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How EOS Drives SMART Marketing with Tim Stoll - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

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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.

Are you struggling to align your team and drive marketing success in your business? In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian, Kim, and Tim Stoll, an EOS Implementer, discuss how EOS can help businesses achieve their marketing goals. A valuable lesson from this podcast is the importance of using EOS to increase accountability and collaboration within the team, which ultimately leads to more successful marketing strategies and business growth. They highlight the key elements of a successful marketing strategy, including defining the target market, identifying unique selling points, establishing a proven process, and offering a guarantee. They also stress the importance of measuring progress through the scorecard and using the Vision Traction Organizer (VTO) to create a strategic plan for the business. If you're looking to take your marketing efforts to the next level, this podcast is a must-listen!

  • EOS and Marketing (00:00:10) The speakers discuss how EOS can improve marketing and how it is an important component for any organization.
  • Tim Stoll's Background and Becoming an EOS Implementer (00:02:06) Tim Stoll talks about his background in the chemical industry and how he became an EOS implementer.
  • Quarterly Conversations and Accountability (00:04:44) Brian talks about how EOS and Profit First have been the difference maker in their business and how quarterly conversations have helped them solve issues before they become big problems.
  • Improved team alignment and accountability (00:07:18) Brian and Kim discuss how implementing EOS has allowed them to focus on their strengths and delegate tasks to their team members, resulting in improved team alignment and accountability.
  • Defining target market (00:09:29) The speakers discuss the importance of defining a target market in marketing and how EOS helps businesses to identify their ideal customers.
  • Three uniques (00:13:52) The concept of three uniques is introduced as a term used in EOS. The speakers do not elaborate on this concept in this segment.
  • Defining Your Uniques (00:13:56) The speakers discuss the importance of defining what makes a business unique and how it differentiates them from competitors.
  • The Proven Process (00:16:34) The proven process is a one-page graphic that shows the relationship between a business and its clients. It helps to build loyalty and can be used in various marketing channels.
  • The Guarantee (00:18:52) The guarantee is a way to take objections off the table and make it easier for customers to do business with a company. In the world of auto repair, it is usually an extended warranty or a nationwide warranty program.
  • Accountability Chart (00:21:18) The accountability chart is a tool that defines who is responsible for what in an organization, beyond titles and positions. The marketing function is a key part of the chart, and its accountabilities depend on the company and industry.
  • Meeting Pulse and Scorecard (00:25:26) The EOS system includes a meeting pulse that reduces the number of meetings while increasing productivity. The scorecard measures activity, not just results, and provides automatic accountability for achieving goals. The scorecard includes measures such as the number of pieces of content produced, the growth of a private Facebook group, and the number of leads coming in.
  • Weekly Scorecards (00:29:05) The speakers discuss the benefits of using weekly scorecards to track marketing numbers and trends, and how it helps make data-based decisions.
  • Rocks (00:31:48) The speakers explain what rocks are in EOS, which are 90-day goals that help businesses focus on important things to accomplish both at the company and personal level.
  • Access to Implementer (00:34:41) The speakers emphasize the importance of having access to an EOS implementer in between sessions, and how they can help with questions and provide tools to use.
  • Implementing EOS (00:35:56) The speakers discuss the benefits of hiring an EOS implementer for businesses and how it can improve team alignment and accountability.
  • The Vision Traction Organizer (00:37:55) The Vision Traction Organizer is a two-page strategic plan that is revisited every quarter to ensure it is still relevant. The eight questions that are answered on the organizer are discussed.
  • Ten-Year Target (00:41:41) The speakers discuss the difficulty of coming up with a ten-year target and the importance of having a big, inspiring goal that can be communicated to employees. They share their own ten-year target of being known as the best auto repair marketing company in America.
  • Creating a Three-Year Picture (00:43:46) The speakers discuss the importance of creating a three-year picture for a business, including revenue and profit targets, and how it helps with team alignment and achieving goals.
  • Defining Quarterly Rocks (00:48:07) The speakers explain the concept of "rocks" in EOS, which are 90-day goals that help businesses achieve their yearly and three-year targets. They discuss how rocks can be used in marketing, such as building a podcast studio or creating videos, and how they help with accountability and getting things done.
  • Benefits of EOS for Marketing (00:49:58) The speakers discuss how EOS can benefit marketing efforts, including setting marketing goals and budgets, and how it helps with team alignment and accountability. They also mention how EOS can be implemented in the automotive industry and how to find an EOS implementer.
  • Finding the right EOS Implementer (00:50:56) The importance of finding an EOS Implementer that fits well with the business owner and their team.
  • First step to implementing EOS (00:51:56) Advice on the first step for an automotive repair shop owner interested in implementing EOS: call an EOS Implementer for a conversation and a 90-minute meeting.
  • Passion for EOS (00:53:40) The hosts express their passion for EOS and how it has helped their business.

 

How To Get In Touch with Tim

 

 

How To Get In Touch with Shop Marketing Pros

 

 

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

 

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

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