App-solutely Essential: Why Auto Repair Shops Need to Embrace Apps [RR 863]

Jeff Mont, owner of JJ’s Auto Service Center and Jeremy Glassco, founder of App Fueled, discuss the benefits of using apps in the automotive industry. Apps can be a valuable tool to engage with customers and increase customer loyalty. By offering valuable benefits and discounts, shops can make it worth their customers’ while to give their time and attention to their business. JJ shares his experience using App Fueled for his shop’s app, which includes a 10% discount on all purchases and a 5% rebate up to $50. He notes that the app has helped increase his shop’s average repair order by 15-16%.
remarkableresults.biz/e863

Keeping Up with Technology [THA 333]

As technology continues to advance, it can be difficult for businesses to keep up with the latest tools and updates. This is especially important as it directly affects the quality of service provided to customers. Our panel discusses the challenges of keeping up with technology and shared their tips for staying ahead of the curve. They discuss the need for specialization, individualized training, and networking to solve problems and keep up with new tools and updates.
remarkableresults.biz/a333

Why Is Transmission Diagnostic Training Essential For Automotive Technicians? [RR 859]

Lance Wiggins, Executive Director of ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association), discusses the importance of training in transmission diagnostics and the evolving relationship between automotive and transmission shops. He also discusses ATRA’s chapters, which encourage training and communication among members, and the association’s upcoming national training event. The most significant benefit of training attending events like the ATRA Powertrain Expo is the networking that takes place. The buzz and conversations that happen between attendees are invaluable and cannot be replicated on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. So, rev up your knowledge and invest in yourself by attending training seminars. By doing so, you will provide the best possible service to your customers and stay ahead of the competition.
remarkableresults.biz/e859

Using Slack as a Communication Tool [THA 332]

Chris Lum and Tom Ham discuss the benefits of using Slack as a productivity tool and how they use it in their businesses, including the ability to create different channels for different purposes, send attachments and documents, and customize notifications. Overall, Slack is seen as a valuable tool for improving communication and efficiency in the automotive industry.
remarkableresults.biz/a332

What Does It Take to Become an A-Tech in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry? [THA 329]

What does it take to become an A-Tech in the automotive aftermarket industry? Scot Manna, Matt Fanslow, and Ryan Kooiman share their perspectives, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, individual effort, and natural talent. They also discuss the role of shop owners in investing in their employees’ training and development, as well as the challenges faced by the industry in assessing skill levels. The episode provides valuable insights into becoming an A-Tech and how the industry can support and cultivate talent.
remarkableresults.biz/a329

21 Tips: How to Gain an Edge Part 4 [THA 328]

Learn how to improve your business and take it to the next level with these 21 tips and insights related to management, marketing, customer service, and personal growth. Our panel provides practical tips such as refreshing online photos, using referral programs, and creating a virtual tour of the shop. They also encourage humility, vulnerability, and continuous learning as essential tools for success in the automotive industry.
remarkableresults.biz/a328

Streamlining Workflow: Shop-Ware’s New TechApp for Technicians [RR 843]

Recorded Live at Vision 2023, this episode features Carolyn Coquillette, CEO of Shop-Ware, discussing the release of their new mobile application, TechApp, designed to help technicians manage their work more efficiently. The app allows technicians to view a list of current jobs, track their time on individual services, and easily document findings and results, including inspections. The episode also touches on the challenges of building software for the automotive industry and the importance of customer feedback in the development process.
remarkableresults.biz/e843

An Update: Mobile Diag and Training [AW 145]

Insights to the Vision Hi-Tech & Expo Class “Which Scan Tool Should I Buy?” Saturday, March 4th 8:45 am-11:45 am with Scott Shotton, Scot Manna, Tanner Brandt, Keith Perkins, and Sean Tipping.
remarkableresults.biz/aw144

Ask Ortho – Eric Turkington and Kim Conti [RR 815]

Let’s talk about voice assistants for employee efficiency. Technicians need quick and reliable access to accurate data for servicing vehicles. What if they could stay in their bay and ask ‘Hey Ortho’ to check fluid types and receive a response within seconds? Join Eric Turkington, Vice President of Growth, and Kim Conti, Vice President of Product, as they discuss Ortho, the next high tech tool for the automotive industry. 
remarkableresults.biz/e815

Uncovering the Unconscious Incompetent – Chris Chesney [RR 814]

Recorded Live at the 2022 Transformers Summit with Chris Chesney, Training and Organizational Development at Repairify. Chris takes the common phrase, “I don’t know what I don’t know,” and flips it to “I don’t know THAT I don’t know.” With today’s technology expanding the way it is, there is too much information to memorize and know every piece of knowledge when it comes to car repair. How can we change the way technicians learn? How can we prove their understanding besides a certificate or course completion?
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Technician Tools and Jocko [THA 298]

Do wages today support the tools technicians need? What are they spending? Are owners using tool purchase programs for their employees? Andy Bizub from Midwest Performance Car, Chicago, shares his perspective on tool programs in his shop. Andy also discusses his experience at Jocko Willink’s ‘Echelon Front’ Muster conference that he is sending his people to and why it is ‘next level’ training.
remarkableresults.biz/a298

Scan Tools Part 3 [RR 678]

Scan Tools Part 3 [RR 678]

Same crew, Matt Fanslow, Keith Perkins and Bill Nalu from Part 1 and 2 and in this episode we are hearing about preferred scan tool preferences by platform. We also hammer about the investment the shop needs to make in scan tools for the team and some additional myths. The team speaks to the difference between a scan tool and a diagnostic platform.

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Scan Tools Part 2 [RR 669]

Scan Tools Part 2 [RR 669]

Same crew, Matt Fanslow, Keith Perkins and Bill Nalu from part 1 and we came together to discuss the myths of which scan tool will do a better job and if the words “Scan tool,” is the right term to define this device. Also, many do not know that you can buy an OE scan tool from the dealer. Yes another deep discussion and if you didn’t listen to Scan Tools Part 1 it is episode 629 released in April 2021. remarkableresults.biz/e669

Scan Tools Part 1 [RR 629]

Scan Tools Part 1 [RR 629]

Scan tools…who should be the one investing in scan tools? The owner? The technician? How often are you turning away jobs because you don’t have the right tool? Does a journeyman plumber need to buy their own tools to do a job? I don’t think so! These are all questions we cover in this episode with Matt Fanslow, Keith Perkins, and Bill Nalu. A wide-open panel discussion you will enjoy and learn just one thing.

The key talking points for this episode reside at remarkablersults.biz/e629

THA 084: Buying Technician Tools: Create Your Program!

Buying Technician Tools: Create Your Program

We are talking ‘Buying Technicians Tools; The How’ and with me is Keith Williamson, owner of Williamson’s Repair and Tire in Bondurant, IA, Andy Bizub Shop Owner of Porsche Specialist Midwest Performance Cars LLC, and Seth Thorson, Shop Owner, Eurotech, New Brighton, MN, a Euro Specialist and owner of the BMW tech support company LMV Bavarian.

Among the discussion; Is making employees supply tools an outdated tradition? Is buying technicians tools a recruiting and retention tool for your business?

The team says owners don’t want to see their techs in debt and you’ll hear ideas and solutions to create your own program to transition into supporting tools as a benefit and retention tool.

THA 036: Ten Reasons For Buying Technician Tools

Is Tradition Preventing Shop Owners From Buying Technician Tools? FACT: Shop Owners Are Already Paying For Their Employee Tools, And At A Super Inflated Premium With A Ton Of Interest To Boot.

This Academy panel feels that making employees supply tools is an outdated tradition, based on poor understanding of economics and is commonplace for all the wrong reasons.

We cover a lot of ground including the debt load carried by technicians, tool truck time, improved retention and loyalty. We talk side work, and how to approach starting this new strategy. The panel agrees it takes more than just money to retain top talent.

When the shop provides all the specialty tools you need to have them cataloged so everyone knows where they are located to prevent wasted time finding them. In the end, what is in the best interest for your shop will guide how you tackle this.