RR 350: Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg on Building Relationships One Transaction at a Time. The Power of CRM.
Building relationships one transaction at a time. The power of CRM.
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg is the founder of Turnkey Marketing. It is a leading all-in-one marketing system for Auto Repair Shops. It is not just a software platform, but is an entire strategically planned, timed, and executed online and offline system, developed by marketing experts, that removes virtually all of the owner’s stress and time spent on marketing.
She and her team specialize in helping auto repair shops attract new leads, increase car count, and keep customers longer, without the shops having to do any work. She managed to do this by integrating cutting-edge technology with the best digital marketing tactics.
Her valuable tips and advice provide insights on how to build and connect with customers while maintaining healthy marketing content to keep businesses visible. Her strategies also include the most basic form of connecting, the normal conversation and content that revolves around helping customers get over their immediate issues. Appealing to humanize the complicated world of CRM, she enlightens us that the key to loyalty is built one transaction at a time.
RR 349: Tracy Martin – Our Vehicles are Becoming Smartphones on Wheels
Smartphone on Wheels.
Tracy Martin has authored six Motorbooks Workshop Series and writes articles for industry and trade magazines. His articles of late are focused on the connected car.
Our cars today are becoming if not already became smartphone on wheels. If this is the case, then all threats that are threatening our computers at home and our mobile device could potentially harm our cars as well. There are instances of factory system hacking and car software hacking that heightens our concern.
We talk cybersecurity concerns, the evolution of techs needed to fix the vehicles of the not too distant future and a better encryption protocol. Tracy says that you must be aware of the risks that can and will be present as the future unfolds.
RR 348: Vinnie and Anthony Lucido from CoAuto – Community Conscious Car Care
Community Conscious Car Care
Vinnie and Anthony Lucido started CoAuto in 2014 at Reno, Nevada. The brothers are both ASE Master Technicians with Anthony holding 15 ASE Certifications.
Their shop CoAuto which stands for Community Conscious Car Care ran Veteran car giveaway every year, Local art display in waiting room which shop doesn’t take commission from sales, High school internship program, Reverse carbon footprint which Partnered with Arbor day foundation and have tree planted with every oil service and Women’s Car Care Clinic.
The brothers are taking a step back from business, letting employees learn by themselves and not micromanaging the company. They remained motivated from seeing the previous employer working to the bone as the owner who couldn’t let go of control and knew they didn’t want to be that type of owner. Both Anthony and Vinnie on a 5-year plan to have the shop run by itself.
RR 347: Jonathan Ortiz of Foreign Affairs Auto – From Used Cars to Full Service
A Family Affair
Jonathan Ortiz is the General Manager at Foreign Affairs Auto, West Palm Beach, Florida finished his MBA at Northeastern in Boston. Since he joined the family business, he played a key role, with his Dad, in the transition from a used car dealership to full-service repair. He embodied a people first culture and took the entire shop to Worldpac this year.
He’s changed the way he approaches new hires because of losing past hires before they are set to arrive. Jonathan shares the changes he’s made to his hiring practices because of the impact no-shows has had.
Foreign Affairs Auto’s service pledge is same day service. Their client base is mostly European and has come to accept repairs to take more than one day. Making repairs in one day brings differentiation in the market.
RR 346: Matt Fanslow of Riverside Automotive – Improving the level of professionalism within the aftermarket industry
Improving The Level Of Professionalism Within The Aftermarket Industry
Matt Fanslow is an expert Diagnostic Technician and Shop Manager at Riverside Automotive, Redwing, Minnesota. He specializes in diagnosing automotive failures and is very well versed in using diagnostic equipment and is a PICO trainer.
Since he took his first job out of college, he has dedicated his efforts and training towards improving his abilities to efficiently and accurately diagnose automotive driveability, electrical and electrical failures.
It is his goal to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive industry and light truck repair trade while raising its public image level which can boost more professional tech to get into the industry.
RR 345: Leon Martin from Auto Tech Services – The Importance of Soap-Paint and Light
The Importance of Soap-Paint-Light
Leon Martin started his shop on a 60×40 oat-field, in a community with a population no less than 2,200. He started it with pure guts and determination despite detractors that told him that he can’t do it. When Auto Tech was open in Rochester, Washington for appointments, he appealed to the emotion of his customers.
Starting a business has a lot of challenges especially on the financial side of things. Leon shares some tips on how to make a wise financial decision, getting a business coach, advocating shop cleanliness and the deeper value of customer service. He shares his cleanliness, colors and bright days and nights in Soap-Paint-Light.
He always tells his customers Maintenance is easy to schedule, breakdowns are not. His customers will nod in approval while he and his crew extract a smile and a simple ‘what can I do to make your day better’ will work wonders on any given situations.
RR 344: Technician Roundtable – Brin Kline, Tanner Brandt, Pedro De La Torre
Technician or Diagnostician, What’s the difference?
Technician Roundtable episode with Brin Kline, Tanner Brandt, and Pedro De La Torre share their passion for their craft and talk scheduling and selling diagnostics. We get into apprenticeship/mentorship to younger techs, and what training and education are necessary to be top diagnostic tech. This episode will benefit technicians and diagnosticians in a lot of ways.
They share their views on constant improvements that build the strength of a team and creates satisfied customers. Areas like IT, Quality Control, Business Education and top training for techs. This episode tackles the differences between techs and how to improve their skill through training. It is important to show a pathway of continuing education for the industries young techs to emulate and follow. The industry will benefit in the long run.
Listen to a diagnostician’s point of view only here at your premiere aftermarket podcast.
RR 343: Shop Talk: John Constantin, Mike Shultz, and Jim Fleischman
Shop Talk: Time Management and Digital Inspections
Shop talk with three shop owners; John Constantin, Jim Fleishman and Mike Schultz talk time management and digital inspections.
Systems for time management will either make our lives easier or without them, our stress level could be at Defcon 2. You may use post-it notes or digital software to stay on track and more organized.
This episode was recorded live and was an ‘open mic’ format. You enjoy the dialogue between these shop owners from the Western New York area near Buffalo.
RR 342: Brandon Steckler – Diagnostician, Trainer, Writer
Diagnostician, Trainer and Writer. Learn What Inspires Brandon Steckler to Be the Best.
Brandon Steckler is a working diagnostician, writer and trainer. He loves to help maintain and improve the level of professionalism among today’s diagnosticians. His first article for Motorage is still his favorite piece. Brandon shares his take on daytime training, who he counts as his mentor and who is the respected and admired industry trainer he aspires to be like as he continues to earn his own stripes.
His lessons resonate even outside the confines of his class. It reaches out to each and every one of us that sharing knowledge will always result in discovering and learning new innovative things. Never be afraid to ask because careers are made with each choice we make.
Brandon is a trainer for CTI/WTI and has a personal mission to maintain and improve the level of professionalism amongst today’s diagnosticians and to help grow the number of competent diagnosticians of tomorrow.
RR 341: Mark Bergasse, Carlo Sabucco, Glenn Colling, Todd Sarson. Friends First-Competitors Second.
Friends To The Rescue.
Mark Bergasse from Marks Auto Service in Oakville, ON, had a life-changing medical condition. A heart attack that precipitated a quadruple bypass. His wife Sandy called their friends Glenn Colling of Eastside Auto Service, Todd Sarson of Stop N Go Automotive, and Carlo Sabucco of Sils Complete Auto Care Centre. They share their story of support to Mark and Sandy.
This story is about friendship, caring and the power of humanity. Are you prepared for a possible business or life-changing moment? Is your network in place? Are your friends or competitors ready to step up. Mark, Todd, Carlo and Glenn share the backstory on the value of friendship first, competitor second.
RR 340: Seth Thorson Creates $25,000 Scholarship Endowment
Ready To Create Your Own Scholarship Endowment for Automotive Tech Students?
Seth Thorson from Eurotech Auto Service, New Brighton, MN, has specialized in the service of European automobiles since 1999.
Seth made a bold move this year and created a $25,000 endowment scholarship to Century College. The Thorson Automotive Scholarship which is sponsored by Eurotech is an eye opener for the entire industry.
Seth points out that parents and students need to view an automotive career as a valuable and viable career opportunity. We need to reach out to help students afford college through scholarship programs.
Recruiting into our automotive tech colleges starts with talking to school boards, meeting with school superintendents, joining advisory boards and creating endowments.
RR 339: Geek Talk 2.0 Part One – Tech Talk From Aftermarket Professionals
Geek Talk 2.0 Part 1 – Cloud-Based Systems, RansomWare and More
Join Greg Buckley CEO, Buckley’s Personalized Auto Care, Wilmington, DE, Chris Cloutier, Golden Rule Auto Care, Dallas TX and CEO of Autotex.me, Bill Nalu, President of Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI, Karim Morsil, Winkler Automotive, Gaithersburg, MD, Ollie Branche, Network Specialist and author and trainer Tracy Martin.
This episodic series will cover important ‘tech’ topics that the automotive aftermarket, especially the service professional needs to pay attention to.
We also speak to ADAS and why your involvement in your state’s laws regarding autonomy and who controls the data.
RR 338: Technician Round Table – Part 5 – Heipp – Landry – Fanslow
A Wide-Open Discussion from Three Aftermarket Technicians on Mentoring, Fundamentals Training and Mentoring Under a Master Technician
This technician roundtable brings back Matt Fanslow, Bob Heipp, and Peter Landry in our fifth roundtable interview. It is freewheeling, smart and evident that these three are very passionate about their career and industry.
We discussed technician pay and the need for shop owners to improve their profits, so the industry can pay better. We talked about technicians that take their education and skill set seriously and are constantly pushing to expand on them. They also tossed around the answer to this question: ‘What is a True Master Technician?’ We also talked fundamentals, and specialization and a whole lot more.
Agree or disagree with these three diagnosticians they’ve got opinions. You be the judge.
RR 337: Mandy Pennington from Net Driven – Influence Your Customer in Their Digital Hangouts
Influence your Customers In Their Digital Hangout.
Mandy Pennington is the Director of Internet Marketing at Net Driven and she brings an array of ideas to improve the influence you have on your customer where they interact with you in their digital world.
The more listening and empathizing you are engaged with your customers the more effective you can make your marketing and experiences. Be your customer’s ‘Day Maker’. Take ownership of your website and your social media channels so you can influence your customer in those micro-moments. Meet them where they are.
We talk SEO, your customer purchase journey, and digital marketing trends for 2018 & beyond. We discuss protecting your online Image and the very big push for having a mobile-friendly website. It will make a difference in your digital marketing.
RR 336: Bogi Lateiner “On the Road” with the ’57 Chevy Montage
Bogi Lateiner’s Completed Project: The 1957 Chevy Pick-Up Montage All Female Build.
Bogi and her all-female team completed this unique project with women team members from all over the country. The truck was unveiled at SEMA 2017.
Carm met up with Bogi in Buffalo New York at the Autorama, as Bogi took the truck ‘On the Road’ to present the final build to car and truck enthusiasts.
Get behind the scenes stories and the purpose of project.
RR 335: Build Your Own Apprentice Program – Secretary Kelly Schulz & Dwayne Myers
The Technician Shortage: Build Your Workforce With Your Own Apprentice Program
This episode provides a solution to growing our own technicians. Dwayne Myers from multi-location Dynamic Automotive in Fredrick, MD shares his apprentice program. Also, the Secretary of Labor from the great state of Maryland, Kelly Schulz, explains how the state was instrumental in Dynamic’s apprentice program and how she is using the influence of Maryland’s Labor department to embrace college training and apprentice programs for skilled trades. You’ll be glad you listened because there are real solutions here that will help you grow your own talent.
This episode is going to demonstrate how Dwayne Myers worked with and partnered with his state’s Department of Labor and Secretary Kelly Schulz. Secretary Schulz explains the program and the positive outcomes it has been producing. Dwayne explains how he embraced the state’s programs and integrated it into his training culture.
Follow Dwayne’s passion for growing technicians through an apprentice program and consider using your state’s labor department to support your program. Growing your own talent will be the norm. Use this episode as your launch pad and start.
RR 334: Deb and Craig Van Batenburg from ACDC – Part 2
Looking Thirty Years Into the Future
The evolution of electric, hybrids, hybrid/electric and the internal combustion engine and how we will do business in the future. Deb and Craig Van Batenburg share their view of the pace of tech changes and evolving business models.
Craig believes in zero emissions and that climate change is real. He feels that students at high school and college level must learn to work on hybrid and electric cars and that the transition from the internal combustion engine will happen faster than anyone knows. The driver for a rapid change will be the cost of a barrel of oil.
Deb and Craig are sought after speakers and trainers for OE, aftermarket and through worldwide clients. Their training company, Auto Career Development Center (ACDC) is all hands on and only accepts nine students per class.
RR 333: Keith Benline & Jeremy O’Neal – 10 Steps to a $1M Shop
10 Steps to Build a Profitable Million Dollar Shop
In the 2018 Vision KC Studio longtime friend of the podcast Jeremy O’Neal from Freedom Automotive and Advisor Fix and shop owner and business trainer/coach, Keith Benline.
The goal of these 10 steps is to give you the Freedom to have a stronger work-life balance and to lead your people to run your business.
Benline says working smarter not harder as business owner, being a strong leader and don’t be afraid to let go and empower your employees. He also says you need to allow mistakes to happen and use them as a coaching moment.
Find your strengths and implement while surrounding yourself with people whose strengths are your weaknesses and don’t forget it’s the people that make the business run, always treat them and respect them as people.
RR 332: Mort Schwartz – Legacy Interview
Legacy Aftermarket Leader is Passionate for Educating Our Youth.
Mort Schwartz is a legacy leader in the automotive aftermarket. He brought vision to many exciting programs and companies that are stoic brands of our industry.
For years, Mort had a large influence with the way parts got to market. He was one of the original founders of Carquest, former Chairman, and CEO of Strauss Discount Auto, Import Parts of America, Thermo King of Northern California and Chanslor & Lyon.
He is currently a Trustee of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation that awards scholarships to students who show a desire to work in the automotive.
He was a past Director of WORLDPAC, past Chairman of the APAA, AWDA and CAWA and founder of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), and inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. I’ve listed more distinguished positions and honors of Mort’s on the show notes page.
Mort Schwartz realized years ago that the service professional needed the support, marketing, inventory, service, and training, from their supplier, to drive their success; and he set out to deliver just that.
RR 331: Kelly Bennett – ‘Kelly The Coach’
It’s Different Here; An Overused Excuse.
Business coach and trainer Kelly Bennett known in the industry as Kelly the Coach brings light to the most common excuse he hears. ‘The universal excuse, that shop owners give when they are struggling to find success, You Don’t Understand; It’s Different Here.’
Kelly also shares a concept called ‘The American Dream’, the role of a business coach, the four points of contact in a service business and the five wins necessary to find your success.
Kelly says that the average independent repair shop is doing 50% of their potential and he says you must be prepared for customers that shop prices. You need to talk warranty and quality with them. It is important to educate and advise your customer what is in their best interest.
RR 330: Dave Macholz – Academic Chair of Suffolk County College Automotive Technology
How Do We Educate and Integrate Our Young People into a Career as Automotive Technicians?
My guest is Dave Macholz, the Academic Chair at the automotive technology program at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island, NY. The automotive program has been active for over 30 years. Dave has an independent aftermarket history and is very transparent about the current and future value of training our future technicians.
We cover a large breadth of topics including funding, graduation rates, mentoring, improving enrollment, internships and capital spending to keep our colleges current with new technology. Stuff you need to know and get involved with.
You will benefit from this discussion. The more you know about the grassroots issues we face the better you be able to help solve them. With your help, the future is bright.
RR 329: Tom Ham Part 2 – Automotive Management Network
Fundamentals, Systems, People Development and How to Work From Home
Tom Ham has been a great contributor to the podcast and with his years of experience as a shop owner and chief conductor at Automotive Management Network, he has a perspective and/or opinion on all aspects of running a successful and professional automotive service business.
We’re going to talk about basic block and tackling, the power of good systems and procedures, because if your not your dying. Also, hear about a clever idea to extract business improving ideas from your team and three questions to ask yourself to discover if you can start to walk away and work away from your business.
RR 328: Trained By Techs – Martino, Kline, Culotta, Miller, Brandt
Trained By Techs. There To Help.
Recorded at Vision 2018 Studio this tight group of technicians are part of a large community effort called ‘Trained By Techs’. Tanner Brandt, Brin Kline, Chris Martino, Justin Miller and Brian Culotta share their stories.
These guys are committed to helping technicians excel at their craft; to make a difference personally and professionally for the industry. The group was started to help bridge the gap between basic and advanced training. They are producing short tutorial training video’s that can be viewed without a major time commitment. Like a lunch break.
Hear their story, their dreams, their thoughts on training. We talk about the training hours necessary to keep pace with technology, and what to do to get the most from training at events like Vision. There is a special storyline in the interview regarding the winner of the 2018 Ed Schaeffer Memorial Management Scholarship. Also, hear this teams’ opinion of Day Time Training.
RR 327: Prepare to Change – O’Neal – Barrett – Cloutier
Are You Prepared To Change?
Jeremy O’Neal from Freedom Automotive and AdvisorFix, Barry Barrett from RLO Training and Chris Cloutier from Golden Care Auto Care and Autotext.me bring a lively discussion and debate on the need and necessity of change.
President John Kennedy said: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” We all realize that our industry is in constant change, however many do not embrace the vision necessary to keep pace and improve.
Listen to how these aftermarket professionals look at and embrace change. It is part of the vision. We cover two ways leaders lead. First is the fear of change, and second is that we are willing to change as long as there isn’t any pain.
We get into communications, connecting, and that winners and losers have one thing in common. Listen to find out what it is.
RR 326: Sherri Stock from InMotion Auto Care
Five Years A Shop Owner and a Succession Plan in Place.
The secret to success, according to Sherri Stock is doing the right thing for the right reasons. No matter for your team members or your customers she is passionate to always treat people well.
Sherri Stock from InMotion Auto Care in Lincoln, NE has worked at dealerships for over 25 years and had the opportunity of a lifetime to go into business for herself. She shares some early strategies that has set up her succession plan.
We talk with the Sherri Stock, the ASA Midwest Service Facility of the Year 2017, about the power of a strong business culture, technician pay, business coaches, vendor partners and her commitment to technician training.