Here are the two most recent episodes

“I’m Just One of the Guys!” Being Seen Beyond Gender and Ethnicity [FTR 108]

Oct 19, 2024

Emily Chung shares her experiences as a female minority shop owner in the automotive industry. She reflects on societal tendencies to highlight differences rather than commonalities. She encourages her peers to engage with her on business-related topics rather than focusing on her gender and ethnicity.
remarkableresults.biz/f108

Read More

The Invisible Paycheck: Retention Strategies Beyond Pay [THA 403]

Oct 18, 2024

Recorded at the 2024 ASTA Expo, explore key strategies for hiring, compensating, and retaining skilled technicians in the automotive industry. This episode highlights the significance of comprehensive benefits beyond pay.
remarkableresults.biz/a403

Read More

Subscribe. Dont Miss an Episode

Follow Us QR Code 2 Black

And all the rest:

Invest in the Industry's First Rate Content From the Premier Aftermarket Auto Shop Podcast

THA 123: The Power of the Supplier and Service Professional Relationship.

Jun 13, 2019

Supply Partnership – The Strength of the Supplier/Service Professional Relationship – THA 123

We get into some gritty perspectives from your suppliers on trust, delivery, training, and helping the service professional succeed. We also talk pricing, margin and the people factor. It is always refreshing to hear from one of the strongest spokes or partners in the distribution channel.

Your panel: Danny Durbin, from Durbin Auto Parts, Keith West, from Auto Supply Company, Bowdon, GA. and Matt Ward, Director of Governmental Relations and Field Services for AAAS ( Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Southeast).

RR 439: Safety Training in the Workplace – Charlie Ayers with CCAR

Jun 11, 2019

Safety Training in the Workplace – RR 439

Become educated on the importance of OSHA and HazMatt training. You’ll not want to be on the short end of the stick as it relates to your responsibilities in these areas.

With me today is Charlie Ayers the President of CCAR — Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair. Charlie is truly a wealth of knowledge on Safety/HAZMAT Training when it comes to OUR Automotive Repair and Collision Industry. CCAR is the only OSHA Alliance Partner that deals specifically and only in the Automotive Industry. Charlie is also involved with Skills USA

You’ll learn about OSHA training requirements, CCAR’s involvement with Skills USA and the importance of safety in the workplace.

FTR 049: Tom Lambert – Discount Model Marketing

Jun 10, 2019

Tom Lambert shares his passion for his style of marketing, charging what he is worth and his three-legged stool strategy.

RR 438: My New Shop – From the Ground Up – Doug Callaghan

Jun 7, 2019

From the Ground Up – The Challenges of Building a New Facility

Building a new facility can make or break you. So many variables and decisions to consider not to mention the added issues, and problems which will be laid on the table. Confidence with an architect, your banker and your contractor makes a huge difference.

Doug Callaghan shares the story of his new build. He is the CEO of Vic’s Service Centre in Wainright, Alberta Canada. His new building has new features which include a training room among the wired and wireless bays. He built it with customer retention in mind and now he is reaping the benefits of being able to serve his customers to the best of his capabilities.

THA 122: Talent Management – Developing Your Leadership Team

Jun 6, 2019

Talent Management: Developing Your Leadership Team

We are talking about Talent Management – Developing Your Leadership Team. This group stretched the bounds of our discussion and you will either confirm your current leadership role or realize you have some areas to work on.

My Academy team includes Judi Haglin, Haglin Automotive, Boulder, CO, Mark Roberts, Schertz Automotive, Schertz, TX and Tom Palermo, Preferred Automotive Specialists, Philadelphia, PA

You will find this episode going places you did not expect. This group brought their A game and shared not only how to develop your people into leaders but their own ongoing treck to be a better leader.

RR 437: Recruiters Round Table with Kyle Holt & Jay Goninen

Jun 4, 2019

Recruiters Round Table with Kyle Holt & Jay Goninen

Ever have the need for a new team member? Trying to hire a technician. Concerned about losing a top performer? You are not alone and in fact, this is one of the toughest challenges service professionals face. We’ve done many podcasts on this theme and when I can get two experts on who has their finger on the pulse of this issue, you benefit.

Jay Goninen is president of Find A Wrench, which is a recruiting service used by shops around the country to assist them in finding Technicians. Jay’s company purchased a popular niche job board called FindAMechanic.com. Jay has a passion for promoting the industry and the many talented people we work with, and to be a voice for the ‘tech’those who don’t like to promote themselves.

Together Kyle and Jay will give you some recruiting tips, talk about recruitment, the biggest competitors for talent and growing your own.

FTR 048: Amy Mattinat – Our Technicians Are Car Doctors

Jun 3, 2019

Our Technicians Are Car Doctors

Amy Mattinat delivers her impassioned perspective on the value and benefits of ASE. It may be time for you to understand why you support ASE and if you don’t, to understand why you must. If there was ever a time to embrace ASE it is now. The high tech world of the automotive creates the need for highly trained technicians and through ASE certification allows us to differentiate ourselves and improve our image.

RR 436: Brad Beeston – Building a Reputation Online

May 31, 2019

Building a Reputation Online

Back in the day where yellow pages, print ads, billboards and TV rule the marketing world, now it is almost irrelevant. It is not completely gone but it will be. We are experiencing an influx of all digital marketing. Marketing technology, Influencers and Data Science now rule the marketing scene. We are observing demographics, page ranks, reviews and so much data to gain advantage over the competition.

Brad Beeston an account executive at Podium brings some very key insights to your online reputation and some tactics behind managing it.

THA 121: APPS That Improve Productivity and Make for a More Efficient You

May 30, 2019

APPs That Improve Productivity and Make for a More Efficient You

Our desktops and smart devices give us tools to make us more efficient at what we do, they are not for everyone and some are just not right for how you operate. There are thousands of apps that do just about anything. In this episode, you’ll discover what apps work for others and learn about some that may be just the right discipline for a more efficient you.

The panel includes Ryan Clo owner of Dubwerx, in Cincinnati, OH, Edwin Hazzard, mobile diagnostic tech, automotive instructor and currently, a contributing writer for Motor Age magazine and Craig O’Neill with an integrator and trainer for Autotext.me.

RR 435: Young Careers In The Making – Automotive College Student Panel at CarFest 2019

May 28, 2019

Young Careers In The Making – Automotive College Student Panel at CarFest 2019

This episode with Ashlynn Poole, Cheyanne Keith, and Michael Wheeler is proof that Carfest is doing some great things by reaching out to automotive colleges to further enhance the awareness of independent aftermarket professionals. These students volunteered and worked hard in their assigned bays working with professionals to further engage their technical hunger.

There are some huge learning moments for you as you’ll hear what is on the mind of potentially the kind of young new hire you will make in the not too distant future

CarFest is a production of the Community of Automotive Professionals (CAP); a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement and revitalization of both the automotive industry and South Texas communities. They have done a tremendous job in going to secondary schools to raise awareness and motivate our youth to volunteer and learn how to become a tech in the industry.

FTR 047: Jim Silverman – Stop Being Ordinary – Here is What it Takes to Become Extraordinary

May 27, 2019

Jim Silverman, Director of National Account at ATI, is outspoken on what it takes to be successful. He says he has the best job in the world and knows what it takes to turn ordinary service professionals into top performers

RR 434: Training Talk – Daytime vs. Night Time Training | ASE Certification | Instructors and Students

May 24, 2019

Training Talk – Daytime vs. Night Time Training | ASE Certification | Instructors and Students

Experience the insights of a Tech and Automotive Instructors talking about the difference between Day and Night training along with ASE certifications and Training from Schools on how to keep students engaged through balanced lectures and hands-on experience with a few visuals!

Our Tech Talk Panel guests include Marty Depowski is an Automotive Instructor of Wayne County Community College, Michigan; David Myers is an Automotive Instructor, Southwestern Community College, North Carolina; and Dwayne McCarty is a Technician of Martins Garage, Ft. Myers, FL.

THA 120: How Can We Provide Our Technicians a $100K Yearly Pay Package?

May 23, 2019

How Can We Provide Our Technicians a $100K Yearly Pay Package?

We covered a large swath of reasons to review technician pay and to create a fair and adequate compensation plan based on criteria that is a win, win, win for the tech, the owner and the customer.
Our panel consists of Seth Thorson, shop owner at Eurotech Auto Service New Brighton, MN, Jerry Kezhaya, shop owner at The Auto Shop in Plano, TX, Frank Scandura shop owner at Frank’s European, Las Vegas, NV and Matt Fanslow, Shop Manager/Lead Diagnostician at Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN.

You’ve heard of the struggles and have most likely had your own issues with losing and hiring technicians. Our discussion is not the scientific answer however it goes a long way to helping you make decisions to retain, create loyalty and ward off the loss of our smart and talented technicians to other shops and other industries.

RR 433: The Importance of Third Party Credentials | Creating a Learning Culture in Your Business

May 21, 2019

The Importance of Third Party Credentialing and Having a Learning Culture in Your Business.

You are a professional in the automotive service aftermarket. You know your stuff, you are smart, accomplished. You put your knowledge to use every day. Ever decide to have a third party provide you the professional credentials to verify your practical abilities? Twenty percent of our industry has their credentials so I’m talking to the eighty percent that don’t.

This episode with Trish Serratore, Senior Vice President of Communication at ASE and ASE and Jeff Peevy, President of AMi is a departure from what testing is and will help you understand the value in credentialing. Credentials are becoming more important than ever, and prove to customers and your shop owner you know what you’re doing.

FTR 046: Alan Symmes: When Your Community Needs Help to Afford Safe and Reliable Transportation

May 20, 2019

Alan Symmes: When Your Community Needs Help to Afford Safe and Reliable Transportation

RR 432: Shop Talk 11 – Important Aftermarket Partnership – Shop, Parts Supplier and Manufacturer

May 17, 2019

Shop Talk 11 – Important Partnership – Shop, Parts Supplier and Manufacturer

Welcome to Shop Talk 11. Our Shop Talk Panel guests are Monte Hamsher, a shop owner, technician and automotive teacher; Bob Pattengale- National Training Manager at Bosch; and John Marcum- Director of Marketing for Federated Auto Parts.

We discuss the challenges involved in running a shop and the shop’s relationship to its part supplier & Manufacturer. Learn about the importance of a well-trained service professional and the need for competent technicians as a whole. Also, we talked about the need for a stronger commitment to training from the industries technicians.

THA 119: Improving Employee Loyalty

May 16, 2019

Improving Employee Loyalty

Fuel your engine today with our discussion on Improving Employee Loyalty with my shop owner panel Donnie Hudson from Troy Auto Care in Troy, MI, Roy Foster from Roy Foster’s Automotive in Reno, NV and Steve Finzel from Finzel’s Master Tech in Terre Haute, IN They’ve built a family culture in their shops and you can too.

You’ll hear how they did it and understand why they created the programs that build loyalty and retention from their people. I know you’ve heard this adage before: “Take care of your people and they will take care of your customer.” This episode will give you a great idea on how to do that.

Prepare for many strong ideas coming at you so. Pick a few and start to implement them in your business. The panel admits, it did not happen overnight but was nurtured for years. So you need to start. Keep in mind that it is imperative you seize onto a new idea, own it, implement it and watch it transform your business.

RR 431: Sara Fraser – The Power of Social Media for Automotive Professionals

May 14, 2019

Sara Fraser – The Power of Social Media for Automotive Professionals

There are a lot of trends happening on social media in the past couple of years. Understanding these trends can give us a competitive advantage and hashtags plays an important role especially on Facebook and Instagram. This episode will help you better understand the power of social media and some of the tricks that will make it work for you.

Sara Fraser has over 15 years of retail management experience, the last 6 of them as an office manager for a used car sales and service center. To bring her customer service, marketing, and business knowledge to the automotive industry she has recently joined the team at Haas Performance Consulting.

FTR 045: Brian Walker – Foundational Marketing Techniques – There Are No Silver Bullets

May 13, 2019

FTR 045 Brian Walker – Foundational Marketing Techniques – There Are No Silver Bullets

Brian Walker co-owner of Shop Marketing Pros explains that there is no silver bullet to marketing. He shares thirteen Foundational Marketing Tactics and is determined that your marketing is consistent and when business is good, keep marketing and when it is bad, keep marketing. Marketing requires patience. It takes times to build momentum

RR 430: Jennifer Filzen- What Dancing Taught Me About Running a Successful Business

May 10, 2019

Jennifer Filzen- What Dancing Taught Me About Running a Successful Business

A very interesting discipline that incorporates how you lead and how you strategize your life and business as a whole. Imagine learning the principles of dancing to improve your aftermarket success

Jennifer Filzen, from Rock Star Marketing, is here talking about her new book ‘What Dancing Taught Me About Running A Successful Business”. I was fascinated to hear how she connected dancing to being a strong leader and entrepreneur. I think she nailed it. So if you would like some self-help introspective don’t go anywhere.

We are talking about Clarity, confidence, certainty, teamwork, timing, and technique. Do you want your team, at the shop to move like poetry in motion? You’ve come to the right place.

THA 118 Recruiting Students to Discover a Career in Automotive

May 9, 2019

THA 118 Recruiting Students to Discover a Career in Automotive

Enjoy some great new ideas and real-world issues as I welcome Seth Thorson, shop owner, Eurotech, Brighton, MN. Seth created a $25,000 endowment for automotive careers. We discussed in episode 340, David Macholz, Academic Chair of Suffolk County College – Automotive Technology and Aaron Dalton, Coordinator- School to Career Programming at the North Kansas City Schools.

On the podcast, we’ve not shied away from big issues in the industry. The only way our investment in this great dialogue actually gets traction is if you do your part. I can relate the discussion we are having today with a thought on philanthropy. Hats off to what you do for your community. Honorable. However, the future of our industry is dependent on recruiting, training and retaining technicians. Call it an investment in your own personal philanthropy.

Getting involved in local education at all levels to share our hi-tech industry with administration and to support the educators that are teaching young students on the automotive is a very important role you have. Especially as an independent. If you don’t then who? You will have less to give to your community if you don’t invest in your future.

RR 429: Family Succession Part 2 – Parents on their Daughters Succession Plan

May 7, 2019

Family Succession Part 2 – Parents on their Daughters Succession Plan

Welcome to the second installment of Family Succession. Learn how parents mold and develop their children to take the helm of the company after they retire. Hear the discipline, methods and strategy each owner is using as they embark on this important journey of succession.

I’m with Judy Zimmerman Walter, a second generation owner of Zimmerman’s Automotive; Jim Paiva, Owner of Elite Auto Repair; and Jeff Matt, owner of Victory Auto Service and Glass. They are the proud parents of Jacqui Hower, Carly Paiva, and Lauren Anderson of Family Succession Part 1, Episode 401.

FTR 044: Murray Voth – Your Opportunity is Huge; Find the River Where the Money Is

May 6, 2019

FTR 044 Murray Voth – Your Opportunity is Huge; Find the River Where the Money Is

RR 428: Tech Talk – ADAS | Support Vendors That Support Training | Fundamental Training

May 3, 2019

Technical Talk – ADAS | Support Vendors That Support Training | Fundamental Training

Tech talk with Kevin Fitzpatrick, Vice President Autologic; Steven Zack, Automotive Technical Instructor for Bosch; and Matt Fanslow, Shop Manager/Diagnostician of Riverside Auto Repair. Our episode reiterates the importance of training, we get into ADAS Calibration, adapting to tech changes, and the amount of good training available among others.

Trainings and Big Events are available for technicians whether it is in the classroom or online. Our guests elaborate and advise on the challenges and the steps to advancement. They say there is no shortage of good training.

THA 117: Creative Brainstorming: How To Build an Idea Factory

May 2, 2019

Creative Brainstorming: How To Build an Idea Factory

Some people just bubble with ideas; they are visionaries. You’ve got team members who are great at seeing new and better ways to improve systems and processes, serve customers and create great marketing. What are you doing to create an idea factory in your business? Are you actively listening? Are you creating a culture to create ideas and change? Lately, have you implemented a new idea lately in your business or are you just talking about them?

With me is Shari Pheasant co-owner of A Master Mechanic, in Reno, NV and business coach and consultant known as the Queen of Horsepower, Barry Barrett is here from Business with a Purpose and a Professional EOS Implementer and David Eschbach from the Clutch Performance Group

In this episode, ideas are flying around abundantly for you as we help you grab on to the value of Creative Brainstorming and getting your idea factory churning to help improve your business. Once you listen you’ll be ready to jump into using the power of ideas to improve your business.

RR 427: Vin Waterhouse – You Should Have the Highest Payroll in Town, Not the Lowest

Apr 30, 2019

You should have the highest payroll in town, not the lowest.

A generation ago the shop owner didn’t need to know the numbers. How the world has changed and in this episode with Vin Waterhouse, as with all my discussions with business consultants and coaches, will push you to make the important changes that will catapult you from having a hobby or job into a career that rewards you for your hard work

Vincent Waterhouse, President and Founder of The Waterhouse Group, an automotive Accounting, Training, and Coaching company shares his strategy for business climate based on today’s changing business models.

Vin has over thirty years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. His specialty is working with auto repair shop owners to help them earn the profits they deserve.

FTR 043: Dave Hobbs – Find The Time and Make the Sacrifice to Attend Training. Trainers Do!

Apr 29, 2019

Dave Hobbs – Find The Time and Make the Sacrifice to Attend Training. Trainers Do!

Dave Hobbs travels the country training technicians for Delphi Technologies. His participation in the industry is without rival. He has a strong message for you about training venues, hands-on and the sacrifice that all aftermarket trainers make in their lives to bring you training. All he wants is to have you come to class when the trainers come to your town.

Find Dave’s talking points and links to his previous episodes on the show notes page at remarkableresults.biz/f043

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

Apr 26, 2019

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.

THA 116: Business Coaches Lab – Improving Shop Efficiency

Apr 25, 2019

THA 116 Business Coaches Lab – Improving Shop Efficiency

Look forward to tactics like knowing your techs gifts or strengths, remove obstacles, make process improvement a rule, minimize interruptions, if your techs aren’t efficient find out why. There are so many factors and our coaches do a great job of exposing some key components for improving efficiency in your bays.

The Academy panel includes Murray Voth, RPM Training, Rick White 180 Biz, Jude Larson ACT Group, Cecil Bullard, The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence and Bob Greenwood, Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center.

RR 425: Ray Fisher – Networking Just May Be Your Secret Weapon

Apr 23, 2019

A Convo with ASA’s new Executive Director, Ray Fisher.

We have an aging workforce that is driving the industry to make some difficult decisions. The demands to adapt to the rapid growth of technology and advancement are factors that 10 years ago were non-issues. Training and personal networking are the norms today. Ray Fisher shares his years of association experience and his plans for ASA to help in those areas and plans to reach out to more shops and industry professionals to raise awareness and involvement.

Ray Fisher, executive director of the Automotive Service Association. Ray started his new responsibilities on January 2, 2019.

With a formal education in business administration, Fisher is an Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM). He has extensive legislative experience, driving key issues for ASA-Michigan members on sales tax issues and shop licensing.

The Aftermarket Radio Network Podcasts

Buy me a coffeeBuy me a coffee

Our Partners

The Voices, Ideas and Insights that are Shaping the Future of the Automotive Aftermarket.