Importance of Training (00:07:35) The importance of training for technicians, especially in engine and transmission diagnostics.
• ATRA Chapters (00:09:33) Lance explains what ATRA chapters are and how they function, including their role in organizing training seminars and events.
• Building Relationships through Training (00:14:50) Lance emphasizes the importance of building relationships with customers and training professionals, and how it can benefit the shop owners and technicians.
• Investing in Yourself (00:19:02) Lance shares his son’s thought process of investing in himself by purchasing tools, and how it applies to the automotive industry.
• Choosing the Right Scan Tool (00:20:25) Lance discusses the complexity of choosing the right scan tool for different types of diagnostics and reprogramming.
• ATRA Conference (00:22:07) Lance talks about the ATRA conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and the importance of networking and attending training classes.
• Honorable and Professional Business (00:26:19) Carm and Lance discuss the importance of creating a positive culture in the automotive industry and the need for a strong team to provide reliable transportation to customers.
• Shortage of Qualified Technicians (00:28:17) Lance talks about the shortage of qualified technicians in the automotive industry and the need to attract younger people to the profession through training programs in universities.
• Importance of nurturing young technicians (00:29:04) Lance Wiggins emphasizes the need to bring in young technicians and nurture them to grow their potential.
• Expectations and work ethic of young technicians (00:30:03) Carm Capriotto and Lance Wiggins discuss the high expectations of some young technicians and the importance of having a good work ethic.
• ATRA’s consumer website and services (00:33:41) Lance Wiggins talks about ATRA’s consumer website, shop finder, and transmission rebuilding and diagnostic services.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA AUTO CARE

Learn more about NAPA AUTO CARE and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com

Connect with the Podcast:

-Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider

-All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books

-Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom

-Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm

-The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com

-Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections

Rodger Bland has worked in the automotive repair aftermarket for over 30 years and is currently the Managing Editor for GEARS Magazine, the official publication of the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, A.T.R.A.

What’s Working©
A veteran of the transmission rebuild industry; Rodger began his career with GEARS Magazine in 1995 as the production manager. In 2001, he became the Magazine’s Managing Editor. In addition to his work
with GEARS, Rodger co-founded and helped create ATRA’s What’s Working© management training program. Rodger continues to develop What’s Working  – A.T.R.A’s ongoing industry study and business management programs.

The program integrates industry trends along with consumer focus groups and studies the practices of successful shop owners throughout the country.

The results and outcomes from these studies, along with real world applications are the source of numerous articles, reports and presentations on “what’s working” when it comes to managing successful automotive repair shops today.

Training.
Each year, Rodger speaks to hundreds of business owners and entrepreneurs from different industries pertaining to business development strategies based on identifying simple traits and characteristics found in all successful companies.

Successologist!
In Rodgers own words, “I am a lifelong pursuer of my full potential. For the past twenty years I have dedicated a large part of my life energy towards the study of success. As a successologist (not a real word), I have learned that even the most successful among us seldom if ever realize their true, full potential in life. Instead, we all temporarily accept a level of underachievement for which we can justify and live with. Obviously some levels of underachievement are higher than others but very few if any (no one I have studied) ever reaches their full-potential. And thank God for that”!

Rodger says.
“Imagine a world without the constant pursuit of living life to its fullest – there would be no advancement, no purpose or meaning.

I believe we truly are what we think about, and that all our limitations are self-imposed. The keys to our fulfillment lie in the information we gather and how we transfer that information into useful knowledge.

Information without inspiration is a like a Ferrari without fuel. Nice to sit in and safe, but will take you nowhere.”

Great Life.
Rodger lives in Camarillo, CA with his wife Diane. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Why Listen?

• Learn about the five key principles from his ‘what’s working’ studies. Attitude, Vision/Planning/Goal Setting, Processes and Systems, Hiring, People of Actions.
• Rodger shares the principles of his newest seminar called ‘Successful Thinking: Awakening to Mindfulness’. The new seminar will be launched at Industry week in Las Vegas, 2016.
• Rodger also shares that he will present this seminar at Automechanika in July 2017.
• Rodger discusses your WHY and your purpose. We have two purposes and he explains.
• Listen for a fun and yet powerful story on a lesson he learned when he was just starting out in the business.

Rodger holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Management.

Gears Magazine Web Site

Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association Website

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Phone 716-320-1567   Email

This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com