Here are the two most recent episodes
Lost Keys, Found Revenue: Capitalize on Key Replacement with AutoProPAD G3 [RR 1025]
Explore the profitable opportunity of key cutting and programming for auto repair shops in the automotive aftermarket. With around 25 million keys sold each year, many vehicle owners lose at least one key within the first 15 years of ownership. Matt Fanslow and Scott Gompper highlight the Nitrous AutoProPad G3, simplifying key programming and emphasizing the significant revenue potential within this largely untapped market.
remarkableresults.biz/e1023
Start Simple: A Practical Approach to Implementing Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) [THA 418]
This episode covers the practical benefits of digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) for shop owners. Learn how DVIs can boost Average Repair Orders (ARO) and improve customer communication. Industry professionals share real-world insights on overcoming cultural resistance, the role of leadership, and strategies for successful implementation. Plus, explore how AI enhances inspection reports and processes. Whether you’re new to DVIs or looking to optimize, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help your shop thrive.
remarkableresults.biz/a417
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RR 305: Derek Kaufman – Joran Thompson – Living in a APP World
Chicago. No Car. No Problem.
Joran Thompson lives in Chicago and hasn’t owned a car for years. She does fine commuting to work, buying fresh groceries and dry goods. Her dry cleaning gets done, perfectly and on-time, and her latest IKEA purchase gets constructed. When she needs medicine, pizza or to wait in a line for a restaurant on a Saturday Night she just uses her smartphone. There’s an APP for all of her needs.
The story for aftermarket professionals is that all the miles Joran is not driving are being done by the services she contracts. Transportation as a Service will rack up the miles to support all the Joran Thompson’s who don’t own vehicles. Someone will need to maintain and repair those vehicles. It’s time to make those connections.
RR 304: The Battery Shop
Sell More Batteries. Training and Testing is the Key.
Join Michele Zgola the director of Marketing and Communication at Johnson Controls, Jim Bates the Aftermarket Training Center Manager also at Johnson Controls and Patrick Haynes, Executive Director at the Responsible Battery Coalition.
Learn about selling more batteries and how well the industry has rallied to recycle 99% of all batteries. Recycling challenges are coming in the future as lithium-ion batteries will need to be recovered.
THA 055: The Importance of Back Office Operations – Part 2
The Power Center of your Business is in the Back Office PART 2
Amy Mattinat, Jacquie Walter Hower, Maryann Croce and Kim Auernheimer discuss Human Resources and Marketing. Two very important responsibilities of the CEO and back office team.
Highlights: The legal document called an employee handbook, hire slow-fire fast, know your candidate’s personality and hire for a culture fit.
Track your marketing efforts, never shoot in the dark you may not be spending your money wisely. Have a good referral program for your advocate customer and your brand’s image needs to be consistent and must match the face you put in the web and social media. This group also shares some great marketing ideas.
RR 303: Jason Soto from Mobilesoft.com
There’s an APP for that!
Ever thought of connecting with your customer with your own APP. Did you know that a smartphone app is a retention strategy?
Ever thought of the challenges with social media to get your message heard? What if you could push a message to a user of your app? Will your customer have a stronger relationship with you if your app is on their phone?
Jason Soto from Mobile Soft Technology talks about the value of having your own smartphone app. Interesting concepts you need to know about. Learn about this tool and how it could work for you in your quest to create customers for life.
RR 302: Lisa and Kevin Eckler
Never Too Late to Get a Business Coach to Help Put the Business on the Right Path.
This interview is for anyone who started a business and took time to discover that their talent as a top technician didn’t help when it came to run a business. Lisa and Kevin Eckler from Foreign Car Specialists in Poughkeepsie, NY bring you a very raw and transparent story of their business evolution.
Kevin shared his story so that you will benefit. His business acumen wasn’t as good as his talent as a technician. He gives great advice to anyone who is struggling to make money.
Lisa is new to the business and they married four years ago. They took their blended family and business struggles head-on. Their story is fit for the ages and I know many can relate to the challenges they’ve overcome.
THA 054: Stay Up on Social Media – Facebook Changes and your Marketing Efforts 2018
Stay Up On Social Media. What do the Facebook Changes Mean to Your Marketing Effort?
Facebook announced sweeping changes in early 2018. Our Academy panel provides great advice on becoming 2018 ‘Social Savvy’ and improving and changing your social media strategy.
Key talking points: You are your brand, your brand is you. Build a sales funnel around the assets you own like your website and your mailing list. Put your customer out front. Use Facebook Live because video will get preference from Facebook. And among so many other great insights you need to document instead of create content.
RR 301: Matt Purselle from Revolution
Treat every customer like you would your mother.
Matt Pursell the guy with the bow tie owns Revolution in Decatur, GA. As a Mercedes Benz and smart specialty shop his customers expect a level of service indicative of the brand of car they drive. Matt shares how they deliver exceptional customer service. The growth rate in the business is 10% with no advertising budget for new customers and referrals has driven his success.
Matt also stands out as a differentiator in other ways. Imagine if you will it is July and you are a customer, you just may go home with a vegetable right from the Revolution garden. How cool is that? Matt explains they grow their customers like they grow their vegetables. His culture and customer service in his company is built upon this premise: Treat every customer like you would your mother.
RR 300: 300th Retrospective: Interview with Host Carm Capriotto
The 300th Episode Retrospective
For the first-time podcast host, Carm Capriotto is in the interviewee seat. Seven aftermarket professionals ask Carm questions that discover the attributes and purpose of the aftermarket’s premier podcast. He shares some very personal stories and chronicles some behind the scene moments.
You’ll learn about what makes Carm tick, how it all started and what his thoughts are for the future. He is so proud of the audio library made up of the voices of the aftermarket. The guests who trusted Carm to get their story told so that all ships rise, is the pure foundation of the value of the podcast to the industry.
THA 053: Improve Communication Between the Service Advisor & Technician
Many Problems Are Found in A Lack Of Communications; Therefore Good Communications Can Prevent Come Backs.
Improving Communications Between the Service Adviser and Technician with Jude Larson from Valley Repair in Tenino, WA and also with JML Real Solutions, also Darrin Barney, Owner of Barney Brothers Off Road in Grand Junction, CO and Donnie Carter, Service Manager at Little Wolf Automotive in Waupaca, WI.
Communication is an important tenant in any service business. It is up to the service advisor to bring the ‘novel’ to the technician. Listen hard to the customer and write down the details of their issue or concern.
Technicians results are dependent on getting a good path to follow. Give them a great opportunity to succeed with clear in-depth information. Techs need to do their part and provide clear information back to the service advisor to support the recommendations they are going to provide as a value to the customer.
RR 299: Christopher Petersen from Northwest Automotive
Shop Owner For Only 2 ½ Years Makes Big Moves: Buys a Building And Retrofits It Into a State Of The Art Facility.
Christopher Petersen from Northwest Automotive in Kalispell, MT has only been a shop owner for 2 ½ years. A twenty-two-year industry veteran, Chris made the leap to shop ownership and found himself owning two properties. He shares the story and explains that his bank showed the confidence in him to support these transactions.
Good take-a-ways here on DVI, and staying on the cutting edge of change. Chris says If it is not documented, then it didn’t happen. He’s got a porter on staff and he shares how important his people are to his culture and that his loyal and happy customers are a direct reflection of him putting his people first.
RR 298: Mark Roberts from Schertz Auto Service
Shop Owner and Serial Entrepreneur Shares His Business Story.
Mark Roberts of Schertz Auto Service in Schertz, TX tells his story when the entrepreneurial bug hit him; he was 15 years old. Mark shares his journey and outlook on life and business.
He’s getting ready for his second branch and has implemented a succession plan. He shares his very strong outlook on family and the family unit in his business.
Mark talks about his culture, his techs pay plan, work-life balance, how his DISC profile works so well with his manager and his philanthropy efforts. He’s set up a trust to invest back in community and people.
THA 052: Lessons I Learned When I Sold My Shop
Lessons I Learned When I Sold My Shop
Three former shop owners tell their story on selling their business. With Margie van Lierop, Formerly of Beach Cities Garage in Laguna Hills, CA; Scott ‘Gonzo’ Weaver formerly of Superior Auto Electric, Tulsa, OK (You also know Scott from Gonzo’s Tool Box) and Dave Winters formerly of Swedish Automotive in Seattle, WA, share their experience.
Among the talking points, confidentiality, transparent and normalized profit and loss statement, valuation, business broker, asset values, being a landlord and eventual tax liability, among others.
RR 297: Jay Goninen from Find A Wrench & Find A Mechanic.com
Finding and Recruiting Technician Talent for Your Shop
Jay Goninen from Find a Wrench and Find a Mechanic.com brings his experience as an industry veteran and recruiter to the Remarkable Results tribe. We have a wide-open discussion on recruiting, job descriptions, why people leave and the value of a good work environment.
Among other discussion points that help you keep your people or help your recruiting effort is offering a path for growth, more responsibility, more money, and benefits. Jay feels that your shop needs to have a unique differentiator to attract top talent.
From a technician’s perspective, they usually don’t promote themselves so creating a good resume and posting it on a job board is something he helps techs with.
He says you should always be recruiting. It is like a 5-star football recruit for your college sports program. You will look at every resume and do every interview.
RR 296: The Digital Shop – A Discussion | Sevart | Connor | Kleinschmidt
The Digital Shop: A Discussion.
If you are contemplating the future and know you’ll need to get there maybe sooner rather than later this roundtable discussion has a lot of information for you. Panelists are Joe Sevart from I70 Auto Service from Kansas City, MO, Bill Connor the General Manager form Craig’s’ Car Care in Allen, TX and AutoVitals CEO Uwe Kleinschmidt.
There are many important info points here to help you and guide you in this inevitable change to your business that will be as important as having lifts in the bays. You may not be ready to implement a totally digital inspection, CRM, and workflow system, however, you’ll want to invest the time in this episode, to you keep your learning curve high and hear from shop owners who have done it and are so happy they did.
The digital strategy is to have the service advisor to do more advising and less busy work. Digital also allows the customer to be anywhere and still see the problems via still pictures and videos.
THA 051: First Moves When Opening a New Shop
Find A Blue Print Outlined For Finding Success If You Are Going To Open An Automotive Aftermarket Service Repair Shop.
There is some secret Sause shared here including a few preferred methods on how to start, setting up your spending plan, how important location is and the need to know the demographics of that local community. Is the income level such that money can be spent on vehicle service and maintenance?
We talk financial, (knowing your numbers) debt, cash flow. All very important parts of a CEO’s responsibility. May great technicians, who are unemployable, strive to start their own business because they want to do things their way. Most find out it is not an easy task. There are responsibilities beyond financial and cash flow like, marketing, the tax man, HR laws and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
This panel does a great job of explaining the challenges you’ll need to deal with, so you can find your successes sooner rather than later. It is a slow process, but success shouldn’t take years to achieve.
RR 295: David Eschbach from Spirit One Group on the Service Advisor
The Four Cornerstone Approach to Service Counter Success
David Eschbach shares his method for improving the relationship and experience with the service advisor and customer.
Here is an in-depth discussion on improving your service counter. It is no secret, we have great people on our service counters and a regiment of training brings fresh ideas and helps tighten your customer relationship.
David shares his Four Cornerstone approach to service counter success. It is a simple process as we look to your customer and discover: What is Broke, Why is it Broke, and then give them a Statement of Benefit and Recommendation and finally Explain How are we Going to do the Repair. Of course, money is a byproduct of a great service experience.
RR 294: Jeff Buckley & Jeff Matt on Social Media
Social Media: A contrast of Two Strategies to Engage your Customer
This is a contrast in social media strategies. Jeff Buckley has his style and methods and Jeff Matt is the opposite. Both great companies, both strategies work.
Jeff Buckley from My Fathers Shop in Midlothian, TX and Jeff Matt from Victory Auto Service a five-branch operation in Minneapolis. MN, share their different approach.
Each of their methods work and they both feel their ROI is worth it. Listen to find out which is your best approach.
THA 050: Finding The Right Business Coach
Finding The Right Business Coach.
A strong group of successful service professionals credits a business coach or consultant for their success. This Academy panel is in agreement on the steps you must weigh when considering hiring a business coach or consultant.
Be prepared to put your pride on the shelf and learn how to grow your business to new heights. Let the coach Identify your problems with profit, productivity, training, marketing, pricing labor and parts among others.
Your coach will teach you how to identify your problems and show you ways to fix it yourself. Business coaches/consultants help business owners develop skills to become reliant on their own. You will also be held accountable for your goals and production.
RR 293: Brin Kline, AAM form Assured Auto Works
Shop Owner Stays on the Cutting Edge of Automotive Technology
Brin Kline owns Assured Auto Works in Melbourne, FL but never misses a technical training class presented by a top industry trainer. He can’t take the technician out of his business owners mindset.
Brin has set his goals to be a technical instructor at Vision KC some day. He works very hard on learning the technical side of the automotive. A proponent of day-time training and a member of many industry advisory councils like iATN and CTI.
Brin believes that every technician should take a business course to understand how business operates.
RR 292: Technician Round Table – Part 4 – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow – Meyers
Wide Open Discussion from Three Aftermarket Technicians and One Who Left the Industry.
As usual, these guys brought their opinionated selves to the interview, yet spoke from the heart about topics they are passionate about. Some no holds barred discussion points. There are times where there is no sugar coating and that is good to embrace all sides of an issue.
Matt Fanslow, Bob Heipp, Peter Landry and Tom Myers openly discuss some very hot and touchy subjects that affect all aftermarketer’s.
Just a few of the topics we discussed, shops charging for diagnostic time, opinions on social media, a discussion on augmented reality. They discuss that techs need to help the business owner make money, and therefore owners should share in the wealth. We talk about shop owners training their top and best-vested technicians and talk pay and benefits.
THA 049: How to Sell Diagnostics
How To Sell Diagnostics at a Profit?
This is not an easy question to answer. Service professionals must be paid for their expertise because the cost of doing diagnostics is the most expensive service you have in your building.
It is time to move from diagnostics to testing and analyzing. Every shop needs to build a premium product around testing and analyzing. You need to be known as the ‘we can fix anything right the first time shop’. Your motto: “We have the best technicians.” Your shops testing and analyzing skills is the premium product you sell and are known for in your marketplace. No need to go anywhere else. We do the research, test, analyze and discover what is wrong. We present the solution then you decide.
Marketing this premium product requires a strong testing/analyzing process that both the service advisor and technician are totally in agreement with. The benefits allow the SA to confidently sell testing and analyzing.
The diagnostician knows that the SA will sell the value and benefits to the customer because the process dictates the work to be done. A very strong discussion and powerful take-a-ways that will arrest the black hole in your business of profitable diagnostic time.
RR 291: Bambi Crozier from Car Clinic and ASOG
Changing the Image of the Industry; One Customer at a Time.
Bambi Crozier and her husband Neil own Car Clinic in Lowell, AR. They are dedicated to lifelong customer relationships and are working to change their customer’s image of the industry to that of a profession and not just a trade.
With her background in customer service, she and Neil set out on a mission of change. She started by asking her customer’s a lot of questions about their vehicle. She discovered that her customers wanted the down and dirty truth about their vehicle needs.
Listen to her story of startup and transformation. She knows that the rapid change in technology and the way tech is affecting how business is done today will require a smarter, wiser business owner. She believes in the power of the statement: ‘You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know.’
RR 290: Al Haberstroh and Robert Cannon
Marketing To the Ultimate Customer. The Power of Video and the Zero Moment of Truth.
Al Haberstroh, a partner and Chief Strategy Officer at MontAd Media, a data marketing company serving the auto aftermarket and Robert Cannon, Chairman and CEO of AutoNetTV. Discuss building confidence and awareness in your consumer’s relationship.
These two companies have formed a strategic partnership to provide innovative content and marketing services to the aftermarket. They believe, “Macro trends like price transparency and more educated consumers are compelling smart manufacturers to connect with repair shops and consumers in creative ways.”
This conversation is going to light you up if you are into branding, marketing and the buying moment of truth. Al and Robert have a handle on the ‘e’ buying experience and look to work with the aftermarket to nurture a knowledgeable and brand conscious customer for the service professional.
THA 048: Grow Your Fleet Business | AMi Credit
Growth Strategy: Fleets
Fleet business can sustain your revenue during the up and down times of the year. Get started and be willing to change and adjust as you move along. These three experts agree that it may be time for you to ‘Get out of your comfort zone’ and jump into the fleet business.
Learn from Tom Palermo from Preferred Automotive Specialists in Jenkintown, PA, John Constantin from Bison Fleet Service in Buffalo, NY and Bill Nalu from Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, MI.
We talk how to recruit fleet customer, obvious reasons to get into fleet business, the how and the challenges of implementing and growing fleet revenue.
RR 289: Tony Adams from Weavers Auto Center
The Leadership Challenge
Tony Adams, Vice President of Operations at Weavers Auto Center in Shawnee, KS, has an inspiring story about change and leadership. Listening to stories like Tony’s, who have achieved success while toughing through challenges and learning from mistakes, can build strength in all who listen.
Tony admits to what all good leaders know; admit your mistakes, learn from them and move forward. It builds strong leadership. He shares his very transparent story. You’ll either relate to it or learn from it.
We all will experience a story like Tony’s at least once in our lives. Never stop learning and build a fire under your team to serve the customer.
RR 288: Jorge Antico from eAutoClub.com
Customer Transaction Data is a Powerful Resource for Organic Growth
With a business and computer science education, Jorge Antico identified the aftermarkets need for transactional service-data aggregation. In essence, a family-owned vehicle fleet service management system.
The data that sits on your server contains a treasure of information that can be served up in just the right way. With the right AI software for natural language predictive CRM, you can do a lot with your information. Antico shares the power of growing your business using the data you already own.
This episode will provide much insight, from a tech perspective. There are many strong thinking moments here that will energize your systems and marketing talents and inspire you to grow your business.
THA 047: Twenty-One TIPS to Get an Edge on the Competition – Part 2
Do you need a quick new idea to implement that will give you an edge?
In this Academy lesson get 21 TIPS (Part 2) to help give you an edge over the competition. These are some very simple ideas that have been collected from successful service professionals in the industry.
Implementation will be the big payoff. If you listen to learn just one thing and do not implement you will not benefit from this listen.
RR 287: Bill Haas – Millennials – How to Lead and Engage This Generation
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hiring and Leading Millennials
Every twenty years or so a new generation of workers arrives. For many of us, we raised today’s Millennials or Generation Y. They are made up of the 22-40-year-old’s who number 79 million in the workforce; the largest segment.
If we are to seed our industry with youth and grow our own, we must look at the Millennial Generation. We must understand how to integrate them and nurture them into our workforce.
Each generation has its quirks. Gen Y is no different. Once you learn what moves and motivates them you’ll find it so much easier to accept and keep millennials motivated in your business culture. The lessons here works for all team members, but you’ll learn what really makes the Millennial tick and why they behave like they do.
RR 286: Robert ‘Dutch’ Silverstein from A & M Auto Service
A Formula for Improving Reputation and Customer Trust
Robert ‘Dutch’ Silverstein has owned A & M for 19 years and is passionate about building customers for life. This episode has a strong continuing message of trust and integrity. If you have customers for life, Dutch’s story will solidify your strategy, if you don’t have customers for life, Dutch’s passion will help you understand how you can build a consumer into a customer and then into a client.
This episode showcases many powerful strategies, like customer education, the elimination of technician commissions, the important need to lift our industries image and reputation and that integrity and honesty is the only rule, if not he says, ‘Don’t Operate At All’.
THA 046: Revving Up Your Business Culture | AMi Credit
Building a strong business culture can be one of the hardest things a business owner can do yet the most rewarding.
It is one of the key principles in the business that you cannot touch. It’s the soft stuff. For many, it is tough to get your hands around it. This academy panel does a great job explaining culture and shows you many ways to implement and lead it.
The power of a strong business culture can be one of your biggest differentiators as a business and a strong reason you attract top talent.
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