Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network

Recorded at the 45th annual Mobile Air Climate Systems Conference (MACS 2025) in Orlando, Florida, discover the importance of NASTF in bridging the gap between OEs and independents. Donny Seyfer also shares insights on empowering teams, today’s technology impact, and the importance of mentorship.

Donny Seyfer, NASTF, Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

Show Notes

• Watch Full Video Episode
• MACS Training Event & Trade Show: https://macsmobileairclimate.org/
• National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF): https://wp.nastf.org/
• Koura: https://www.kouraglobal.com/
• Honeywell: https://www.honeywell.com/us/en
• NASTF (00:00:00)
• Donnie’s Career Background (00:02:56)
• Memorable Experience with STEM Students (00:03:19)
• New Product Development Announcement (00:07:18)
• Challenges in Product Development (00:08:41)
• Optimism in Facing Challenges (00:09:15)
• Team Collaboration in Writing (00:12:25)
• Hiring for Strengths (00:12:34)
• Balancing Roles as a Visionary (00:13:01)
• Importance of Language in the Industry (00:14:25)
• Changing Habits in Language Usage (00:15:29)
• Pivots in Business Strategy (00:20:03)
• Impact of Technology (00:22:38)
• AI in Communication (00:23:53)
• Time Management Strategies (00:26:59)
• Finding Your Zone (00:28:13)
• Dream Cars and Personal Projects (00:29:02)
• Creating a Safe Work Environment (00:32:43)
• The Power of “I Don’t Know” (00:33:39)
• The Power of Mentoring (00:35:46)
• Mentors at Different Levels (00:36:35)
• The Secret to Finding Mentors (00:37:20)
• Peer Mentoring (00:38:12)
• Personal Insights (00:38:21)

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com

Connect with the Podcast:

-Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

-Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters

-Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976

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-Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/

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-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

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

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

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX, NAPA TRACS, and Automotive Management Network

Recorded at the 2024 ASTA Expo, Keith Perkins discusses critical issues in the automotive industry, including locksmith licensing, car theft, and the aftermarket scan tool validation program. Keith emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the challenges of misinformation and fear of change within the industry. The conversation highlights the need for better communication between industry professionals and lawmakers, urging technicians to stay informed and proactive in adapting to evolving technologies and regulations.

Keith Perkins, L1 Automotive Training, Listen to Keith’s previous episode HERE.

Show Notes

• Watch Full Video Episode
• ASTA EXPO: https://astaexpo.com/
• Commitment of Trainers (00:02:46)
• Misinformation in the Industry (00:04:02)
• Fear of Change in Technology (00:04:15)
• Aftermarket Scan Tool Validation Program (00:05:52)
• Car Theft Issues (00:10:49)
• Legislation on Locksmith Licensing (00:11:59)
• Challenges of Obtaining Locksmith License (00:12:44)
• OEM vs. Aftermarket Tools (00:14:21)
• Legislation Impacts (00:16:42)
• Legislative Origins (00:20:28)
• Concerns About Tool Bans (00:21:46)
• Reaching Out to Legislators (00:22:56)
• Board Member Responsibilities (00:24:21)
• Key Manufacturing Insights (00:28:04)
• Challenges in Locksmith Licensing (00:30:13)
• Locksmith Licensing Discussion (00:31:18)
• Training and Technician Retention (00:31:25)
• Success Stories in Training (00:31:51)
• Collaboration Over Competition (00:32:44)
• Excuses for Not Attending Training (00:34:53)
• Call for Accountability (00:35:14)
• Impact of Training on Problem Solving (00:35:36)
• Utilizing Class Notes (00:36:18)
• Hands-On Experience Importance (00:37:01)

Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX, NAPA TRACS, and Automotive Management Network

Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX – Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR

NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/

Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com

Connect with the Podcast:

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

-Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/

-Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976

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-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

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

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

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments

Recorded at the 2024 Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO) Business Management and Lindertech Training Trade Show, Donny Seyfer from NASTF highlights the increasing complexity of vehicle systems, security concerns like vehicle theft, and broader issues such as employment and the right to repair.

Donny Seyfer, NASTF, Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

Show Notes:

• Watch Full Video Episode
• Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO): https://www.aaro.ca/
• Importance of Embracing Complexity (00:00:26)
• Vehicle Theft and Security (00:01:01)
• Challenges in the Industry (00:01:35)
• Right to Repair Evolution (00:01:53)
• Preparation for Vehicle Repairs (00:03:15)
• Embracing Complexity for Professional Growth (00:04:21)

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and 360 Payments

Shop Boss – Shop Management Software built by shop owners for shop owners. It works the way you need it to, right out of the box. Find on the web at https://shopboss.net

Connect with the Podcast:

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-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

The Aftermarket Radio Network

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.

The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.

The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix – Auto Shop Coaching.

Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.

Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care

Recorded at the 2024 Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO) Business Management and Lindertech Training Trade Show, Carm sits down with Donny to explore his pivotal role at NASTF and his experiences working with automakers like Tesla. Donny shares behind-the-scenes insights on NASTF’s technician support initiatives, their impressive membership growth, and the innovative solutions they’re implementing to support automotive technicians.

We dive into Donny’s personal journey, his passion for the automotive industry, and the critical role of good business management in ensuring the success of repair shops.

“The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) is a 501 C6 not-for-profit organization established in 2000 by Automakers and the independent aftermarket to identify and resolve gaps in Service information, Tool Information, and Training.”

Donny Seyfer, NASTF, Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

Show Notes

• Watch Full Video Episode
• Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO): https://www.aaro.ca/
• Overview of NASTF’s Work (00:01:17) Donny discusses his responsibilities at NASTF and the importance of technician support.
• Technician Connection (00:02:09) Donny expresses his passion for helping technicians solve problems in the automotive industry.
• Growth of NASTF (00:02:39) Donny highlights the increase in NASTF membership from 6,000 to 43,000 members.
• Funding and Operations (00:03:02) Discussion on NASTF’s funding model and its impact on operations for technicians.
• Listening and Gathering Information (00:04:23) Donny explains how he gathers information from industry members through subcommittees.
• Challenges with Automakers (00:06:08) Donny talks about the disconnect between aftermarket technicians and automakers.
• Collaboration with Tesla (00:07:15) Donny shares his experience in establishing a relationship with Tesla regarding repair initiatives.
• Implementation of Security Solutions (00:08:57) Discussion on the development of security solutions for Tesla vehicles.
• Building Relationships with Rivian (00:10:36) Donny mentions ongoing collaboration with Rivian to improve security features.
• Future Projects (00:11:29) Donny outlines upcoming projects and initiatives NASTF is working on.
• Scan Tool Validation Program (00:11:52) Introduction of a program aimed at validating aftermarket scan tools for security..
• Key services in repair shops (00:18:03) Exploration of the role of vehicle security professionals in service repair.
• Importance of key cutting in shops (00:19:19) Insight into the necessity of key cutting machines in repair shops for customer service.
• Car theft statistics (00:20:18) Revelation of alarming statistics regarding car thefts linked to dealer interactions.
• Advice for young adults (00:23:19) Donny shares fatherly advice on financial responsibility and managing phone distractions.
• Economic education for kids (00:24:24) Discussion on the lack of financial education for youth and its implications.
• Donny’s leadership roles (00:26:47)
  Overview of Donny’s extensive involvement with ASA and his family’s legacy in the industry.
• Industry collaboration and growth (00:30:14)
  Discussion on the need for better business management and collaboration in the automotive industry.
• Joining NASTF (00:31:21) Information on how to join NASTF and the benefits of membership for technicians. https://wp.nastf.org/

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 https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care

Connect with the Podcast:

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-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

On Record with Rob Merwin with an update to the Right to Repair Act in 2023 and a recent John Deere agreement.

Show Notes:  

• Right to Repair legislation- consumer issue
• New Congress- best chance for 2023 and 2024 to get national Right to Repair legislation passed
• Repairact.com 
• 70% of vehicles are out of warranty
• OE’s want to control the parts and parts distribution
• John Deer agreement- sharing repair information, nonbinding, why now?
• NASTF- working with OEM

Thanks to our Partner Dorman Products. Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour

Connect with the Podcast:

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit us on the Web

Follow on Facebook

Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Check out today’s partner:

Donny Seyfer. AMAM, the executive officer of NASTF (National Automotive Service Task Force)

Donny spent years as co-owner of Seyfer Automotive, in Wheat Ridge, CO as a 3rd generation owner, and has over 30 years of automotive experience as a technician, manager and service consultant. His Dad started in 1961 and his grandfather was building race cars before that. Donny is past chairman of ASA and serves on many industry boards and committees. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

The National Automotive Service Task Force, NASTF, is a cooperative effort among the automotive service industry, the equipment and tool industry and automotive manufacturers.

Click HERE to Join NASTF. 

Key talking points

• NASTFChanging operational strategy
• Tight, secure, proven- creating methodology
• Giving technicians access
• Get cars repaired- the owner of the vehicle is a mutual customer between manufacturers and aftermarket
• SDRM- secure data release model available to the aftermarket- access to immobilizer, pin codes, radio codes and keycodes when needed for repair
• The requirement for VSP (vehicle security profession): Commercial general liability
• Technicians have to be covered by insurance and have a business involved
• Holding technicians accountable for their skillset   Proof of employment, federal employer ID for business and driver’s license- all publically available information
• Assisted Immobilizer Reprogramming- soft launch access vehicle over the internet around 250,000 shops and 750 mobile diagnosticians in US
• Collectively 25% have capabilities and equipped to do so
• Stopgap as more technicians become IT capable
• Capabilities for mobile diagnosticians to legally and securely connect to vehicles remotely without having to be there
• Right to repair- everyone has access but how efficient is it? Certain skills and cost of entry to do some limited operations have outrun industry
• How do you rationalize spending $8,500 on a scan tool you’ll only use once a year?
• NASTF went live with the program with 2 remote companies who have their licensing in place and one mobile company that was willing to work through the details with us.
• Licensing of the software- NASTF has already had 4 meetings with automakers, mobile techs, and remote companies to gain an understanding of the needs and requirements

• Thanks to Donny Seyfer for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
• Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE
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Gold Certification recognizes top-tier NAPA Auto Cares with a high level of participation in the AutoCare program. The program was built by AutoCare Centers for AutoCare Centers to provide a consistent consumer experience, maximize technology leverage, and reward NAPA’s most committed partners. In other words, Gold Certified AutoCare Centers are the standard-bearers for the AutoCare brand nationwide. Simply put, the Gold Certified NAPA AutoCare program, powered by your local shop brand, will separate you from the rest helping you boost your bay counts and your average repair orders.

Learn more about NAPA AutoCare, Gold Certification, and the hundreds of other benefits the NAPA family has to offer by talking with your servicing NAPA store or visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com.



Your Learning Curve Never Sounded So Good

The Panel:

Donny Seyfer, AMAM,  is co-owner of Seyfer Automotive, in Wheat Ridge, CO and the Executive Officer of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). Donny Seyfer, a 3rd generation owner, has over 30 years of automotive experience as a technician, manager and service consultant. His Dad started in 1961 and his grandfather was building race cars before that. Seyfer Automotive provides general repair and maintenance with a special focus on diagnostic. Donny is past chairman of ASA and serves on many industry boards and committees. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

Rob Rowsell, shop owner, owner of Family Auto Service a four shop group in the La Mesa, CA area. Author of the book ‘Addicted To Life’, How I Went from Homeless to Extraordinary Success and Happiness in a Short Period of Time. Find a link to Rob’s book on the book page on the website HERE. Listen to Rob’s previous episodes HERE.

Mark Roberts is the owner of Roberts Properties, Inc, Managing Partner of Total True Automotive dba Schertz Auto Service, Craftsman Building and Renovation LLC. He is also partnered with a Local Custom Home builder. Mark is also the former owner of Auto Collision Works. He grew up in Schertz and has been a resident since 1969.

Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, Guadalupe Valley Home Services Corporation, and the Guadalupe Valley Economic Development Corporation. Listen to Mark’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

Mark Roberts

• Prioritize – Decide on what’s important, then focus.  Limit distractions. I don’t have any email or social media alerts turned on. My phone stays on silent or dnd most times.
• Trust and empower your staff (delegate)   
• Clear your head – Write things down to get them out of your head. I use an app (Remember the Milk) for most daily things. Do it, Delegate it, defer it or drop it.
• Exercise – There are lots of benefits to this.

Donny Seyfer

• How, when and how long are the best to learn new things
• Filters our brain automatically sets to ignore what we either don’t want to hear or don’t understand
• Neural pathways, what they are and how to mow the lawn on them.

Rob Rowsell

• What’s your system for breaking down the mountain of actionable items you get from this type of an event? If you don’t have a system, it’s likely not much will get done. Selecting 3-5 items that are most important, that must get done before moving to the other items on the list is a great strategy.
• WOIT = Working on it Tuesdays! has been a great strategy for making sure that the items that are at the “helicopter level”, the items that only I can do, do not get forgotten, or unintentionally ignored. We have all heard the term “Working ON my business, not IN my business”, this is the day/time dedicated just for that. This is uninterrupted “Maker” time, as compared to “Manager” time.  
• Set realistic, measurable quarterly goals. This will also apply to what education you have the time to absorb. Your coach can help you with this. It amazes me how people overestimate what can be done in 3 months, and underestimate what can be done in a year. Writing down and reviewing what’s most important to get done this quarter, and then breaking that down to what of those items you can knock out each week, and really attacking the portion of the list that is “maker” time on Tuesdays will really help you in “moving the ball down the field”. The results will astonish you!
• Make sure to have someone on your team that can take away the $10.00 per hour items on your list. The value an owner brings to the table can be minimized by the overloading of tasks that can be assigned to an assistant, or outside vendor. Anything that is $50.00 an hour work, or less, should be delegated to someone else. This is helicopter level thinking, The value we bring to the table is $500.00 an hour (and above) work. Although this may be foreign to some, beginning to think like this will start the process. I used to think that I had to take out the trash to set the example for my people, little did I know I was hurting them by not working on the things that really made a difference for the company they work for.

Resources:

• A special thanks to  Donny Seyfer, Rob Rowsell, and Mark Roberts for their contribution to the aftermarket.
• Books Page HERE
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
• Subscribe to a mobile listening app HERE.
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• Refine your area of interest with the Word/Tag Cloud HERE.

John Gustafson is the president and CEO of Gustafson Brothers, Inc. an auto service center in Huntington Beach, California. The company specializes in customer service and performs auto service work, collision repair, and paintwork along with other auto-related services for the community.

John and brother Frank started the company out of the family garage in 1971 and have enjoyed continuous growth every year since inception.

The personnel count at Gustafson’s shops average 70 team members and guest demand (growth) requires that we recruit and hire more.

John is currently focusing on repairing the talent shortage that is crippling our industry and has formed a not for profit co-op to serve the needs of Gustafson Brothers and the rest of the aftermarket.

At 66 years young and with 47 years in the auto trades, John Gustafson is having a remarkable life and wishes to share his success with those who are interested and willing to make a difference.

The Auto Talent Co-Op is an independent non-profit organization whose vision is to effectively unite resources within the automotive industry, and establish clear career path standards for its users’.

ATC Mission

• To build a synchronized and accessible platform, able to unite the automotive industry
• Refill the talent pool for all automotive job-related positions
• Fulfill the technician shortage, and improve technician retention
• Streamline career paths, bridge technician skills gap and improve recruitment

ATC Values

• Integrity & Honesty
• Dedication & Commitment
• Education & Imagination
• Knowledge & Skill

The intent of ATC is to seek out and recognize the great work of all the existing groups and help synchronize the best practices in the industry to benefit all stakeholders.

This auto talent co-op is not a threat to what exists today in the universe of auto.

All existing & future associations, 20 groups, business development groups, vendors, shops and all other members that touch auto remain independent and autonomous. The fact is; all of these groups are essential to the success of the Co-Op and benefit their own group by volunteering a member or funding a member to an action pod.

The Auto Talent Co-Op is not to be led and managed by an individual but rather by a coalition of forward-thinking creative young people. Individuals are selected and sponsored by the industry manufacturers, distributors, vendors, trainers and association members of the Co-Op. The core mission of the coalition is to identify and document auto career paths, organize training and recruiting and to have trained, qualified employable people available to the auto trades industry.

Key Talking Points:

• Auto talent coop:Non-profit program to improve industry
• Sign up form on the website to participate and donation form
• Needed to find talented techniciansAttract best companies willing to give 1 person from their staff for 1 hour a week to be in one of the 5 action pods on a weekly basisCareer path- a foundation for rest of the pods. Encompasses everything in auto care. Example of 6 level of tech training advancement for over 7 years. Earnings tied to performance.
• Training- in order to move up in career path need documented training. Minimum 3-hour blocks per month.
• Recruiting- occurs as young as grade school, but also for recruiting for any auto careers. Also for utilizing people ready to retire to train the future generation.
• Must have- creating buzz for people to join
• Sustainable- finding funding for coop, creating an app for phones
• Allows current technicians, middle schoolers, or entry-level technicians to see a career path and stay motivated
• Sponsors summer/winter camp when school is outIntro to auto camp- 13-18 years old participants. Parents pay $20 per day for class (5 days or 10 days), corporate sponsors that will pay student fee. Hands-on class shows full auto career path.

Other Resources:

Auto Talent Coop Website

Gustafson Brothers Auto Repair Website

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts 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



Talking Points:

• A very important episode to listen to. The NASTF interview from Vision 2018: ‘The Road to Great Technicians’ Episode 312
• Just In Time. Came from the manufacturing
• If you are waiting for the car to show up to lean you are in trouble, you can’t expect to make any money when you are learning in the service bay.
• It is not fair to the customer if you are learning core competencies.
• But you have to learn in the service bay because many of the problems you come across you have never seen before.
• Core competencies are critically important.
• We need an approach to structured education.
• You can interpret Just in time learning is not an excuse for knowing core competencies.
• We need a structure for consistent for real education.
• Do not use Just In Time learning as an excuse not to have structured education.
• Managing your time is critical to profitability. So if core competencies are not ingrained in the tech assigned to the job will affect your profitability.
• The concept of triage in assigning work inside the shop considers the competencies of the technician that is assigned a particular job.
• As we attempt to keep up with technology we are falling further behind on core skills because we are not spending enough time in class or in labs so we can put that training to practical use in the bays.
• A tricky part is teaching technicians where to find specific information and if they have the core skills they can be viewed as a rocket scientist.
• The Road To Great Technicians. NASTF is creating a way to determine the competencies in the fundamental skills for the job you’ve hired for.
• Just In Time Training can include a YouTube Video on the task you need to do because you learn about a specific task through a Service Support Resource. -Mark Saxonberg
• The industry must cue up resources to make it easy for technicians. -Mark Saxonberg. This is an example of what Just In Time Learning should be.
• The real opportunity to improve the business process is that the tech knows what they do not know.
• To have the knowledge and tool is what being Service Readiness is all about.
• A well-run shop with a schedule allows a tech to know what they need to prepare for a vehicle because research could be done by anticipating the challenge.
• Much of this problem is because there is a lack of processes in shops.
• It can start with the root of onboarding with new techs. There is hardly any onboarding that exists in our industry. Here is your bay have a go at it.
• The Service Advisor is a critical component of this issue.
  • They need the skill set on who to assign the job to be based on the expectations that were set by the customer. Challenge is to do the job right the first time.
• Many Service Advisors are also brought on without a great onboarding process. Many SA’s go through Just In Time training at service counters all across North America.
• Estimate: How many shops are service ready for the vehicles they service?
  • 10% or lower.
• Define Service Reediness: Being prepared to service a vehicle before it shows up in your bay. That may be just 5% of the shops are ready. That demonstrates the power of having the core competencies as a foundation.
• The future may have specialists in certain disciplines, such as:
  • Data Network Specialists.
  • An electrified vehicle specialist
  • A 3 Phase AC motor generator specialist
• In the Car Quest program the program ‘Virtual Vehicle’ helps the customer understand systems but also helps to enable the Service Advisor learn systems to sell services.
  • You don’t need to be a tech to sell service but need to understand the system.
• The service advisor needs to know the capabilities of each tech.
• A learning culture needs to be in place at every shop.
• Your processes must include Service Ready Resources and training, so you can deliver and meet your customers’ expectations.
  • Must set the standard of performance for your people.
  • Don’t rely on a silver bullet data based to repair vehicles
  • Don’t rely on a resource of public opinion to guide them in their diagnostics.
  • They should rely on resources with the experience and education through foundation skills with ongoing training.
  • A program such as Car Quest’s Virtual Vehicle can support your Service Ready strategy.
  • More shops and technicians need to take it to the next level of commitment.
• Any professional shop needs to aspire to be Service Ready.
• The industry needs a model for technician development to demonstrate core competencies.
• Don’t make Just In Time Learning as just an excuse not to go to training because you can get it at your fingertips because you need the details and the knowledge and expertise to know when to apply them.

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The National Automotive Service Task Force, NASTF, is a cooperative effort among the automotive service industry, the equipment and tool industry and automotive manufacturers. 

There is no cost to participate in NASTF. If you are a professional auto service technician, shop owner, OEM service employee or any other automotive industry professional supporting the mission of NASTF, please enroll here on our website. Click HERE to Join NASTF.

Mission & Vision

Mission: The National Automotive Service Task Force will facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications to automotive service professionals.

Vision: Driving a professional, well-resourced vehicle service industry by uniting competent and diverse teams to solve industry-wide problems and effectively communicate solutions.

The panel:

• Chris Chesney is the Senior Director of Customer Training, CARQUEST Technical Institute and a NASTF board member and a member of the ‘Road To Great Technician’ project.  Listen to Chris’s previous episodes HERE.
• Donny Seyfer is the Executive Officer of NASTF. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.
• Jill Saunders is Curriculum Developer, Toyota Motor Sales, North America and a member of the ‘Road To Great Technicians’ project.

Link to the Road To Great Technicians project HERE.

Talking Points:

• A stake in the ground to move this project ahead. The project is in the ‘Stop Talking – Start Doing’.
• Milestone for the industry in 2018:
  • Mission and Vision for the program has been created.
  • To framework a career path for the technician.
  • They are excited to share the program and get the entire industry involved.
  • NASTF attended a Tech Force Meeting recently in Phoenix, AZ in early 2018.
• PIPS: Parents and Influencers of Peripheral Student
• Once the student gets out of school there is no plan for a career path. That is the focus of this program.
  • Mentor them and apprentice these students into the industry/shop.
  • Create a framework of education.
  • The college’s and OE can hang their curriculums on this program.
• Our current in-service technicians will come later. They want to start with new graduates of automotive technology courses either at secondary or post-secondary level.
• Key to the entire program is mentorship. Mentoring is a core skill and needs to be taught, learned and fostered year after year. Mentoring may not be a perfect match for the oldest or most senior person in the shop. The person selected must know how and want to be a mentor.
  • There will be a program for Mentor and Mentee through SP2.org with ASE.
• The Road To Great Technicians is about lifelong learning all the way through your career.
• You can’t buy a master technician anymore. You need to build your own.
• Standards will be developed.
• Donny feels that the ASE will be a pre-cursor to your practical exam.
• It is the job of the industry to set the standards.
• Mark Saxonberg, “Regardless of where you work, you need to be at the same skill set.”
• The consumer expects a certain skill level and because they don’t receive it consistently, we have a poor reputation.
• As consolidation persists, the bigger corporations are process driven and career paths and requirements of skill will be necessary.
• Like the FAA process: The competency exam will be a two-part practicum. A verbal/oral and a practical exam; to show you can accomplish the skills to a standard.
  • Chris Chesney feels that the oral exam will solve most of what we see today as a problem. For example, many techs could not explain a voltage drop.
• The way it works, as Donny Seyfer says, “It will be an extinction event.”
• Shop owners are business people and you need to make a business decision to get on board with this next level of career pathing and standards.
• Toyota has different entry points for technicians.
• Technician standards and requirements can be entered in a consolidated database.
• Chris is going to be an evangelist for this message.
  • The Chicken and the Pig Analogy. The Pig is committed, and the Chicken is involved.
  • Independent shop owners must pay attention to this movement because the larger groups who will develop career pathing will take the talent. You need to play in this sandbox.
  • Everyone must work toward these standards. If not the government will step in. We can monitor ourselves.
  • You cannot grow your own technician; just in time (when you need one). You’ve got to develop new young talent with the thoughts that they may leave you someday.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts 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

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[Pictured above Eric Ziegler, Chris Chesney, Donny Seyfer, Keith Williamson, Summer Guerrero, Carm Capriotto. Photo courtesy of Howard Pitkow]

Have you thought about how you will do business in the future? Well the mission of this panel was to stretch the boundaries and serve up plenty of thoughts, concepts and changes coming that you need to be fundamentally prepared for. Many great thoughts in this town hall that will help shape your future. There are many important action steps discussed that need your support and engagement. Listen carefully for those cues.

The team:

Summer Guerrero, and her husband Mark have been together since they were 16 yrs old, and opening a shop was Mark’s dream as a teenager. Summer was a female firefighter. On her days off she would attend small business classes to prepare for opening a shop. As a female firefighter, Summer worked with public and media throughout her 15 year career and saw the passion and gift Mark had to give to their community and his dream quickly became hers.  Summer is responsible for the Marketing, Management, and Public relations of the company. Their goal is be a leader in the industry for their customers, and other independent shop owners to help raise the standards of professionalism in the automotive industry. Their shop Affinity Automotive Services is in Wichita, KS. Listen to Summer’s previous episodes HERE.

Keith Williamson is the owner of Williamson’s Repair and Tire in Bondurant, IA for over 20 years. He is a member of ASA Midwest where he leads the Shop Owner Support Group (an amazing group of shops) in Iowa. He and his team focus on the customer experience, as well as Hybrid, Electric and emerging vehicle Technologies. He recently added a solar array to his building and uses a Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt as shuttle vehicles and plans to add more hybrid and electric vehicles as they continually update their loaner fleet. He is a member of RLO Training’s Bottom line impact group for 4 years. Listen to Keith’s previous episodes HERE.

Eric Ziegler owns and operates EZ Diagnostic Solutions Inc in Peoria, IL. Eric specializes in module programming, drivability, electrical and network systems diagnostics. Eric has over 30 years of experience as a technician with an extensive diagnostics background. Eric is an accomplished automotive trainer working for Automotive Seminars and the Drivability Guy. Eric Ziegler is an ASE Certified Master Tech • L1 Advanced Level Diagnostic Specialist • L2 Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnostic Specialist • L3 Light Duty Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Specialist • ASE Certified Medium Duty Truck Technician. Listen to Eric’s previous episodes HERE.

Donny Seyfer, AMAM,  is co-owner of Seyfer Automotive, in Wheat Ridge, CO and the Executive Officer of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF). Donny Seyfer, a 3rd generation owner, has over 30 years of automotive experience as a technician, manager and service consultant. His Dad started in 1961 and his grandfather was building race cars before that. Seyfer Automotive provides general repair, and maintenance with a special focus on diagnostic. Donny is past chairman of ASA and serves on many industry boards and committees. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE.

Chris Chesney is the Senior Director, Customer Training at the CARQUEST Technical Institute. Chris has held every position from tire buster to master technician, from service adviser to shop owner. He has been training technicians and shop owners for 30 years. Chris started his training business, DTEC, in Denver in 1994 where he trained over a thousand techs in the art of transient emissions diagnostics.

Chris believes what all successful technicians and shop owners know …. that you must be committed to be a lifelong learner …. If not … you’re in the wrong profession. Chris was honored at Vision 2018 with the President’s award. Listen to Chris’s previous episodes HERE.

Talking points:

• Are work mix changes important considerations as we look to the future?
• When the self driving car pulls into your shop, someday in the future, will you know what to do?
• Will shops become specialists or excell in certain disciplines?
• How will shops communicate with their customers in the future?
• What type of training will techs need to have:  Leader led vs online or other?
• Are we doing enough to develop our people who will probably leave us?
• How will changing business models have an impact on the Shop of the Future?
• How do we extend to our customer the opportunity to service vehicles while it is not ‘in-duty’? Stats show that vehicles are ‘in-service’ only five percent of the time. Can you engage with the other 95%?
• Will digital inspections impact the industry?
• How should shop owners start to grow their own A techs?
• You’ve got to pay to retain and hire top technicians because they are going to be network specialist that will diagnose machines that will have 100 million lines of code that run them.
• Getting involved with high-school and college advisory councils will help the industry and your business.
• There is a technician defection rate of college graduates out of the industry. The number is 65% within two years. We need to get involved with the young people and show them a great lifelong career and pay them well and provide the benefits that set up a quality career. Technicians need to make a six-figure salary. Shops need to run a profitable shop, so they can pay top talent.
• NASTF is working to create a career path framework so we can provide a direction and career path to our youth.
  1. You need to give them challenging work.
  2. Our youth need to see a career path and see an opportunity to own their own shop someday. Help them, partner with them. Show the opportunity for a bright future.
• We will be learning about cars you may decide to not work on.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events    Speaking

This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts 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

Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

Are You Committed to Be A Lifetime Learner In The Automotive Aftermarket? Learn Why It Must Be Your Most Important Goal.

Chris Chesney grew up on a farm in North Central KS and was immersed in mechanical things early in his life. His mother died when Chris was 5, so he was his father’s primary helper. Chris was driving a tractor while pulling a feed wagon next to a field cutter when he was 6. He couldn’t reach the pedals so his dad would put the tractor in low gear and then give him the sign to hit the starter button and off they would go. Chris would gauge the speed of the cutter to allow him to fill the wagon. At the end of the row, his Dad gave him the sign and Chris shut off the tractor. His Dad would then turn the whole mess around and they’d go again.

That same year was the moment that tied Chris to this industry and he remembers it like it was yesterday. He was standing in a Ben Franklin store in Natoma, KS and saw a Road & Track magazine on the rack with a picture of Phil Hill in a Ferrari F1 car and his heart jumped! From that moment to today Chris has been in love with the automobile and as a result of his passion he has been a member of the service industry since his first job, other than working on the farm, at Shorty’s Amoco in Stockton KS.

Chesney held every position from tire buster to master technician, from service advisor to shop owner. He has been training technicians and shop owners for 30 years. Chris started his training business, DTEC, in Denver in 1994 where he trained over a thousand techs in the art of transient emissions diagnostics.

Chris was consulted early on at the beginning of CARQUEST Technical Institute (CTI) and ultimately sold his business and moved to Raleigh NC to lead CTI. He still gets up every morning with the same passion he’s had since that day in Natoma because he says, this industry is made up of some of the finest people on this planet. They work so hard every day to service their customers and communities. Many are very successful, but many are not.

Our industry is rapidly changing, and all members of our industry are stressed with the onslaught of technology, the aging workforce and shortage of skilled labor. Chris’s passion today continues to be leading the very best team of instructors and developers as he helps bring education solutions to the market.

Chris made a commitment to get involved in helping bring the industry together in an effort to find long-term solutions to the issues we all face. He currently serves as Board Chair of the ASE Training Managers Council and a board member of the National Automotive Service Task Force where he works with his peers to create real solutions that our industry needs.

Key Talking Points and Take-A-Ways:

• In the early days, Chris had a design to be an engineer for one of the big three. But realized he loved working on cars.
• He has a passion for how things work.
• Chris would go to Indy with one of his mentors Harley Veers who served as the Bear team lead at the Indianapolis 500. He spent his days in gasoline alley with Harley. That was a big influence on Chris because he can’t get enough of technology.
  • He went with Harley to the first ever ASE test and realized then that the industry wanted to keep the government out of our business by certifying as an industry.
• Chris was a Snap-On dealer and also worked for Sun Electric selling scopes.
• In some classrooms today we do myth busting to explain the ‘truth’ and how things really work to help technicians with diagnostics strategies and success.
  • Getting to the truth today. Example.
    • A tier one engineering company builds an ADAS system for an OEM the code and the OEM.
    • The OEM may shortcut the system and does not implement the technology how the tier one supplier intended.
    • The relationship breaks apart. The tier one supplier says they will not support it. They are at odds with each other.
    • The truth lies with the tier one supplier who designed it. The OEM does not know how it operates or works, so their engineers need to figure out what to do.
• You must commit to becoming a life-long learner.
• We have brought the industry together with the NASTF meeting at Vision a few years ago. We must act to find solutions for:
  • Technician shortage.
  • Aging population of technicians.
  • Remodel vocational education and support them in any way we can.
• Not one group can solve all the problems.
  • Chris wants to help model solutions and projects and illuminate to the industry what the possibilities can be.
    • To test concepts and ideas that provide the industry what the solutions would look like.
• We will also have to grow our own instructors.

Carquest Technical Insitute Website

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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

In 1963 Skip Potter began an eclectic career across many segments of the motor vehicle industry beginning at the gas pumps of a service station in Arlington, VA.

His journey wound through parts distribution, tool sales, the motorsports press, service, and in the industry’s trade associations.

He retired in 2017 after five years as Executive Director of the National Automotive Service Task Force. He was recognized by Babcox Publications in 1999 as an Aftermarket Influencer and received the Education Award from Northwood University that same year.

His syndicated radio broadcast, Virginia Race Line, won six awards from the National Motorsports Press Association. He earned the professional designation as a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from George Mason University.

Talking Points:

• Skip was the first employee of NASTF. Previously it was a total volunteer organization.
• Excited to be rewarded with the NASTF job, moving to Florida, after leaving the security of his CEO position at CABA in Maryland,
• NASTF is an association of associations.
  • Auto Care, ASA, State Associations and all industry associations have a voice along with OE associations.
• NASTF has two constituencies: The OEM’s formed the organization to help implement their requirements and their desire to do business with the independent service provider. Techs and shop owners depend on NASTF to facilitate their access to OEM resources.
• NASTF has identified 40 OEMs that do or could participate in the US marketplace
• NASTF grew up serving the professional technician.
• NASTF Now More Than Ever.
  • One of the most diverse boards in the industry.
    • Solve a problem rather than arguing a position.
  • NASTF service technicians and OE’s that do business in the US.
    • Anyone can join.
• NASTF’s operates the Vehicle Security Professional Registry.
  • For all locksmiths and security technicians in the industry. (LSID: Lock Security ID)
  • NASTF does the background checks and the audits while looking out for the OEM’s security interest.
• Technician shortage
  • OE’s have the same issues.
  • Project assigned to the education committee.
  • Created a project called ‘Building a Road to Great Technicians’
    • AYES ( a mentoring program of ASE) and ASE are in the forefront in the solutions.
    • ATMC is involved
• Industry Fixes needed:
  • Fix Tech education
  • Fix Business Management,
  • Fix how we market to ourselves.
  • Market to the public. Especially, parents, students and educators.
• Retired as NASTF Executive Director, September 2017
• Worked for ASIA, that became AAIA and evolved into the Auto Care Association
• Skip had a syndicated radio broadcast, “Virginia Race Line,” which won six awards from the National Motorsports Press Association during the 1970’s. The Old Dominion Speedway in 2011 named Potter to its list of “Legends” for his work there in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

NASTF Website

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
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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