Automotive Parts, Service & Technical

The right people performing consistently has certainly been a key to my ability to have a life, while owning my business. Some of that, I have to attribute to a healthy dose of good fortune, throughout my career, but especially early on(first 10 years). It was securing a single A tech (started as a C tech) and a service advisor , both with the right attitudes and right work ethic, and keeping them for 25 years plus, that has made the biggest difference for me. Others have come and gone, but having a core team through it all, made an immeasurable difference for me. This is especially noticeable when I compare myself to other owners, who were never able to establish that long term "core team", that still work in their business's every day, and face difficult transition options to the next generation of ownership for their store.   Some may call "good fortune", hard work and smart work, which fits in their somewhere, but that has little to do with having healthy key employees that wish to remain living in the area of my store, for their entire career. For owners early in their career, I would suggest finding the right attitudes and grow together. Then start your transition planning a minimum of 10 years in advance of your intended transition time frame.  This will give you time to find the next gen team for your business, and grow together with them to a successful future for all.  

https://youtu.be/yqxX5sBiqYw Welcome to a special CarmCast #094 on the role you play in recognizing our auto care industry top people. The AAPEX Service Awards are ready for your nomination. Find them aapexshow.com/service awards. The deadline is September 1, 2021. Joining me is Dwayne Myers, Partner, Dynamic Automotive and Bill Nalu, Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI. Bill and Dwyane were nominators from last year honors. They each had their nominee win. This is a very important opportunity to increase the bar of professionalism in our industry. I’m sure you know someone worthy of a nomination. There are three awards in this annual recognition. Shop Owner, Technician and Service Advisor of the year. This is the 2nd annual and the honors will be presented at AAPEX 2021. I know you know someone worthy of a nomination. Consider your peer groups and twenty groups to nominate a shop owner of the year. Think about the dedication from your technician and service advisor that makes a great contribution to the professionalism of your business. You may be a technician and would like to nominate one of your co-workers or a  friend. Key Talking Points: aapexshow.com/serviceawards Recognize the unsung hero’s of our industry It is in our hands as shop owners to partner with AAPEX and recognize our own A challenge to all in the industry You are helping the industry and raising the bar You can print the application and write it out before keying into the site Applications re due September 1, 2021 Thanks to Dwyane Myers and Bill Nalu for their contribution to the aftermarket Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE Find every podcast episode HERE. Every episode is segmented by Series HERE. Key Word Search HERE. Be socially involved and in touch with the show: Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE. Buy me a coffee Are you seeing auto shops in your area get hundreds of 5-star Google reviews and are you feeling left behind because your shop only has a few? Hey look, Broadly is your answer to getting more online reviews. With more reviews, your business will rank higher in search results — and that means more customers coming into your shop every day. Broadly helps you automatically request reviews so that your customers can promote your business with just one click. When you immediately ask for a review after service, when the experience is still fresh in their mind, you’re more likely to get a 5-star positive review. Plus, asking for feedback makes your customer feel valued and more connected to your business. Isn’t that what you want a connected customer? See how Broadly can help grow your auto shop.  Visit www.getbroadly.com/carm to learn more.Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

https://youtu.be/qQ7_69efBGk Guest host, Russ Crosby from Russ’s Wrench Auto Repair located in Clinton, NJ. Virtual shop tour with Tom Palermo from Preferred Automotive Specialists in Philadelphia, PA Trivia Challenge: What car was featured in the movie ‘Smokey and the Bandit?’   Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. By always innovating, Dorman has led the way in growing the aftermarket. Here you will see a few examples of a Dorman OE Fix. An OE FIX is a Dorman repair solution you can’t get from the original equipment manufacturer. It means they found a situation where they believe the OEM wasn’t giving repair professionals what they wanted, so we fixed it. Everything Dorman does is centered around providing customer value, both in the quality of products, and the creativity of solutions. Our engineers and designers go out of their way to save repair technicians time and save vehicle owners money. Want to really go under the hood? Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/TourClick to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. Bill is engaging the automotive aftermarket to get involved in letting your legislators know the issue about data. Your help is needed to help in amending the right to repair legislation. Learn everything you can about this fight to amend the right to repair legislation. Ownership of Vehicle Telematic Data Must Flow to the Vehicle Owner. Bill leads the strategic direction of The Auto Care Association’s 3,000 members and 150,000 companies representing automotive manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Find Bill’s other episodes HERE. Aaron Lowe, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Affairs. Find Aaron’s other episodes HERE. Key Talking Points Right to Repair - Consumers Rights - Getting huge attention from Federal Government An important message to the industry The entire industry must be engaged in this opportunity and message as it relates to the Right to Repair Looking for Federal Legislation same as Massachusetts Access to Data Massesusets victory passed 75%-25% OE’s spent $25M to fight the vote and they filed a legal action in Federal Court A conclusion may be coming in the next few weeks Aaron testified on our behalf Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple had a positive comment on the Right to Repair Executive Order Farmers have the same issue because John Deere is the only one who can fix their tractors 70% of the repairs of out of warranty vehicles are serviced by the auto care industry Industry call to action: Get your federal legislators to visit your business Ask Aaron Lowe to support this effort for a local visit. Email him at [email protected] We need to develop relationships with our legislators Invite them, via the connection to Aaron Lowe above, to your facility. Aaron’s team will help you get in touch with their representatives Show off your shop and explain why the right to repair is critically important to sustain our $400B industry. Introduce your legislator to your people show off your business Thanks to Bill Hanvey and Aaron Lowe for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast. Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP’s HERE Find every podcast episode HERE. Every episode is segmented by Series HERE. Key Word Search HERE. Be socially involved and in touch with the show: Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE. Buy me a coffee This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.  The Virtual AAPEX Experience 2020 is in the record books. Virtual AAPEX lived up to presenting leading-technical and business management training from some of the industry’s best and brightest. Now set your sights on the homecoming in Las Vegas in 2021. Mark your calendar now … November 2-4, 2021, AAPEX // Now more than ever. This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com/carm Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKeMWtb7NU4 Fresh out of High School, John Gustafson and his brother, Frank, took their passion for fixing cars and made it a career. In 1971 the brothers specialized in Volkswagen which were very popular in that era, since then the shop has flourished. John is the president and CEO of Gustafson Brothers, Inc. an auto service center in Huntington Beach, California. The company specializes in customer service and performs auto service work, collision repair, and paintwork along with other auto-related services for the community. John is a Certified ASE Master Technical, Bureau of Automotive Repair Certified Instructor, Continuing Education Insurance Instructor licensed by the State of California, and a certified I-CAR instructor. In addition to growing a shop from two employees to the 60+ strong it is today, John has been recognized with the Alumni Pillar of Achievement Award from Golden West College for his contributions in the automotive industry. Listen to John's previous episodes HERE Hunt Demarest, CPA Paar-Melis. Hunt is Accredited in Business Valuation and a licensed Certified Public Accountant that has been with the firm since 2006. He specializes in business taxes, valuations, and does consult work with our clients all across the country. When he’s not in the office, Hunt enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, working on and racing his cars. Look for Hunt’s other episodes HERE. Bob Ward is the President of Wardden LLC, Bob began his business career at a franchised car dealership, overcoming obstacles to learn and earn the required skills to become Controller, General Manager and then, a minority owner of Tacoma Dodge in Washington. A native of Seattle, Bob serves as a financial advisor and consultant to small business owners throughout the United States. He believes that your business should always be ready for expansion or sale, you should get paid for what you built and, when you decide to leave it, your company should continue to prosper. He believes in a Perpetual Business where there is Value, Continuity and Legacy. Look for Bob’s Previous Episode HERE. Warden LLC website HERE. Key Talking Points John Gustafson. 50-year business- what are the options for successions with no heirs in the family? 3 entities (mechanical, collision, satellite) produce $11.5 million per year What does the owner want the legacy to be? Zero in on what’s most important, oftentimes it’s not about the money.  John’s answer- 2 scenarios: a gross amount of money and hand keys and walk or process to shift business to select employees When do you want to do this? 5-6 years? 20 year? Right now?  Who will it get sold to? Internal (family or employee) How many employees actually want to be a business owner? Narrow down to a small inside pool. Stockholder potential, shareholders, multiple owners? How many internal employees want to be business owners? What are you selling? Real estate? What piece? Value business or gift to a relative? Partnership reality- akin to marriage, can be difficult with separate forces to combine on same path. Potential successful partnerships can be service advisor and lead technician- powerful synergy together  Surviving shops with land ownership- in many cities you can’t go and buy locations because they arent available  Owner partnership in practice on paper as a trial- all owner responsibilities except asset ownership and liability What you can do right now- how do you want to personally leave, how do you want to leave the business? Have conversations with employees. A special thanks to John Gustafson, Hunt Demarest and Bob Ward for their contribution to the aftermarket. Books Page HERE Listen to all Remarkable Results Radio, For The Record and Town Hall Academy episodes. Facebook   Twitter  LinkedIn   Instagram  Youtube   Email   Mobile Listening APP’s HERE Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE. Buy Carm a Cup of Coffee  This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros. Your guides are Kim and Brian Walker with a rich history as shop owners and industry veterans. When someone searches for a shop, who are they finding? Your competitors? It should be you! The good people over at Shop Marketing Pros know how to drive website traffic and make Google work for you! www.shopmarketingpros.comClick to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

Policies and procedures makes a big difference and how a business is successful or a failure. They should be aligned with the mission statement of the business When we have written procedures, more than likely it's because something happened and was resolved. Policies and procedures reduced the amount of headaches for a shop manager or an owner. ...and Yes, the policies and procedures will confirm the success of the second location along with having the right people.

Jake Sorensen- 2019 NAPA ASE Technician of the Year and 2019 Ratchet + Wrench All-Star technician of the year. He is an ASE Master technician with L1,2 and 3 advanced level certifications. He is the shop manager and diagnostic technician at McNeil’s Auto Care in Sandy, UT where he helped develop an apprenticeship program that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. This program has graduated several high-performing automotive technicians and was used by NAPA Auto Care as a template for their automotive apprenticeship program. Jake also developed the curriculum for an automotive course that he teaches at an adult education high school. Listen to Jake’s previous episodes HERE Listen to Part 1 HERE. Key Talking Points How do you keep technicians happy? Pay attention to why they left their job in the interview process. Pay isn’t the only factor. What is the work environment? What are the opportunities? How is the equipment inventory and is it updated? Consider simple things like a stocked fridge for your technicians. Your break room doesn’t have to be newly built- provide a clean table and some comfortable chairs.  Painting the bathroom to make it look fresh also makes a difference Training- offer different variety of training so it works for them What is the next step for master techs? Everyone wants to work toward something. Move into diagnostics. Pay needs to reflect technicians continuing to progress and advance. Labor rates also need to continue to rise.  Dedicated diagnostic technician- separation of mechanical and diagnostics technicians. A diagnostic-specific technician needs to constantly be training to stay ahead. “A Tech” is superb with mechanical skills and can do light diagnostic work.  Diagnostic bays- Customers have a preconceived notion that a computer plugs into the car and tells tech what is wrong. Consider taking them to an area with diagnostic tech to show the customer the technology invested into diagnostics. Monitor total shop production instead of where it came from- diagnostic tech won’t be “most efficient” compared to “A Techs.”  Team events- BBQ’s, annual boating trip, bowling, Christmas party with spouses and family Thanks to Jake Sorensen for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast. Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers. Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP's HERE Find every podcast episode HERE. Every episode is segmented by Series HERE. Key Word Search HERE. Be socially involved and in touch with the show: Facebook   Twitter  LinkedIn   Instagram  Youtube   Email   Join the Ecosystem - Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE. Buy me a coffee Since 1989 TRACS has been the industry’s leading shop management system. And in the last 30 years it’s gotten better and better. Today TRACS Enterprise offers even more of the features AutoCare Center owners want—things like a powerful interactive scheduling calendar, faster and streamlined work flow, plus streamlined parts ordering and purchasing options. And there’s more—Punch-out to Mitchell ProDemand, mobile VIN capture, and multi-shop capabilities. That means you can count on TRACS Enterprise to help drive your success today and well into the future. Learn more about TRACS Enterprise and the hundreds of other benefits the NAPA family has to offer. Talk with your servicing NAPA store or visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

We have a dedicated parts vendor entrance with a shelf for deliveries and one for returns. All vendors have been put on notice that unless there is a purchase order on their delivery ticket, we don't pay for the part. Like jfuhrmad said above, it doesn't take long for them to catch on. You might want to meet with your reps for the vendors and let them know what you are doing. We find there is a lot of turnover in the stores and they have to be reminded every few months. We order 90% of our parts electronically through our point of sale software It is set up so that any part that is ordered is either assigned to a work order or, in the case of a wrong part, it gets put into the return portion of our software. I look at the parts waiting to be returned report every Thursday and go over it with the shop manager and find out why certain parts have not been returned that week. usually, it's because we are so busy he just hasn't had time to print up the the return slip. We print our own return tickets so that the new steering rack you are sending back doesn't get recorded as a core instead because the driver was lazy and didn't open the box.