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Latest Posts
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By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode Carm Capriotto sits down with Todd Fortier, retiring automotive professor and program coordinator from Illinois Central College, to discuss a lesson learned over three decades in education: anyone can teach, but becoming a true educator requires purpose, empathy, and continuous growth. Todd shares how his passion for education was sparked by helping students experience those breakthrough "lightbulb moments" and why the ultimate goal of teaching is not simply delivering information, but ensuring meaningful knowledge transfer. As he prepares for retirement, Todd reflects on the challenges facing automotive education and his mission to help develop the next generation of industry instructors. What You'll Learn Why technical expertise alone doesn't make someone an effective instructor How educators can improve knowledge transfer and student engagement Todd's "Three C's" framework: Concern, Cause, and Correction Why connection, empathy, and vulnerability are critical teaching tools How to identify the root causes behind student disengagement The importance of recognizing the personal challenges students bring into the classroom Why many students leave training programs early and how educators can help retain them How trainers and mentors can evolve into true educators The soft skills needed to successfully connect with today's students and technicians The best educators do more than share information, they build relationships. Todd Fortier's career demonstrates that teaching is most effective when instructors combine technical knowledge with empathy, curiosity, and genuine human connection. As the automotive industry works to address technician shortages and workforce development challenges, creating better educators may be one of the most important investments the industry can make. Todd Fortier, Professor/Program Coordinator, Illinois Central College, [email protected] Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: Visit the Website:https://remarkableresults.biz/ Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto Follow on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ Follow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club:https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters Join Our Private Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 Join our Insider List:https://remarkableresults.biz/insider All books mentioned on our podcasts:https://remarkableresults.biz/books Our Classroom page for personal or team learning:https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom Special episode collections:https://remarkableresults.biz/collections Buy Me a Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcastwith Carm Capriotto:Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion.https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z:From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills with Craig O'Neill.https://craigoneill.captivate.fm Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
Have you ever done free or discounted work for a customer? What was the situation, and how do you decide when helping someone is the right thing to do versus when it's better to stick to your shop's policies? -
That's a great point. Higher labor rates and repair costs don't automatically translate into healthier businesses. Many shops are still struggling with rising overhead, inefficient processes, technician shortages, and thin profit margins.
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What systems, processes, and software have you put in place- or would you need to put in place to ensure your business runs smoothly and profitably during your absence?
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By carmcapriotto · Posted
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Today's Class, KUKUI, and Pit Crew Loyalty Watch Full Video Episode What happens when artificial intelligence meets world-class customer hospitality? In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, host Carm Capriotto welcomes Mike DelaCruz, CEO of Overdryve Marketing, and Michelle Tansey, co-founder of Euro Clinic, for a forward-thinking discussion on how auto repair shops can use AI, data, and intentional customer experiences to build stronger businesses. From using AI as a strategic business assistant to creating a luxury-level customer journey that rivals brands like Ritz-Carlton and Nordstrom, Mike and Michelle share practical insights on what separates average shops from elite operations. They explain how predictive marketing, operational excellence, and deeply embedded core values can transform customer retention and long-term profitability. What You'll Learn How AI can serve as your shop's "big brain" to improve decision-making and uncover blind spots. How predictive marketing can forecast car count, identify customer churn, and improve campaign performance. The concept of the "NASA Shop" and what elite automotive operations do differently. How Euro Clinic creates unforgettable customer experiences through personalized hospitality. The importance of building systems and processes around your shop's core values. Why strong operations must come before marketing success. How small communication changes can dramatically improve customer trust and confidence. The role data plays in making better business decisions and reducing emotional guesswork. The future belongs to shops that combine technology with humanity. AI can provide unprecedented insight into customer behavior and business performance, but lasting success still comes from exceptional service, consistent operations, and a culture built around caring for people. The shops that embrace both innovation and hospitality will be the ones that stand out, retain customers, and thrive in the years ahead. Mike DelaCruz, CEO Overdryve Marketing Michelle Tansey, Euro Clinic, Santa Clara, CA. Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast: Visit the Website:https://remarkableresults.biz/ Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto Follow on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ Follow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club:https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters Join Our Private Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 Join our Insider List:https://remarkableresults.biz/insider All books mentioned on our podcasts:https://remarkableresults.biz/books Our Classroom page for personal or team learning:https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom Buy Me a Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm Special episode collections:https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcastwith Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion.https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Zwith Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numberswith Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcastwith Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitzwith Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communicationwith Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.https://craigoneill.captivate.fm Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio -
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By Joe Marconi · Posted
As we continue our four-part series on The Owner Bottleneck: Building a Shop That Runs Without You, Joe Marconi and Matt Lofton tackle a topic that many business owners overlook—themselves. Most shop owners spend years investing in their business. They hire talented people, purchase the latest equipment, implement new systems, and work tirelessly to improve operations. Yet many still find themselves stuck, unable to achieve the growth and freedom they envisioned. Why? Because a business rarely outgrows the personal development of its owner. In Part 3: The Self, Joe and Matt explore how leadership habits, decision-making, and personal accountability directly influence the performance of an entire organization. The reality is that teams tend to mirror their leaders. If the owner avoids difficult conversations, the team often follows suit. If the owner lacks consistency, clarity, or discipline, those same challenges eventually show up throughout the business. During this episode, you'll discover three critical habits that separate owners who continue growing from those who hit a ceiling: Taking full responsibility for the outcomes in their business Working with the end in mind by creating a clear vision for the future Putting first things first by focusing on what is important, not just what feels urgent Joe and Matt will also introduce a simple but powerful framework that helps owners evaluate how they spend their time each week. Many owners believe they are focused on growing the business, only to discover they are spending most of their time reacting to daily issues and putting out fires. The goal of this episode isn't to overwhelm you with a long list of changes. Instead, it's about helping you identify one habit—just one—that you can begin implementing immediately to become a stronger leader and build a stronger business. If you're ready to stop being the bottleneck and start becoming the leader your business needs, don't miss this important conversation. On the next episode of "Monday Under the Hood", join Matt Lofton and Joe Marconi live on Facebook on the Elite Worldwide Facebook Page to walk through The Owner Bottleneck — Building a Shop That Runs Without You Part 3: The Self. Mark Your Calendar: ✔️Every Monday ✔️12:00 PM Eastern ✔️Live on Facebook This is your opportunity to start every week with proven guidance, practical advice, and the leadership tools needed to drive your shop forward. We hope to see you there! Joe Marconi Executive Council Member Bio Matt Lofton Director of Coaching Bio Elite Worldwide, PO Box 411, Fruita, CO 81521, United States Unsubscribe Manage preferences -
By Joe Marconi · Posted
We all know that customers want to be treated well. It may be the repair or service that brings the customer to us, but it's how they are treated and how we make them feel that determines if they return. How do you provide the experience that gives your customers a reason to return? Or, do you need to do a better job at the customer experience? -
By Joe Marconi · Posted
Let's face it, if it weren't for government bail outs, and the the SBA, many businesses would not have survived. The rule of thumb is that a small business should have a cash reserve equal to three months of normal operating expenses in a dedicated bank account. This money should not be touch unless for an economic downturn. What does your cash reserve look like. Could your auto repair shop survive an economic disaster?
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