RR 426: Supporting Technician Training with Technology and Partnerships – Paul Louwers – AVI On Demand

Supporting Technician Training with Technology and Partnerships – Paul Louwers – AVI On-Demand

Paul Louwers, CEO and CO-founder of the Automotive Video Innovations and the driving force behind the concept and execution of AVI. He has been in the training business for over 25 years.

Paul explains that on-demand training is just one tool for a shop owner and technician in their training arsenal. Because of the online learning management system, and I can’t stress that enough, when you add in leader-led training, and hands-on, the power of networking; the learning is compounded. Find your learning combination.

AVI is a technology company that excels at creating training for the automotive industry. They are producing relevant content for, Service and Repair Centers, Parts Manufacturers, Parts Distributors, and Automotive Schools.

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.

RR 419: Bringing Technician Proficiency to the Next Level Through Mentoring Programs

Bringing Technical Proficiency to the Next Level Through Tech Mentoring Programs

What is technician mentoring? It is a training program focused on technical proficiency. Helping our techs not just technical but also on effective communication, effective teamwork, positive shop culture and a higher bottom line for everyone. Encouraging a team aspect that benefits everyone involved and getting techs better at their jobs.

Ensuring our industry’s growth is our Vision 2019 power panel are veteran educators and trainers with years of expertise within the industry; Scott Shotton owner of the Driveability Guys, Eric Ziegler owner of E-Z Diagnostic Solutions and Trainer, Dave Denmon of Dave’s Car Care and Gerson Carcache Master Tech at Dave’s Car Care.

The episode is driving the discussion of technician mentoring and the need for assisting shops in developing their technicians. Not only keeping a seasoned technician current but in developing bench talent.

THA 112: Aftermarket Training in the Age of Rapid Tech Changes. How To Navigate Your Training Needs.

Aftermarket Training in the Age of Rapid Tech Changes – How To Navigate Your Training Needs

The commitment to training must come from both the technicians and shop owners. We keep hearing that we are in a hi-tech industry. The stats are out there to prove that. You’ve seen so many new ADAS equipped vehicles. Have you thought about being equipped to repair them? From both the equipment and intellectual assets you need.

These three professionals have seen it all and are faced with many of the same challenges. Ryan Kooiman, Director of Training, Standard Motor Products, Bob Pattengale, Is the National Training Manager for Bosch and Jon Forro, shop owner of AST and an automotive Instructor.

We talk the importance of pre and post training assessments, stopping the participation trophy and seeing the same faces in class. From their perspective, they are concerned that if the aftermarket doesn’t make a stronger commitment to training the dealers will take their business.

FTR 032: Pierre Respaut – Has Seen a Technical Revolution in His Lifetime

Pierre Respaut has a steep history as an automotive shop owner, dealership mechanic/technician, and trainer. He is in the aftermarket for fifty years. Pierre worked at BMW and Ferrari dealerships and owned “Ultimate Cars”, a BMW specialty repair shop for 30 years. After he closed the shop he was recruited to help improve a VW…

RR 401: Family Succession Part 1 – Our Future Female Shop Owners

Family Succession Part 1 – Our Future Female Shop Owners

We are talking to three millennial ladies who are geared for the succession of the family business. Many of our aftermarkets family businesses want to retire knowing that the business they have built is in safe hands, is moving forward and continues to succeed. Grooming a family member to become the CEO is a big decision and challenging journey.

Our guests are young and energetic female successors; Carly Paiva from Elite Auto Repair, in Warwick, RI, Jacquie Hower from Zimmerman’s Automotive in Mechanicsburg, PA, and Lauren Anderson from Victory Auto Service and Glass in Minneapolis. They understood very well the stakes and the responsibilities. They are not shying away and have shown maturity above their young age.

Carly Paiva has been actively participating in service advisory classes to better herself, Jacqui Hower recently graduated from Northwood and Lauren Anderson is finding ways and solutions to better equip her staff for success. The energy and passion of these three must make their parents proud.

RR 395: Shop Talk 8 – Second Shop Challenge | The Power of Blacktop | Industry Image

Shop Talk 8 – Second Shop Challenge – The Power of Blacktop – Industry Image

I’m so glad to welcome John Eppstein from John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA, Scott Pelava from Lonsdale Auto Works in Lonsdale, MN, and former shop owner Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver, Scott has added trainer to his resume and continues to be a recognized writer in our industry, I’m sure you know of Gonzo’s Tool Box.

John tells us about his recent new location and a few challenges he didn’t anticipate, Scott Pelava has an idea to add a service to his shop that many would not agree with and Gonzo shares his wisdom of the ages. We also get into our industry image. A lot to chew on.

A bright and interesting moment is the talk about blacktop. Don’t miss this.

THA 098: Daytime Training vs Night Time Training – A Discussion of Ideas

  Your Learning Curve Never Sounded So Good   Chris Chesney is the Senior Director of Customer Training, CARQUEST Technical Institute, and a NASTF board member and a member of the ‘Road To Great Technician’ project.  Listen to Chris’s previous episodes HERE. Lucas Underwood is an Automotive diagnostic specialist, shop owner, and foreman. He owns L & N…

THA 097: Service Professional Loyalty: A Supplier Perspective

Service Professional Loyalty: A Supplier Perspective

On the panel is Brad Hartline, from Hyde Villa Auto Parts President and Pottsville Auto Parts in the Reading PA markets and Trevor Martin, President, Vaca Valley Auto Parts, Fairfield, CA and Mark Stabelfeldt, from Fairfax Auto Parts.

If you are a service professional you have a supplier or three and most likely have a great relationship with your number one call because they are a supply partner with and for you. A lot of your success comes from your supplier providing you the parts and service you need to keep your customers happy and coming back.

RR 387: In Praise of Our Trainers

In Praise of Our Trainers

Our Guests: Bob Greenwood, AMAM, is the President and CEO of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd and has over 40 years’ experience working with Independent shops developing their business to maximize business net income.

Eric Ziegler owns and operates EZ Diagnostic Solutions Inc and is an accomplished automotive trainer working for Automotive Seminars and the Driveability Guys training technicians in the latest diagnostic techniques and technologies throughout the Midwest and US.
This is some straight up podcasting with hard-hitting talk about our industry trainers. Do we appreciate them the way we should? Are they paid enough? Do we look at training as an expense or an investment?

Bob and Eric seem like an odd couple to talk about this, but you’ll positively love the honest, transparent and frank talk that we had. Bob wrote an article titled. ‘In Praise of Trainers in the magazine Auto Service World and, I believe you’ll appreciate the way he and Eric bridge this topic.

RR 385: AAPEX 2018 – Driving the Aftermarket to be Ahead of the Curve

AAPEX 2018 – Driving the Aftermarket to be Ahead of the Curve

The Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) are valued partners working together to meet the needs of the industry and stay ahead of the curve. They co-own AAPEX where the global automotive aftermarket gathers to learn and find the next opportunity in this $740B industry.

Mark Bogdansky and Chris Gardner and their teams under the leadership of Bill Hanvey from Auto Care and Bill Long from AASA bring educational sessions, networking events and live demonstrations to help you grow your aftermarket business.

Mark Bogdansky, is the Senior Director of Meetings and Events at Auto Care Association, and Chris Gardner, MAAP, is the Vice President of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association.

THA 091: Workshop – Service Adviser Roleplay – Part 2

Service Adviser Role Play Part 2

Again this team digs deep to help aftermarket professionals learn more about the service advisor position. This is one of the most important and challenging jobs in the industry. The service adviser is the face of the business and is faced with building trust and strong relationships while generating profitable revenue.

Enjoy four different role plays and the ensuing discussion. Critique each role play yourself and enjoy the comments from this team. With me is Barry Barrett, Director of Training at RLO, Clint White, shop manager at Coopers Auto Repair Specialists in Tacoma, WA and John Vasquez, Service Adviser at Los Gators Auto Service Campbell, CA.

RR 373: Shop Talk 5 – Retired and Still Helping the Industry

Shop Talk 5 – Retired and Still Helping the Industry

The Roundtable consists of Gary Summerfield, Don Griffin, and Tommy Kendall.

Gary and Don are retired shop owners, who are now landlords and Tommy is still contributing to the industry as a part-timer. They share wisdom of the ages.

Learn how their collective mindset helped transform the shops that they have operated throughout the years. We talk about training, technician pay and paying it forward.

RR 372: Edwin Hazzard – Training is the Responsibility of the Technician

Did You Know That Training is the Responsibility of the Technician?

A hard-hitting interview on technician training with trainer, writer, and mobile diagnostic tech Edwin Hazzard, Owner of Southeast Mobile Tech who has a lot to say about the responsibility of training in the aftermarket.

Edwin Hazzard owns a mobile diagnostic company in South Carolina. He contributes articles to Motor Age and has instructed in many different capacities over the years. Edwin has been a dealership technician and taught at the high school level.

He enjoys what he does for a living and sees diverse age group in classes. He says investing in training is important just to be relevant and up to date with the recent technology. If you don’t update, you evaporate.

RR 361: Scott and Michael Waddle. Owner and Prodigy. Father and Son.

Father and Son / Owner and Prodigy

Scott and Michael Waddle of Precision Auto Service, Langley, British Columbia. Shows us that a tandem of father and son can unlock different creative and innovative skill sets applicable to the modern shop of today.

Listen to how Scott is nurturing his son’s gifts and transforming them into assets their shop can use. Michael’s innovative work on automotive electrical and lighting systems is phenomenal considering that he is 15 years old this year. Even though Michael still can’t do the heavy lifting within the shop, this doesn’t stop him from his creative thinking. He is creating apps for the business. Learn about them.

Scott continues to provide training and enrollment plans for his son’s future providing an inspiration to every family owned shop and maybe a succession strategy too.

RR 358: John Gustafson – ATC: Synchronizing the Automotive Trades

ATC: Synchronizing the Automotive Trades

John Gustafson is the president of Gustafson Brothers Automotive Repair, Huntington Beach, CA and the founder of the Auto Talent Co-Op (ATC). ATC is an independent non-profit organization whose vision is to effectively unite resources within the automotive industry, and establish clear career path standards for its users.

ATC’s Mission is to build a synchronized and accessible platform, able to unite the automotive industry. To help refill the talent pool for all automotive job-related positions. To fulfill the technician shortage, and improve technician retention and to streamline career paths, bridge technician skills gap and improve recruitment.

Your support is needed. Find links on the show notes page.

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.

RR 355: Andrew Emery from Antero Automotive has The Best Job in the World

The Best Job in The World!

Andrew Emery is the owner and operator of Antero Automotive in Greenwood Village, Colorado. He believes if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers.

This episode tackles relationships with customers and employees on how it can be your secret sauce to success. Every customer receives a free car wash.

After 22 years in the industry and 10 years as a business owner, Andrew still loves what he does every day. He gets to turn a wrench when needed and he gets to serve others. Andrew started this business to change the way people look at automotive repair shops.

RR 351: Paul Danner – Educator, Diagnostician and You-tuber ‘ScannerDanner’

Paul Danner. Educator, Diagnostician and Youtuber ‘ScannerDanner’

Paul Danner is an ASE L1 Certified Master Technician with Twenty-Four years of field experience in electronics, electrical and drivability diagnostics. For eighteen years he has been employed as an instructor at Rosedale Technical College where he has taught Engine Performance Diagnostics and Basic Electrical Systems. Eleven years ago, he opened his own mobile diagnostic business which performs electrical and electronic diagnostic services for over Twenty Garages in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.

He fell into mobile diagnostics and case studies by stopping in and helping his friends on the way home from work. He called it diaper money to help pay the bills. He is thankful that God has graced him with the ability to troubleshoot.

He is wired for variables and loves ‘What Ifs’. Paul stresses that your learning curve comes from the ‘good parts’ drawer and from the mistakes you make. You have to be in a shop that gives you a steady diet of diagnostic work to become good at diagnostics.

He teaches his student’s field diagnostics and has written a field manual about it and his youtube channel is a very popular place to learn.

RR 346: Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive – Improving the level of professionalism within the aftermarket industry

Improving The Level Of Professionalism Within The Aftermarket Industry

Matt Fanslow is an expert Diagnostic Technician and Shop Manager at Riverside Automotive, Redwing, Minnesota. He specializes in diagnosing automotive failures and is very well versed in using diagnostic equipment and is a PICO trainer.

Since he took his first job out of college, he has dedicated his efforts and training towards improving his abilities to efficiently and accurately diagnose automotive driveability, electrical and electrical failures.

It is his goal to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive industry and light truck repair trade while raising its public image level which can boost more professional tech to get into the industry.