Hiring Process Explained [RR 865]

Phil Carpenter discusses the challenges of finding good technicians and the constant need for recruitment. Phil maps out the hiring process at Urban Auto Care and Avalon Motor Sports, which includes video interviews and in-person interviews. It’s critical to a good fit for the long term and filtering out candidates who are not willing to go through their hiring process. He also explains the importance of maintaining a sense of urgency in hiring, employee turnover, and recognizing when it’s time to let someone go. 
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Is Your Company Culture Holding You Back? [RR 864]

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Culture again?” But trust me, this episode takes a deep dive into how culture can truly make or break a business. Every business has a culture, whether it’s intentional or not, and it’s crucial to evaluate if it’s the right one for retaining employees and attracting customers.

Imagine an auto repair shop that truly understands the frustrations of car owners and aims to provide honest, knowledgeable, and reliable service to give them peace of mind. That’s the kind of culture that draws customers in and keeps them coming back.

Chris Lawson suggests checking out an article in the show notes that discusses the impact of culture on over 40 business metrics. Studies have shown that employees are more motivated and efficient in a happy work environment. So, investing in your company culture can actually boost your bottom line.

If you’re a business owner or someone interested in creating a positive work environment, this episode is a goldmine of information. Carm and Chris provide practical guidance on building company culture and emphasize the need for strong policies, procedures, and teamwork.
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Personalized Customer Service and Marketing Strategies [AW 160]

If you’re in the automotive industry, you know it’s not just about fixing cars; it’s about providing exceptional customer service, too. Leigh Anne Best and Bill Hill, owners of Mighty Auto Pro, discuss their marketing strategies that have helped attract and retain customers. They’ve created a customer-friendly environment, providing loaner vehicles, shuttle services, and free towing up to $50.

But it’s not just about the extras. Mighty Auto Pro also emphasizes continuous learning and growth, requiring a minimum of 40 hours of training per year for their technicians. They encourage their employees to pursue their interests and hobbies, even if they are not related to auto repair. This culture of training has grown beyond anything Leigh Anne and Bill could have imagined, with technicians pushing each other to attend classes and improve their skills.

So, what can you learn from Mighty Auto Pro’s marketing strategy? Personalization, exceptional customer service, and a culture of continuous learning and growth can go a long way in retaining and attracting customers. Make everything effortless for the customer, and they’ll keep coming back.
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Cheers to Success: Building a Thriving Business and a Craft Brewery [RR 851]

Are you a fan of craft beer? Then you won’t want to miss this interview with Kimberly and Andrew Taylor, owners of Titan Auto and the upcoming Hidden Wit Brewing Company in Mosley, Virginia. In this episode, they share their passion for brewing and their exciting plans for their 10,000 square foot facility. With a brewmaster who is an award-winning home brewer, they plan to offer 12 beers on tap and eventually expand to 18, including flagship beers and special releases.

But their success doesn’t stop at brewing. They also discuss their entrepreneurialism and the expansion of their auto shop business, which includes maintaining a consistent culture across all their locations and finding creative solutions to adapt to changes in the industry and world.
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21 Tips: How to Gain an Edge Part 4 [THA 328]

Learn how to improve your business and take it to the next level with these 21 tips and insights related to management, marketing, customer service, and personal growth. Our panel provides practical tips such as refreshing online photos, using referral programs, and creating a virtual tour of the shop. They also encourage humility, vulnerability, and continuous learning as essential tools for success in the automotive industry.
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Retention: Keeping Top Employees [THA 327]

Are you struggling to retain top employees in the automotive aftermarket industry? Look no further than this episode featuring Dan Taylor, David Askwith, and Bryan Kauffeld, who share their experiences and strategies for hiring and keeping good teammates. They agree that employee retention is crucial for businesses of all sizes and starts with hiring. They discuss the importance of communication, accountability, surveys, referrals, training, and career pathing. They also stress the importance of creating a positive culture to retain top talent.
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Passing the Torch: A Father-Son Journey of Strengths and Learning [RR 847]

Recorded Live at the TST Big Event 2023 with Andrew and Peter Knudsen, father and son duo of Coventry Motors in Huntington Station, Long Island. They discuss their background in the car industry, their decision to start their own business, the types of cars they work on, and their succession plan. They also discuss the challenges of running a small business, including labor rates and finding new talent. The conversation provides insights into the rewards and challenges of running a successful auto repair business and the importance of continuous learning and adapting to changes in the industry.
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Unlocking Technician Earning Potential [RR 842]

Recorded Live at the TST Big Event 2023, Justin Kidd and David Macholz discuss the challenges faced in terms of technician retention, the importance of certification, and the need to change the industry’s perception and promote it as a high-tech profession. They also emphasize the importance of training and education in the automotive industry and introduce IndustryAttends.com, a website created to serve as a centralized hub for industry events and training opportunities.
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Aftermarket Radio Network 2023 Forecast [THA 313]

Recession is the main topic for everyone as we enter into 2023, almost 3 years post-pandemic. The Aftermarket Radio Network has collaborated together to offer their forecast for the year. Consider this your ‘one stop podcast player’ to hear insights from an accountant, technician, business coach and marketing perspective. Together, we continue to Advance the Aftermarket. 
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Differentiate with Video [THA 299]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about video? Video content has taken our world by storm, and if you’re not doing videos for your shop, you are behind. Keep listening to find out how to differentiate yourself from other shops using authentic stories from your customers and employees.
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Technician Tools and Jocko [THA 298]

Do wages today support the tools technicians need? What are they spending? Are owners using tool purchase programs for their employees? Andy Bizub from Midwest Performance Car, Chicago, shares his perspective on tool programs in his shop. Andy also discusses his experience at Jocko Willink’s ‘Echelon Front’ Muster conference that he is sending his people to and why it is ‘next level’ training.
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Onboarding New Team Members [THA 297]

Have you ever experienced the butterflies in your stomach when you start a new job? You arrive on the first day and feel lost as surrounding employees are busy at work.  What is your onboarding process for new employees? How do you make their first day efficient, comfortable and welcoming? Listen to learn just one thing and commit to finetuning your onboarding process
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Preparing For The Next Five Years [RR 778]

If only we had a crystal ball to peak at the next 5 years. As a shop owner, you might still be booked out 2-3 weeks, but with gas prices, inflation, the great resignation, interest rates, and new and used car costs, what do you need to pay attention to in the short term to continue to be profitable and relevant? 
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Numbers Don’t Lie, They Also Don’t Tell the Truth [THA 290]

The gang’s all here; we have the entire Aftermarket Radio Network together for an important episode inspired by the movie Moneyball. We all have experience with people who are not our top performers, but are we better to have them on the team than not? You know them; they are consistent, reliable, steady, and contributors. Are they worth replacing? Will they become the best or top performers, or do they help strengthen our overall performance? A great discussion among your peers.
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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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Writing Ads That Attract Rock Stars [THA 288]

What’s the first step to hiring Rock Stars? It starts with the ad. A cookie-cutter ad with buzzwords will only get you so far. Instead of writing the ad from your perspective, step into the shoes of the position you are looking to fill … you may have done that job yourself. Did you ever think that you should be writing the ad for the spouse of the job position? It costs thousands of dollars to hire the wrong person.  Get ready to get a handful of ideas in this episode, to help in your hiring goals.
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Work Happy, Drive Happy [RR 768]

Find out how Marc Pons maintains a “Work Happy, Drive Happy” culture inside his 9 shops. Marc is also the president of ASTA in North Carolina, the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance, the folks who bring you ASTE. Marc explains the importance of setting routines to reinforce your values, it only takes 15 minutes at the beginning of each day. Can your shop spare 15 minutes? I think you can.

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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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The Value of Exit Interviews [THA 278]

We’re talking Exit interviews. Some shop owners do them religiously. Some don’t want to face the music. Some don’t know what to do in an exit interview. 

Is it a smart time not to burn a bridge? Is there a format to follow? We are going to attempt to answer these questions and more in today’s Town Hall Academy. You can learn a lot about yourself and your company in exit interviews.

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Know Your Strengths [THA 268]

How well do you truly understand yourself and the people you work with? Are you going beyond the surface-level interactions and diving into personal development? In this Town Hall Academy, my panel not only discusses the different strength finder assessments but also the ‘why’ that drives and motivates different personalities within your business. A very important episode.

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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?

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