Profit is not a Dirty Word [FTR 106]

Nichole Bennecoff discusses misunderstood and negatively perceived concepts of profit, especially within local businesses and the automotive repair industry. Nichole provides actionable advice to help business owners and employees alike understand the critical role of profit in business sustainability and growth.
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Flat Rate Pay: Controversies and Alternatives [FTR 105]

Recorded at the 2024 Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO) Business Management and Lindertech Training Tradeshow, Carlo Sabucco discusses the challenges of flat rate pay systems in the automotive repair industry, particularly for new technicians. He highlights the steep learning curve and unrealistic expectations associated with this pay structure. Carlos advocates for alternative compensation models, such as salary plus performance incentives, to better support technicians’ growth and align with their personal and professional aspirations.
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Strategies for Addressing the Technician Shortage [FTR 103]

Brad Updegraff discusses the pressing shortage of skilled technicians in the automotive industry. Brad shares strategies for training and developing technicians, and the importance of creating strong relationships with local schools. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of flexible compensation plans and support for aspiring technicians. 
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The Talent Pipeline: How to Find and Retain Top Technicians [THA 392]

Joelle Pollak and Lisa Coyle, co-founders of Promotive, discuss the intricacies of technician recruitment, including red flags in resumes, the importance of cultural fit, and their process of finding and vetting candidates. They also discuss the significance of career growth, compensation models, and how shops can retain talent by adapting to modern workforce needs. Learn about innovative recruiting strategies, crucial interview tips, and the importance of providing a supportive work environment to keep talent within the automotive industry.
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Attract, Develop, and Retain Top Automotive Talent [CC 113]

Building the dream team in the automotive industry goes beyond hiring technicians—it’s about creating a culture that fosters growth, respect, and development.

Join our panel of shop owners as they share their experiences and strategies in building an outstanding team. Topics include the significance of culture, passive and active recruiting, development through apprenticeship and training programs, and retention strategies like understanding employees’ goals, compensation, and creating an enjoyable work environment.

Want to learn more? Join Chris Lawson’s ‘Repair Shop Growth Systems Live 2024’ May 31st – June 2nd in Mt. Arlington, NJ. https://www.repairshopgrowthsystems.com/
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Measuring Technician Performance with Scorecards and Analytics [RR 936]

Greg Buckley discusses the importance of using analytics and performance metrics in the automotive industry. He draws parallels between managing a sports team and running an auto repair shop, emphasizing the need for owners to understand their team’s strengths and weaknesses. Greg explores the idea of incentivizing performance and accountability, similar to professional athletes. Greg shares his experience with nurturing technicians and the concept of having a “farm team” to develop skills. The conversation also touches on the need for better career pathing, training, and compensation methods to retain talent and improve the industry’s professionalism.
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Labor Rate Tracker Update: A Valuable Tool [RR 914]

Tom Ham discusses the labor rate tracker tool, which can be found on the Automotive Management Network. The conversation includes the variability of labor rates among different types of automotive shops and across states and the influence of location and shop type on rates. Tom shares that the tracker has grown to 3,000 shops reporting their rates, providing a more comprehensive view of the market. The episode also covers the importance of having a labor rate that reflects a shop’s quality and customer trust. Find out why the labor rate tracker is a valuable tool for both shop owners and industry coaches to gauge market rates and inform business strategies.
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Build Your Labor Rate From the Ground Up: Part 2 [THA 346]

Part 2 of our labor rate discussion in the automotive aftermarket industry. Our panel emphasizes the importance of setting labor rates based on the shop’s own expenses and profitability, rather than comparing them to competitors. They also stress the need for regular labor rate increases and educating staff about the financial aspects of running a shop. They address fear and mindset issues that can affect labor rates and overall success. The episode provides valuable insights and advice for shop owners in effectively setting and managing their labor rates.
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Getting Over the Success Syndrome [RR 852]

Dr. David Weiman discusses the concept of success and how it can hold entrepreneurs and business people back. They emphasize the importance of defining success on a personal level and not being held back by societal expectations or comparisons to others. He also touches on the importance of recognizing the value of one’s work and charging appropriately for it rather than treating it as a hobby. Dave encourages listeners to redefine their definition of success and find fulfillment in their work while also recognizing the importance of financial stability.
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Service Advisor Pay Plans [THA 301]

How many jobs do your service advisors have? Who covers when you are short-handed? How many technicians per advisor do you have? Are you using technology and systems to a service advisor’s advantage? How clear are your objectives to everyone in the shop? What are some different pay plan options? 
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Flat Rate VS Salary Debate [THA 289]

Are you doing flat rate, salary, or a hybrid model? What are the pros and cons of all three? My panel brings light to this hot topic from different perspectives. The consensus from the group is there is no cookie-cutter model on pay plans you must factor in your culture and your team.
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Incentive Pay Ideas for Technicians [THA 282]

Did you know incentive pay plans are both monetary and nonmonetary? Your business must be profitable and have a clear vision with the right culture set in place for incentive plans to work. How are benefits, bonuses, and incentives different? Keep listening to find out how to incentify your employees to achieve their dreams.

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ASE Board Chairman Brad Pellman [RR 718]

ASE has made a commitment to its certifications and continues to push forward with its own app to make recertifications a learning opportunity. Not only do certifications benefit the technician and business owner, but it is also a tool to educate customers. It’s time to promote your business and employees and show your professionalism in the industry as ASE celebrates its 50th year.

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How to Pass a Wage and Hour Audit from DOL [RR 704]

How to Pass a Wage and Hour Audit from DOL [RR 704]

When was the last time you thought about your business being audited? The proverbial ‘Hi I’m from the government and I’m here to help!’ type of audit. Well, they are very real and we hear of stories and fines that get levied because we are not paying attention to specifically wage and hour laws. If you thought about it more often, you would be taking all the precautions to avoid penalties and fines. This episode is all about an audit and how to play by the rules. Don’t wait until the department of labor calls, take action to ensure your business is conforming to the law.

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Rethink Your Compensation Plans – Darrin Barney [RR 691]

Rethink Your Compensation Plans [RR 691]

In this episode, Darrin Barney discusses an overview of a class he presented at ASTE 2021 titled “Pay Plans Used by the Top Shops in America.” Some excellent ideas and insights that every shop owner can use in their business. As your business and employees change, so should your compensation plan. Darrin also explains the importance of guiding principals, goals, and employee retention.

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Hiring Practices with Bryan Kelley [RR 611]

Hiring Practices with Bryan Kelley [RR 611]

When we talk about hiring, there are a lot of questions that come to mind. You may have already in your business life hired and fired a hundred people. Hiring can be an art, especially if you are looking for just that right team member. Bryan Kelley realized that he needed to get a process down to help improve the quality of the individual he added to his team and business culture.

Bryan Kelley, the shop owner of Valley Automotive, Covington, WA and president of ASA Northwest, has been a great contributor to the podcast. He will share his hiring practices and the reason why he does them.

This is one of those gems of a podcast that keeps you in the front row of life in the auto service business.

We get into the critical importance to hire a cultural fit, interviews, processes and offers. Bryan also gets into job posting, job description and specific indicators you need to find in a good hire.

You can find Bryan Kelley’s other episodes, and this episode’s key talking points, they reside at remarkablersults.biz/e611 This is why I podcast.

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Incentive Plans [THA 191]

Incentive Pay – THA 191

We are talking about Incentive Pay. You will conclude from this episode that there is no silver bullet to this answer. There are a lot of moving parts to create compensation plans unique to your business culture for the results you, your employee, and team need to have to best serve your customer and to create financial rewards.

I invited a great panel to discuss incentive pay: // Seth Thorson, from EuroTech Auto Service, based in New Brighton, MN and also the owner of LMV Bavarian a BMW tech support company. Bryan Kelley is here from Valley Auto Electric, Covington, WA, Active and chairman of ASA Northwest and Bill Haas, Haas Performance Consulting, and Business Manager of NACAT, the North American Automotive Teachers

The detailed key talking points can be found at remarkableresults.biz/a191 along with Bryan’s chart on 23 motivators of people. Remember you can use them to help create your own plan or meeting agenda.

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Unscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]

Unscripted with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood [RR 553]

This episode speaks for itself. Raw and Unscripted. And intended to push a button or two maybe one of yours. It’s a collection of ideas and thoughts from my guest’s world which resulted in nothing more than some extraordinary talk.

My guests are shop owners, Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood. They are veterans of the show and have multiple episodes between them. Andy Bizub owns Midwest Performance Cars in Chicago, two locations and Lucas Underwood from L & N Performance Auto Repair, Blowing Rock, NC

They share the challenges of attracting and retaining customers. Lucas had guidance from his coach that told him that some shop owners often fall in love with their problems and not the solutions. While Andy remains choosy in all of the customers that come through his shop. He programs his business to attract his right customers. This and much more.
Find the key talking points for this interview with Andy Bizub and Lucas Underwood at remarkableresults.biz/e553.

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Financial Help For Your Team [THA 177]

THA 177 Financial Help For Your Team

This is an episode I’ve wanted to do for some time. This living paycheck to paycheck syndrome can be corrected. Many spend beyond what they make and they get a raise and the differential is also gone. It is usually a spending problem, not an earning problem.

My panel that includes Danielle Bohlmann, Owner, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA, Dave Martin, Owner, Martin’s Auto Repair, Phoenix, AZ, Frank Scandura, Owner, Frank’s European Service, Las Vegas, NV and Drew Horton, Technician, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA

A bunch of great insights here and you can find them on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a177. These key talking points will make for a great meeting agenda.

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Aftermarket Acumen Part 4 – Technician Pay [RR 510]

Donny Seyfer the executive officer of NASTF (National Automotive Service Task Force) and Partner in Seyfer Automotive in Wheatridge, CO. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE. Jeremy O’Neal President and lead sales trainer for Advisorfix, began his career as a Service Adviser and moved into Service Management at the dealership level for VW, Audi, and Porsche. He consistently…

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Flat Rate vs Hourly-Bonus Hybrid Pay Plans [THA 157]

The Panel: Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service in Minneapolis and St. Petersburg, FLA, was featured in episode 48. Jeff owns six locations with one being in Florida. He has over 40 team members and has grown through acquisition. Jeff opened Victory in 1997 as a one-bay shop and has slow steady growth over the years.…

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