RR 444: Technician Round Table – Part 7 – Professionalism and More – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow:

Matt Fanslow is the diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, MN. His primary responsibilities are to diagnose driveability and electrical/electronic issues, and perform most all programming, coding, initializing, adaptions, etc. Basically, if it needs to be figured out or has wires, it goes to Matt. He’s been a tech since 1996.

Matt is also a subject matter expert for ASE and has instructed at Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo.

Matt has participated on 18 ASE technical committees for the ASE Practice Test, A6, A7, A8, and L1 tests. He’s also done case studies for Standard Motor Products.

Fanslow’s goal is to do everything in his power to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive and light truck repair trade and also raise the level of its public image. Hear Matt in these Remarkable Results Radio Episodes HERE.

Bob Heipp works for Mobile Auto Solutions, LLC as lead tech and Technician Manager in the Chicago metropolitan area and northwest Indiana.

Having accepted a job that required passing an IM240 emission class, he was introduced to new alternatives for diagnostic testing. This spurred a quest for learning.

Bob believes his desire to learn is what opened doors to meeting technicians around the world. Hoping to help so others could have the same opportunities, he partnered with ASA-IL and initiated the CAN Conference after one of his favorite conferences (the Linder Conference) was no longer being presented. He considers these experiences have led him to the opportunity to work for Mobile Auto Solutions. Bob is also a dedicated Vision High Tech Training and Expo attendees. Hear Bob in his own interview and the round-tables HERE.

Peter Landry is an ASE L1 Master Automotive Technician from Brookfield, WI. Peter has a strong automotive background in electronics, network, and driveability diagnostics. His prowess for fixing problem vehicles and passion for staying up on emerging technologies led him from Landry’s Mobile Diagnostics, a mobile diagnostics and module programming business servicing the Milwaukee Metro area to working for Mobile Auto Solutions. Hear Peter’s interviews HERE.

Key Talking Points:

• The Lack of ProfessionalismSome shops seem to be ill-equipped to service the jobs/brands they promote they can fix
• Shops need to get OE level service information to best understand how to repair the most common brands that they see in their bays
• How many scan tools do you need?How many ratchets do you need?
• Who does not know how important the right tools are requiredAftermarket vs OE PC based tools each have their advantage
• Just one tool may not get the job done
• Who, inside the shop, has the responsibility to keep the OE tools up to date? Someone at the shop needs to be responsible for updates and passwords so when the tool is needed there is no downtime
• If the technician owns the tool then he needs to keep pace with updates so he isn’t slowed down 
• Will shops have car line specialists or job type specialists?
• Networking with shops around you to buy specialty tools. They become proficient. No sharing but send the vehicle to the shop that owns the tool (sublet).
• Professionalism starts with self-pride.Treat us as professionals but be part of the solution to improve your own self image
• Your own bathroom and work areas are a reflection of your professionalism
• A professional look at the service counter
• Professionalism can be compartmentalizedYour role
• Orderliness
• Should we have an organization like the lawyers that have their BAR to set requirements to work on vehicles
• We sometimes devalue our knowledge and service and give away our time
• Tests vs analysis or diagnosis

Previous Technician Round Tables:

• Part 1 (206) go HERE.
• Part 2 (230) go HERE.
• Part 3 (273) go HERE.
• Part 4 (292) go HERE.
• Part 5 (338) go HERE.
• Part 6 (362) go HERE.

Resources:

• Thanks to Bob Heipp, Peter Landry, and Matt Fanslow for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.

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This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. With 2,500 exhibiting companies, you’ll see the latest products, parts, and technologies for your business. As a result, the event also offers advanced training for shop owners, technicians, warehouse distributors (WDs) and auto parts retailers, as well as networking opportunities to grow your business. AAPEX 2019 will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Therefore, more than 48,000 targeted buyers are expected to attend, and approximately 162,000 automotive aftermarket professionals. They will be from 135 countries which are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX 2019. For information, visit aapexshow.com