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.
remarkableresults.biz/a268
Listen and view episode notesImportant 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
Listen and view episode notes700th Episode Milestone- 7 Trends [RR 700]
700th Episode Milestone- 7 Trends [RR 700]
While past milestone episodes have focused on reflection, this episode focuses on the present and future in a rapid-fire format with 7 guests. Can your shop hold up as the industry and technology change? Do you have any plans to improve or change your business based on recent trends? My panel discusses some key strategies and how they face these opportunities and challenges.
remarkableresults.biz/e700
Listen and view episode notesRethink 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
Listen and view episode notesCreating Lifetime Customers – Brittany Schindler [RR 684]
Creating Lifetime Customers [RR 684]
Establishing a connection with your customers and being able to keep them coming back is always a challenge for the automotive industry. How do you build loyalty and ensure customers are educated properly? In this episode, Brittany Schindler answers that question with easy-to-follow steps her service advisors implement every day, including a lifetime warranty for customers. Keep listening and brainstorm what you could change in your business.
remarkableresults.biz/e684
Listen and view episode notesFacing Our Challenges Head-On with Craig Noel [RR 653]
Facing Challenges Head-On with Craig Noel [RR 653]
We are a vibrant, growing and essential industry. And like many dynamic industries, we have obstacles to overcome that make what we do fun yet challenging. How do we grow and meet said challenges? Well, Craig Noel’s passion for changing the perception of the automotive world is hard to miss in this episode. Keep listening and become the change agent that we need.
remarkableresults.biz/e653
Listen and view episode notesMake Price Irrelevant [THA 228]
Make Price Irrelevant [THA 228]
Everyone strives to implement good customer service. But what about creating an exceptional customer experience?
Being friendly and helpful to customers while repairing their vehicles correctly is plain old expected. In a restaurant or hotel or anyplace for that matter, what is going to push you to remember the experience? Have you asked your customers if you are meeting their expectations? In this episode find out how to elevate your business and culture.
Listen and view episode notesEmployee Amenities with JJ Greenfield and Kelly Michel [CC 091]
Employee Amenities with JJ Greenfield and Kelly Michel [CC 091]
I recommend you watch the video so you can see pictures of top-notch employee amenities from JJ’s Auto Care and Kelly’s Auto Repair. Both shops are located in Florida, and with that humid summer weather, you’ll see a refreshing way their tech’s beat the heat!
Showing your employees how much you value them can also be as easy as providing lunch once a week or once a month.
Head to the CarmCast Page on my website remarkableresults.biz or my youtube channel to watch the video and find the key talking points for this episode. You might want to watch previous Carmcasts on lean processes and digital signage!
Listen and view episode notesBuilding Customer Trust [THA 225]
Building Customer Trust [THA 225]
We all know building customer trust takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. So when does it happen? It starts with every single touchpoint you make with your customer.
From marketing to the way your storefront looks, and that first phone call, every interaction inches you further in developing trust. Find out how to polish your business in this must-listen episode.
Listen and view episode notesComebacks: Prevention, Reputation and Cost [THA 224]
Comebacks: Prevention, Reputation and Cost [THA 224]
How closely do you track comebacks in your shop? Do you look for trends? Is it human error or communication gaps between customer and service advisor, and service advisor and technician? Sometimes the most loyal customers arise from correcting a mistake, but often times we are unaware a mistake even happened. In this episode, my panel dives into the different scenarios that occur during vehicle comebacks and how to correct them.
You can listen and/or watch the video of this episode and find the key talking points at remarkableresults.biz/a224
Listen and view episode notesDrop the Keys and Fix It [RR 641]
Drop the Keys and Fix It [RR 641]
Think about the latest procedure or surgery you had. You put all your trust in your doctor and the medical staff as you were getting put under anesthesia. Can we translate that trust into auto repair customers? How do we gain “Here are my keys, I trust you, fix it and let me know when it’s done” type of customers? In this episode, Andy Bizub and Charlie Marcotte break down the fundamentals of connecting with customers and what that means to your business.
The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/e641
Listen and view episode notesThe Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans [RR 610]
The Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans [RR 610]
We are happy to introduce Jennifer Filzen’s Fifth book which is out now on Amazon. The Book “The Give to Get Principle: How Relationships & Reciprocity Build Raving Fans” is a book that you can use as a tool to give back to the industry and to your community. If you are not involved enough in your community, you should be. Let this episode push you into paying it forward.
Jennifer CEO of Rock Star Marketing, a digital marketing agency, will help you discover these three important principles you need in your life. Your Why, Your Superpower, and Your Attitude. If you only work on these three, you will improve.
The incredibly successful businesses in our industry are extremely community-minded and involved. Use this episode as inspiration to take your community to the next level.
The key talking points reside at remarkablersults.biz/e610
Listen and view episode notesOwner, Technician, Service Advisor – Working Together – AAPEX 2020 Honors [RR 606]
Owner, Technician, Service Advisor – Working Together – AAPEX 2020 Honors [RR 606]
This 606th episode honors the recipients of the AAPEX 2020 Awards. The first annual honors include Shop Owner of the Year, Technician of the Year, and Service Advisor of the Year.
Sure we bestowed a bunch of high-fives upon these three outstanding aftermarket professionals, but you’ll love the episode as we discussed their roles in a shop environment and why working together through trust and respect make a huge difference for the business and work environment.
Help me welcome Brian Sump of Avalon MotorSports and Urbana Auto Care as the AAPEX 2020 Shop Owner of the Year. Norm Schultz of Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI as AAPEX 2020 Technician of the Year, and Jason Sexton of Dynamic Automotive, Frederick, MD as the AAPEX 2020 Service Advisor of the Year.
The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/e606
Listen and view episode notesProof of Concept [THA 206]
THA 206 Proof of Concept
The pandemic was the test of preparedness, fortitude, leadership, nerves, among others. Our topic “Proof of Concept” is the story behind the strong getting stronger.
The leaders who listened and implemented the strategies being served up by the industry pundits especially coaches over the last 3 to 4 years found themselves in a good place. You’ve heard them enforce on the podcast, … essential tactics like strong business culture, a commitment to training your team, firing non-productive or toxic employees, DVI, Cloud-based software, text to pay and the list goes on like strong leadership. Smart Marketing. Managing KPIs, Good financial statements, building processes, and systems, Etc, etc. In essence, the strong found their pandemic recovery easier than others. That is what we are talking about today: ‘Proof of Concept’
Joining me is Chris Cotton, AJ Nealey, and Michael Gallini. They all agree that they are in a better spot because they implemented and worked the strategies and tactics that the industry is known to create success and sustainable profits. Glad you are here, Let’s Talk About It.
The key talking points from this episode are already done for you on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a206.
Listen and view episode notesHiring Superstars with Jerry Kezhaya and Dr. Laura Shwaluk [RR 594]
Hiring Superstars with Jerry Kezhaya and Dr Laura Shwaluk [RR 594]
Once again I welcome Jerry Kezhaya and Dr. Laura Schwaluk owners of The Auto Shop in Plano, TX, they are also leading Business Builders Mentor and Mastermind USA.
Hiring superstar employees is the goal of every business person I’ve known. Our intention is to find the best of the best in order to seed the company with outstanding and culture driven people. As you and I know, that is not always the case.
How can we get better at recruiting and filtering out just the cream of the crop. Jerry and Dr. Laura will take us through a process and great stories to make their case.
Find Jerry and Laura’s other episodes and the key talking points for this episode at remarkablersults.biz/e594
Listen and view episode notesCoaches Lab: Why Employees Leave [THA 195]
Coaches Lab: Why Employees Leave [THA 195]
You are about to embark on a brainstorming session with three of our aftermarket’s excellent business coaches that have a strong leaning toward people and culture. As you’ve learned throughout the last 194 episodes picking a panel and getting them to mesh seems to be a strength of mine and this one nailed our topic. And you benefit from this listen.
Employees leave for many reasons. This episode will give you more than five reasons and if you work on only three of them, you are on your way to creating a solid ‘sticky’ team. I say sticky because you want your people to stay, yet you need to create the right environment, culture, and engagement for it to work.
The panel: Dan Taylor, Senior Business Advisor at Transformers Institute, Dave Schedin, from Computrek Automotive Management Systems, and Murray Voth, owner and principal trainer at RPM training.
If you want the key talking points from this episode, they are already done for you. Go to the show page at remarkableresults.biz/a195 Use them for an agenda to help you implement the insights from this Academy.
Listen and view episode notesIncentive 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.
Listen and view episode notesFinancial Help For Your Team [THA 177]
THA 177 Financial Help For Your Team
This is an episode I’ve wanted to do for some time. This living paycheck to paycheck syndrome can be corrected. Many spend beyond what they make and they get a raise and the differential is also gone. It is usually a spending problem, not an earning problem.
My panel that includes Danielle Bohlmann, Owner, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA, Dave Martin, Owner, Martin’s Auto Repair, Phoenix, AZ, Frank Scandura, Owner, Frank’s European Service, Las Vegas, NV and Drew Horton, Technician, HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA
A bunch of great insights here and you can find them on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/a177. These key talking points will make for a great meeting agenda.
Listen and view episode notesRecruiting and Job Search for Industry Technicians and Owners – Elie Massabki [RR 536 ]
Elie Massabki is the founder and CEO of Mechanics & Body Shops Marketplace, a company focused on helping auto repair shops find talent and empowering automotive professionals through permanent job placement, free career advice, resume reviews and an App to find permanent jobs with reputable businesses and side/temporary jobs quickly. Elie is an automotive enthusiast who…
Listen and view episode notesKim Aurenheimer – Fall In Love With Your Business, Again [FTR 086]
Kim Auernheimer, AAM is the Co-Owner & Business Manager of CS Automotive in Brentwood, Tennessee. CS Automotive was opened in October of 2006 in the back of a warehouse and now they call a 6,400 square foot, 10-bay shop home. Prior to joining her husband Rob in the business on a full-time basis, Kim had a career…
Listen and view episode notesAftermarket Acumen Part 4 – Technician Pay [RR 510]
Donny Seyfer the executive officer of NASTF (National Automotive Service Task Force) and Partner in Seyfer Automotive in Wheatridge, CO. Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE. Jeremy O’Neal President and lead sales trainer for Advisorfix, began his career as a Service Adviser and moved into Service Management at the dealership level for VW, Audi, and Porsche. He consistently…
Listen and view episode notesTHA 148: Generating Repeat Business
THA 148 Generating Repeat Business
We are talking marketing, mining and relationships with Kelli Weatherby, Accurate Automotive Mesa, AZ with husband Lee and David Roman from Done With Care – Auto Repair, Merriam, KS
Kelli and David shook the trees as it relates to the all-important follow-up visits, referrals, texting, emails, customer shop tours, mystery shoppers, the importance of using your own organic content for your emails and social posts.
Listen and view episode notesRR 486: Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Leads to High Performing Companies – Part 3
RR 486: Dan Taylor – Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Leads to High Performing Companies – Part 3
There are 4 pillars that make our discussion stand today. These pillars are the ones that solidify the company’s cultural EQ. These are personal behavior, empathy, accountability, and training.
I’m once again with Dan Taylor on our 3rd episode on the power of emotional intelligence or most commonly called EQ. This is a big topic. Welcome to the third part of our emotional intelligence series.
So glad to bring you episodes that make you think and self evaluate. If you have any type of leadership role these EQ episodes are for you. Also, see Part 2 in Episode 474 and Part 1 in Episode 461.
Listen and view episode notesRR 484: Jim Silverman – Attracting, Leading, and Growing Our Young Talent
RR 484 – Jim Silverman – Attracting, Leading, and Growing Our Young Talent
There are a lot of ways to engage our young generation in our beloved aftermarket and keep them. We can create a more team-oriented environment and have creative pay bonuses and rewards to match their desire and work ethic.
My Guest, Jim Silverman, the Director of National Accounts for ATI Automotive Training Institute, brings his years of ‘been there and done that’ wisdom and delivers an enlightening discussion that includes building a reverse pyramid in your org chart, and challenges you to think about replacing yourself. Are you interviewing for your replacement? Think about it, It may take years to do this, but you need to start now. Jim Silverman explains.
We discussed the innovative things to entice our younger generation to work with us. Designing creative pay and bonuses, bolstering teamwork, supporting employees, and devising an awesome succession plan! It’s time to reverse the cycle and adapt to the new age as we embrace our younger generation to take the mantle from us!
Listen and view episode notesRR 478: ASTE Panel Discussion – Technician Pay – Retention – and Benefits
ASTE: Technician Pay, Retention, and Benefits
This episode is packed with great gems of wisdom and gives you a bird’s eye view not only on some great benefits and pay ideas, but as we all must understand it starts with having an enduring business culture. All the pay in the world doesn’t trump an acidic culture.
I’m with Lucas Underwood an Automotive diagnostic specialist, he owns L & N Performance Auto Repair, Erick Bock owner of Bock Auto, and Rick White, President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company.
Building a business focuses on the team you have and how to treat it like a family! We also tackled the creative benefits that entice and motivate employees more. And learn what are the most important tactics to attract and keep technicians?
Listen and view episode notes