Doubling Down On Diagnostics [RR 898]

Recorded Live at ASTE 2023, twin brothers Mario and Martin Rojas and their employer Jason Athanas, discuss their work in the automotive industry, the importance of continuous training and staying updated on technology, and their unique business model. Mario also talks about his YouTube channel ‘Super Mario Diagnostics, which is used for training and customer engagement. 
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Technician Round Table: Mobile Technicians [THA 321]

Technician Round Table: Mobile Technicians with Matt Fanslow. Is the mobile business a symptom of the industry evolving? What is the future outlook of the mobile repair business? Are shops charging what they are worth instead of a race to the bottom? Is there a need to improve the culture and the atmosphere in shops? 
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Mobile Air Climate Systems Association (MACS) – Peter Coll and Andy Fiffick [RR 774]

Founded in 1981 as the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS), now called  Mobile Air Climate Systems, its focus is to provide unbiased information to shop owners and technicians, including technical resources and training for automotive air conditioning technicians. Let’s dive into MACS together and also learn about the benefits of becoming a member because no matter what the future holds, vehicles will need climate control.

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Mobile Diagnostics and 3D Printing [RR 710]

Mobile Diagnostics and 3D Printing [RR 710]

Mobile diagnostics is a growing segment of our industry. I sat with Brandon Dills at ASTE. We talked about his mobile diagnostic company, his investment, training, ADAS, and even using a 3D printer. Brandon also shares his plans for the future.

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Keith Perkins Mobile Diagnostician and Tour of his Vans [AW 078]

Keith Perkins Mobile Diagnostician and Tour of his Vans [AW 078]

Guest host Keith Perkins, L1 Automotive Diagnostics and Programming, Tulsa, OK
Keith also operates the L1 Automotive Training company that offers advanced level automotive training on-site and online at www.L1Training.com. See or hear a tour of his three Mobile Diag Vans.

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Are You Fixing Hybrids Cars? [THA 221]

Are You Fixing Hybrid Cars? [THA 221]

If you’re waiting for a sign to get into hybrid repairs then consider this your wake-up call! You can either sit back and let a specialization opportunity pass you by, or take action and embrace hybrid repairs whose cars have been around for 21 years. Our lineup includes Craig Van Battenburg, Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC), Cameron Lee, Ernie Lee’s Service Center, and Raleigh Hybrids and Eric Carlson.

They are here to help guide you through hybrid repairs, marketing, tooling, and training. The key talking points for this episode on Hybrids reside at remarkableresults.biz/a221

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Specialization with Tom Palermo and John Anello [THA 220]

Specialization with Tom Palermo and John Anello [THA 220]

We are here to talk about specialization. Ever wonder what are the pros and cons to being a specialist in a certain field of repair? In this episode, we discuss fleet business with Tom Palermo, Preferred Auto Specialists, and the world of being a mobile diagnostician/programmer and ADAS calibrator from John Anello, Auto Tech on Wheels.

Listen to their approach to specializations and how they’ve adapted to the changes in our industry. This is Knowledge you need to have as you continue to learn what makes our aftermarket tic.

The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkableresults.biz/a220

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Electric Vehicles – The Future Unfolds [THA 197]

Electric Vehicles – The Future Unfolds [THA 197]

Welcome to an episode ahead of its time. It may bring forth some brilliant thoughts and strategies moving forward that will help the aftermarket prepare for the future. It will be here sooner than we know.

I’m with John Eppstein, Carolyn Coquillette, Dave Kusa, and Rorry Balmer. We talk about the future with changing technology especially Electric Vehicles. Don’t shy away from this or any other topic that will define your future.

My Academy guests detailed our preparedness, the competitive landscape, predictions, legislation, powertrain, ownership structure, electric vehicles and more along with their recommendations.

If you want the key talking points from this episode, they are already done for you. Go to the show page at remarkableresults.biz/a197.

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Open Forum: Ask the Shop Owner – Part 2 [THA 160]

https://youtu.be/fi3oBrNmE9Q Andy Bizub from Midwest Performance Cars in Chicago is also a native of Chicago. His first career was 25 years as a commodity trader. He entered the professional auto industry in 2014 by acquiring a failing shop in downtown Chicago that he was a customer of and started a turnaround. Andy now has two locations.…

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RR 422: A Case for Shop Specialization

A case for shop specialization

We are discussing in a bird’s eye view of Shop Specialization and training.

I’m with Rob Morrell, Sr. Director of Management and Technical Training at WorldPac Technical Institute and Mark Warren, training manager at WTI. So glad to share Rob and Mark’s interview with you as we are going to have a very open discussion on specialization and, as you would expect, the ‘T’ word comes up. Training!

This episode tackles the challenge of what makes a specialty shop. Mark and Rob share their personal perspectives on one approach to specialization. You’ll also hear of their support for FREE education for post-secondary automotive students.

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RR 379: A Banker and a Master Tech Build a BMW Specialty Shop – Down Under

A Banker and a Master Tech Build a BMW Specialty Shop – Down Under

Ken Christie is the Chief Financial Officer of the Australian Bank division of National Australia Bank whose passion for collecting and racing cars decided to find a partner and build a BMW specialty shop. Ken partnered with BMW Mastertech, Mark Higgins and they created BM Performance Centre in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

In this episode, we will be tackling issues and challenges of running a shop in Australia and surprisingly, it is very similar to the challenges and issues we have with our aftermarket in North America. With wide arrays of topics including customer retention, the Australian technician shortage, and earnings, a tech apprentice program like Europe and the Australian immigration policy. Learn what their BM performance experience is and get a taste of the Australian Aftermarket parts industry.

Enjoy this great study in contrasts and similarities.

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THA 081: Niche. Should We Find Specialties and Create a New Business Model or Services?

Niche. Finding Specialties to Create New Business Services.

A very interesting summit, a lesson for the forever student of the aftermarket. We’re talking Niche or Finding Specialties to Create New Business Services. A vibrant discussion to challenge the use of your talent and facility and to listen to your customers and find out exactly what they want and need from you.

The panel warns you to keep your eyes open. The shift is coming. Toss out those unprofitable jobs. Clean out your closet. Review your current business model. We will not survive doing what we always have done.

The panel will help you understand How to consider a specialty, product based niche vs. service based niche; but an overlying theme is to be sure the basics are being done right. You cannot add a new service if you don’t aren’t fixing your customers’ problem right the first time. Get your house in order before adding.

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RR 301: Matt Purselle from Revolution

Treat every customer like you would your mother.

Matt Pursell the guy with the bow tie owns Revolution in Decatur, GA. As a Mercedes Benz and smart specialty shop his customers expect a level of service indicative of the brand of car they drive. Matt shares how they deliver exceptional customer service. The growth rate in the business is 10% with no advertising budget for new customers and referrals has driven his success.

Matt also stands out as a differentiator in other ways. Imagine if you will it is July and you are a customer, you just may go home with a vegetable right from the Revolution garden. How cool is that? Matt explains they grow their customers like they grow their vegetables. His culture and customer service in his company is built upon this premise: Treat every customer like you would your mother.

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RR 187: Parker Davis – BMW Specialist – Owner Broad Stroke Associates

A strong Dealer Alternative Strategy for this BMW/MINI Service Professional

Parker Davis, President of Broad Stroke Associates has been a BMW specialist for the last ten years. He been in the industry for eighteen years and started Broad Stroke to offer his customers a strong dealer alternative.

Parker shares his strategy in customer service, training, and the ARO results of implementing his digital vehicle inspection program. Parker sees more specialization in the industry with more shops working on specific platforms. He explains how shops will evolve to be specialists.

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