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.
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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.
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THA 015: How to Improve Employee Loyalty

Jul 6, 2017

How to Improve Employee Loyalty and create engaged team members.

Listen to Ryan Clo, Dwayne Myers and Jude Larson talk about the power of gratitude, the importance of sharing your vision, creating a powerful work environment, the value of training for personal improvement, pay and bonus programs, mentoring and why you need to share your numbers.

THA 014: Customer Retention Strategies

Jul 6, 2017

Do you have a customer avatar, a profile of your ideal customer?

Listen to this great lesson on customer retention and marketing from Gene Morrill, Ron Haugen and Maylan Newton as they bring to the forefront, customer marketing budgets and a yearlong plan, social media, special events, car care clinics and digital service reminder.

Many great ideas to jump start or re-invent your customer retention strategy.

RR 237: Rhonda Hiltbrand – News Works Marketing Group

Jul 4, 2017

Does Direct Mail Newsletter Marketing Work?

Join Rhonda Hiltbrand for a frank discussion on direct mail marketing. She sees a place for direct mail and especially newsletter marketing for service professionals.

Learn why direct mail is not dead and how it blends with social media. Rhonda talks marketing ROI, the tactics behind newsletters and why we are fighting clutter every day.

She says a newsletter is a platform to talk to your customer and help you stand out among the 6,000 advertising messages we are bombarded with every day.

RR 236: Bob Cooper – Elite Worldwide

Jun 30, 2017

Do You Know Why the Success of your Business is Dependent on Setting Huge Long-Term Goals?

Bob Cooper, President of Elite Worldwide share his five principles of success. He explains why having BIG goals is important to personal and business success. Bob has brought his expertise to the automotive industry as a trainer and a coach. He has also spoken worldwide to many Fortune 500 companies, private banking groups, school districts, the United States Army.

Bob gets into the details on his five principles and offers a special bonus; the CEO’s job description.

THA 013: Expense Control – Best Practices

Jun 28, 2017

Expense Control and Other Money Saving Ideas. This Town Hall Academy hits on budgets, expense control being a team effort, expense leakage, delegating certain tasks, When an expense is not an expense and developing relationships in the community among other key cost reduction ideas.

THA 012: What Keeps You Up at Night?

Jun 28, 2017

What Keeps You Up At Night? Is a metaphor on what we are concerned with as the world changes at unprecedented speeds.

You need to get out ahead of change and set the vision for your company. Paying attention to every business opportunity and challenge along with technology, business culture and finding and keeping good people helps you sleep well. The occasional 2 AM get up ‘thought’ just may signal an important strategy to pay attention to.

THA 011: Your Website – Tactics To Improve

Jun 28, 2017

Your Website – Tactics to improve Traffic and other Tech Talk as discussed by two industry experts, Danny Sanchez from Auto Shop Solutions and Todd Westerlund, CEO of Kukui. Along with shop owners Ryan Clo from Dubwerx in Cincinnati, OH and Doug Grills from Autostream in the Greater Baltimore/Washington, DC area.

Great talk on being mobile, Google Analytics, SEO, review marketing being sure your site converts customers, website design, analytics and call tracking, and working with Google Premier Partners.

THA 010: Car Care Clinics For Women

Jun 28, 2017

Car Care Clinics for Women: Why do them and What is the Benefit to the Shop?

Learn from aftermarket professionals that understand the women customer and have held successful women events.
Get the Why, Who, What, When and How to run a successful Women’s event at your professional shop.

RR 235: Tom Piippo from Tri-County Motors

Jun 27, 2017

Where does a three time ASE Technician of the Year and shop owner find a new technician?

Tom Piippo a three-time recognized ASE Technician of the Year needed to find a new technician. He decided to grow his own and found a candidate in a most interesting place. Also listen to Tom share his story of remarkable results over the last 39 years operating in a small town of 491 households in northern Michigan.

Tom was recently honored by ASA as their 2017 Alpha award winner for his generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry.

RR 234: Vic Tarasik – Major Accounts Director at RLO

Jun 23, 2017

What is your next calling? What are your plans after you sell your business?

After nearly 30 years of successfully operating Vic’s Precision Automotive, a fourteen-bay automotive repair facility located in The Woodlands, TX, Vic Tarasik sold his beloved shop, however, he remains active in the industry he loves.

In the interview Vic’s shares the typical challenges a passionate technician goes through in learning how to run a good business. Vic goes over five of his ten Life’s Lessons; things he learned along the way that molded him as an entrepreneur. He tells us what he is doing today that continues to bring value to the industry.

RR 233: Brian Weeks from atc AutoCenter

Jun 20, 2017

How can a Re-Branding Strategy Create a Total Make-Over for this Family Business and Prepare for Market Growth.

Brian Weeks and his brother Chris from atc AutoCenter in Augusta, GA bought out their Dad in 1999 and worked hard in the family transmission business. Their story is typical until they both realized that their current business model was under stress. They needed to make changes to allow them to grow and meet market demands.

Brian shares the re-branding story, and how he and his brother made the bold moves to work on their business instead of in it.

THA 009: ASE Value Proposition -Consumer -Shop Owner -Technician

Jun 17, 2017

Do the consumers, technicians and shop owners appreciate the value ASE brings to the aftermarket? This Academy forum takes on this question.

Join ASE’s Trish Serratore and shop owners Amy Mattinat and Eric Carlson in an important discussion on the value proposition of ASE. We talk consumer education, the importance of messaging from the top down has a big factor if the technicians will keep up their certifications and become a Master Technician. The discussion flows to consumer awareness and the new ASE site geared to consumer knowledge and awareness of ASE.

ASE has been around since 1972. They are the only industry driven credentials in the industry. Getting behind ASE certifications will be a strong differentiator as technology and the skilled workforce

THA 008: Concierge Service – The Next Frontier

Jun 17, 2017

Is Your Customer Service Exceptional? Need to Lead in Your Market?

The Academy panel discusses a commitment to customer service that must start from a quality business culture or code of conduct. Learn about certain tactics that will make your shop stand at the top of the list as you show your customer uncompromising differentiation.

THA 006: Managing a Negative On-Line Review

Jun 17, 2017

These industry colleagues agree to never ignore and learn from a bad review.

Bad reviews do happen and these are great learning moments for the entire company. Every segment of the company is under scrutiny with a bad review. From business culture, your customer service commitment, your processes, procedures and systems.

It is also important to be sure you are doing business with your ideal customer. Not every customer was meant to do business with you. Create your ‘avatar’ customer and stick to it.

THA 005: Must Attend Training Conferences

Jun 17, 2017

Having a strong training culture is an important discussion point in this Town Hall Academy.

There are many choices for aftermarket technical training. Technicians need to schedule a minimum one major event a year. Our panel of experts touch on the need for training policies, budgets and supporting the vendors that make these events affordable. Also discussion points on Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo and Automechanika.

RR 232: Dennis McCarron – On Sales

Jun 16, 2017

Do You Have the Technique to Close More Sales?
 
If you sell service or tires Dennis McCarron says, “The person who controls the sales process is the listener.” Dennis brings his passion for behavior analysis to this episode that can be titled the ‘Psychology of a Sale’. You will learn a formula to improve your selling technique.
 
Our customer doesn’t come in wanting to buy something.  It is not about your ability to sell but how skilled you are to present the solutions. If you present a product to a customer that solves three of their needs the probability is high to close.

All aftermarket organizations are sales organizations. Dennis brings a great perspective to appreciate the sales technique. This is Dennis’s second appearance on the podcast.

RR 231: Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center

Jun 13, 2017

How do you integrate a second-generation millennial into a succession plan?

Tony Tatich from TMT Complete Auto Service Center in Bremen, IN shares his view on the family business and the aftermarket from a millennials point of view.

Hear Tony talk about his Dad, the business, the industry and the future. It is a big business in a very small town.

He’s doing a lot of things right. See how many you agree with.

THA 004: Preparing Your Business For Sale

Jun 12, 2017

Preparing Your Business For Sale brings real world experience from a shop owner that just sold his business, one that is starting his succession plan and a business coach and consultant to bring the objective and metrics to this discussion.

Join Gary Plimmer, Ron Haugen and Bob Greenwood for this very frank and game changing Academy forum.

THA 003: Top Qualities of a Service Adviser

Jun 12, 2017

The service adviser has an important role in the automotive service industry.

Listen to a discussion with Ron Haugen from Westside Auto Pros in Des Moines Iowa and John Epstein from John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA.

Why should advisers understand and monitor their benchmarks, establish goals, and have access to them? They need to be able to connect with a broad range of people and personalities to include the customers, fellow coworkers and vendors. Service advisers also need to be able to stay calm under pressure and handle all the minor details. Many more learning moments presented by your industry colleagues.

THA 002: Resolutions

Jun 12, 2017

Resolutions are set at the beginning of the year and broken within weeks. This discussion from your industry peers shows how to create and hold on to your resolutions/goals and make things happen.

Join Barry Barrett Director of Training at RLO, Bill Nalu owner of Interstate Auto care in Madison Heights, MI and Jerry Kubitsky from Summit Transmission of La Mesa, CA

THA 001: How to Improve Customer Loyalty

Jun 12, 2017

All business strives to build customer Loyalty.

In this episode we talk with Jody DeVere, CEO of Ask Patty, shop owner Greg Skolnik from Motor Works in Rockville, MD and John Eppstein owner of John’s Automotive Care in San Diego, CA.

Jody, Greg and John shared their tactics and strategies to build a loyal customer following.

RR 230: Technician Round Table Part 2 -Heipp – Landry -Fanslow

Jun 9, 2017

What do Three Diagnosticians think about Silver Bullets, Critical Thinking and the Future of Diagnostics.

Bob Heipp, Peter Landry and Matt Fanslow, bring a big dose of their passion to the second technician round-table. This discussion generated talk on important and trending topics, that for these working techs, are important.

In this episode Bob, Peter and Matt expressed their feeling on technician pay, computer skills, augmented reality, and flat rate among others. There are over 20 key talking points. Invest in understanding how these three professional technicians and trainers look at the industry, especially the commitment to perpetual training and for creating a better and sustaining aftermarket.

RR 229: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 3

Jun 6, 2017

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 228: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 2

Jun 6, 2017

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 227: Ciara Pegoda – Leadership 2.0 – Part 1

Jun 6, 2017

Spotlight Leadership 2.0 the University of the Aftermarket Executive Level Course as told by Ciara Pegoda.

Leadership 2.0 is an intense and intellectually challenging two-week executive development and learning experience deeply rooted in the theoretical and practical application of automotive aftermarket leadership principles.

Listen to the inside story through the experience of Ciara Pegoda as she walks you through the intensive two week course. This is a three part series with part one the covering the first week, part two covers the course project and part three the final week and project presentation.

RR 226: Connected CARS Detroit May 2017 – An Overview

Jun 2, 2017

The Future is Now. Are You Preparing for the Future of Automotive Repair?

Held in Detroit on May 18th & 19th, 2017 and presented by ASA, Automotive Service Association, Connected CARS (Congress of Automotive Repair & Service) and organized by Donny Seyfer. This training conference brought industry trainers, automotive engineers and service professionals from all parts of North America to learn about rapidly advancing vehicle technology. Participants got an important glimpse into the world of the connected car with in-depth and detailed looks at ADAS, Next Gen Vehicle Networks and the future of diagnostics.

Listen to a compilation of seventeen of your industry peers as they discuss their reaction to this top industry event. There is no time like now to best understand the speed and gravity of technology. This conference helped serve up the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the ‘connected’ service professional.

RR 225: Jose Gonzalez – Educator

May 30, 2017

When you have big goals, and are determined to make a difference you can do just about anything!

Jose Gonzales was a working technician for 16 years for a dealership and an independent. He always admired automotive trainers and that motivated him to become an instructor in post-secondary. While he was was teaching, Jose completed his AAS degree in automotive technology then switched to become an instructor in secondary education (high school).

As if that wasn’t enough, Jose then completed his bachelors in business administration. When you hear Jose tell the story, you’ll realize he has a master plan and his moves were calculated and resolute. He loves teaching and is preparing for even more opportunities in the future.

Jose Gonzales is an educator who is shaping our future technicians, yet he says there are challenges to get some students to move to post-secondary or college level; he explains in the interview. Jose counts Jim Morton as an important mentor to him.

RR 224: Family Business: Three Dads Point of View

May 26, 2017

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. The Dads Speak About Their Family Business and Their Role and Relationship with their Sons.

Service professionals Terry Beachler, Gary Pontious, Sr. and Joe Palermo discuss their family business and the relationship with their sons. Many know that family dynamics is so rewarding and can also have their challenges, however if you make it work the results are personally gratifying.

I’m grateful to the three sons for gathering their dads for this interview. There are many great talking points; traits that they share with their son, the dads’ current role in the business, who is the bigger risk taker, how they see new technology, managing the numbers, the importance of communication and trust and special advice for all family business.

RR 223: Family Business: Three Sons Point of View

May 23, 2017

Aftermarket Family Business Dynamics. Second and Third Generation Service Professionals Speak About their Role and Relationship with their Dads.

Brett Beachler, 3rd generation join second generation sons Tom Palermo and Gary Pontious, Jr. in a discussion on the family business and their father son relationship. The aftermarket is mostly lead by family businesses and many business owners are contemplating succession.

Learn how these three sons have grown up in the business and how they see their role and what their dad has taught them about leading into the next generation.

RR 222: Dwayne Myers from Dynamic Automotive

May 19, 2017

Vice Chair of CCPN is Honored as a 2017 ASE/Autocare World Class Technician

Dwayne Myers tells his story that starts in the Army and ends with the 2017 ASE/Auto Care World Class Technician Honor. It seems that everything Dwayne Myers did in his career helped pave the way to this recognition.
 
A partner in the four-shop operation Dynamic Automotive in Frederick County, MD, listen to Dwayne’s message that anyone can have success. He says, “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go after the great.”
 
Dwayne shares some great wisdom on Dynamics commitment to training and building a team. He sees a bright future for all shop owners and provides a great piece of management wisdom: ‘Never Talk Mad’.

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