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Chris Cloutier is co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas Texas and CEO of Auto Tex Me. He spent many years in the software industry developing solutions for companies like Southwest Airlines, and Wyndham Intl. He’s worked for companies that understood the marriage of service and software, and have applied it in an effective way. Chris has his ASE C1: Automobile Service Consultant Certification Test (C1). He brings the business side to the business and his brother Pat brings the Braun. Chris is also a musician. Hear Chris’s previous episodes HERE.   

Jay Mikulovich is the founder and CEO of Revival Technology LLC. Technology has been a passion in Jay’s life from early childhood, all started by taking electronics apart and developed into coding and programming. After graduating university with degrees in computer science and business administration Jay, fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, formed Revival Technology in 2006. He strongly believes when knowledge meets passion then there are no limits on what you can achieve. For as of technology being a part of the knowledge Jay looks at it as a tool that can revive businesses and bring them to the new level of success. Hear Jayy’s previous episodes HERE.

Key talking Points:

  • Cybersecurity- has to be dealt with at a small business level, not just big businesses   Policies and procedures in place to protect software, hardware, customer data, credit card data and vehicle data, contacts, even certain keyboards can be recorded 
  • Make sure you have segmented networks- customer network, main network, wireless device network (different lanes)  
  • Encrypted https “packets” 
  • Passwords- do not reuse the same passwords, every service needs a unique and different password. Mix of 13 different characters, not only 8. 8 character passwords can be hacked within an hour. If you use the same password over and over again then hackers will try to use it for multiple accounts. Browsers will also save passwords but it is not encrypted. Use professional encrypted software to manage your passwords.  
  • All of your computers should have virus protections with regular updates 
  • Opening random pdf’s and attachments in emails that look suspicious can be a virus. Educate and train your employees about ‘click bait.’ Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting this attachment? Email will often be worded to be very urgent. 
  • Your verizon/switch/ISP firewall is not going to be enough to protect business. 
  • As a business, if you get hacked, it is required by law to report it 
  • Get cybersecurity insurance 
  • Ransomware- cyber hackers want money in order to ‘remove’ ransomware or get data back$20,000 ransom for getting data back is considered cheap 
  • If data is cloud based it’ll cost you time and some money to reinstall software but if a car gets infected with ransomware (example brakes don’t work anymore) then the customer cannot drive it and it won't be a simple fix.
  • Autotex.me website HERE.
  • Revival Technology Website HERE.

Resources:

  • Thanks to Chris Cloutier and Jay Mikulovich 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.
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Gold Certification recognizes top tier NAPA AutoCares with a high level of participation in the AutoCare program. The program was built by AutoCare Centers for AutoCare Centers to provide a consistent consumer experience, maximize technology leverage, and reward NAPA’s most committed partners. In other words, Gold Certified AutoCare Centers are the standard bearers for the AutoCare brand nationwide. Simply put, the Gold Certified NAPA AutoCare program, powered by your local shop brand, will separate you from the rest helping you boost your bay counts and your average repair orders.

Learn more about NAPA AutoCare, Gold Certification, and the hundreds of other benefits NAPA offers. visit the NAPA Benefits Center, at www.napabenefitscenter.com or call the NAPA Benefits Center at 844-627-2123.

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  • 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.
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      Thanks to our Partners,
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