RR 239: John Burkhauser – Director of Educational Programs – Bolt On Technology

John Burkhauser is currently employed at BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY as the Director of Education, a job that allows him to use a life time of learning experience day in and day out.  John dreamed of being a meteorologist but found out college wasn’t for him.

When his car failed the state inspection, that was the day his career was decided on. John went to Pennco Tech to attend the Auto Gas and Diesel program.  After graduation, John started work in a dealership where he went from a “D” technician to an “A” technician in a few short years. He also added shop foreman to his resume.  During this time, John became certified as an ASE Master Technician and Advanced Level Technician which he still maintains.

Crossing to the other side of service, he became a service adviser winning the Ford Silver Medallion award. He then became a Service Manager for a large dealership.

John also worked in the independent after market. He then applied to be an instructor at a post-secondary automotive training school where he taught basic electrical and HVAC courses for the better part of ten years.

Fortune would change his career path again when John learned about BOLT ON TECHNOLOGY and became part of the team.

John believes, “The service industry has lots of possibilities for anyone who wishes to learn and be a part of it.  Opportunity is everywhere for growth and success at all levels.  I want to share my knowledge with those who will take it and make it work so that they, too, can have a great career.”

Talking Points:

• Thoughts on his tenure as an automotive technology teacher.
• Having a relationship with an Instructor is the most important link to finding good technicians out of post-secondary.
• What are best practices?
• You must be a better listener when the customer talks. Write down what you learned.
• Setting future appointments must become an important, firm, best practice.
• He has seen a 39% improvement in value of repair orders when Digital Vehicle Inspection software is implemented.
• DVI builds a level of trust. Transparency and integrity are generated because the customer see’s the actual photo of their problems.
• There is a learning curve to implement a DVI system.
• The good, the bad and the ugly of pictures. The good helps a person sell their car. Better than CarFax.
• John is a guitar player and plays in a band.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-Mogul Motorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com