Quantcast
Jump to content

Do you use a Digital Inspection process?


Recommended Posts

AutoVitals here. I like it for the most part, but seems to be a very rough and "buggy" software. Since it's just my wife and I, we just use the Electronic Inspection System (EIS). Customers love it! The transparency of your inspection sells itself, worth every penny. After implementing digital inspections, my ARO went from $380 to $560. Very happy to say the least, but I'm always open to better applications. We'll be at AAPEX to check some out later this year.

 

AJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are in the same boat right now. Our shop software does not integrate with any digital inspection process (nor worldpac integration). We are in the process of moving to RO Writer and picking up a digital process within the next 12mo.

 

I've eard lots of short comments on RO Writer. I've been using Mitchel1 (Manager) for 5 years. Does RO Writer allow a data migration from Mitchel1?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

We use Autovitals and are very happy with it. I documented our startup in a thread on this forum. Biggest problem - they are a West Coast company and it took them a while to understand that somebody needed to be on the other end of the phone when we call at 8 AM Eastern if something isn't working. The program creates great digital vehicle inspections that are easy to sell from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stow, I know I'm a little late to the conversation, but we use Bolt On Technology digital inspections. I have never said this about another company, but I will be a Bolt On customer for life. That's how strongly I feel about their product and service. PM if you would like more feedback

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last week, as part of an ATI 20-Group exercise, my son and daughter-in-law went with the entire group to do an assessment of one of the group member shops in Nashville. They broke up into sub groups and evaluated facilities, equipment, interviewed service writers, reviewed processes and management practices. The goal over the next couple of years is to visit all shops in the group and do the same thing. It's tough to hang yourself out there in front of your peers like that, but the rewards are amazing. Anyway, the point for this thread is that Autovitals sent a rep to the meeting. Not long after the visit started, Uwe Klienschmidt, the head guy at Autovitals showed up and met one on one with the members of the group who use AV (most are users). He took home a lot of first-hand feedback. That's pretty good support and reinforced our belief we made a good decision going with AV.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last week, as part of an ATI 20-Group exercise, my son and daughter-in-law went with the entire group to do an assessment of one of the group member shops in Nashville. They broke up into sub groups and evaluated facilities, equipment, interviewed service writers, reviewed processes and management practices. The goal over the next couple of years is to visit all shops in the group and do the same thing. It's tough to hang yourself out there in front of your peers like that, but the rewards are amazing. Anyway, the point for this thread is that Autovitals sent a rep to the meeting. Not long after the visit started, Uwe Klienschmidt, the head guy at Autovitals showed up and met one on one with the members of the group who use AV (most are users). He took home a lot of first-hand feedback. That's pretty good support and reinforced our belief we made a good decision going with AV.

 

 

Awesome! Maybe Bolt On will take a page out of AV's book. Meeting with 20 groups is a great idea.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have mixed feelings on bolt on. We subscribed to the services but we are on month 3 of caller id pro being down and the 1 on 1 training is subpar. We see the vision but the operations is causing us to wonder if it justifies the investment.

 

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

Hi Matt,

 

Thank you for sharing your issue. I apologize for any inconvenience you experienced, and have made sure you were not billed at all for Caller ID. You should be all squared away now. We’ll see you Friday for training.

 

If you need us for anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out. http://boltontechnology.com/contact-us

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Hi Matt,

 

Thank you for sharing your issue. I apologize for any inconvenience you experienced, and have made sure you were not billed at all for Pro Call. You should be all squared away now. We’ll see you Friday for training.

 

If you need us for anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out. http://boltontechnology.com/contact-us

Thank you Mike. Staff is good, product is good. We just want to get into a position to use it.

 

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By bantar
      I attended my first ever industry management conference.  What a great experience.   If you've never gone, I would encourage you to add it to your do-now bucket list.  There was a lot of open and detailed sharing.   For example, in a work session talking about bay efficiency analysis, they used real numbers from the audience.    Monthly Overhead, Gross Profit Percentage, desired bottom line profit.   It showed multiple paths to success that were immediately relatable. 
      None of the presentations were about perfection.  As a matter of fact, most presenters shared information about how they did things stating that this may or may not apply to your situation.  No one told you what to do, but rather offer tools for analyzing your own situation.   None of the presenters were making sales pitches.
      In other sessions, real shop owners share tips and techniques on a number of topics that we see here.    Being a live event, these were more dynamic conversations.
      I've returned from the conference with a renewed sense of urgency analyzing my numbers to see where we had success and where we need to improve.   I do expect to make real changes, but don't yet know exactly what changes I'm going to make.   Got to crunch some numbers first.
      I signed up for the conference when it was first published, but sat on the CC screen for a while debating the value of this conference.  Should I go, or should I stay?   I reluctantly pushed the GO button.   However, looking back, I should have enthusiastically smashed that GO button!  
      The next one is in Denver.   I recommend that you consider attending.
       
      A side benefit is that I got to meet Joe Marconi and in a session that we jointly attended, I overheard Joe say that he was mentored by Jerry Holcom.  Later in the conference, I had the pleasure of talking with Jerry as well.  In the many networking sessions, we met many different shop owners and had great conversations.
       
      --brian
    • By carmcapriotto
      Understand the financial benefits of effective training for  Service Advisors and Customer Service Reps and the importance of networking and collaboration. November 9 - 10, 2024 in Detroit/Novi, MI Learn more at serviceadvisortraining.com
      Leigh Anne Best, Might Auto Pro, Medina, OH, trainer and co-founder of Brakes for Breasts Bill Hill, Might Auto Pro, Medina, OH, trainer and coach Maverick Shop Owners Laura Frank, former shop owner, trainer and co-founder of Brakes for Breasts Gerry Frank, former shop owner, trainer and coach for Maverick Shop Owners
      Show Notes
      Importance of Owner Participation (00:03:00) Carm emphasizes the need for shop owners to participate in training alongside their customer service representatives. Networking Benefits (00:04:22) The significance of networking among attendees at the training event for shared learning experiences. Experience of the Trainers (00:05:34) Highlighting the extensive experience of the trainers and their practical knowledge in customer service. Financial Implications of Training (00:06:04) Discussion on the financial benefits of effective customer service and training for shop owners. Technician to Service Advisor Success Story (00:09:01) Bill shares a success story of a technician who transitioned to a service advisor role and excelled. Transparency in Business Practices (00:12:00) Jerry talks about the importance of transparency and ethical practices in customer service. Hiring for Customer Service (00:14:20) Discussion on effective hiring practices for customer service representatives based on personality traits. Upcoming Live Training Event (00:16:34) Announcement of the live service advisor training event scheduled for November 9th and 10th in Detroit. Building Customer Relationships (00:20:22) Emphasizes the importance of educating customers about their vehicle issues for better service. Importance of Follow-up (00:21:20) Highlights the significance of following up with customers to encourage repeat visits. Training for All Staff (00:21:51) Stresses that training should include anyone who interacts with customers, not just CSRs. Tracking Phone Call Success (00:22:31) Discusses the importance of tracking opportunity calls to measure conversion rates effectively. Utilizing Technology for Improvement (00:23:33) Mentions the benefits of using technology to analyze customer interactions and improve service. Identifying Underlying Problems (00:24:52) Explores how phone answering issues can be mistaken for marketing problems. Adapting to Change in Business (00:26:06) Encourages business owners to evolve with industry changes and invest in staff training. Challenges in Leadership (00:27:19) Discusses difficulties in communicating effectively with staff and the importance of peer learning.The Value of Training (00:31:53) Argues that investing in training can sustain or even improve business revenue. Setting Staff Up for Success (00:33:27) Emphasizes the responsibility of leaders to properly train staff for their roles. Motivation for Collaboration (00:34:23) Explains the drive behind the coaches to organize training sessions for struggling clients. Helping Others Succeed (00:35:50) Emphasis on the joy of witnessing others' success and mentorship in the industry. Overcoming Training Paralysis (00:36:27) Addressing confusion in training and providing guidance to help shop owners move forward. Value of Training (00:41:49) Discussion on the impact of trained salespeople on business success and owner satisfaction.
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on X: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -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
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By Changing The Industry
      Bonus Episode - Transforming Your Shop's Workflow and Accountability With Software
    • By Changing The Industry
      Navigating Shop Management Systems #podcast #autorepairbusiness #podcastclips #autorepairowner
    • Sell your car with CarBrain
    • By carmcapriotto
      Today, we're excited to have a special guest with us, Craig O'Neill, a seasoned communication expert.
      In this episode, we'll dive into Craig's unique approach to effective communication in the auto repair industry. We'll explore how he defines and measures communication success, the art of creating positive first impressions, and the crucial role of clear, transparent interactions in building client trust and retention.
      We'll also discuss the impact of personalized communication, the importance of networking, and strategies for handling difficult conversations. Plus, Craig will share his insights on overcoming unexpected challenges in public speaking and his top-tier advice for shop owners looking to enhance their communication skills.
      Tune in for a wealth of knowledge and practical tips that can transform how you communicate in your business.
      Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough by Michael Easter Remarkable Results Toastmasters Club  
      How To Get In Touch With The Guest
       
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O’Neill LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigoneillaam/  
      Show Notes with Timestamps
       
      Introduction to the Episode (00:00:01) The host welcomes listeners to episode 116 and introduces guest Craig O'Neill. Discussion on Communication (00:01:36) Craig and Kim explore the importance of communication and daily conversations. Inspiration from Fitness Influencers (00:02:47) Fitness enthusiast Joey Swole and discusses gym etiquette. Walking and Inspiration (00:03:10) Craig shares insights on walking as a source of inspiration and connection with his wife. Toastmasters Experience (00:04:18) Craig reflects on his five-year journey in Toastmasters and its impact on communication skills. Learning to Listen (00:05:11) The speakers discuss the importance of listening and how Toastmasters fosters this skill. Power of the Pause (00:09:17) They highlight the significance of pausing during conversations to enhance communication. Influential Authors (00:10:57) Craig talks about authors like Michael Easter and their impact on his communication journey. Turning 40 and Fitness Changes (00:12:26) Craig shares his new fitness regimen as he approaches his 40th birthday. The Comfort Crisis Book (00:14:11) Discussion on how the book “The Comfort Crisis” has influenced Craig’s perspective on health. The Importance of Influence (00:14:36) Craig discusses the amplification effect of networks and how individuals can inspire each other in unexpected ways. New Workout Regimen (00:15:56) Craig shares his new workout routine involving a rucksack, which he started on his 40th birthday. Reflecting on Podcast Hosting (00:18:09) Craig recounts his initial reaction when asked to host a podcast, feeling surprised and honored. The Essence of Good Communication (00:19:14) Kim highlights Craig's natural ability to communicate and connect with others easily. Listening vs. Hearing (00:23:18) Craig emphasizes the importance of genuinely listening to people to foster meaningful conversations. Communication Challenges in Family Business (00:26:36) Craig reflects on communication mistakes and challenges faced in their family business. The Spiral of Dysfunctional Communication (00:27:51) Craig discusses how anger and frustration can lead to a downward spiral in communication dynamics. The Importance of Connection (29:30) Discussion on how people often don't reach out for help and the importance of community. Facebook Group Dynamics (29:53) Kim shares her protective approach to managing their Facebook group and the excitement of welcoming new members. Influence of Dale Carnegie (30:34) Kim discusses the impact of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" on personal relationships and communication. Tips for Remembering Names (33:00) Craig shares strategies for helping others remember your name in networking situations. The Art of Introduction (35:30) The significance of introducing people and creating connections in networking events is highlighted. Navigating Hard Conversations (38:02) Kim shares her experience with difficult conversations and encourages others to engage in them for peace. Strategies for Effective Feedback (41:34) Craig discusses the importance of giving constructive feedback and the principles behind having hard conversations. The Challenge of Hard Conversations (42:59) Craig expresses his discomfort with hard conversations and the need for ongoing discussions about them. Crisis Management in Speaking (00:43:43) Discussion on handling unexpected crises while presenting and how it can alleviate nerves. Compartmentalizing Emotions (00:44:37) Kim shares her experience of compartmentalizing personal issues during a presentation for better focus. Unexpected Medical Situation (00:45:35) Brian's heart procedure causes a last-minute change in Kim's travel plans to Ogden, Utah. Transparency in Teaching (00:46:28) Kim emphasizes the importance of being open and vulnerable with the audience during her presentation. Inspiring Moments in Toastmasters (00:47:40) Craig praises Kim’s ability to connect with her audience and inspire them through her teaching. Handling Last-Minute Changes (00:49:05) Craig recounts stepping in to lead a session after his colleague had to leave unexpectedly. The Importance of Mentorship (00:50:10) Craig reflects on how mentorship shaped his speaking skills and prepared him for unexpected challenges. Impact of Communication Skills (00:51:42) Discussion on the significance of developing communication skills for personal and professional growth. Audience-Centric Approach (00:52:32) The speakers stress that effective communication is about focusing on the audience, not oneself. Respectful Communication (00:53:02) Craig shares a lesson from his mentor on dressing appropriately to show respect for the audience. Overcoming Speaking Anxiety (00:54:00) Kim narrates her experience of speaking after a famous singer and how she managed her nerves. The Power of Honesty (00:56:01) Kim discusses using honesty and transparency to connect with the audience and diffuse anxiety. Speed Round (00:56:36) A quick-fire segment where Kim and Craig answer fun questions about preferences and communication. Introduction to Speak Up (00:57:48) Craig promotes his new show on effective communication, highlighting its availability on the aftermarket radio network. Closing Remarks (00:58:02) Kim and Craig reflect on the enjoyable conversation, hinting at the potential for a longer discussion. Podcast Sign-Off (00:58:04) Kim thanks listeners for tuning in and promotes the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Show Recommendations (00:58:11) Kim shares information about other shows on the aftermarket radio network, including Craig’s new show, Speak Up. Final Thoughts (00:58:31) Listeners are encouraged to engage with the podcast and suggest topics for future discussions.  
      How To Get In Touch
       
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Similar Tagged Content

  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...