RR 319: ASA Northwest – Jobst, Smith, Kelley
Ask for help. Offer help. Reaching out to help your peers.
Become the fly on the wall at ASA Northwest’s training event, ATE, and listen to an enlightening panel discussion with Butch Jobst, the ASA Northwest Chairman of the Board from B & B Automotive in Aberdeen, WA, Brian Smith the ASA Northwest Immediate Past Chairman of the Board form Gig Harbor Automotive Service in Gig Harbor, WA and Bryan Kelley the ASA Northwest Chairman-Elect from Valley Automotive Electric in Covington, WA.
The panel was very transparent on their own business career’s and they offered up their wisdom on coaching, the E-Myth, the power of networking and the invisible hand of ASA Northwest, the opportunities for growth with the aging vehicle car parc and embracing advanced technology.
There is a strong message to young shop owners that cannot be missed.
RR 309: The Shop of the Future – Are You Prepared? Vision 2018 Town Hall
The Shop of the Future: Are You Prepared?
Have you thought about how you will do business in the future? Well the mission of this panel was to stretch the boundaries and serve up plenty of thoughts, concepts and changes coming that you need to be fundamentally be prepared for.
So happy to be able to present this audio recording from Vision 2018. With me are shop owners, Summer Gurerro from Affinity Automotive Services, Inc in Wichita, KS, Keith Williamson owner of Williamson’s Repair and Tire in Bondurant, IA, Trainer and Mobile Technician Eric Ziegler form EZ Diagnostics, Chris Chesney the Senior Director, Customer Training at the Carquest Technical Institute and Donny Seyfer the Executive Officer of NASTF, the National Automotive Service Task Force and co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in Wheatridge, CO.
Many great thoughts that will help shape your future. There are many important action steps discussed that need your support and engagement. Listen carefully for those cues.
RR 305: Derek Kaufman – Joran Thompson – Living in a APP World
Chicago. No Car. No Problem.
Joran Thompson lives in Chicago and hasn’t owned a car for years. She does fine commuting to work, buying fresh groceries and dry goods. Her dry cleaning gets done, perfectly and on-time, and her latest IKEA purchase gets constructed. When she needs medicine, pizza or to wait in a line for a restaurant on a Saturday Night she just uses her smartphone. There’s an APP for all of her needs.
The story for aftermarket professionals is that all the miles Joran is not driving are being done by the services she contracts. Transportation as a Service will rack up the miles to support all the Joran Thompson’s who don’t own vehicles. Someone will need to maintain and repair those vehicles. It’s time to make those connections.
RR 296: The Digital Shop – A Discussion | Sevart | Connor | Kleinschmidt
The Digital Shop: A Discussion.
If you are contemplating the future and know you’ll need to get there maybe sooner rather than later this roundtable discussion has a lot of information for you. Panelists are Joe Sevart from I70 Auto Service from Kansas City, MO, Bill Connor the General Manager form Craig’s’ Car Care in Allen, TX and AutoVitals CEO Uwe Kleinschmidt.
There are many important info points here to help you and guide you in this inevitable change to your business that will be as important as having lifts in the bays. You may not be ready to implement a totally digital inspection, CRM, and workflow system, however, you’ll want to invest the time in this episode, to you keep your learning curve high and hear from shop owners who have done it and are so happy they did.
The digital strategy is to have the service advisor to do more advising and less busy work. Digital also allows the customer to be anywhere and still see the problems via still pictures and videos.
THA 049: How to Sell Diagnostics
How To Sell Diagnostics at a Profit?
This is not an easy question to answer. Service professionals must be paid for their expertise because the cost of doing diagnostics is the most expensive service you have in your building.
It is time to move from diagnostics to testing and analyzing. Every shop needs to build a premium product around testing and analyzing. You need to be known as the ‘we can fix anything right the first time shop’. Your motto: “We have the best technicians.” Your shops testing and analyzing skills is the premium product you sell and are known for in your marketplace. No need to go anywhere else. We do the research, test, analyze and discover what is wrong. We present the solution then you decide.
Marketing this premium product requires a strong testing/analyzing process that both the service advisor and technician are totally in agreement with. The benefits allow the SA to confidently sell testing and analyzing.
The diagnostician knows that the SA will sell the value and benefits to the customer because the process dictates the work to be done. A very strong discussion and powerful take-a-ways that will arrest the black hole in your business of profitable diagnostic time.
RR 290: Al Haberstroh and Robert Cannon
Marketing To the Ultimate Customer. The Power of Video and the Zero Moment of Truth.
Al Haberstroh, a partner and Chief Strategy Officer at MontAd Media, a data marketing company serving the auto aftermarket and Robert Cannon, Chairman and CEO of AutoNetTV. Discuss building confidence and awareness in your consumer’s relationship.
These two companies have formed a strategic partnership to provide innovative content and marketing services to the aftermarket. They believe, “Macro trends like price transparency and more educated consumers are compelling smart manufacturers to connect with repair shops and consumers in creative ways.”
This conversation is going to light you up if you are into branding, marketing and the buying moment of truth. Al and Robert have a handle on the ‘e’ buying experience and look to work with the aftermarket to nurture a knowledgeable and brand conscious customer for the service professional.
RR 288: Jorge Antico from eAutoClub.com
Customer Transaction Data is a Powerful Resource for Organic Growth
With a business and computer science education, Jorge Antico identified the aftermarkets need for transactional service-data aggregation. In essence, a family-owned vehicle fleet service management system.
The data that sits on your server contains a treasure of information that can be served up in just the right way. With the right AI software for natural language predictive CRM, you can do a lot with your information. Antico shares the power of growing your business using the data you already own.
This episode will provide much insight, from a tech perspective. There are many strong thinking moments here that will energize your systems and marketing talents and inspire you to grow your business.
RR 278: Emerging Technology – How Will the Aftermarket Prepare – Service EDU @ AAPEX17
Trends, Current Issues and Outlooks On the Future of the Service Sector
Shop owner Ryan Clo, Trainer Dave Hobbs and Diagnostician Matt Fanslow share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that make up the dynamic and changing aftermarket.
Don’t miss the discussion on training, business models, technician pay, business culture, specialization, and the changing role of the shop owner.
RR 269: ASA-Pennsylvania ‘Super Saturday’ – Training Event
Business Management and Technical Training Converge at ASA-PA Super Saturday Event.
This single day event in Warminster, PA featured a technician and business owner training track for east coast aftermarket professionals. Modeled after the TST Big Event and Vision Kansas City, you’ll get a behind the scenes feel with the Chairman and co-chairmen as they talk about the need and value of continuous training.
On top of this formative interview catch, all the names that are dropped and see the show notes to find interviews from the trainers, vendors and shop owners that have their own interview on the podcast.
RR 253: Scott Buckley & Steve Bullins
The Future of Our Industry Speaks Out on Tech, Technology, Millennials, DVI and Customer Service.
Scott Buckley and Steve Bullins from Buckley’s Personalized Driver Care bring a refreshing look at our industry. You’ll be happy to hear this duo speak on so many topics.
All the while you are listening, consider these guys are the shop owners of the future and will help guide and steer our industry for many years to come. We’re in good hands.
RR 251: Craig O’Neill form O’Neill’s Transmission Service
Third Generation Millennial Whose Dad Has Complete Confidence in His Decision Making is Looking for an Actionable Succession Plan.
Craig O’Neill from O’Neill’s Transmissions and Service has taken some bold moves in the business and implemented a DVI system and hired a business consultant.
He sees great opportunities in emerging technologies and values the power of a strong business culture.
Regarding the technician shortage, he shares their apprentice program that has helped not only his business but the vocational school he works with.
RR 247: Derek Kaufman – Partner at Schwartz Advisers – What Does the Future with Autonomous Cars Look Like?
What does the future with Autonomous Cars Look Like?
Derek Kaufman a Managing Partner at Schwartz Advisors is thinking large about the future of the auto care industry and the acceptance of TaaS (Transportation as a Service) with ride sharing and ultimately vehicle ownership.
Vehicle ownership will have a big impact on our industry and it will have a big impact on the miles driven with the remaining vehicles in the car parc.
Derek is challenging a report that says there will be only 44 million vehicles that will handle the 6 trillion Vehicle Miles Traveled in 2030 in the car parc vs 270 million we have today. He is accepting the technical evolution with AV’s, however, he is questioning the numbers from the report and applied some of his own math to figure out what our future may look like. Will these vehicles be able to handle the miles we drive today for work and pleasure? What about convenience. What about our work trucks? Listen to his view on our future.
RR 246: Scott Brown from iATN
Is iATN A Staple In Your Shop? Listen to Scott Brown Tell the Story of the Humble beginnings and Future Plans Of iATN.
Scott Brown president of iATN and co-owner, with his wife, of Connie & Dick’s Service Center, keeps his finger on the pulse of the industry by staying engaged at the shop. The interview takes you back to the day before the internet when bulletin boards were a way to communicate with your peers.
iATN is keeping pace and is working on exciting plans to continue to bring value to shop owners, technicians and educators of the auto care industry.
Scott gives an insider look at the iATN mobile APP, the new ‘Review’ space and the new iATN 2.0 and much more.
THA 018: ASA Connected CARS Detroit May 2017
What is Your Knowledge Quotient on the Connected Car?
ASA held an important industry event in May 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Is was the ASA Connected CARS program. Presentations from Delphi, ETI, GM, Mahle, and Bosch highlighted the event as the future of ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles (AV) was discussed.
The Academy panel includes event organizer Donny Seyfer, shop owners Peter Rudloff, Craig O’Neill and technician Dave Wagner. Listen to your colleagues perspective on their take-a-ways from Connected CARS Detroit and how they see the opportunities shaping up the future of the aftermarket.
RR 239: John Burkhauser – Director of Educational Programs – Bolt On Technology
What You Can Learn from Your Dentist on Setting Appointments.
John Burkhauser, the Director of Educational Programs at Bolt-On Technology has a storied career as an automotive technician and as a post-secondary automotive educator. He is finding his career path has set him up for this current job.
John says the service process really hasn’t changed in 30 years. For many shops, it is still a day of putting out fires and trying to keep one’s head above water. He has his opinions on finding techs in post-secondary schools, the importance of best practices, and insights on digital vehicles inspections.
THA 012: What Keeps You Up at Night?
What Keeps You Up At Night? Is a metaphor on what we are concerned with as the world changes at unprecedented speeds.
You need to get out ahead of change and set the vision for your company. Paying attention to every business opportunity and challenge along with technology, business culture and finding and keeping good people helps you sleep well. The occasional 2 AM get up ‘thought’ just may signal an important strategy to pay attention to.
THA 011: Your Website – Tactics To Improve
Your Website – Tactics to improve Traffic and other Tech Talk as discussed by two industry experts, Danny Sanchez from Auto Shop Solutions and Todd Westerlund, CEO of Kukui. Along with shop owners Ryan Clo from Dubwerx in Cincinnati, OH and Doug Grills from Autostream in the Greater Baltimore/Washington, DC area.
Great talk on being mobile, Google Analytics, SEO, review marketing being sure your site converts customers, website design, analytics and call tracking, and working with Google Premier Partners.
RR 226: Connected CARS Detroit May 2017 – An Overview
The Future is Now. Are You Preparing for the Future of Automotive Repair?
Held in Detroit on May 18th & 19th, 2017 and presented by ASA, Automotive Service Association, Connected CARS (Congress of Automotive Repair & Service) and organized by Donny Seyfer. This training conference brought industry trainers, automotive engineers and service professionals from all parts of North America to learn about rapidly advancing vehicle technology. Participants got an important glimpse into the world of the connected car with in-depth and detailed looks at ADAS, Next Gen Vehicle Networks and the future of diagnostics.
Listen to a compilation of seventeen of your industry peers as they discuss their reaction to this top industry event. There is no time like now to best understand the speed and gravity of technology. This conference helped serve up the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the ‘connected’ service professional.
RR 215: Derek Kaufman from Schwartz Advisors – Business Model Transformation
Prepare for coming trends, emerging technology and business disrupters as the aftermarket prepares for the future.
Derek Kaufman, Managing Partner at Schwartz Advisors is focusing his future lens on today’s trends that will have a big impact on how the aftermarket does business tomorrow.
Will you be prepared to change your business model because car sharing, autonomous cars, augmented reality, an increasing hybrid share, multi-party leasing, among others will force you to do business differently as the future unfolds.
Aftermarket players are innovative and responsive to turn these realities into a business advantage by offering service alternative that are fully competitive with the OE shops.
RR 189: Uwe Kleinschmidt from AutoVitals
Technology Entrepreneur shares his vision of success for the service professional..
Uwe Kleinschmidt founder and CEO of AutoVitals shares his insights on the continued integration of technology for every service professional. He says the internet is fundamentally changing the industry and how we serve the customer.
Uwe talks about the power of data, unbillable time wasted, why the service advisor is the most important part of the successful shop, that total shop measurements is the next frontier such as real time technician efficiency, and many more stimulating thoughts, ideas and insights.
RR 186: Chris Cloutier on Shop Technology
Do you understand the logical progression of software tools and systems in your company?
Keeping up with technology improvements and enhancements is an important strategy for any shop owner. Chris Cloutier has created an info-graphic that maps the implementation and process of a technology driven service shop
Chris created a website to help shop owners understand the process, stages and options available for shop owners. The timeline helps create an implementation strategy so that every shop keeps up with technology advancements and critical levels of customer interaction and connection.
RR 178: The Digital Sales Process with Jeremy O’Neal and Chris Cloutier
RR 156: Kathleen Long from Repair Pal
It doesn’t take much for consumers to be disloyal to their repair shop.
Kathleen Long the VP of Customer Success and GM of the Shop Network at RepairPal shares results of their constant surveying of the automotive consumer. This episode is packed with quantifiable and conceptual strategies to improve the service professionals total customer service experience.
This data brings a perspective to what needs to be done by the service professional to accommodate the consumer’s needs and perceptions that will grow their service business.
Episode highlights include warranty, reviews, pricing, the showroom or lobby, bathrooms, loaner cars, quality vs convenience, texting, and a good bedside manner. There is something here for everyone.
RR 149: Carolyn Coquillette from Luscious Garage
Carolyn Coquillette discovered wrenching in 2000, shortly after graduating from college. A rare female mechanic, her nickname at the service station and in professional circles became “Luscious Garage.” Carolyn owns Luscious Garage, a hybrid specialty shop in San Francisco and probably the best known hybrid shop in the country. She also owns Shop-Ware, a software…
RR 134: Todd Erickson from Identifix
Todd Erickson, an Identifix Carline Expert gets to talk shop on the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast. You will learn how Todd got his job, what he loves about it, and how he views the learning curve in the industry.
Among many great stories, Todd goes back 15 years to explain his job interview at Identifix. He illustrates how a trick question, he answered correctly, may have been the deciding factor in him getting the job. This Subaru expert excels in diagnostic reasoning and provides a great behind the scenes view of this industry resource.