RR 307: Chris Cloutier – Entrepreneurial Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur
Accept the Struggle and Find a Way to Continually Improve your Entrepreneurial Journey.
Chris Cloutier and I had a great conversation, passionate at times, on entrepreneurialism. Chris is a serial entrepreneur and has some wise words and experience at it. We talk bootstrapping, cash is king, the struggle, trusting your gut, leadership and even salesmanship. Don’t shy away from these topics – the discussion just may set you off on a better course. Chris has the scars, like all of us, which are the lessons we all learn as we march toward an improving and brighter future.
This interview is going to cement much of what you know about growing a business, and some of our talk will hit you, I hope, smack in your entrepreneurial soul and get you to understand the journey you are on a little better.
Listen and view episode notesRR 300: 300th Retrospective: Interview with Host Carm Capriotto
The 300th Episode Retrospective
For the first-time podcast host, Carm Capriotto is in the interviewee seat. Seven aftermarket professionals ask Carm questions that discover the attributes and purpose of the aftermarket’s premier podcast. He shares some very personal stories and chronicles some behind the scene moments.
You’ll learn about what makes Carm tick, how it all started and what his thoughts are for the future. He is so proud of the audio library made up of the voices of the aftermarket. The guests who trusted Carm to get their story told so that all ships rise, is the pure foundation of the value of the podcast to the industry.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 047: Twenty-One TIPS to Get an Edge on the Competition – Part 2
Do you need a quick new idea to implement that will give you an edge?
In this Academy lesson get 21 TIPS (Part 2) to help give you an edge over the competition. These are some very simple ideas that have been collected from successful service professionals in the industry.
Implementation will be the big payoff. If you listen to learn just one thing and do not implement you will not benefit from this listen.
Listen and view episode notesRR 287: Bill Haas – Millennials – How to Lead and Engage This Generation
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hiring and Leading Millennials
Every twenty years or so a new generation of workers arrives. For many of us, we raised today’s Millennials or Generation Y. They are made up of the 22-40-year-old’s who number 79 million in the workforce; the largest segment.
If we are to seed our industry with youth and grow our own, we must look at the Millennial Generation. We must understand how to integrate them and nurture them into our workforce.
Each generation has its quirks. Gen Y is no different. Once you learn what moves and motivates them you’ll find it so much easier to accept and keep millennials motivated in your business culture. The lessons here works for all team members, but you’ll learn what really makes the Millennial tick and why they behave like they do.
Listen and view episode notesRR 284: Women In Auto Care Honorees
Women In Auto Care Honor Their Own.
The 2017 Honors for Auto Care Woman of the Year Laura Soave, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, Female Shop Owner of the Year, Carolyn Coquillette, owner of Luscious Garage in downtown San Francisco and Auto Care Woman of Excellence, Jill Trotta, the Director of Automotive Group at Repair Pal.
The WIAC connect, empower and mentor women in our auto care industry. In 2017 they provided educational scholarships worth $65,000. More on that inside this fun and inspiring episode.
Listen and view episode notesRR 281: Auto Care Impact Award- Four For The Future 2017
Impact Award Honoree’s In 2017 Share Their Aftermarket Story.
The Auto Care Association annually honors four aftermarket professionals, age 40 or younger, who have made remarkable contributions to the auto care industry. The Impact Award: Four for the Future, was created in 2010 and is administered by the Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee.
The 2017 award winners are Sarah Shelstrom from Integrated Supply Network, Katina Wall from STP at Spectrum Brands, Kyle Byrne from the Merrill Company and Chris Pacey from National Performance Warehouse.
We talk about the impact of technology, the elephant in the room, insights, recruiting talent into the industry and the trends they see affecting the aftermarket.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 043: Book Club – Favorite Books That Have Made Me A Better Leader/CEO
Books That Have Made Me a Better Leader and CEO
Harry Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers.” Our Academy panel will share with you the books that have impacted them. They’ll explain their big take-a-ways that have impacted their lives both personal and business.
Many service professionals, that have shared their story on the podcast, credit books as an important resource for building their knowledge on leadership, business culture and personal growth.
Listen and view episode notesRR 275: Chris Chesney – Sr. Director Customer Training – Carquest Technical Institute
Are You Committed to Be A Lifetime Learner In The Automotive Aftermarket? Learn Why It Must Be Your Most Important Goal.
Chris Chesney is the Senior Director, Customer Training at the CARQUEST Technical Institute and explains that our great aftermarket has its best days ahead, however, the challenge is going to take many people, teams and organizations working together to formulate solutions as we prepare for the largest wave of technology and consolidation we’ve ever seen.
Chris explains that all successful technicians and shop owners know …. that you must be committed to being a lifelong learner. If not … you’re in the wrong profession.
Listen and view episode notesRR 274: Bill Hanvey and Bill Long / Co-Chair of AAPEX 2017
AAPEX Co-Chairs Share the Educational Value and Networking Power of this Premier Global Event
AAPEX is co-owned by The Auto Care Association and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). Bill Hanvey is president and CEO of Auto Care and Bill Long, AAP is president and COO of AASA.
You’ll hear about the evolution in education for the service professional and the highlights for diagnostics training and technology for 2017. Bill and Bill share many of the reasons to attend AAPEX and their strategies to keep pushing the technology envelope since we are now a technology industry.
Mobility park and ServiceEDU are discussed along with a few behind the scenes stories that will give you a high appreciation for the enormity of this project. This is the Expo and Conference not to be missed each year.
Listen and view episode notesRR 264: Steve Ciabattoni – Credit Card Compliance
Are You In Compliance with Credit Card Regulations As It Relates to Chip Cards?
Steve Ciabattoni from 360 Payments explains the regulations for EMV, the chip cards. We also discuss contracts, processing fees and who makes the real money in credit card processing.
An important episode to help evaluate your relationship and what to look for in a processor. Steve gives a tip on the best fee structure, equipment leasing and the future of credit card processing. He also is outspoken on the link between the chip reader and your SMS.
Listen and view episode notesRR 262: Skip Potter – Retired Executive Director NASTF
Retiring Executive Director Shares His Legacy and the Importance NASTF is to the Automotive Service Industry
Skip Potter has had a storied career working in parts distribution, motorsports, tools, service, collision, and heavy duty. He also had important roles with leading industry associations and a radio career with a syndicated radio broadcast called ‘Virginia Race Line.’
Skip is one of our unsung legacy leaders in our beloved aftermarket. He just retired as the Executive Director of NASTF (The National Automotive Service Task Force). Skip gives us a firsthand account of the value NASTF brings to the industry. You will be surprised.
Skip is one of those very versatile industry leaders and a great example of a legacy aftermarket leader. It is important we hear his story. So prepare for an important understanding of the role NASTF plays for all of us and the storied career of a legacy aftermarket leader.
Listen and view episode notesRR 260: Vic Tarasik – Part 2 – Life’s Lessons
Life’s Lessons that Establish Your Strengths as a Leader.
After nearly 30 years of successfully operating Vic’s Precision Automotive, a fourteen-bay automotive repair facility located in The Woodlands, TX, Vic Tarasik sold his beloved shop, however, he remains active in the industry he loves.
In the episode, Vic’s shares the remaining 5 life’s lessons. He covered the first five in episode 234. He’s very transparent as he speaks to how these lessons changed him as a leader.
Listen and view episode notesRR 257: Tom Marx, MAAP – Marx Group & Hart Marx Advisors
Shops That Have Created a Brand Where People Trust You Find Their Business Booming.
Tom Marx, MAAP, Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer from The Marx Group, a full-service marketing communications agency, says the service segment of our industry is in the Golden Age. He is also very outspoken on industry consolidation as a partner in Hart Marx Advisors a mergers and acquisition consultancy.
Tom knows the aftermarket and the service professional. He’ll be speaking at AAPEX 2017 on ‘Amplifying Your Brand’. In the interview, Tom talks about industry consolidation from both the service and distribution side. He also shares his perspectives on training, marketing and the need for quality financial statements, if you are interested in selling your business.
Listen and view episode notesRR 255: David Milne from ATMC and ASE
Important Study Shows the Graying of Our Technicians Poses a Big Challenge in the Very Near Future.
Dave Milne serves as the President of the Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC), a division of the ASE Industry Education Alliance. Dave is also the Executive Director of Special Test Programs for ASE.
Dave shares the mission and value of ATMC, their most recent survey data that he says will have a big impact on the industry. We talk about education and recruiting our future technicians. You’ll also hear Dave speak to our industry training needs and trends, pay structure and how ATMC and ASE is working with the industry to bring awareness to our trade.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 029: Are We Too Dependent on Being Independent?
Individuality and entrepreneurialism is commanding but being inter-dependency can become a powerful positive force.
Independence is a strength, however being Interdependent on each other can benefit the entire industry.
Being independent seems to breed us not working together to lift our image, improve labor rates, access to information, grow our people, share knowledge, tools and equipment.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 028: Twenty-One TIPS to Get an Edge on the Competition – Part 1
Do you need a quick new idea that will give you an edge on your competition?
In this Academy lesson get 21 TIPS that have been implemented before to help give you an edge over the competition. These are some very simple ideas that have been collected from successful service professionals in the industry.
Implementation will be the big payoff. If you listen to learn just one thing and do not implement you will not benefit from this listen.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 242: Rick White from 180BIZ
Is the Transparency of The Internet Forcing The Service Professional To Change How Business Is Done?
Rick White is President and Lead Coach for 180BIZ, an auto repair shop training and business coaching company. He is an AMi approved trainer, an ASA committee member and an established industry writer for many top magazines.
Rick brings an enlightening view of leadership, communication, the sales process and shares the four responsibilities of a shop owner.
Rick also talks about the transparency of the internet and challenges a new way to do business because of the universal availability of information. He says we must bring insights to our customer because they are in need of our expertise. He also shares his view on where parts gross margins need to go in the age of the transparent internet.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 241: Jorge Menchu – AES Wave and Instructor
Are You Learning Up To Your Maximum Potential?
Industry trainer and entrepreneur Jorge Menchu, President of AES Wave is enthusiastic about teaching our industries technicians. He is more passionate on how technicians learn. He says that the basic problem of learning is to understand the mechanics of learning.
Jorge shares his Four Levels of Learning and says if you are in control of your learning process you will learn more. He says everyone knows how to learn. If you are not struggling to learn; then you are in control of the process of learning.
Listen and view episode notesRR 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.
Listen and view episode notesRR 236: Bob Cooper – Elite Worldwide
Do You Know Why the Success of your Business is Dependent on Setting Huge Long-Term Goals?
Bob Cooper, President of Elite Worldwide share his five principles of success. He explains why having BIG goals is important to personal and business success. Bob has brought his expertise to the automotive industry as a trainer and a coach. He has also spoken worldwide to many Fortune 500 companies, private banking groups, school districts, the United States Army.
Bob gets into the details on his five principles and offers a special bonus; the CEO’s job description.
Listen and view episode notesTHA 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.
Listen and view episode notes