Deferred Work: The Most Overlooked Growth Opportunity in Auto Repair [RR 1101]
Most auto repair shops are sitting on a goldmine of untapped revenue without realizing it.
In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes Jimmy Alauria of 3A Automotive & Diesel Repair to discuss how deferred work can become one of your shop’s most effective growth strategies. By pulling just two years of data from his shop’s database, he discovered $3.3 million in potential revenue from deferred services. From better customer communication to smarter follow-up systems, Jimmy explains how to turn yesterday’s declined repairs into tomorrow’s repair orders.
What You’ll Learn
Why your customer database is one of your shop’s most valuable assets.
How deferred work can create significant new revenue without increasing car count.
Why shops should schedule the next appointment before the customer leaves.
While DVIs provide excellent transparency, their primary goal should be to educate the customer and help them plan, rather than to force an immediate $5,000 repair order. Jimmy notes that customers decline work not necessarily because they lack trust, but because they need time to budge
How categorizing repairs by safety, reliability, maintenance, and appearance improves customer understanding.
Understanding the customer’s personal “car goals,” whether they love the car and want to avoid a new car payment, or they hate the car and want to trade it in, is also critical to framing recommendations effectively.
The shortcomings of traditional CRM follow-up systems and how AI can improve communication.
How AI helps prioritize repairs and translates technical repair language into customer-friendly messaging that drives response.
Deferred work isn’t lost business; it’s future opportunity. By building better follow-up processes, educating customers, and using technology to communicate more effectively, shops can strengthen relationships, improve customer retention, and unlock substantial revenue already waiting in their database.
remarkableresults.biz/e1101
The Truth About ADAS Calibrations Every Shop Needs to Hear [THA 494]
A viral social media clip about ADAS calibrations sparked thousands of comments and exposed a troubling reality: many automotive professionals still misunderstand when and why calibrations are required. In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes technical specialists and industry leaders Keith Perkins and Matt Fanslow to examine the industry’s response, separate fact from fiction, and explain why following OEM repair procedures is essential for both vehicle safety and professional credibility.
What You’ll Learn
The difference between static and dynamic ADAS calibrations, and why confusing the two leads to costly mistakes.
Why programming, configuration, initialization, and calibration are separate procedures with different purposes.
How fear of losing a sale often outweighs concerns about vehicle safety and liability.
The real-world consequences of skipping OEM-required calibration procedures.
How a properly calibrated vehicle helped protect Keith’s wife and children during a serious highway rollover crash.
How elevating the role of the Calibration Specialist reinforces professionalism and builds customer confidence.
ADAS calibrations are not optional add-ons or revenue generators; they are critical safety procedures designed by vehicle manufacturers to ensure advanced safety systems perform as intended. Professional repair shops protect their customers by following OEM repair information, completing every required calibration, and returning every vehicle to the road safe and ready to perform.
remarkableresults.biz/a494
Curing Organizational Drag: The Courage to Fire a Non-Fit Employee [RR 1100]
Building a successful auto repair business isn’t just about hiring great people; it’s about creating a culture where the right people can thrive.
In this episode of Episodic Education, Carm Capriotto welcomes Matt Lachowitzer, founder of Matt’s Automotive Center, to discuss the leadership principles that helped grow his company to 11 locations. Matt shares why protecting culture sometimes means making difficult personnel decisions, how investing in employee development fuels long-term success, and why great leaders always begin by looking in the mirror.
What You’ll Learn
Why one employee who doesn’t fit your culture can create organizational drag.
When letting go of a top performer is the best decision for your team.
How leaders should evaluate their own role before blaming an employee’s performance.
How 29-day customer follow-up calls build trust and long-term loyalty.
How company-wide training events reinforce culture and accelerate growth.
The leadership mindset required to build a business that succeeds without depending on one person.
Strong businesses are built by protecting culture, developing people, and leading with both accountability and compassion. Matt’s leadership philosophy demonstrates that long-term success comes from investing in your team, making values-based decisions, and creating an organization where everyone has the opportunity to grow.
remarkableresults.biz/e1100
Maximizing Profit Through Effective Labor Rate Strategy [THA 493]
Your posted labor rate may not be the labor rate you’re actually collecting, and that gap could be costing your shop thousands of dollars every month.
In this episode, Carm Capriotto is joined by Andy Adams, a shop owner and business coach, and Rob Sperring, a service manager, to explain why Effective Labor Rate (ELR) is one of the most overlooked yet impactful performance metrics in the auto repair industry. They break down why ELR falls short, how it affects profitability, and the practical steps every shop owner can take to close the gap.
What You’ll Learn
What Effective Labor Rate (ELR) is and why it matters more than your posted door rate.
Why healthy shops should collect at least 90 percent of their posted labor rate.
How unbilled diagnostic time, underpriced canned jobs, and complimentary inspections reduce profitability.
Why excessive discounting, even with good intentions, can quietly erode your bottom line.
How shifting consumer buying habits make labor profitability more important than ever.
Why improving ELR creates opportunities to increase technician compensation and strengthen your business.
How auditing repair orders can uncover missed labor opportunities and unnecessary discounts.
Why updating your labor matrix and canned jobs can immediately improve financial performance.
How sharing KPI’s (key performance indicators) with your team builds ownership and accountability throughout the shop.
Effective Labor Rate is more than a financial matrix; it’s a direct measure of how well your shop captures the value of the work it performs. By understanding where labor revenue is being lost and making intentional operational improvements, shop owners can increase profitability, invest in their teams, and build a stronger, more sustainable business.
remarkableresults.biz/a493
Selling to the Curb: How AI Turned More Calls into Customers [RR 1099]
What does it take to build one of the fastest-growing auto repair businesses while leveraging artificial intelligence to improve performance at every level?
In this episode, Carm Capriotto welcomes Jesse Jackson, Founder and CEO of Mango Automotive, to discuss how she scaled from zero to eight locations in less than five years. Jesse shares the leadership lessons learned through rapid growth, how custom AI tools are helping improve customer experience and operational consistency, and why she believes it’s time to rethink how independent shop owners plan their exit from the industry.
What You’ll Learn
How Mango Automotive expanded from a startup to eight locations through strategic acquisitions.
The leadership challenges that come with rapid growth and why building a corporate support team became essential.
The three cultural principles that drive employee engagement: never yell, bonus well, and have fun.
How AI is being used to measure standard operating procedures and improve accountability.
Why analyzing phone conversations with AI helps advisors convert more callers into customers.
How providing realistic price ranges over the phone can improve appointment conversion rates.
How AI-driven follow-up processes dramatically increased maintenance rebooking rates.
Practical ways any shop owner can use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to evaluate service advisor performance without spending hours reviewing phone calls.
Why thousands of shop owners approaching retirement may be leaving significant business value on the table.
How Jesse’s cooperative exit model could help independent shop owners achieve substantially higher business valuations than traditional private equity acquisitions.
Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing great leadership; it’s making great operators even better. Combined with a strong culture, measurable processes, and innovative thinking about business ownership, AI can help repair shops improve customer experience, scale more effectively, and create greater long-term value for both
remarkableresults.biz/e1099
Building a Winning Scoreboard For Your Auto Repair Shop [RR 1098]
What if your shop operated like a championship team, where everyone knew the score and was motivated to win together?
Gerry Frank, business coach and former shop owner of 35 years, joins Carm Capriotto to explain how gamification can transform an auto repair business by increasing profitability, accountability, and employee engagement. Rather than relying on pressure or incentives alone, Gerry shares a practical system that turns daily performance into a shared game built around visibility, ownership, and teamwork.
What You’ll Learn
Why diagnosing the real business problem is more important than applying quick fixes.
How visible scoreboards create accountability and keep the entire team focused on shared goals.
Why technicians and service advisors should update their own scores instead of management.
Which key performance indicators matter most, including car count, billable hours, margins, and hours presented.
Why aligning the front and back of the shop creates stronger teamwork and better customer outcomes.
How storytelling helps employees understand the importance behind the numbers.
A leadership approach that improves performance by focusing on results instead of criticizing people.
Gamification isn’t about making work feel like a game, it’s about giving every employee clear goals, measurable results, and ownership of their performance. When leaders diagnose problems correctly, track meaningful metrics, and connect the numbers to a larger purpose, they create a culture where accountability, engagement, and profitability naturally grow.
remarkableresults.biz/e1098
From Data to Loyalty: How AI and Hospitality Are Redefining Shop Growth [THA 488]
What happens when artificial intelligence meets world-class customer hospitality?
In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, host Carm Capriotto welcomes Mike DelaCruz, CEO of Overdryve Marketing, and Michelle Tansey, co-founder of Euro Clinic, for a forward-thinking discussion on how auto repair shops can use AI, data, and intentional customer experiences to build stronger businesses.
From using AI as a strategic business assistant to creating a luxury-level customer journey that rivals brands like Ritz-Carlton and Nordstrom, Mike and Michelle share practical insights on what separates average shops from elite operations. They explain how predictive marketing, operational excellence, and deeply embedded core values can transform customer retention and long-term profitability.
What You’ll Learn
How AI can serve as your shop’s “big brain” to improve decision-making and uncover blind spots.
How predictive marketing can forecast car count, identify customer churn, and improve campaign performance.
The concept of the “NASA Shop” and what elite automotive operations do differently.
How Euro Clinic creates unforgettable customer experiences through personalized hospitality.
The importance of building systems and processes around your shop’s core values.
Why strong operations must come before marketing success.
How small communication changes can dramatically improve customer trust and confidence.
The role data plays in making better business decisions and reducing emotional guesswork.
The future belongs to shops that combine technology with humanity. AI can provide unprecedented insight into customer behavior and business performance, but lasting success still comes from exceptional service, consistent operations, and a culture built around caring for people. The shops that embrace both innovation and hospitality will be the ones that stand out, retain customers, and thrive in the years ahead.
remarkableresults.biz/a488
When Personal Stress Walks Into the Shop: How Leaders Protect Performance [THA 487]
What happens outside the shop doesn’t always stay outside the shop. In this insightful episode, Rena Rennebohm, CEO of Empowered Advisor, and service advisor coach and shop owner Rachel Spencer, explore how personal stress, emotional weight, and leadership awareness directly affect employee performance, confidence, customer communication, and overall shop culture.
From family struggles and financial pressure to burnout and emotional fatigue, today’s automotive professionals carry more than tools into work each day. This conversation reveals why high-performing shops are built not only on process and productivity, but on leaders who understand the human side of performance.
What You’ll Learn
How personal stress impacts sales performance and customer communication
Why technician morale directly affects advisor confidence and trust
The connection between emotional stability and shop productivity
How great leaders identify performance struggles before KPIs decline
Why empathy and accountability must work together
The importance of daily check-ins and emotional awareness
How negativity spreads through shop culture and how leaders can stop it
Why “soft skills” have become essential leadership skills in auto repair
Strong shop culture starts with emotionally aware leadership. When employees feel supported, understood, and valued, communication improves, confidence grows, and performance follows. This episode offers practical insights for shop owners and managers who want to protect team performance, strengthen culture, and lead more effectively in today’s high-pressure auto repair environment.
remarkableresults.biz/a487
The AI-Driven Auto Repair Leader: Using Technology as Your Strategic Thought Partner [RR 1092]
In this forward-looking conversation, Carm Capriotto and Chris Cloutier, CEO of AutoFlow and owner of three Golden Rule Auto Care locations, explore how artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the automotive repair industry; not as a replacement for people, but as a powerful tool that helps shop owners lead smarter, communicate better, and operate more professionally.
Chris shares firsthand experiences using AI inside both his software company and his repair shops, revealing how the technology can dramatically reduce time spent on leadership and administrative tasks while improving workflow efficiency and customer communication. From refining technician notes to helping build business plans and expansion strategies, AI is becoming what Chris describes as a ‘thought partner’ for today’s shop owner.
What You’ll Learn:
Why AI should be viewed as a strategic business partner, not a threat to the automotive repair profession
How effective prompting and providing context can dramatically improve AI-generated results
Ways AI can streamline major business tasks such as SBA loan preparation, SWOT analyses, and growth planning
How AI-powered technician note rewrites improve customer communication and strengthen professionalism
Why clear, polished communication acts as a “curtain of professionalism” that builds customer trust
How AI can help bridge language barriers by translating repair orders and inspection results
The risks and humor of “AI versus AI” hiring practices, where both employers and applicants rely heavily on artificial intelligence
Why Chris believes today is the least expensive AI will ever be, and why shop owners should begin learning it now
The biggest takeaway from this episode is simple: AI will not replace highly skilled automotive professionals, but it will absolutely enhance the shops that learn how to use it effectively. From improving efficiency and communication to elevating the image of professionalism, AI offers tremendous advantages for modern repair businesses. However, Carm and Chris emphasize one critical principle throughout the conversation: trust, but verify. Just like quality control in the service bays, AI-generated information should always be reviewed carefully before being shared with customers or used to make important business decisions.
remarkableresults.biz/e1092
Your Shop Might Need Marriage Counseling: Fixing Communication in Auto Repair [RR 1087]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto and Matt Fanslow explore how lessons from marriage counseling can improve communication in auto repair shops.
The core discussion centers on Matt’s article for NAPA Auto Care’s Insight Magazine, “Your Shop Might Need Marriage Counseling,” and the industry’s gap in soft skills. His central argument is simple: most automotive professionals were never taught effective communication or soft skills. In the past, shop culture often relied on public criticism or shame to correct mistakes. Today, that approach backfires, especially for younger technicians, who are more likely to disengage or “quietly quit” in that kind of environment.
Matt proposes a different approach: applying communication techniques commonly used in therapy to everyday shop interactions.
Drawing from the Gottman Institute, Matt outlines common communication pitfalls: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling, and how they show up daily in shop environments.
Key solutions include:
Validating feelings, especially with anxious customers
Coaching without shame, addressing mistakes privately with support
Seeking outside perspective, using coaches or therapists to uncover blind spots
Finally, both Carm and Matt challenge the stigma around seeking outside help. They encourage shop leaders to work with coaches, counselors, or therapists to uncover blind spots and improve their leadership approach. Far from being a weakness, asking for help is framed as a sign of strength and self-awareness.
The goal isn’t to turn shops into therapy sessions; it’s to make small, intentional changes in how people communicate every day. The payoff? Fewer emotional blowups, stronger team culture, and customers who feel safe, heard, and respected.
VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo: https://visionkc.com/
remarkableresults.biz/e1087
The “Monster” in Your Head Is Costing Your Shop Money [RR 1086]
In this episode of Coffee with Carm and a Coach, host Carm Capriotto sits down with Greg Bunch, business coach and Founder at Transformers Institute and owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, to unpack the mindset barriers that quietly limit leadership and growth in auto repair.
At the center of the conversation is the “monster” voice that is wired for survival, not success. While it once kept us safe, today it often holds leaders and advisors back from difficult but necessary actions: addressing underperformance, having honest conversations, or confidently recommending needed work. Left unchecked, that fear can cost shops hundreds of thousands, even millions, in missed opportunities.
Greg shares five foundational pillars for effective leadership:
Wisdom: Surrounding yourself with the right voices and guidance
Knowledge: Understanding your numbers and facts without emotion
Understanding: Knowing what those numbers actually mean in your business
Diligence: Doing what needs to be done, even when it’s uncomfortable
Right Choices: Staying aligned with your values, no matter the pressure
Together, Carm and Greg explore how business is ultimately an emotional math problem, a constant balance between data-driven decisions and the human side of leadership. They also challenge listeners to become perpetual students, actively seek honest feedback, and confront the habits that hold them back.
The episode wraps with a powerful reminder: long-term success comes from “slow dimes,” not “fast nickels.” Doing the job right, every time, builds trust, safety, and sustainable profitability.
remarkableresults.biz/e1086
Batman Needs a Robin: Meet Your Shop’s New Sidekick Ninja App [THA 479]
Recorded live at VISION 2026, host Carm Capriotto is joined by Jeremy Glassco of AppFueled and shop owner Joe Schindler to explore how auto repair shops can better connect technology with customer engagement.
Gladsco introduces the concept of the “App Gap,” explaining that while consumers frequently engage with apps from major brands, auto repair shops struggle with adoption because customers only download apps they trust or see immediate value in. To bridge this gap, he emphasizes delivering clear incentives and meaningful engagement.
A key innovation discussed is “Sidekick Ninja,” a Chrome extension tool that complements the shop’s management system by surfacing real-time customer insights, including communication history, profile data, and available offers, directly within the advisor’s workflow. This integration ensures no missed follow-ups, rebates, or opportunities to enhance the customer experience.
Schindler also highlights strategies to protect shop profitability, including gamifying customer engagement within a shop app. By rewarding users for actions such as adding vehicle details or personal information, shops can gather valuable data while encouraging deeper engagement.
Ultimately, the episode reinforces that when technology is used to enhance, not replace, the human connection, shops can create better experiences, stronger relationships, and more consistent growth.
https://www.appfueled.io/sidekick-ninja
VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo: https://visionkc.com/
Jeremy Glassco, Founder, App Fueled
Joe Schindler, Schindler’s Garage, Floyds Knobs, IN
remarkableresults.biz/a479
The Affordability Myth in Auto Repair: Rethinking How Service Advisors Present Repairs [THA 476]
“I think the push back is more in our head than it is in the pocketbook.”
In this episode, host Carm Capriotto talks with Andy Fiffick and Chris Letendre about the perceived affordability crisis in auto repair. Both guests challenge the idea that customers can’t afford repairs, suggesting that price resistance often stems from the service advisor’s mindset rather than customer reality.
The discussion highlights practical strategies for improving repair approvals, including repackaging repairs with different parts or warranty options, presenting financing as “payment option plans,” and avoiding the “Sophomore Jinx,” where advisors begin to pre-judge what customers can afford. They also address the “maintenance-free” myth promoted by automakers and encourage shops to proactively educate customers with long-term maintenance planning.
Ultimately, the episode reinforces a key truth: auto repair is a relationship business. When shops build trust and focus on helping people, price objections become far less common.
remarkableresults.biz/a476
The 250K Mile Maintenance Mindset: Mastering the Art of Vehicle Delivery [THA 475]
This episode explores the critical “delivery” phase of a 250,000 mile maintenance program, reframing the moment you hand the keys back as the continuation of a long-term professional relationship, not the end of a transaction. Host Carm Capriotto, joined by Brett Beachler and Rena Rennebohm, shares practical strategies to strengthen customer communication, elevate the shop experience, and proactively guide clients toward vehicle longevity. By focusing on the vehicle’s full lifecycle and scheduling the next visit before the customer leaves, shops can move beyond transactions to build loyalty, retention, and long-term profitability.
What You’ll Learn:
How advisor pods create a more comfortable, trust-building customer experience
Why pre-appointment calls improve approvals and reduce estimate resistance
How strong phone skills shape customer perception and confidence
Why personal communication increases trust and average repair orders
How to educate customers so they understand the value of maintenance
How scheduling the next visit at delivery improves retention
Why mileage-based follow-up systems drive better long-term results
How consistent, shop-wide processes strengthen culture and customer loyalty
remarkableresults.biz/a475
Why Women are the Secret Weapon in Auto Repair Shop Hospitality [THA 474]
In this episode, Melissa Parker, Amy Bartel, and Sara Abrecht join Carm Capriotto to discuss why women are the automotive industry’s “secret weapon.” The panel explores the concept of automotive hospitality, focusing on relationships, empathy, and customer experience as key drivers of trust, loyalty, and profitability.
They share how hospitality driven environments, strong listening skills, and hiring from service focused industries elevate the customer experience and strengthen shop performance. Sara also reveals data showing female-led shops achieve higher average repair orders, highlighting the business impact of communication and relationship building.
The conversation challenges outdated industry perceptions and calls for a shift toward hospitality centered operations, encouraging shop owners to embrace these principles and inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles in this evolving, people first profession.
remarkableresults.biz/a474
The Superhighway to Estimating: Canned Jobs and Categories For Shop Efficiency [THA 473]
Host Carm Capriotto dives into the untapped power of Shop Management Systems (SMS) with business coach Dave Schedin and Ben Dexter, National Training Manager at NAPA TRACS. Together, they reveal how two often-overlooked tools, categories and canned jobs, can dramatically improve shop efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
The conversation highlights how a smarter system setup leads to faster workflows, clearer data, and stronger decision-making.
Key Topics Discussed
Unlocking the Power of Categories: Dave Schedin explains the importance of tracking three core labor types: Diagnostic, Preventative Maintenance, and Repair. When categorized correctly, shop owners can pinpoint exactly where time and money are gained—or lost.
Building the “Superhighway” to Faster Estimates: Schedin compares developing Canned Jobs to constructing a freeway: it takes an upfront investment of time, but once built, it enables rapid, efficient estimating.
Professional Communication: Canned jobs help replace vague descriptions with clear, value-focused explanations. This allows newer advisors to communicate like seasoned professionals while ensuring consistent pricing, messaging, and storytelling across the shop.
Turning Data into Profit: Ben Dexter reinforces the principle of “garbage in, garbage out”: without clean, organized data, shop owners are simply guessing.
By mastering categories and canned jobs, shop owners can turn their management system into a powerful engine for clarity, consistency, and long-term profitability.
remarkableresults.biz/a473
Beyond Service Advisors: Embracing the ‘Repairathist’ Mindset [RR 1079]
“The reality of a client advocates daily work is translating fear into clarity.”
Shop owner and coach Clint White explores a powerful shift at the auto repair front counter, from “Service Advisor” to “Repairathist.” He explains that because vehicles represent freedom and control, many customers arrive feeling anxious and financially defensive. As a result, the Repairathistt’s role becomes part technician, part therapist, focused on translating fear into clarity and helping people feel understood. Customers aren’t buying parts, he says; they’re buying relief.
The conversation dives into how to put this mindset into practice, starting with a “language shift” that replaces industry jargon like “diag” and “DVI” with clear, value-based explanations. This approach invites customers into the process instead of making them feel excluded. White also stresses the importance of transparency, showing clients the “MRI and X-ray” of their vehicle before prioritizing repairs, and ensuring that front counter promises align with what happens in the shop.
Ultimately, the episode defines the Repairathist as a professional with an “others first” mindset who builds trust through empathy, honesty, and consistency—delivering an experience so positive that customers remember how they felt more than what they spent.
remarkableresults.biz/e1079
The 250K Mile Mindset: Selling Maintenance Without Selling Fear [THA 470]
Reaching 250,000 miles on a vehicle isn’t luck—it’s leadership.
In this episode, we explore what long-term vehicle maintenance really looks like and why today’s shops must rethink how they communicate with customers. Too often, maintenance is treated as a series of isolated repairs. This conversation reframes it as a strategic process built on education, transparency, planning, and advocacy.
In this episode, you’ll discover how to:
Shift your shop culture from reactive repairs to proactive planning
Position service advisors as educators and advocates
Use cost-per-mile analysis to demonstrate real vehicle value
Build trust through professional language and clear expectations
Align inspections with long-term ownership goals
Improve maintenance acceptance without fear-based selling
Create systems that support consistent follow-up
Key Discussion Topics
Why 250,000-mile vehicles are built through strategy, not chance
The difference between transactional service and advisory leadership
Using documentation and trends to guide decisions
Structuring pay plans to reinforce professionalism
Turning maintenance into a long-term relationship
Why This Episode Matters
When customers understand that their vehicle can realistically reach 250,000 miles with the right care, everything changes.
Trust improves. Approvals become easier. Loyalty deepens. And your shop evolves from a repair facility into a long-term partner in vehicle ownership.
This episode shows how sophisticated professionalism, consistent processes, and education-first communication can transform both customer relationships and business performance.
remarkableresults.biz/a470
Process Engineering: Six Sigma for Auto Shop Efficiency and Growth [RR 1057]
David Boyd, Six Sigma Black Belt, emphasizes that defined processes and systems are essential for shop efficiency and growth. Every task follows a process, whether recognized or not, and “rapid toggling” (doing the same job differently each day) leads to chaos.
Key Insights:
Define Processes: Ask “Why do you do it that way?” to uncover gaps and create consistency.
Use DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control, establish “normal” and fix what’s “abnormal.”
Apply Lean Thinking: Reduce wasted motion and idle time (e.g., proper tool placement, faster approvals).
Link KPIs to Action: Observe workflows directly (“management by walking around”), not just reports.
Commit to Continuous Improvement: It’s a loop, not a one-time fix.
For MSOs: Scaling requires standardized systems and local accountability.
The payoff: higher efficiency, stronger customer experience, productive technicians, fewer mistakes, and sustainable growth.
remarkableresults.biz/e1057
A Phone Call Is Worth a Thousand Emails [RR 1056]
In today’s fast paced industry, automation and digital tools like texts, emails, and online bookings make business easier but often leave interactions feeling “people free.” Convenience can come at the cost of real customer relationships, reducing decisions to price alone.
Mike Carrillo, founder of Autoshop Follow-Up, reminds shops that while automation has its place, nothing replaces the power of a phone call. His company helps shops bring back that personal touch, building the know, like, and trust factor every business depends on.
Why phone calls matter:
• Build trust and loyalty by making customers feel valued.
• Prevent lost business by uncovering issues before they turn into bad reviews.
• Gain insights you can’t get from analytics alone.
• Challenge digital norms: 40% of calls get answered, even by younger generations.
• Ensure consistency with dedicated ambassadors who represent your shop’s culture.
Texts are great for generating reviews, but they miss the middle ground where future revenue lies. A thoughtful follow-up call turns transactions back into relationships, because at its core, auto repair is a people business.
remarkableresults.biz/e1056
Ring to Revenue: The Power of the First Hello [THA 448]
Is your shop’s first impression costing you customers? Did you know the phone is often your closest moment to the sale? Join service advisor training specialists Jen Davis and Doris Barnes from The Transformers Institute as they reveal how to turn inbound calls into a loyal customer relationship.
Watch Full Video Episode
Inside this episode:
The Hidden Cost of Bad Calls: Missed opportunities like quoting a price without context don’t just lose sales, they damage your brand and waste marketing dollars. First impressions are made in a fraction of a second.
Beyond Price Shopping: Most service advisors unintentionally train customers to shop for price by failing to ask questions, build rapport, or show genuine curiosity. Price is often just the conversation starter.
Empathy, Education & Reasoning: Learn the three pillars of phone success that shift calls from transactional to relationship-driven, positioning your shop as the trusted solution.
From First Call to Lifelong Customer: Strategies to move customers past a single visit and build loyalty by marketing to the third visit—a critical milestone for long-term retention.
Hiring the Right People: Why finding “good stock” naturally empathetic, ethical, and willing to learn makes all the difference in creating consistent, 5-star customer experiences.
Don’t let poor phone skills drain your marketing investment. This is a must-listen for shop owners and service advisors ready to sharpen their skills and elevate every interaction from the very first ring.
remarkableresults.biz/a448
The Showtime Mindset: How Top Shops Keep the Spotlight on Service [RR 1054]
Jason Hladyniuk, service advisor coach at RPM Training, draws inspiration from the world of music to show how shops can be fully “in tune” and “showtime ready” the moment their doors open each morning.
In this episode, you’ll learn how this approach helps service advisors:
• Deliver an outstanding client experience without getting lost in paperwork or daily chaos.
• Lower stress by anticipating needs and having everything ready before clients arrive.
• Read their “audience” and adjust communication, whether through a quick text or a detailed face-to-face chat.
• Lead with consistent professionalism, not sales tactics, just as a dental hygienist confidently recommends treatment.
• Use pre-appointment communication to set the stage for stronger client relationships at drop-off.
• Commit to continuous practice and training, because like world-class musicians, the best advisors never stop rehearsing, adapting, and growing.
Don’t miss this episode, it’s your backstage pass to delivering a flawless performance every day and creating lasting harmony with your clients!
remarkableresults.biz/e1054
The Personal Touch in a Digital World: Why Outbound Calls Still Matter [THA 447]
This episode explores how today’s top automotive shops are transforming their business by taking a proactive approach—reaching out to customers instead of waiting for the phone to ring.
You’ll hear strategies to overcome common service advisor objections, such as “cold calling feels pushy” or “I don’t have time,” supported by Dan Taylor’s compelling data showing that just 10 calls can generate 2 appointments. We’ll break down the different types of high-impact calls, thank you calls, deferred work reminders, and even simple “we miss you” check-ins that strengthen relationships and keep customers engaged. Plus, learn why tailoring outreach—whether by call or text—based on each customer’s preference ensures communication feels genuine, not generic.
This conversation reveals why outbound calls aren’t just a task, but a growth opportunity. In an increasingly digital world, it’s the personal touch that builds trust, sets your shop apart, and keeps customers coming back. Don’t wait for loyalty, create it.
remarkableresults.biz/a447
Uber, Loaners, and Shuttle Solutions for Automotive Clients [THA 446]
Key Takeaways:
Auto Repair Is a People Business: Learn why shifting your focus to relationship-building and empathy is crucial for service advisors, who are often “therapists” to anxious customers.
Discover why providing customer transportation rather than leaving them to figure it out is quickly becoming a game changing differentiator in the automotive industry.
We break down three powerful options:
Loaner Cars & Rental Programs: Remove the “transportation barrier” for customers and make it easier for them to approve bigger jobs. Learn about the ROI, and how forming a separate rental company can slash insurance costs.
Uber Business: Keep customers moving and increase your average work order by allowing them to approve more work without the wait. Fully web-based and trackable for simple management.
Shuttle Services: Turn travel time into relationship building time. Using the “FORD” method (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams), your staff can connect on a personal level and create customers for life.
Tune in to hear how each option impacts ROI, boosts efficiency, satisfies evolving customer expectations, and helps you overcome objections, ultimately locking in long-term client loyalty.
remarkableresults.biz/a446
Muscle Memory for the Counter: Service Advisor Training with the Practice Bot [RR 1052]
Dan Malloy unveils a game-changing tool for your client advocates: the practice bot. Discover how this innovative AI-powered system is transforming sales training and driving unprecedented success on the service counter.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
– Orchestrate Sales Success: Learn how to get your entire team, your “orchestra of client advocates,” to “sing the same song” in unison, reflecting your business’s unique vision and culture in every customer interaction.
– Develop “Muscle Memory” for the Counter: Just like professional musicians or athletes, your service advisors need “muscle memory” to confidently handle customer conversations. Discover how daily, consistent practice with a bot can make effective communication feel natural.
– Conquer the Price Shopper: Understand the “killer” impact price shoppers have on closing rates (e.g., dropping from 81% to 42% for oil changes, or 35% to 17% for tires). Learn how the practice bot and Dan Malloy’s approach equip your team to handle these crucial conversations without immediately giving a price.
– Embrace AI for Data-Driven Growth: Explore how AI goes beyond traditional “keyword spotting” to analyze calls, score performance automatically, and provide invaluable “language KPIs.” Understand how this data on communication directly drives your traditional business KPIs and profitability.
– Mandate Daily Practice: Learn why the best companies are making bot practice mandatory, just like opening the store or running batting cages, and how it fosters a high-level, professional team
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