Here are the two most recent episodes
“I’m Just One of the Guys!” Being Seen Beyond Gender and Ethnicity [FTR 108]
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
The Invisible Paycheck: Retention Strategies Beyond Pay [THA 403]
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
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FTR 042: Vinnie Lucido – Find a Balance to Your Ego
Find a Balance For Your Ego
Vinnie Lucido from Co-Auto in Reno Nevada says we need to find a balance in our Ego’s. His rant brings in the value of Yoga to your well being. He is a Yoga teacher so he should know about the value of Yoga in one’s life. His message has a three-pronged approach; put your ego in check, let’s stop judging each other and check out the power of Yoga.
RR 424: New Aftermarket Measurement – Cost Per Billed Hour – Will Drive Your Profitability
New Aftermarket Measurement – Cost Per Billed Hour
I’m with Bob Greenwood, President, and C.E.O. of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. We are discussing how cost per billed hour affects the site’s total efficiency in maximizing net profits.
This episode tackles measuring your site’s efficiency with cost per billed hour as a new aftermarket measurement to maximize your net profits. The calculation reflects on all aspects of your labor rate, workflow, charging for diag time, and other critical performance metrics.
Important note for this episode. Since Bob is demonstrating his strategy and findings through formulas we decided to record the video of this episode so you can see how Bob arrives at the conclusion to his formulas. You can find the video version on the show notes page at remarkableresultsradio.com/e424 or on my Carm Capriotto youtube channel.
THA 115: Who Says You Need an Automotive Background to Run a Successful Shop
THA 115 Who Says You Need an Automotive Background to Run a Successful Shop
Now visit with Brian Sump from Avalon Motorsports and Andy Bizub from Midwest Performance Cars as they share their strategy for growing their business. This is an interview like no other you’ve heard here on Remarkable Results or the Town Hall Academy for that matter. This interview should open your eyes because Brian and Andy did not grow up in the business. They were not technicians with a dream of owning their own shop. Brian was a professional football player and Andy was a commodity trader.
They grew their business without the knowledge of the industry. They share their strategies and tactics that have shaped their continuing success. Brian and Andy basically became the CEO of their business. We talk about that a lot on the podcast. They used their people, network and training to learn, lead and grow their business.
So there’s the rub. Why are there so many legacy aftermarket professionals in the industry struggling when these ‘outsiders’ who acquired going shops are at the top of their game? Find out.
RR 423: Shop Talk 10 – Sold My Business – What’s Next?
Shop Talk 10 – Sold My Business – What’s Next?
Listen to former shop owners talk about their decisions and what they are doing now. Most importantly they suggest that you plan ahead for your future. We also get into the future as they see it.
My guests for Shop Talk 10 are veterans and influencers in our industry. Ron Haugen, a consultant, a teacher and a former shop owner from Westside Auto Pros in Des Moines; Dick Jobe, owns machine head, a metal art maker and a former shop owner of Downtown Import Service popularly known as Dr. Volvo; Doug Stoll, former owner of Susquehanna Auto Clinic and The Auto Clinic and co-founder of Vision, a part-time business coach and Jerry Holcom, co-founder of Vision, president of Midwest Auto Care Alliance and owner of S & S Service in Kansas. Our only non-retiree!
Remember the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination and wisdom is the very definition of what we aim not just for business but for our professional growth as well. What’s next for you!
FTR 041: Keith Williamson – Change or Be Changed and Commit to be a Forever Student
Change or Be Changed and Commit to be a Forever Student
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.
THA 114: Taking Community Involvement to the Next Level – CarFest – Philanthropy on Steroids
Taking Community Involvement to the Next Level – CarFest – Philanthropy on Steroids
CarFest is an event unlike any others in the US that connect the independent service provider together with the community. All the while you are listening think how you can start, on a small scale, to do more in your community. CarFest is aptly subtitled: “Unity in the Community”.
I first want to congratulate every North American service professional for all that you do in your community. There are so many of you that support Veterans, battered women and many outreach non-for profits with your kindness.
CarFest takes it to a whole new level. This is a higher calling of community that I’ve ever seen. With me is CarFest Founder Mark Colaw from Seymour’s Garage, joining us is Gary Pundt from Alamo Heights Garage and Louie Sirianni from Sirianni Automotive.
They do share with you the events that are going on with this two day, free to the public event. CarFest will give away 13 vehicles, provide funds to area post-secondary education and donate automotive repair for 25 vehicle owners that need safe and reliable transportation.
Coordinating the logistics of this event is a monumental task and it has grown into utilizing 200,000 square feet of space. Get some of the details and listen to Mark, Gary and Louie share their passion for this event that has provided over $1,000,000 in service, vehicles and donations within their San Antonio community in the last three years
RR 421: Mike Michalowicz: Making Profitability a Habit – Inside his book ‘Profit First’
Mike Michalowicz – Making Your Profitability a Habit
What is profit? It is the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent. Mike Michalowicz tells you that you subtract profit from sales and then learn to manage your expenses. Therefore Sales – Profit = Expenses. We discuss Mike Michalowicz great book ‘Profit First’.
Mike will give you his innovative processes on profitability. He will provide insights on understanding the core principles and processes of financial gain. It will also shed light on cash flow management system, revenue, support network, profitability, efficiency, and the 5 core fundamental accounts you need to work your business from.
The episode is painting vivid pictures of how profitability works on the business canvas. It will open your mind to systems and processes to make profitability a habit. I urge you to read Mike’s Book Profit First, cover to cover. You can find it on the books page on the website.
FTR 040: Bob Greenwood – Our Suppliers Need to Better Understand the Service Professional
Our Suppliers Need to Better Understand the Service Professional. Bob Greenwood, President of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center points out that the supply side of our industry must find a higher level of understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the service professional. He says it’s not all about selling parts, but about how the suppliers can help the pro become more efficient, productive and profitable.
RR 420: Kim Walker – Building a StoryBrand
Kim Walker – Building a Story Brand
People are bombarded with 3,000 marketing messages every 24 hours. What does your message say?
Catch the power of ‘Story Brand’. Learn about the Guide, the Hero, the problem, and the plan among others. It is a perfect fit for growing your relationship with your client. This is a review of the book ‘Building A Story Brand’ by Donald Miller.
Kim Walker is an official Story Brand Guide and along with her husband, Brian are former shop owners who are taking their personal experience and helping shop owners with their ‘story’. Their company is Shop Marketing Pros and they are helping the service professional bring their story brand to their clients.
THA 113: Taking Care of Your Most Valuable Asset – YOU!
Taking Care of Your Most Valuable Asset – YOU
Are you looking to do something for you? Are you exercising? Are you taking care of you? This Town Hall Academy will help you learn how to find your personal motivation.
Get off the couch. It’s not OK to NOT be in shape. Many opportunities to be healthy. From exercise to eating. According to the World Health Organization — 80% of premature heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is self-inflicted. 40% of cancer is self-inflicted (Only 10% is hereditary and the rest is environmental).
It is a big responsibility to be and stay healthy as you take care of your family and your business family. Learn to like the results of healthy eating and exercising.
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.
FTR 039: Grant Swaim – The Gear Head Days Are Gone
Grant Swaim full time post-secondary instructor, shop owner and aftermarket instructor says the gear head days are gone
RR 418: AIST – The Future of Automotive Education
AIST – The Future of Automotive Education
This episode recorded at Vision 2019 in KC brings you into the loop on Automotive Institute of Science and Technology (AIST) in Colorado Springs, CO. This new ‘non-traditional’ public charter school that will use the P-TECH model (Pathways in Technology Early College High School), designed to provide students the foundation they need to be successful in the automotive aftermarket industry when they graduate.
Students will be able to enroll in a 4- or 6-year program, starting their freshman year of high school through their second year of college and all publicly funded. AIST will offer students three pathways: Automotive Technology, Business, or Engineering (mechanical and electrical) and will be project based.
With me is Anthony Williams, Special Projects Manager with Advance Auto Parts who had the seed of the idea for AIST and speaks to his dream becoming a reality. And Chris Chesney Sr. Director, Customer Training Carquest Technical Institute.
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.
RR 417: Rob Rowsell – Achieving Success on a Curved Road
Rob Rowsell – Achieving Success on Life’s Curved Road
Rob Rowsell is a shop owner and author who is an inspiration to the automotive aftermarket. His story of the transition from a homeless individual to a recognized success is a story fit for the ages. He owns Family Auto Service in La Mesa, CA. His 4 shops employed 50 plus employees and 2 of those shops have revenues of $2 Million annually. His success is an inspiration to the automotive industry and built on resilience.
Rob authored the book “Addicted to Life: How I Went from Homeless to Extraordinary Success and Happiness in a Short Period of Time”. It is an easy read with chapters mean to relate to the ordinary person. It is a guideline of building blocks on how to improve your leadership along the way. Addiction effect at least ⅓ of our population. If you don’t know a thing about addiction or you need to learn how to deal with a peer, loved one or yourself, this interview is for you.
A very candid and authentic story of challenges and overcoming obstacles, this episode will not disappoint.
FTR 038: Jennifer Filzen – Create a Ripple Effect of Joy With and For Your Customers
Jennifer Filzen from Rock Star Marketing brings you a strong message about caring. Yes she uses the LOVE word. Jennifer says we need to show how much we care for our team, our customer and especially our families more than we do. She’ll tell you why.
RR 416: Preparing Your Shop For Tomorrows Technicians – How To Attract and Retain Your Team
Preparing Your Shop For Tomorrow’s Technician: How To Attract And Retain Your Team
We know as a united industry that retaining and attracting talent into our bays is our number one concern. Sure keeping pace with technology advancements is up there, but if you don’t have the talent inside your shop to repair our high tech cars, tech becomes less a challenge.
This power panel from Vision KC 2019 and brought to you by the Midwest Auto Care Alliance, tackles this tough subject that we need to face head-on. With me is Tyler Hubbard from I-70 Auto Service, Aaron Stokes – from Eurofix and Shop Fix Academy, Chris Chesney – Sr. Director Customer Training at CARQUEST Technical Institute, Brian Bates – Eagle Automotive Service and Greg Buckley – Buckley Personalized Auto Care.
You’ll hear discussion on why our industry needs to stop eating our young, setting career paths for your technicians, why orientation and not onboarding is the way to integrate new technicians into your business, buying tools for our technicians, and building the right culture and operating principles and so much more. We even had time at the end for Q & A from the audience.
THA 111: Building New Customers
Building New Customers
David Roman from Done with Care – Auto Repair from Merium, KS and Greg Bunch from Aspen Auto Clinic from Colorado Springs and also the founder of Transformers Institute bring their A game to this discussion.
We covered a wide spectrum of strategies on customer growth and trust. We enveloped the marketing side of finding new customers and then how to complete the relationship once your service writer brought them from the phone call and into the shop.
David says that a big deception in opening a business; you think you are going to do what you are good at doing, however, you must be good at marketing; to make the phone ring. The CEO must make the phone ring or you’re going to have to spend money to hire a professional to do it.
Greg says that we must educate new clients on who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Greg wants you to Invite your new customer to talk to the tech and walk them through the findings of the inspections. He says that your customer struggles to find a trustworthy mechanic, so if you want to build a long term customer; earn their trust.
RR 415: Mitch Schneider – Legacy Aftermarket Influencer
Mitch Schneider – Legacy Industry Influencer.
You know Mitch Schneider. He is truly a legacy icon of our industry. He has dedicated his life to run a great shop for decades and at the same time write and speak to help our industry grow. There isn’t an issue that he hasn’t tackled where his reader could take his wisdom and improve themselves and their business.
One thing I wanted to know is how did it all start. If you are a Mitch Schneider fan or follower you may not know this story. You’ll hear how Mitch found his stride and passion for helping the industry by writing and speaking on industry challenges and solutions.
Coming up is a very transparent and personal discussion with Mitch in a way that you may have never heard before. He is also sharing with you his biggest challenge of his life and his extreme confidence in his total recovery. It is in nature to win.
FTR 037: Scott Wheeler – Are You Really Listening to Your Customer?
Aaron Shaffer Wants The Service Professional to Consider Selling Premium Products For All the Right Reasons. Pick Replacement Parts That Best Serves the Intended OE Performance of the Entire System
RR 414: Elevating Our Industry’s Definition of Mechanic/Technician
Elevating our Industries’ Definition of a Mechanic/Technician
The mechanic/technician is more than just the person who repairs and maintains machinery. He is an automotive professional.
As we discuss bringing a new definition to the automotive mechanic, we are not trying to build a pecking order but to define the outcome of the investment in training and knowledge of technology necessary to work on today’s vehicles. Is today’s mechanic an ‘expert’, a ‘diagnostician’, or an Automotive Scientific Investigator? Does it matter?
I am joined with AES President, and Trainer Jorge Menchu, Scott Brown from Diag.net, Shop Manager and Diagnostician Matt Fanslow and LMV Bavarian Support Specialist Support and Tech Ambassador, Justin Morgan.
THA 110: Charging What We Are Worth
Charging What We Are Worth
We talk professional courtesy, labor rates, training, having the right value proposition for your customer so you can charge accordingly, the labor rate spread in our communities, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to charge what you are worth. You’ve invested a lot in your business and need to be paid for this. Listen to why confidence in your skills and abilities will help you charge accordingly.
With me on this Academy panel is Tom Palermo, Preferred Automotive Specialties, Philadelphia, PA and former NAPA ASE Technician of the year in 2015, David Justice, President Repair Shop Of Tomorrow, Asset Management Technology and Mark Colaw, Seymours’ Garage, San Antonio, TX and founder of Carfest.
RR 413: Jill Trotta on Pricing Transparency
Understanding Consumer Behaviour through Price Transparency
Jill Trotta Vice President, Industry Advocacy and Sales RepairPal, discusses pricing transparency and reiterates the fact that it is not going away. Every shop owner should understand this and never let this disable them in any way. If you happen to have a friend who is struggling with pricing, let them listen to this episode and it may be worthwhile for them to best understand how it works and what it means to your operation.
Jill says that millions of people visit the RepairPal site each month and the data they collect helps them understand how to make pricing transparency work for you. She also offers some survey results that, are frankly, disturbing as it relates to satisfied customers.
FTR 036: Dwayne Myers – Say NO to the Technician Shortage
Aaron Shaffer Wants The Service Professional to Consider Selling Premium Products For All the Right Reasons. Pick Replacement Parts That Best Serves the Intended OE Performance of the Entire System
RR 412: Dave Fischer – OSHA and Labor Law Expert Helps You Minimize Fines and Get Compliant
OSHA and Labor Law Expert Helps You Minimize Fines and Get Compliant
Now let’s get some costly roadblocks out of the way as I talk One On One with Dave Fischer, a labor law expert, with California Employer’s Services. Don’t let the fact that Dave is from California stop you from listening. So many of the issues he talks about will help you review your business. Yes, all states have different laws, but many of Dave’s examples can help you.
There is a lot of misclassifications, questions, and confusion with regards to OSHA and Labor Laws. There are a lot of important points we will be discussing for you. Learn about common sense structure needed to comply with the rules and regulations. Compliance must not be ignored. You have to be proactive if you are a business owner.
Since compliance is a must, we also prepared for you a guideline of what to do when the enforcement officer arrives and also prepare you for OSHA. Lots of important information brewed for the satisfaction of the perpetual student.
THA 109: How to Handle the Overload of Information, Workload and All That You Have to Learn.
How to Handle the Overload of Information, Workload and All That You Have to Learn
We are in deep talking about how they deal with getting things done, keeping up on their learning curve, dealing with an overstuffed ‘In-Box’, prioritizing, delegating, learning, neural pathways, and exercise, just to name a few.
With me in studio talking ‘Information Overload’ is Donny Seyfer, Executive officer of NASTF and co-owner of Seyfer Automotive, Wheat Ridge, CO, Rob Rowsell, Family Auto Service La Mesa, CA (4 shop group) author of ‘Addicted to Life; How I Went From Homeless to Extraordinary Success and Happiness in a Short Period of Time.” and serial entrepreneur Mark Roberts, managing partner at Schertz Auto Service, Schertz TX
Guaranteed you’ll pick up at least one thing on helping you become a more organized and effective person.
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RR 411: Changing of the Guard at ASCCA with Incoming President John Eppstein
Changing of the Guard at ASCCA with Incoming President John Eppstein
Incoming President; John Eppstein of John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA, and Incoming Vice-President; Rory Balmer of Twin Peaks Auto Service in Twin Peaks, CA and outgoing President: Rocky Khamenian from Bimmer & Benz Specialists, Costa Mesa, discusses the past and the future of ASCCA.
John, Rory, and Rocky discuss recurring issues and challenges of shop owners. We also discuss the importance of education and contributing to your industry through association membership.
You’ll also get a chance to hear about another region of the country that is highly regulated. Hey, you never know some of the laws and regs in California may make it to your state some day.
FTR 035: Aaron Shaffer – Sell Premium Products For All the Right Reasons
Aaron Shaffer Wants The Service Professional to Consider Selling Premium Products For All the Right Reasons. Pick Replacement Parts That Best Serves the Intended OE Performance of the Entire System
RR 410: Tom Ham – Running Your Business Remotely
Tom Ham: Running your Business Remotely
Tom answers some big questions like: Does it take the right culture and people to make working remotely work? What kind of self-discipline to you need? And how does technology make it feel like you are there? We cover a full spectrum of how Tom makes it work.
Tom Ham gives us the blueprint on how to run a remote office and what are the expectations that come along with it.
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