This Nerd Says “Go Paperless!” [RR 971]
Doug Brackett, owner of Pro Vitals Consulting, shares his journey of transitioning his shop to a paperless and digital environment, emphasizing the importance of standardized processes and the full utilization of shop management software. He discusses the benefits of going paperless, such as improved internal communication and efficiency. Doug also explores the future of the automotive industry, particularly the role of AI and digital tools, and encourages shop owners to embrace technology for optimal operations and customer satisfaction.
remarkableresults.biz/e971
Tracking Parts and Expenses with Data Mining: Discover Your Weaknesses [RR 970]
Alex Saladna from WickedFile discusses the challenges shop owners face in tracking parts, expenses, and managing profit margins. With real-life examples of shop owners discovering hidden costs and inefficiencies, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their business operations.
remarkableresults.biz/e970
Avoid These Money Mistakes! [RR 967]
‘Business by the Numbers’ Podcast host Hunt Demarest discusses common financial mistakes, emphasizing the importance of building long-term wealth through prudent financial management and investment. The conversation covers managing personal and business expenses, the impact of government programs, and the necessity of maintaining financial reserves.
remarkableresults.biz/e965
Mastering Systems, Operations, and Procedures [RR 966]
Corey Evaldi and Dave Justice provide a wealth of insights into the importance of systems, operations, and procedures in the automotive industry. By focusing on effective communication, continuous education, incentivizing employees, and building strong client relationships, automotive professionals can drive success in their businesses. The episode also highlights servicing electric and hybrid vehicles, and the value of peer learning and industry networking.
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Training and Safety in the Age of EVS and ADAS [RR 965]
share their experiences at the NAPA EV Ready Training Center. Matt highlights the importance of safety and professional training in handling high-voltage systems in electric and hybrid vehicles. Both emphasize the need for automotive shops to invest in ongoing education, advanced tools, and equipment to stay ahead in the evolving automotive industry, particularly with the rise of ADAS and EV technologies.
remarkableresults.biz/e965
Effective Language Shift For Shop Owners: From Labor Rate to Service Rate [RR 964]
Murray Voth, owner of RPM Training, discusses the importance of language in the automotive industry, advocating for a shift from “labor rate” to “service rate” to better reflect the value provided. He also dives into financial strategies for shops, emphasizing the significance of setting the right service rate and understanding gross profit to ensure business profitability.
remarkableresults.biz/e964
Today’s Auto Parts Quality and Supply Chain Complexities [THA 379]
Industry leaders John Hanighen, CEO of Cloyes, Matt Buchholz, CEO of Motorrad, and Andy Fiffick, CEO of a 10 store franchise chain in Cleveland, dive into the current state of the supply chain within the automotive aftermarket, addressing issues of product availability, quality concerns, and the impact of unpredictable demand. Insights into data-driven forecasting, manufacturer-distributor collaboration, and the importance of communication between suppliers and auto repair shops are also explored to give a holistic view of managing challenges in the aftermarket industry.
remarkableresults.biz/a379
Are You Measuring Sales by the Minute? [RR 944]
Becky Witt’s philosophy on minute-efficiency is not just a practice but a way of life. She’s fine-tuned her operations to ensure every minute counts, leading to optimized customer service and a thriving business.
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Daily Dose of Top Tier Training: Today’s Class [THA 371]
Research has shown that people will generally forget 90% of what they “learn” within 30 days unless it is reinforced.
Recorded Live at Vision 2024, David Boyes, President of Today’s Class, outlines the mobile app’s features, including gamification and personalized training paths. AJ Nealey and Patrick Roberts share how they’ve implemented the platform in their businesses, highlighting its impact on engagement, adaptability to individual needs and its role in fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
“It’s microdosing of training. It’s a set of daily questions on a daily basis. And what I love about it, it’s the question after the question. “How confident are you in your answer?” It’s low, medium, or high. You’re understanding their confidence level.” AJ Nealey
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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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“Not Your Grandfather’s Air Conditioning Anymore!” [RR 927]
Live from MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems) 2024 Training Event & Trade Show, Michael Ingvardsen discusses the evolution of thermal heat management, the importance of training, and the challenges of new refrigerants. Michael emphasizes the need for compatibility between components and refrigerants, and the role of distributors in ensuring product reliability. The episode highlights the complexity of modern air conditioning systems and the value of specialized knowledge in the field.
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Why CRM is Vital to Automotive Shop Success Part 2 [THA 365]
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems are more than just tools; they are the lifeline of customer engagement and business growth.
Explore strategies for identifying and re-engaging lost customers, adapting CRM practices to changing customer behaviors, and personalizing communication.
remarkableresults.biz/a365
Multiple Labor Rates [THA 364]
Explore: Strategies for pricing diagnostics and labor based on vehicle type, customer segment, and job complexity.
Discover: The importance of understanding financial metrics, collaborating with service advisors and technicians, and providing exceptional customer experiences to justify premium labor rates.
Listen and view episode notesWhy Do Some People Embrace Change While Others Resist It? [RR 917]
Psychologist Dr. David Weiman discusses the psychology of change, why change is challenging for some, the various reactions people have, and strategies for leaders to manage and encourage change. Dr. Weiman advises over-communicating to reduce confusion, engaging with resistant team members, and implementing incremental changes using the Kaizen method. By understanding the psychology behind change, involving our teams in the process, and holding onto our core values, we can navigate the waters of innovation with confidence and purpose.
remarkableresults.biz/e917
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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The New Frontier of Measuring Service Advisor Effort and Output [RR 913]
Stan Stokes and Eric Renninger from Iron Fist Consultants discuss the evolving roles of service advisors in the automotive industry, the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, and the role of technology. Gone are the days of going purely on gut feeling; today, maximizing conversion rates means utilizing every bit of data available. Operationalizing data and effective communication are fundamental aspects of a positive customer journey.
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Why CRM is Vital to Automotive Shop Success [THA 359]
Our panel discusses the importance of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in the success of auto repair shops. They highlight CRM’s role in client retention, communication, and building trusted relationships. The discussion also covers the significance of integrating CRM with shop management systems and the potential for automation and reminders based on customer data. The panelists stress the importance of the first 100 days in the customer journey, the need for consistent touchpoints, and personalized communication.
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Keeping an Eye on Bay Productivity [THA 356]
Did you know most shops only utilize 20-30% of their bay capacity? Let’s explore the concept of effective bay rate and the potential benefits of monitoring and analyzing bay usage. What is the potential revenue that can be realized by addressing these inefficiencies?
Our panel highlights the importance of focusing on bay efficiency rather than just technician efficiency and the need for shops to adopt lean six sigma principles to maximize productivity.
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OK, I Raised My Labor Rate: Now What?! [THA 355]
Raising labor rates is not just about increasing prices. It’s about finding more value in the industry and positioning ourselves as professionals.
Join our panel as they highlight the need for understanding the concept of effective labor rate, ensuring services are charged appropriately, viewing the business as a professional entity, providing a positive customer experience and addressing core business problems before raising labor rates. Our panelists encourage shop owners to take a comprehensive approach to their business strategy, considering all factors and not just focusing on raising labor rates.
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Transparency is the New Trust: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Client [RR 903]
“AutoTechIQ helps car and truck owners identify problems their vehicles are having. We provide proven auto repair work that has solved similar issues thousands of vehicle owners have faced. We also recommend auto repair shops in your area based on trust, customer education, and quality of work. These shops inspect your car using a courtesy Digital Vehicle Health Inspection and create a state of health report with symptom information and necessary fixes.”
Frank Scandura and Krista Erickson discuss how AutoTechIQ aims to bridge the gap between shops and customers by creating better relationships through technology and transparency. The goal is to empower customers with knowledge and build trust.
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Congressional Testimony: Right to Repair Update [RR 902]
Recorded Live at AAPEX 2023, our panel dives into the progress of the Right to Repair bill that could potentially reshape our industry. Without the Right to Repair Act, our industry could face a staggering $93 billion hit by 2035. Kathleen Callahan, who testified in front of Congress, shared her experience and the momentum it created for the bill. It’s crucial for industry professionals to understand the bill, advocate for it, and engage with their communities and legislators.
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Hands-On EV and Hybrid Training: Earthling Automotive [THA 353]
Carolyn Coquillette, the President and CEO of Earthling Training and Earthling Automotive, and Jack Rosebro, the Head of Training at Earthling Automotive discuss their insights on the growing market of EVs, their unique approach to EV training, and how they adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Insights Into AAPEX 2023: Right to Repair and Magic Johnson [RR 899]
Recorded Live at AAPEX 2023, Bill Hanvey and Paul McCarthy give insights into Right to Repair, what it takes to put on a massive show encompassing 2,600 exhibitors, and 46,000 buyers, and a recap of Magic Johnson’s engaging keynote. In a recent study, by 2035 there could be a 54% decline in market share due to repair restrictions, translating to $92 Billion lost by the independent aftermarket. This issue is not just about the industry, but also about the consumers who rely on affordable and accessible auto services.
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ADAS Calibration Challenges: The Need for Continuous Learning [RR 895]
Recorded Live at ASTE 2023 Scott Brown discusses the evolving technology of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). He dives into the challenges and benefits of calibrating ADAS systems in vehicles, the future of level five automation and importance of technicians staying updated on technology advancements.
remarkableresults.biz/e895
The Google Nerds’ Guide to Streamlining Your Business [RR 887]
AJ Nealey and Joe Hanson discuss the use of Google Workspace in their businesses. They explore the different applications within Google Workspace, such as Google Meet, Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Calendar, and Google Drive, and how they utilize them for communication, document storage, and collaboration. They also discuss the benefits of controlling intellectual property, and the efficiency and organization that Google Workspace provides.
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