From the Bays to the Classroom – Brandon Steckler [RR 746]
Do you have a passion for teaching others and watching them grow? Is it something you’ve been interested in doing? I’m with Brandon Steckler at the TST Big Event 2022 and we discuss his path to becoming a trainer and writer for MotorAge Magazine. He also shares a transparent review of one of his classes from a peer. A special episode I did with Brandon on his passion for teaching is episode 342. Speaking of training, did you know that auto tech colleges need part-time instructors? It is a great way to engage with auto tech students. How about being a high school night school trainer. Let’s think outside the box and advance the aftermarket together.
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Wide Open Training Discussion with No Agenda [RR 741]
Dive into the minds of three incredible industry trainers in the studio of the 2022 Vision KC Hi Tech Training & Expo. We had no agenda, just some friends chatting with a special dynamic and their passion for the advancement of the aftermarket. Some of what we covered: what are their perspectives on electrical theory, becoming a trainer, and training in general, you’ll also hear talk about business culture, mentoring and so much more. Profound fun awaits you.
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Restructuring New Staff – Vinnie Lucido [RR 728]
The idea of completely restructuring your staff seems impossible, right? So how did Vinnie Lucido do it after his brother and partner retired from the business? And how did his role as the sole owner and operator change? I asked Vinnie all these questions, in the Vision KC studios, including his perspective on interns and how he can work such a few hours a week.
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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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Brought His 14 Team Members to Vision – Travis Troy [RR 726]
I asked Travis Troy, point-blank, what did it cost him to take his entire team to Vision this year. I talked to so many shop owners at Vision KC 2022 that closed their shops to take their entire team for some of the best training and networking both Technician, Service and Management. I stopped counting at 30 the number of shop owners who closed their shops there had to be 100 or more based on my simple survey results. Some strategies were to uplift and cross training their people into leadership roles by selecting that type of training. Travis and his partner Josh know they’ll get a huge return on their training investment. The message: get out of your comfort zone.
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1 Shop, 3 Apprentices [RR 723]
For anyone who doesn’t have a working apprentice in your shop, this is your wake-up call. Roy Foster from Foster’s Automotive currently has three apprentices and you’ll get a chance to hear from all three. Two are his sons and Yes they are going through an apprentice program. What about your son or daughter. Their excitement and motivation for this industry is hard to miss.
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It’s Time to Revamp Our Industry Training [THA 264]
This episode continues the previous discussion about learning environments and breaking the mold for both teachers and students. My group wants to revamp training (the lectures and presentation style) with smaller focus groups, that will allow the attendees to understand theories and concepts and have them apply them within a study group. This episode will push your think on the transfer of knowledge and maybe it’s time to break the mold on training.
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Practicing Automotive with Heipp, Fanslow and Manna [RR 720]
There’s nothing like hitting the record button and letting Bob Heipp, Matt Fanslow and Scot Mana have a wide open discussion about the automotive industry. What does it take to really fix cars? Are we doing a good job explaining it to our customers? How do other industries compare to ours? Should we really be using the term ‘diagnosing’ when what we are doing is performing tests and analyzing? My panel continues to advance the aftermarket, with great talk that will make you think.
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ASE Board Chairman Brad Pellman [RR 718]
ASE has made a commitment to its certifications and continues to push forward with its own app to make recertifications a learning opportunity. Not only do certifications benefit the technician and business owner, but it is also a tool to educate customers. It’s time to promote your business and employees and show your professionalism in the industry as ASE celebrates its 50th year.
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Start Monday Positive and Celebrate Friday [RR 711]
Start Monday Positive and Celebrate Friday [RR 711]
Get an inside look at Andy Bizub’s team culture in his Chicago business, including an emotional story about an accident his top technician suffered and how everyone rallied around him. Andy is passionate about pricing and what it takes to run a successful business and paying his employees accordingly. We also had a refreshing talk about Zero Gravity.
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Talking Tech: SVI, ADAS, Perception Systems, and Ethernet with Joe Register [RR 708]
Talking Tech: SVI, ADAS, Perception Systems, and Ethernet with Joe Register [RR 708]
Consider this episode a blitz round table with Joe Register, Vice-President Emerging Technologies at the AutoCare Association, we are discussing, emerging technology, ADAS, electrification, the Right to Repair Act and more. Vehicles have never been more connected and complicated than now and it’s critical to pause and learn about the intricacies involved.
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Why We Are Better Than The Car Dealerships [THA 257]
Why We Are Better Than The Car Dealerships [THA 257]
It’s time to shift your perspective from “we are the alternative to the dealerships” to “the dealerships are the alternative to us.” Are we making enough buzz about the benefits of independent repair shops? My panel shares their perspective and offers real testimonials from customers on their experience at the dealerships.
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ASE ADAS Certification and Other Important News [RR 707]
ASE ADAS Certification and Other Important News [RR 707]
If you’re not actively involved in ASE certifications or the ASE education foundation, you are missing a huge opportunity. There are so many resources at your fingertips to improve your business, get involved in education, become certified, or stay certified with ASE. Stop making excuses in this new year, become proactive and start taking action.
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Rethink 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.
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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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Recruiting Great Talent with Ryan Clo and Virtual Tour of Dubwerx [AW 077]
From Shadowing to Apprentice Graduate – Bridgette Johnson [RR 688]
From Shadowing to Apprentice Graduate [RR 688]
We hear over and over again that high school students happen to stumble upon a shadowing field trip in school and realize the automotive industry has endless career opportunities for them. This happened with Bridgette Johnson, when are we going to start spreading the word to our local schools instead of sitting on the sidelines?
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Hiring Dealership Technicians [THA 247]
Hiring Dealership Technicians [THA 247]
Hiring technicians from dealerships is an untapped talent pool for our industry. Shop owners that interview dealership techs with a job hopper resume will usually get tossed to the side. But maybe those technicians haven’t found their right place to work yet. The challenging environment and culture at dealerships give the independent repair shops the opportunity to show them they will be respected, appreciated, and be included in a family atmosphere with a strong culture. Listen closely to my panel as they discuss their own experiences with hiring technicians from dealerships.
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We Are Signal Intelligence Specialists – Gary Smith [RR 685]
We Are Signal Intelligence Specialists – Gary Smith [RR 685]
Trainer Gary Smith loves to diagnose tough challenges. He is going to touch, in this episode, on the importance of computer and mechanical data in finding carbon and deposit fouling when diagnosing driveability concerns. He is also going to talk about a new definition of technicians saying that they are “Signal Intelligence Specialists.” A unique approach to a technician’s skill set. We discuss the skills necessary to play in this new field of automotive tradecraft.
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Catching Up With Your Mentor [RR 680]
Catching Up With Your Mentor [RR 680]
Mentoring is a special relationship that grows between two individuals and also within themselves personally. With me is Jim Morton and Brandon Steckler: Mentor and Mentee. We all know when you teach you learn, but did you also know the best mentor never responds to a question with an answer? In this episode Jim and Brandon discuss the essence of mentorship. They also agree that going back to the basics is the simplest and often overlooked foundation for any successful diagnostician. I bet you are not surprised!
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Q & A with Chris Chesney [THA 241]
Q & A with Chris Chesney [THA 241]
You’re going to love this question and answer format style episode with the newly retired Chris Chesney. My panel takes a deep dive into Chris’s long and successful career. What was his most rewarding experience? Does he have any regrets? What is his forecast on the technician shortage and electric vehicles? And most importantly, is retirement really in the cards for Chris Chesney?
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Apprentice Journey – High School to Graduate [RR 675]
Apprentice Journey – High School to Graduate [RR 675]
How did a high school student who wanted to just fill a slot in his schedule end up becoming an apprentice at Dynamic Automotive? What are the qualities a mentor needs to have for an apprenticeship program? Is it possible for a 20 something-year-old to be financially stable in a career with no college debt? This is a down-to-earth, real-life episode that will shed some light on the importance of apprenticeships in our industry. … and you know how important apprentices are to me and to our long-term survival.
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Trends – Aftermarket Round Table [THA 239]
Trends – Aftermarket Round Table [THA 239]
The passion my panel has for this industry is hard to miss in this episode. They touch base on topics including labor rates, the professionalism of the industry and the importance of DVI’s to just name a few. We are only scratching the surface of these issues and concerns but it’s what is needed to spark a real change.
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Are You Going To ASTE? An Update [CC 095]
Are You Going To ASTE? [CC 095]
Are you going to ASTE September 24th-25th 2021? If the answer is no, then let this episode be your reason why you need to attend. ASTE is a training and expo destination and the largest venue of its type in the Southeast. This may be the year you take the entire shop. We’ve been pent for a while, needless to say, so it may be just the perfect time to attend technical and business training and network with your peers. remarkableresults.biz/cc095
Annual AAPEX Service Award Nominations [CC 094]
Welcome to a special CarmCast #094
Understand the role you play in recognizing our auto care industry’s top people. The AAPEX Service Awards are ready for your nomination. Find them aapexshow.com/service awards. The deadline is September 1, 2021.
Joining me is Dwayne Myers, Partner, Dynamic Automotive, and Bill Nalu, Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI. Bill and Dwyane were nominators from last year’s honors. They each had their nominee win.
This is a very important opportunity to increase the bar of professionalism in our industry. I’m sure you know someone worthy of a nomination. There are three awards in this annual recognition. Shop Owner, Technician, and Service Advisor of the year. This is the 2nd annual and the honors will be presented at AAPEX 2021.
I know you know someone worthy of a nomination. Consider your peer groups and twenty groups to nominate a shop owner of the year. Think about the dedication from your technician and service advisor that makes a great contribution to the professionalism of your business. You may be a technician and would like to nominate one of your co-workers or a friend.