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.
THA 135: Implementing Profit First – Shop Owners Thrilled With Results
Implementing Profit First – Shop Owners Thrilled With Results
This episode will change your thinking as it relates to a new profit discipline and cash management. I know you know that cash is king in any business, so start being a better manager of it.
Listen in on Danielle Bohlmann, owner with husband Brett in Highway 7 Service Center, Newell, IA, Kenny Wedow from Fine Tuned Auto, Broomfield, CO and Chris Cotton, Certified Profit First Professional from AutoFix SOS coaching company and a former shop owner.
They nailed the benefits of a strong and disciplined cash management system. Both these shop owners say they are in a better place because of implementing Profit First. Danielle and her husband Brett always plowed all their money back in their business. Now hear what they are doing and are better for it.
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?
THA 134: Market Changes and What I’m Doing About Them
THA 134 – Market Changes and What I’m Doing About Them
We are dropping topics on Hybrid repair and marketing, building technician, avoiding a viral social goof, customer ADAS training, and communication tactics among others.
With me in this episode are three shop owners who really enjoyed sharing their battle scars of success, for that matter they continue to earn their scars as we all do. From Xpertech Auto Repair is Kathleen Jarsik, from Englewood, FL, Kurt Valvis, Co-Owner, Guys Foreign Car Repair, Metairie, La and Brent Robinson, Co-owner with his brother Brian in Snellville Auto Center, Snellville, GA and Loganville Auto Center, in Loganville, GA.
RR 459: Standards And Values Foster a United Purpose for Your Team
Standards And Values Foster a United Purpose For Your Team
My friend Kevin Donahoe from Pacific Motor Service with two shops in Monterey, CA
And Pacific Grove, CA along with his general manager Jim Hayes go deep into their culture. They have a set of standards and values that drive their organization’s behavior.
You’ll learn about the creation of these standards and values, we’ll discuss the origins of a few and how these standards and values are the anchors in their enduring business culture.
You are about to listen in on a conversation that could be the impulsion to get you started. I believe once you’ve listened you’ll want to start your work on building your enduring business culture.
You are going to learn a lot, I believe you’ll have a clearer picture of the power of an enduring business culture and you just may walk away with enough motivation to get started and to find some juice to improve what you currently have.
RR 458: John Passante and Rob Tinson – Is Face To Face Communications Gone?
Fundamental Communicating and Selling. Is Face To Face Communications Gone?
Guests Dr. John Passante is a legacy automotive aftermarket Human Resource Professional and President/CEO of the Organizational Development Group. He is an adjunct professor at the University of the Aftermarket, listed in Who’s Who in Training and Development and in the Automotive Hall of Fame. John is also an Executive Coach to many aftermarket leaders.
Rob Tinson has held key sales and marketing roles in the industry. Rob is Director of Sales for North America at Schrader TPMS Solutions a leading manufacturer of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, a part of Sensata Technologies.
Do you understand the basics of communicating and selling? Learn the intricacies of creating a partnership before making a sale. Understand the importance of humanizing a lot of things which were oversimplified by the use of technology.
Life works better when we communicate either using tech or better yet face to face. (Do you remember how to do that?) Communication is very important because it is where we build trust and credibility and how partnerships are built.
RR 457: Justin Allen – Working Too Hard? Feel Burned Out?
RR 457: Justin Allen – We are working too hard. Do you feel burned out?
Justin Allen is a sales specialist with Hunter Engineering. His observation: We are working too hard. Do you feel burned out? Listen to Justin tell it like sees it. Justin supports the service professional in his role with Hunter. He’s got a keen eye on our opportunities and challenges and points out some critical needs we have. He is even an advocate of a 4 day work week.
Have you focused on your techs burn out and the quality of their family life? His responsibilities with Hunter give him a 360-degree view of the business side of the aftermarket and the rigorous efforts it takes to run a successful shop.
FTR 056: Justin Barrett – Hard Talk on Areas of Improvement for Independents
Justin Barrett – Hard Talk on Areas of Improvement for Independents
Justin Barrett, owner and operator of Barrett Automotive, Cornelia, GA sees areas that need improvement for independent service operators.
Justin Barrett will hit a few nerves as he asks you to take a look at your facility through the lens of the customer. And if you are not requiring 80 hours of training for your people, according to Justin, you are not keeping pace. He’ll also tell you why and how he closes and takes his team to train at venues like Vision in Kansas City.
THA 127: Overcoming Owner Burnout
Overcoming Owner Burn Out
Endeavor into some really great smart talk on delegating, recharging and prioritizing. Things you must do so you don’t spin deep into a negative vortex.
This team dishes out solutions to staying fresh and relying on your team to help you accomplish all your goals. Find out what it took Gerry and Jon to leave the business in the hands of their team. Is it easy? Is it easy? Will you need to start slow? How do your people fit into this equation? Are they qualified? Have you prepared them? How do you handle distractions? These and many more questions answered for you right now.
Join Jon Bockman from Bockman’s Auto Care, two locations based out of Sycamore, IL, and the NAPA Auto Care Center of the year 2019, also Gerry Frank, Auto Repair Technology, Brook Park, OH and Partner in Repair Shop Coach and Jim Hayes, General Manager, Pacific Motor Service, Monterey, CA
FTR 053: Judi Haglin – Do You Know The Exact Source of Your Marketing Efforts?
Do You Know The Exact Source of Your Marketing Efforts?
Judi Haglin from Haglin Automotive has a passion for numbers and marketing. She has a chance to set up why you need to track your marketing efforts and determine which give you the greatest return. She has a few great ideas on how to do it and why tracking and the numbers has helped her marketing investment pay dividends for her.
THA 126: Firing Customers – When is it Right or Wrong?
Bottom line is firing customers is rare, however, it happens and should be for the right reasons.
With me is Joe Hanson, Gordie’s Garage, Roseville, Michigan, Jerry Kezhyaya, The Auto Shop, Plano, TX, and Doug Callaghan, Vic’s Service, Wainright, Alberta, CA
OK, you may not have ever fired a customer or you may have done it just last week. It isn’t a task you do often, however, the job of firing a customer comes with some caveats. Joe, Jerry, and Doug share with you why they would do it and suggest that you do a deep dive inside your business to see if YOU aren’t the problem.
RR 445: Cash Management with Chris Cotton
RR 445: Chris Cotton – On Cash Management
My guest Chris Cotton is a business coach and helps shop owners understand the fundamentals of money and the decision-making behind it. He helps us manage our cash and how to set aside money obligations.
Chris’s AutoFix SOS coaching company is. His experience as a former shop owner relates to the struggles of shop owners to maximize their profits.
If you have ever wanted to know where your money goes, ever had a tough time paying your bills, meeting your tax obligations, or ever held cashing your paycheck because you knew it will bounce; this podcast is for you.
FTR 052: Build Your Bench – Kyle Holt and Jay Goninen
Build Your Bench – and Be a Proactive Recruiter.
Kyle Holt President of SP/2 and Jay Goninen from ‘Find a Wrench’ speak to their expertise as supporters and recruiters of technician talent. They have the depth of experience and are speaking to you from their heart about your need to recruit talent when you don’t need the help. They will tell you why.
RR 438: My New Shop – From the Ground Up – Doug Callaghan
From the Ground Up – The Challenges of Building a New Facility
Building a new facility can make or break you. So many variables and decisions to consider not to mention the added issues, and problems which will be laid on the table. Confidence with an architect, your banker and your contractor makes a huge difference.
Doug Callaghan shares the story of his new build. He is the CEO of Vic’s Service Centre in Wainright, Alberta Canada. His new building has new features which include a training room among the wired and wireless bays. He built it with customer retention in mind and now he is reaping the benefits of being able to serve his customers to the best of his capabilities.
THA 121: APPS That Improve Productivity and Make for a More Efficient You
APPs That Improve Productivity and Make for a More Efficient You
Our desktops and smart devices give us tools to make us more efficient at what we do, they are not for everyone and some are just not right for how you operate. There are thousands of apps that do just about anything. In this episode, you’ll discover what apps work for others and learn about some that may be just the right discipline for a more efficient you.
The panel includes Ryan Clo owner of Dubwerx, in Cincinnati, OH, Edwin Hazzard, mobile diagnostic tech, automotive instructor and currently, a contributing writer for Motor Age magazine and Craig O’Neill with an integrator and trainer for Autotext.me.
THA 120: How Can We Provide Our Technicians a $100K Yearly Pay Package?
How Can We Provide Our Technicians a $100K Yearly Pay Package?
We covered a large swath of reasons to review technician pay and to create a fair and adequate compensation plan based on criteria that is a win, win, win for the tech, the owner and the customer.
Our panel consists of Seth Thorson, shop owner at Eurotech Auto Service New Brighton, MN, Jerry Kezhaya, shop owner at The Auto Shop in Plano, TX, Frank Scandura shop owner at Frank’s European, Las Vegas, NV and Matt Fanslow, Shop Manager/Lead Diagnostician at Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN.
You’ve heard of the struggles and have most likely had your own issues with losing and hiring technicians. Our discussion is not the scientific answer however it goes a long way to helping you make decisions to retain, create loyalty and ward off the loss of our smart and talented technicians to other shops and other industries.
THA 119: Improving Employee Loyalty
Improving Employee Loyalty
Fuel your engine today with our discussion on Improving Employee Loyalty with my shop owner panel Donnie Hudson from Troy Auto Care in Troy, MI, Roy Foster from Roy Foster’s Automotive in Reno, NV and Steve Finzel from Finzel’s Master Tech in Terre Haute, IN They’ve built a family culture in their shops and you can too.
You’ll hear how they did it and understand why they created the programs that build loyalty and retention from their people. I know you’ve heard this adage before: “Take care of your people and they will take care of your customer.” This episode will give you a great idea on how to do that.
Prepare for many strong ideas coming at you so. Pick a few and start to implement them in your business. The panel admits, it did not happen overnight but was nurtured for years. So you need to start. Keep in mind that it is imperative you seize onto a new idea, own it, implement it and watch it transform your business.
RR 427: Vin Waterhouse – You Should Have the Highest Payroll in Town, Not the Lowest
You should have the highest payroll in town, not the lowest.
A generation ago the shop owner didn’t need to know the numbers. How the world has changed and in this episode with Vin Waterhouse, as with all my discussions with business consultants and coaches, will push you to make the important changes that will catapult you from having a hobby or job into a career that rewards you for your hard work
Vincent Waterhouse, President and Founder of The Waterhouse Group, an automotive Accounting, Training, and Coaching company shares his strategy for business climate based on today’s changing business models.
Vin has over thirty years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. His specialty is working with auto repair shop owners to help them earn the profits they deserve.
THA 116: Business Coaches Lab – Improving Shop Efficiency
THA 116 Business Coaches Lab – Improving Shop Efficiency
Look forward to tactics like knowing your techs gifts or strengths, remove obstacles, make process improvement a rule, minimize interruptions, if your techs aren’t efficient find out why. There are so many factors and our coaches do a great job of exposing some key components for improving efficiency in your bays.
The Academy panel includes Murray Voth, RPM Training, Rick White 180 Biz, Jude Larson ACT Group, Cecil Bullard, The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence and Bob Greenwood, Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center.
RR 424: New Aftermarket Measurement – Cost Per Billed Hour – Will Drive Your Profitability
New Aftermarket Measurement – Cost Per Billed Hour
I’m with Bob Greenwood, President, and C.E.O. of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. We are discussing how cost per billed hour affects the site’s total efficiency in maximizing net profits.
This episode tackles measuring your site’s efficiency with cost per billed hour as a new aftermarket measurement to maximize your net profits. The calculation reflects on all aspects of your labor rate, workflow, charging for diag time, and other critical performance metrics.
Important note for this episode. Since Bob is demonstrating his strategy and findings through formulas we decided to record the video of this episode so you can see how Bob arrives at the conclusion to his formulas. You can find the video version on the show notes page at remarkableresultsradio.com/e424 or on my Carm Capriotto youtube channel.
RR 421: Mike Michalowicz: Making Profitability a Habit – Inside his book ‘Profit First’
Mike Michalowicz – Making Your Profitability a Habit
What is profit? It is the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent. Mike Michalowicz tells you that you subtract profit from sales and then learn to manage your expenses. Therefore Sales – Profit = Expenses. We discuss Mike Michalowicz great book ‘Profit First’.
Mike will give you his innovative processes on profitability. He will provide insights on understanding the core principles and processes of financial gain. It will also shed light on cash flow management system, revenue, support network, profitability, efficiency, and the 5 core fundamental accounts you need to work your business from.
The episode is painting vivid pictures of how profitability works on the business canvas. It will open your mind to systems and processes to make profitability a habit. I urge you to read Mike’s Book Profit First, cover to cover. You can find it on the books page on the website.
RR 420: Kim Walker – Building a StoryBrand
Kim Walker – Building a Story Brand
People are bombarded with 3,000 marketing messages every 24 hours. What does your message say?
Catch the power of ‘Story Brand’. Learn about the Guide, the Hero, the problem, and the plan among others. It is a perfect fit for growing your relationship with your client. This is a review of the book ‘Building A Story Brand’ by Donald Miller.
Kim Walker is an official Story Brand Guide and along with her husband, Brian are former shop owners who are taking their personal experience and helping shop owners with their ‘story’. Their company is Shop Marketing Pros and they are helping the service professional bring their story brand to their clients.
RR 416: Preparing Your Shop For Tomorrows Technicians – How To Attract and Retain Your Team
Preparing Your Shop For Tomorrow’s Technician: How To Attract And Retain Your Team
We know as a united industry that retaining and attracting talent into our bays is our number one concern. Sure keeping pace with technology advancements is up there, but if you don’t have the talent inside your shop to repair our high tech cars, tech becomes less a challenge.
This power panel from Vision KC 2019 and brought to you by the Midwest Auto Care Alliance, tackles this tough subject that we need to face head-on. With me is Tyler Hubbard from I-70 Auto Service, Aaron Stokes – from Eurofix and Shop Fix Academy, Chris Chesney – Sr. Director Customer Training at CARQUEST Technical Institute, Brian Bates – Eagle Automotive Service and Greg Buckley – Buckley Personalized Auto Care.
You’ll hear discussion on why our industry needs to stop eating our young, setting career paths for your technicians, why orientation and not onboarding is the way to integrate new technicians into your business, buying tools for our technicians, and building the right culture and operating principles and so much more. We even had time at the end for Q & A from the audience.
RR 415: Mitch Schneider – Legacy Aftermarket Influencer
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 414: Elevating Our Industry’s Definition of Mechanic/Technician
Elevating our Industries’ Definition of a Mechanic/Technician
The mechanic/technician is more than just the person who repairs and maintains machinery. He is an automotive professional.
As we discuss bringing a new definition to the automotive mechanic, we are not trying to build a pecking order but to define the outcome of the investment in training and knowledge of technology necessary to work on today’s vehicles. Is today’s mechanic an ‘expert’, a ‘diagnostician’, or an Automotive Scientific Investigator? Does it matter?
I am joined with AES President, and Trainer Jorge Menchu, Scott Brown from Diag.net, Shop Manager and Diagnostician Matt Fanslow and LMV Bavarian Support Specialist Support and Tech Ambassador, Justin Morgan.