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An AI Powered CRM for Auto Repair? with Kieran O'Brien - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast


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Brian and Kim talk with Kieran O’Brien, founder of ShopGenie, an AI powered CRM for auto repair.

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing this episode. RepairPal’s Certified Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at RepairPal.com/shops.

  • Introduction and Sponsorship (00:00:01 - 00:00:39) The speakers introduce the podcast and thank the sponsor, Repair Pal.
  • Kieran's Background (00:00:58 - 00:02:00) Kieran shares his story of starting his first business at 16, working in the automotive industry, and building a CRM with technology that established companies are not integrating.
  • Opportunity in CRM (00:02:55) Kieran discusses the opportunity he sees in the CRM side of the auto repair industry.
  • Starting a business at a young age (00:03:33) Kieran talks about how he started his first business at the age of 16 and how he found mentors in the automotive industry.
  • Alternative paths to success (00:05:21) The hosts and Kieran discuss the idea that college is not the only path to success and how apprenticeships are viewed differently in Europe.
  • Raising an entrepreneur (00:06:27) Kim talks about how her son grew up with two entrepreneur parents and how they have had discussions about his future and whether or not he needs to go to college.
  • Parents' reaction to Kieran's success (00:08:49) Kieran talks about the contention between him and his parents regarding his decision not to go to college and how his success in business changed their relationship.
  • The need to promote trade schools (00:09:24) Kieran discusses the need to change the narrative around college and promote trade schools to solve the problem of student loan debt and the technician shortage in the auto repair industry.
  • Sponsorship message from Repair Pal (00:10:11) The hosts thank Repair Pal for sponsoring the episode and encourage auto repair shops to become Repair Pal certified to attract tech-savvy customers.
  • Tenacity and Authenticity (00:11:06) Kieran's approach to promoting her product with authenticity and tenacity, without being pushy.
  • Importance of Customer Experience (00:11:42) Kieran emphasizes the importance of building an incredible product, brand, and customer experience to attract and retain customers.
  • Obsessive Customer Service (00:13:25) Kieran talks about the importance of obsessive customer service and recommends the book "Unreasonable Hospitality" for auto repair shop owners.
  • The Ideal Auto Repair Shop (00:14:57-00:16:41) Kieran O'Brien discusses the ideal auto repair shop, which would be a specialty shop with a focus on customer service and the latest technology. The hosts compare it to the Ritz Carlton and Chick-fil-A.
  • Shop Genie's Customer Experience Platform (00:16:54-00:17:44) Kieran O'Brien talks about Shop Genie's customer experience platform, which is an AI-powered platform for auto repair shops that handles marketing automation, reviews, online scheduling, and more. The platform aims to put everything under one roof and provide the best customer experience in the market.
  • Dealing with Outdated CRM and Marketing Technology (00:17:44-00:18:19) Kieran O'Brien discusses how the CRM and marketing technology in the auto repair industry has been outdated for a while, and how Shop Genie aims to build a customer experience platform that integrates everything in one place, instead of having to deal with multiple software vendors.
  • AI and Blue Collar Jobs (00:18:35) Discusses how AI is not taking over blue collar jobs, but rather replacing desk jobs. Talks about how technicians are getting paid more and how AI is useful for communication.
  • Jasmine: AI Assistant for Auto Repair (00:19:19) Introduces Jasmine, an AI assistant built and trained on auto repair data. Explains how it can help with communication, responding to customers, and even writing marketing campaigns.
  • AI and Service Advisors (00:20:03) Discusses how AI can give service advisors superpowers by reducing the time they spend on the phone and behind screens. Talks about how AI is there to help them focus on creating amazing customer experiences.
  • AI replacing jobs (00:23:30) Kieran O'Brien shares her opinion on AI replacing jobs and how it can make people do things differently.
  • AI making people more effective (00:24:16) Kieran O'Brien explains how AI can help people become more effective and better at their jobs, leading to better margins for businesses.
  • Adapting to AI (00:24:49) Brian Walker talks about adapting to AI and becoming the best at using it for clients to stay competitive in the market.
  • Adapting to AI (00:25:42) The speakers discuss the fear of adapting to AI and how it cannot replace human emotion and feeling. They emphasize the importance of using AI wisely and not letting it replace human interactions.
  • AI and Blue Collar Jobs (00:28:18) The speakers discuss how AI may drive people to get into blue-collar fields and how it may reduce white-collar jobs. They also mention that blue-collar jobs are currently considered the safest jobs as AI is far from being able to replace them.
  • Efficient Training with AI (00:29:28) The speakers discuss how AI may make training more efficient, making it easier for people to become technicians faster. They focus on the pros of AI and how it can be used to make businesses more effective and profitable.
  • Online Scheduling Tool (00:29:33) Shop Genie's free online scheduling tool is discussed as a powerful tool for auto repair shops to stand out from the competition and create better customer experiences.
  • How to Access the Online Scheduling Tool (00:30:41) Listeners are directed to go to shopgenie.io/solutions to access the free online scheduling tool, which takes only 15 minutes to set up.
  • Shop Management System Integration (00:31:02) Shop Genie is currently integrated with several shop management systems, including Shop-Ware, Tech Metrics, and Mitchell 1, with more in the works.

 

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Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

 

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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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      The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
      Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
      Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/


      If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind


      In this episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton delves into the potential impact of the 2024 presidential election on auto repair shop owners, offering a comprehensive analysis of the key issues that could shape the industry's future. He begins by examining the implications of small business support policies, highlighting how different candidates' approaches could influence access to funding, tax incentives, and overall business growth opportunities.


      Coach Chris then shifts focus to workforce development, emphasizing the importance of training programs and educational initiatives that could be introduced or expanded depending on the election results. He stresses that a skilled workforce is crucial for shop owners to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of the automotive industry.


      Infrastructure spending is another critical topic discussed, as Coach Chris outlines how increased investment in roads, bridges, and transportation networks could lead to more business for repair shops due to higher vehicle usage. He also touches on the potential for regulatory changes, noting that shifts in environmental and safety regulations could affect shop operations and compliance requirements.


      The discussion moves to minimum wage and labor laws, where Coach Chris analyzes how potential changes could impact labor costs and staffing strategies. He advises shop owners to stay informed about legislative developments and consider proactive measures to manage payroll expenses effectively.


      Supply chain challenges are also on the agenda, with Coach Chris exploring how global economic policies and trade agreements resulting from the election could affect parts availability and pricing. He encourages shop owners to build strong relationships with suppliers and consider diversifying their sourcing strategies to mitigate risks.


      Throughout the episode, Coach Chris emphasizes the importance of adaptability, urging shop owners to prepare for potential changes by reviewing their operations, budgeting for increased costs, and focusing on marketing efforts to attract and retain customers. He reassures listeners that maintaining strong customer relationships and operational efficiency will be key to navigating the evolving economic landscape, regardless of the election outcome. By staying informed and proactive, auto repair shop owners can position themselves for success in a dynamic and uncertain future.


      Election Discussion Begins (00:01:11)
      Chris highlights the importance of the upcoming 2024 presidential election for auto repair shop owners.
      Pros and Cons of the Election (00:02:13)
      A breakdown of potential advantages and disadvantages for auto repair businesses due to the election.
      Support for Small Businesses (00:03:17)
      Discussion on potential small business tax credits and health insurance reforms from candidates.
      Workforce Development Challenges (00:03:17)
      Focus on addressing the tech shortage through vocational training initiatives for the auto repair industry.
      Infrastructure Spending Impact (00:03:17)
      How increased infrastructure spending can lead to more vehicle repairs due to wear and tear.
      Potential Regulatory Changes (00:04:26)
      Concerns about new environmental regulations affecting business operations post-election.
      Minimum Wage and Labor Laws (00:04:26)
      The impact of potential minimum wage increases and labor law changes on shop budgets.
      Supply Chain Issues (00:05:28)
      Discussion on how international trade policies could affect parts pricing and availability.
      Adaptability of Shop Owners (00:07:34)
      Emphasizing the importance of adaptability in business operations amidst changing political landscapes.
      Preparing for Future Changes (00:08:31)
      Advice on budgeting and marketing strategies to navigate potential upcoming changes.
      Customer Loyalty and Community Focus (00:08:31)
      The significance of building strong community ties and customer relationships during uncertain times.
      Conclusion and Encouragement (00:09:38)
      Chris reassures listeners that challenges can be managed and encourages steady focus on business operations.




      Connect with Chris:
      [email protected]
      Phone: 940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
      AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae


      #autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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