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Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog2 commentsMy son is not in the automotive industry. He is in the commercial real estate business. However, the workplace problems are the same. Recently, his frustration with the heads of the company reached an all-time high. When I asked him why he doesn’t speak up and let the leadership know how he is feeling, he responded, “Anyone who has voiced concerns or issues has been viewed as weak and incapable of doing their job. I don’t want to be viewed like that.” This is an example of a toxic work environment.
If you are a shop owner, you are a leader. And leaders must be approachable. That means that you are willing to hear the concerns of others and have them express themselves. It also means that while you may not agree with someone’s perspective on an issue, it is their perspective, and that viewpoint needs to be recognized and respected.
Make it known that you want to hear the opinions of others. Literally, ask for input from others. And thank those that speak up. Now, I am not saying that you need to act on every concern or opinion. That would not be realistic. But just listening may be enough. And you never know, someone in your company may have an idea that you never thought about and even improve your business.
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By carmcapriotto
Our panel discusses the topic of language and terminology changes in the automotive aftermarket service industry. It's important to use clear and professional language with employees and customers, as well as the significance of honesty and trust in communication. They also touch on the distinction between "technician" and "mechanic" and the need for ongoing training and teamwork. We hope that our discussion will inspire you to reflect on your own communication practices and make necessary improvements.
Chris Cloutier is co-owner of Golden Rule Auto Care in Dallas Texas and CEO of Autoflow. Chris’s previous episodes HERE
Shawn Gilfillan, Automotive Magic, Kenvil and Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Shawn’s previous episodes HERE Jon Kloosterman, Director of Operations, WestSide Service, Zeeland, MI. Jon’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes:
Industry Terminology: It’s Time to Change it. Can You Get Behind This? [RR 571] The mindset shift (00:02:07) Discussion on the importance of mindset in implementing changes and improvements in the automotive business. Rock star or not? (00:03:38) Exploration of the language used to describe employees, specifically the term "rock star" and its potential negative connotations. Customers or clients? (00:06:06) The significance of referring to customers as clients and the impact it has on the professionalism and relationship-building within the business. The value of language in communication (00:07:54) Discussion on the importance of language in communication with clients and staff, and the use of terms like service writer, service advisor, and service consultant. The shift from mechanic to technician (00:11:08) Exploration of the evolving role of automotive professionals from mechanics to technicians due to advancements in technology and the need for specialized skills. Developing teamwork and efficiency (00:16:09) The benefits of pairing young technicians with experienced ones to boost efficiency and create a sense of teamwork in the shop. Using inclusive language and emphasizing teamwork (00:17:16) They talk about the importance of using inclusive language like "team members" instead of "employees" and how it fosters a sense of unity and common goals. Being mindful of communication and emotions (00:19:47) The conversation shifts to the significance of being aware of one's emotions and communication style, especially when dealing with employees, and the impact it has on team dynamics and employee retention. The importance of language and communication (00:23:28) Discussion about the need for patience and grace with young employees, the importance of using positive language with customers, and the impact of words on customer experience. Empathy towards customers (00:24:20) Emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding towards customers, recognizing that they may be going through difficult situations, and the role of service teams as counselors. The power of effective communication (00:26:21) Highlighting the art of effective communication, the significance of practicing communication skills, and the introduction of Remarkable Results Toastmasters group for leaders in the automotive aftermarket. Creating an Identity (00:31:16) Discussion on turning actions into identities and empowering employees to take action. Affirmations and Positive Thinking (00:32:05) The importance of affirming ourselves and using positive language to combat negative thoughts. Standardizing Terminology (00:36:39) The need to standardize industry terminology and eliminate confusing acronyms when communicating with customers. The invoice vs. work order discussion (00:38:25) The hosts discuss the terminology used in the automotive industry, specifically the difference between using the terms "invoice" and "work order" when interacting with customers. Understanding AI and big data models (00:40:09) The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of big data models in shaping AI responses and interpretations. The importance of effective communication (00:44:21) The significance of effective communication within teams and with clients, highlighting the impact of words on professionalism and everyday interactions. Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies
Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management https://getshopware.com/
Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. http://DelphiAftermarket.com
Connect with the Podcast
-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
-The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
-Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Murray Voth discusses the importance of teaching and training employees instead of assuming they have common sense or knowledge. He shares personal anecdotes and observations from the automotive industry to highlight the need for employers to nurture a natural curiosity and desire to learn in their employees. He also discusses effective teaching and training methods, the importance of understanding employee strengths and preferences, and the significance of clear expectations and policies during the onboarding process.
Murray Voth, RPM Training. Listen to Murray’s previous episodes HERE
Show Notes
Importance of Onboarding (00:01:13) Discussion on the significance of proper onboarding and the need to teach employees instead of assuming common sense. Difference between Common Sense and Common Knowledge (00:02:21) Explanation of the distinction between common sense and common knowledge, and the need to teach skills that may not be common knowledge. Teaching and Training Employees (00:03:11) Exploration of the practice of hiring "unicorns" (employees who seem to have innate knowledge) versus hiring good people and teaching them the necessary skills. The importance of teaching and training employees (00:09:01) Discussion on the assumption that employees can improve with proper training and knowledge. Assessing and affirming the fit of new employees (00:09:46) Exploring the need for shop owners to teach and assess new employees to ensure they understand the rules and principles. The effectiveness of visual sharing in coaching (00:13:08) The benefits of using screen sharing during coaching sessions to enhance learning and understanding. The Importance of Teaching and Training (00:17:13) Discussion on the significance of teaching and training employees, using personal experiences and examples. The importance of employment contracts and probationary periods (00:26:44) Explains the need for written acknowledgment of probationary periods to avoid legal issues. Onboarding process and company introduction (00:28:25) Discusses the steps involved in onboarding, including company introductions, purpose, and core values. Creating positional agreements and holding employees accountable (00:29:24) Explains the concept of positional agreements and how they help in setting expectations and holding employees accountable. The importance of employee buy-in (00:35:59) Explains how getting employees to buy into policies and procedures leads to better compliance and teamwork. Using peer pressure in a positive way (00:37:35) Discusses using peer pressure to enforce policies and get employees to understand the impact of their actions on their teammates. The need for structure and rules (00:40:56) Highlights the importance of structure, rules, and societal norms in creating a calm and peaceful environment, both in business and personal life. The best way to look after a vehicle and a client (00:43:49) Discussion on the best practices for maintaining a car and meeting client expectations in car service and repair. The importance of understanding gross profit and running a business (00:44:41) Exploration of the significance of understanding gross profit and having a clear business model for running a successful business. Debunking the notion of incentive-based pay and the responsibility of owners (00:45:34) Challenging the idea of incentive-based pay and discussing the responsibility of business owners in employee performance and financial stability. Reading for fun and retention (00:53:47) The benefits of reading for fun and trusting one's brain to remember key information from books.
Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS.
Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 - Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Connect with the Podcast:
-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
-The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
-Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
ADAS Systems Static/Dynamic Space Calibration Systems John Eagle Risk Management
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA AUTOTECH napaautotech.com
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel HERE
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
COO'S Max Orsborn and Dave Askwith discuss the importance of training and defined leadership in automotive businesses. They highlight the need for effective training that goes beyond just checking boxes, emphasizing accountability and pressure on individuals who attend training sessions. The conversation also touches on the significance of transparency and communication within organizations, focusing on clear communication during promotions and changes. Max and Dave share their experiences as leaders, with insights on admitting mistakes and making adjustments in hiring, as well as the importance of staying true to one's beliefs and vision. Max Orsborn, Gateway Automotive, Bavarian Autohaus, Midway Automotive and Tire, WA. David Askwith, Managing Director, Auto Stream Car Care, MD. David’s previous episodes HERE
Show Notes
The importance of training and its effectiveness (00:02:59) Dave Askwith discusses the need for more training and a better understanding of its effectiveness in automotive businesses. Lack of defined leadership and accountability (00:05:47) Max Orsborn highlights the lack of defined leadership and its impact on accountability and consistent understanding of reporting structures. The lack of transparency and communication (00:08:30) Discussion on the importance of transparency and communication in leadership roles and the need for clear communication during major changes in the business. Overcommunicating and addressing discomfort (00:08:55) Importance of overcommunicating and addressing discomfort when making managerial changes and the need to avoid making assumptions. The responsibility of leaders in communicating changes (00:09:32) Discussion on the responsibility of leaders to communicate changes in the business and the importance of being present and involved in the communication process. The importance of face time and trust (00:17:13) Discussion on the significance of spending time in the workplace, observing and building trust with employees. Teaching leadership skills (00:20:42) Exploration of different approaches to teaching and developing leadership skills, including leading by example and promoting responsibility and accountability. The importance of admitting mistakes (00:25:07) Discussion on the importance of recognizing when you were wrong and making adjustments in hiring decisions. Accountability in leadership (00:25:59) Exploration of how accountability can go both ways in leadership and the humbling moments of admitting mistakes. Value of peer groups (00:27:37) The benefits of being part of peer groups and how they can raise expectations and provide insights for success. Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS.
Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 - Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR
NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/
Connect with the Podcast:
-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
-The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
-Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Is it possible to grow your shop's revenue by $1 million? Together, our panel of marketing gurus discuss the importance of marketing for automotive repair shops and provide insights on effective marketing strategies. The panel emphasizes the need to understand the shop's current situation and goals before developing a marketing strategy. They also discuss financial aspects, setting goals for growth, seeking advice from successful shop owners, and creating memorable customer experiences. They stress the importance of strategic and proactive marketing and financial planning to drive business growth in the auto repair industry. Remember, marketing takes time and should be trusted as a process. Always be marketing, and don't stop when business is busy.
Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, Turnkey Marketing. Carrie's previous episodes HERE
Kim and Brian Walker, Shop Marketing Pros, Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Kim and Brian's previous episodes HERE
Tony Mercury, VP of Revenue, Autoshop Solutions. Tony's previous episodes HERE
Show Notes:
Watch Video Episode The importance of setting goals (00:03:21) The importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and timely goals for marketing strategies. Cohesive marketing approach (00:04:17) The importance of having a web of marketing tactics that work together and support each other, rather than relying on a single tactic. Support systems in marketing (00:06:16) The need for a shop to have strong support systems in place, such as skilled service advisors and technicians, in order to effectively handle the increased business generated by marketing efforts. The importance of patience in marketing and sales (00:07:16) Discussion on the need for patience in marketing and sales, and the importance of having processes in place for effective hand-off from marketing to sales. Improving reputation and community involvement (00:08:34) Exploration of strategies to improve reputation, including addressing internal issues, responding to negative reviews, and getting involved in the community. Coaching and marketing for top tier shops (00:10:59) Discussion on the role of coaches for top tier shops, the need for marketing to support growth, and the benefits of attending trade shows and industry events. The importance of retained earnings (00:15:38) Discussion on the financial aspects of running a business, including taxes, debt service, and retained earnings. Setting ambitious growth goals (00:16:18) Encouragement to aim for higher revenue targets and invest more in marketing to achieve growth beyond $1 million. Importance of marketing strategy (00:17:06) Exploration of the role of marketing in business growth, including hiring in-house marketing personnel or working with external marketing companies. The importance of seeking advice from successful shop owners (00:24:17) Seeking advice and information from successful shop owners Building a rock-solid foundation for marketing (00:25:13) The importance of having a strong foundation in place before competing with larger shops and suggests alternative marketing strategies for smaller shops with limited budgets. Prioritizing retention marketing over acquisition marketing (00:27:43) The significance of focusing on retaining existing customers rather than solely acquiring new ones, and how providing exceptional customer service and personalized experiences can contribute to customer loyalty. Reality is our friend (00:32:28) Discussion on the importance of accepting the reality of marketing and embracing it as a friend. Creating memorable customer experiences (00:34:09) Importance of providing exceptional customer experiences to create loyalty and retention. Investing in marketing for business growth (00:35:54) Exploration of the need to allocate a budget for marketing to achieve business growth goals. Self-auditing (00:40:59) Understanding the effectiveness of past marketing efforts and seeking advice from other shop owners. Creating a cohesive marketing message (00:42:04) Ensuring that all marketing materials, including ads and social media, align with the shop's brand and message. Continuous marketing (00:46:57) Avoiding the mistake of stopping marketing efforts when the shop is busy and investing in infrastructure to handle the increased business. Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies
Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management https://getshopware.com/
Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. http://DelphiAftermarket.com
Connect with the Podcast
-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
-The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
-Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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