From Ghosting to Growth: Overcoming Hiring Challenges [THA 426]
Recorded at Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2025, this episode features a discussion with the co-founders of Promotive, a company focused on recruiting and placing qualified technicians and service advisors. The conversation explores the challenges shops face in hiring, such as ineffective job postings and candidate ghosting, and how Promotive aims to streamline this process by handling initial screening and interviews. Lisa Coyle and Joelle Pollak emphasize the importance of cultural fit and fair compensation for successful placements, also advising shops on creating positive work environments. The discussion also touches on the value of ongoing training, shop management systems, and the significance of evaluating employee attitude and performance using a structured approach.
remarkableresults.biz/a426
From Employee to Business Owner: Structuring a Win-Win Succession Plan [RR 1030]
This episode focuses on the importance of planning ahead for selling a business in the auto repair industry. Bob Ward stresses that business owners should start identifying and training potential successors early—often from their current team. He walks through a clear four-step process to help with the transition, covering key areas like finding the right fit, determining the business’s value, securing financing, and handling legal requirements.
remarkableresults.biz/e1030
Are You Hiring or Just Filling a Position? The Truth About Automotive Recruitment [THA 410]
Partnering with a recruiter isn’t just about filling a position—it’s about building a team that drives your business forward.
In this episode, Kelly Cavanaugh, VP of Recruiting at Promotive, Brian Burris, Account Manager at Promotive, and Matt Fanslow, Shop Manager and Diagnostician at Riverside Automotive, share expert insights on attracting and retaining top talent in the automotive industry. Gain valuable perspectives from both a recruitment company and the shop level, offering a well-rounded view on hiring strategies, retention, and building successful teams.
remarkableresults.biz/a410
The Invisible Paycheck: Retention Strategies Beyond Pay [THA 403]
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.
remarkableresults.biz/f106
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.
remarkableresults.biz/a392
How To Tap Into Government Workforce Development Funds [RR 976]
Explore how to access and utilize government workforce development funds to reimburse training costs and strengthen the workforce. This can significantly ease the financial burden for shop owners looking to create opportunities for personal and professional growth for their employees. This funding can also help offset the costs associated with bringing new employees up to speed. Listeners are encouraged to take action by exploring local workforce development programs, investing in their employees’ training, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within their organizations.
remarkableresults.biz/e976
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.
remarkableresults.biz/e936
Technician’s Three-Year Succession Plan [RR 906]
Andy Bizub and part owner Brandon Ludwikowski discuss the transition from technician to business owner, the importance of a positive attitude, and the tools and knowledge required for technicians. The conversation also covers the division of responsibilities within the company, decision-making processes, and the importance of understanding business fundamentals and financials.
remarkableresults.biz/e906
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.
remarkableresults.biz/a355
Succession in Real Life [AW 180]
Bob Ward discusses the importance of early and thorough succession planning, using real-life examples of both successful and unsuccessful transitions. Bob emphasizes the need for business owners to develop their successors and to consider their employees’ career goals. It’s never too early to start thinking about the future of your business and who might be capable of carrying it forward.
remarkableresults.biz/aw180
Hiring Gen Z Mechanics [THA 347]
Carm Capriotto welcomes Sara Fraser and a Gen Z mechanic, Owen Chambers, to discuss his motivations for entering the automotive repair industry. Owen shares his transition from a career in finance to automotive repair, his aspirations within the industry, and the financial consciousness of his generation. The discussion also touches on the cost of entry in the automotive industry, the importance of understanding younger workers’ needs and expectations, and the multitasking habits and attention span of Gen Z. Understanding the motivations, aspirations, and mindset of Gen Z workers is crucial for the future of the automotive industry.
remarkableresults.biz/a347
New Age Employees Require A New Way of Thinking [AW 176]
Pete McNeil discusses the changing needs of employees in the post-COVID workplace, particularly focusing on Gen Z employees. He talks about the importance of providing a positive customer experience and adapting to the preferences and attention span of Gen Z employees. He also discusses the challenges of hiring and retaining Gen Z employees, including the need for benefits, learning opportunities, and potential pay advantages.
remarkableresults.biz/aw176
Strategies to Communicate Pay: The Good, Bad and Ugly [THA 309]
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?
remarkableresults.biz/a301
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.
remarkableresults.biz/a282
Important Employee Benefits [THA 267]
Did you know money isn’t the main motivator for employees? How many people are willing to work 40+ hours a week in an unhappy environment while being undervalued? What benefits set your business apart from other shops in your area? And, are you reminding your team of their benefits package so they understand their value within your business?
remarkableresults.biz/a267
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.
remarkableresults.biz/e704
Private Training Huge Benefit – Bill Hill and Leigh Anne Best [AW 079]
Private Training Huge Benefit – Bill Hill and Leigh Anne Best [AW 079] 079]
Guest Host and Shop Tour with Leigh Anne Best and Bill Hill from Mighty Auto Pro in Medina, OH speak to the power and value of private training for their technicians. Pick up some very smart ideas during the shop tour of this 17 bay legacy facility.
remarkableresults.biz/aw079
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.
remarkableresults.biz/e691
Creating a Training Culture [THA 235]
Creating a Training Culture [THA 235]
Training in this industry is always a hot topic to discuss. Unfortunately, there are too many shops that don’t realize training employees and business owners must be non-negotiable in order to have a profitable and sustainable business. If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re already taking action to level up. Take a moment to share this episode with just one person, it may change their life personally and professionally.
The panel discusses why training is important, how to incentivize training, and what to look for when hiring people. remarkableresults.biz/a235
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.
What Worked – What Didn’t – Success Has Its Ups and Downs [RR 500]
Matt Fanslow – Kobayashi Maru – Lessons From Star Trek [FTR 77]
Matt Fanslow is the diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, MN. His primary responsibilities are to diagnose driveability and electrical/electronic issues, and perform most all programming, coding, initializing, adoptions, etc. Basically, if it needs to be figured out or has wires, it goes to Matt. He’s been a tech since 1996. Matt is also…
RR 346: Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive – Improving the level of professionalism within the aftermarket industry
Improving The Level Of Professionalism Within The Aftermarket Industry
Matt Fanslow is an expert Diagnostic Technician and Shop Manager at Riverside Automotive, Redwing, Minnesota. He specializes in diagnosing automotive failures and is very well versed in using diagnostic equipment and is a PICO trainer.
Since he took his first job out of college, he has dedicated his efforts and training towards improving his abilities to efficiently and accurately diagnose automotive driveability, electrical and electrical failures.
It is his goal to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive industry and light truck repair trade while raising its public image level which can boost more professional tech to get into the industry.