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The Voices, Ideas, and Insights That are Shaping the Future of the Automotive Aftermarket - Reside Here
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23 GIU 2025 · Thank You To Our Partners, The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-BoundIn our episode today…I want to discuss the benefits of the recent camping trip my wife and I enjoyed in Northern Michigan.As our listeners well understand - we talk a lot about getting outside our comfort zones on this podcast - and while that is usually in the context of practicing our communication skills, today, the topic is more about stepping AWAY… Specifically from people, electronics, and modern comforts or modes of transportation, and instead highlight the benefits of immersing yourself in nature and rebooting your mind.My wife, Betsy, and I did our stepping away together by stepping onto a ferryboat and taking a nearly 2-hour trip West into Lake Michigan. We traveled from Fishtown in Leland (tip of the pinky on the Michigan map) and docked at South Manitou Island, where we would hike and camp with only the things we carried.South Manitou is a 10-mile circumference, barely inhabited island in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Its pristine fresh water is as blue as the Caribbean, just not as warm!If our adventure intrigues you, you’ll enjoy this episode, as I hope to challenge and encourage you to seek out a similar type of adventure, as well as learn why I think this topic merits greater emphasis in our modern lives, now more than ever.Today’s WOTD is: GarrulousGAIR-uh-lusadjective
- Containing many and often too many words.
- Talkative. Verbosity.
“He delivered a rather garrulous speech.”Some Context:This camping trip has been on the calendar for me and my wife most of the year.Our anniversary gift(s) to ourselves has involved a mix of ordering camping gear online -to frequent trips to REI.What’s important to note is that I have virtually no real experience ‘camping’ or ‘backpacking.’Sure, I am into rucking as a fitness regime, and that builds strength to carry heavy loads long distances - hiking and backpacking involve practical gear, and as light a load as you can possibly make to bring what you need to survive.Our goals were threefold. 1.) Unplug and disconnect from devices, noise, and distraction2.) Immerse ourselves in nature3.) Reboot and return refreshed - with the “Three Day Effect” (which we’ll explain)My hope was that this will improve for my wife and I both, our creative minds, our ability to focus and solve problems, and in general become more adept with backpacking and camping to take longer adventures together!UNPLUG:On the goal of disconnecting:Listen. I’ve felt like stepping away from constant connection for a while now.I’ve done something of an Irish Goodbye with Facebook. That is, I never said anything, I just sort of left it. There are so many reasons, many of which our Speak Up listeners are familiar with. Despite benefiting from a social media presence in my career, I am no fan of social media.I could tell you more about alarming statistics of wasted human time (i.e. that the equivalent of 200,000 entire human lifetimes are spent endlessly scrolling social media)I could talk about how companies like Meta are harvesting every piece of data they can about you to manipulate you to a.) spend more time on their ecosystem and b.) spend money with their advertisers.I could tell you I’m sick of being distracted…But the real catalyst for me was regarding some exchanges I observed among even respected friends. Public disputes were becoming more common - toxic groupthink was becoming more normalized - and antithetical points contrary to topics we cultivate and invite guests to discuss on this show were becoming more popular.The argument that “we need to...
23 GIU 2025 · 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.Visit ShopMarketingPros.com/chris to partner with a team that understands your business. Because every great shop deserves marketing that’s just as great. 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/autorepairmarketingmastermindIn In this episode, Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching dives deep into the common communication challenges that auto repair shops encounter on a daily basis. Recognizing that miscommunication can lead to costly mistakes, frustrated employees, and dissatisfied customers, Chris emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong foundation of shared understanding within the team. To address this, he introduces 30 essential industry terms that every shop should know, aiming to help teams develop a common language, minimize confusion, and streamline shop operations.
Throughout the episode, Chris shares practical tips for fostering clear and effective communication among team members. He discusses strategies for ensuring that everyone—from service advisors to technicians—understands key operational and performance metrics, such as average repair order (ARO), car count, gross profit, and labor hours. By breaking down these terms and their significance, Chris empowers shop owners and staff to make informed decisions and work more cohesively.
Chris also highlights the importance of choosing the right communication methods for different situations, whether it’s face-to-face conversations, digital messaging, or written documentation. He explains how selecting the appropriate channel can prevent misunderstandings, speed up workflow, and enhance overall shop efficiency.
Sponsored by Shop Marketing Pros, this episode is packed with actionable strategies designed to help shop owners strengthen team collaboration, elevate customer service, and drive sustainable business growth. By building a culture of clear communication and shared knowledge, auto repair shops can not only improve their internal processes but also deliver a superior experience to their customers.
Introduction and Sponsor Message (00:00:05)
- Coach Chris introduces the podcast, outlines its focus, and highlights the episode sponsor, Shop Marketing Pros.
Series Launch and Communication Focus (00:01:19)
- Chris explains the start of a new series, apologizes for previous technical issues, and emphasizes the importance of shop communication.
Common Communication Problems in Auto Shops (00:02:20)
- Discussion of how most shop issues stem from poor communication, not technical failures.
Consequences of Poor Communication (00:03:31)
- Explains how miscommunication leads to comebacks, wasted time, lost sales, and burnout.
Types of Communication Problems (00:04:34)
- Breakdown of wrong communication methods, improper language, and poor listening in shops.
Fixing Communication with Shared Language (00:05:31)
- Stresses the need for a shared vocabulary and alignment among team members.
Challenge: Assess Team Understanding of Terms (00:06:26)
- Chris challenges listeners to test their team's understanding of 30 essential shop terms.
Essential Auto Repair Terms: 1–5 (00:07:20)
- Defines repair order,...
20 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, and Today's Class The automotive parts industry faces a disproportionately high return rate compared to other sectors, driven by misdiagnoses, improper installations, and fraudulent returns. This creates a significant financial burden on manufacturers and the entire supply chain. In this podcast, the guests explore these challenges and emphasize the need for stronger collaboration and communication between manufacturers, distributors, and repair shops. They advocate for a “Check the Part” initiative, encouraging thorough quality checks, proper documentation, and accurate diagnosis to reduce return rates. By adopting these strategies and leveraging technology, the industry can improve profitability, reduce inefficiencies, and boost customer satisfaction. Ryan Kooiman, Director of Training, https://www.standardbrand.com/en. Ryan’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=ryan+kooiman. John Carney, President, https://www.fdpbrakes.com/ Michael Campana, Sr Manager of Quality Engineering, https://www.dormanproducts.com/ Show Notes:
- https://youtu.be/CbVKJEBaLGY
- https://checkthepart.com/
- Introduction (00:00:00)
- Impact of Warranty Costs and Identifying Return Reasons (00:04:40)
- Retailer Trial and Measurable Impact (00:06:37)
- Installation Best Practices and Logical Steps (00:07:55)
- Potential for QR Codes and Technology in Returns (00:08:40)
- Manufacturer Feedback and Data Analysis (00:10:41)
- QR Code Campaign and "You Can't Know Everything" (00:15:59)
- Challenges with Technician Compliance (00:17:32)
- Box Swapping and Manufacturer Mismatches (00:20:39)
- Distribution Verification and Fraudulent Returns Statistics (00:21:36)
- Invalid Warranty Returns and Used OEM Parts (00:23:12)
- Reverse Distribution Inefficiencies and Cost Impact...
19 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our partner PromotiveIt’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit http://www.gopromotive.com/.Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: http://www.paarmelis.com/Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comText Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413Download a Copy of My Books Here:
- https://info.paarmelis.com/wrenches-to-write-offs
- https://paarmelis.com/your-perfect-shop-book-download/
https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/https://remarkableresults.biz/ with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
18 GIU 2025 · August might feel far off, but now’s the time to get your marketing dialed in. Back-to-school season, college car checkups, fall event prep, it’s all coming fast. Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand break down what shop owners should be doing in June to stay ahead of the game.You’ll hear why now’s the time to smooth out your schedule for slower months, how to build campaigns around national days (yes, even Tug of War Day), and what themes you can tap into to keep your shop top-of-mind.If you’re looking for simple, practical ideas to stay ahead, fill your bays, and have a little fun doing it, this one’s for you.Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for this episode. RepairPal will introduce your shop to new customers through repairpal.com, the largest site for auto repair. Learn more athttp://repairpal.com/shops.Are you ready to convert clients to members? App fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build client loyalty. Get started today with your customer loyalty app. Visithttp://appfueled.comLagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)https://shopmarketingpros.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/August-Social-Media-Content-Topics.pdfhttps://www.daysoftheyear.comhttps://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/Show Notes with Timestamps
- Introduction and Sponsor Thanks (00:00:10) Brian introduces Caroline, thanks sponsors, and sets up the episode’s focus on August marketing preparation.
- August Marketing Overview & Back-to-School Themes (00:00:59) Discussion of August marketing, back-to-school prep, safety, community drives, and planning for fall events.
- Planning Ahead for August & September (00:02:15) Emphasizes planning marketing in advance, scheduling repairs for slower months, and balancing shop workload.
- August Monthly Themes (00:04:40) Covers National Dog Month, Happiness Happens Month, and National Back to School Month as social media topics.
- Back-to-School Drives & College Car Prep (00:06:05) Ideas for school supply drives, prepping college students’ cars, and timing service appointments.
- August Weekly Observances (00:07:37) Highlights National Management Training Week and its relevance to fall conference season and staff training.
- Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign (00:08:24) Discusses the national safety campaign before Labor Day and ways shops can promote safe driving.
- National Composites Week (00:09:28) Educational opportunity to discuss vehicle materials, composites, and new trends in automotive manufacturing.
- National Aviation Week & Coast Guard Day (00:11:18) Ideas for local collaborations, celebrating aviation, Coast Guard, and sharing personal or community stories.
- Stop on Red Week & School Zone Safety (00:14:23) Promoting back-to-school safety tips, school zone awareness, and safe driving reminders.
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally & International Clown Week (00:14:59) Mentions the Sturgis Rally and shares humorous stories about clowns, with ideas for lighthearted shop content.
- August Days of the Month Overview (00:17:01) Notes that August has fewer auto-repair-relevant days, but highlights a few for creative marketing.
- Worldwide Web Day (00:17:22) Encourages shops
18 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingKey Takeaways:Survey Demographics & Limitations
- Skewed Representation: 62% of respondents had 20+ years of experience, while entry-level and mid-career techs were underrepresented. Geographically, responses were heavy in the East/Midwest but sparse in central/western U.S.
- ASE Certification Bias: 80% of respondents held ASE certifications, contrasting with the broader industry (only ~25% of U.S. technicians are ASE-certified). Fanslow urges broader participation for accurate data.
What Technicians Want
- Proper shop equipment (87%) – Includes OE tools (e.g., GTS+ for Toyota/Honda), ADAS calibration tools, and powertrain tables 210.
- Paid vacation (83%) and retirement plans (72%) – Fanslow notes ambiguity in definitions (e.g., weeks offered) and calls for industry standardization.
- Paid training (65%) – Despite high demand, many techs underutilize training opportunities.
- Hourly/salary (majority) > hourly + production bonus (25%) > flat rate (20%). Fanslow attributes this to desire for stability, especially in rust-prone regions where labor guides may be unrealistic.
Industry Pain Points
- Low Satisfaction: Only 49% would recommend their shop to a friend. Poor communication (30% approval) and inadequate mentorship (<30%) are key issues.
- Urgent Needs: Higher pay (78%) – Fanslow advocates for cost-of-living-adjusted wages over raw dollar comparisons.
- Better benefits, tool allowances, and management (13–14%) – Vague but critical for retention.
Call to Action
- Increase Survey Participation: Fanslow urges technicians to join WrenchWay (free) to amplify diverse voices, especially from underrepresented regions/experience levels.
- Shop Owner Accountability: Recommends transparent conversations about compensation, equipment, and mentorship programs to address dissatisfaction.
Notable Quotes
- “4700 respondents is impressive, but in a field of 800,000 technicians, it’s hardly a scratch.” – Matt Fanslow
- “If you’re not paying attention to cost-of-living-adjusted wages, you’re missing the point.” – Matt Fanslow
Actionable Insights
- For Technicians: Join WrenchWay to contribute to future surveys. Advocate for clear career paths and training at your shop.
- For Shop Owners: Benchmark pay against local cost of living. Invest in OE tools and mentorship programs to retain talent.
- Industry-Wide: Address communication gaps and collaborate with schools to improve perceptions of the trade (only 25% of shops support local schools).
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech TrainingNAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to https://napaautotech.com for more details.Contact Information
- Email Matt: mattfanslowpodcast@gmail.com
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNA0UVoxcWxKtvXjr9PdzHg/videos
- Subscribe & Review: Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/https://remarkableresults.biz/
17 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Recorded at Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo, Ben Dexter sheds light on a common issue: many shop owners are only scratching the surface of what their shop management systems can do. From underutilized tools to overlooked processes, this conversation uncovers the true value of role-based training, strategies for better customer communication, why profit should be seen as a healthy business goal, the impact of digital vehicle inspections (DVIs), why strong service advisors are essential, and the crucial role of inventory control in shop performance. Whether you’re a shop owner, service advisor, or team leader, this episode offers practical takeaways to help your business thrive. Ben Dexter, National Training Manager, https://napatracs.com/. Find Ben's other episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=dexter Show Notes
- Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo: https://visionkc.com/
- Shop Management System Utilization (00:01:21)
- Shop Owner Mindset and Growth (00:02:56)
- Labor Matrix and Pay Structures (00:04:39)
- Communication and Transparency (00:06:21)
- Profitability and Professionalism (00:07:45)
- Customer Experience Focus (00:08:36)
- Inventory Control and Efficiency (00:09:30)
- Inventory Management Best Practices (00:10:58)
- Parts Stocking and Human Error (00:11:21)
- Balancing Inventory Investment and Efficiency (00:13:07)
- Service Counter and Customer Experience (00:15:41)
- Workflow, Process, and Flowcharts (00:20:07)
- Role-Based Training and SOPs (00:23:23)
- AI and Shop Management (00:26:45)
- Interview Process and Diagnostic Challenges (00:29:20)
- Service Counter Accountability (00:31:56)
- Breaking the Cycle and Seeking Help (00:34:17)
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care 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 athttp://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast:
- Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/
- Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://rrtm.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html
- Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976
- Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto
- Follow on LinkedIn:
16 GIU 2025 · Thank You To Our Partners, The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Boundhttps://youtu.be/jkEcrYCZkl4Email-Seriously!In many business conversations the first correspondence is often by email and it is NOT going away anytime soon. While YES email in general has MANY problems there are still professionals who are more responsive to emails than texts or phone calls.We’ll be talking about email in terms of impressions, practicality, and interactions.I’ll lay a few ideas out and then we’ll discuss some best practices for team ownership so email correspondence doesn’t result in dropped balls.Today’s WOTD is: EloquentWe’ll define our word - after we hear a word from our sponsors who make this show possible!https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjective: marked by forceful and https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluent expression, an eloquent preacher: vividly or movingly expressive or https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revealing, an eloquent monumentOn Making an Impression:In the aftermarket - and countless other small businesses - it is very common to see email interaction with people using public domain email addresses. This can be the casual: .http://gmail.com / .http://icloud.com / .http://yahoo.com | The older… @http://aol.com / @http://hotmail.com / @netscape.com.Or - what I will simply call “serious” emails - those that use their own custom domain names.While we ALL use some casual and older email suffix - I want to raise a few points to help you consider moving yourself or your organization to owning, maintaining, or providing your own email domain.There is just no denying the casual nature of the suffix, and it feels like an afterthought in business settings if you’re still relying on .gmail… Sending an email with a link from your shop? Best if it is not from rando@gmail.com.If you’re networking, applying for a job, or running a transaction - a more “serious” email suffix does appear more professional, stands out, and builds trust.Is it a game changer? Not always - but like any other feature of a business, it is a factor in how you are being perceived.Communication goes far beyond the words we use - and absolutely involves our outward appearances - even our digital appearance. With most every inbox - before every subject -is the address the email is from.On the older suffixes, it’s commonly joked about, but there are strong assumptions that if you have an AOL email address today in 2025 - you most likely no long care that “you’ve got mail” and you probably won’t check it either. Is it fair? No maybe not - but I can speak from experience on this. If you are working with a client using older emails like AOL - and you must email them - I’m a big fan of calling to let those individuals know to check their email… in most cases. If you’re offended by this and you use an AOL email - go ahead and send an email to
13 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, and Today's Class In celebration of ten years of podcasting, Carm Capriotto reunites with early guests—Dwayne Myers, Clint Dudley, and Gene Morrill—to reflect on their original episodes and the evolution of their businesses. The episode explores their growth over the past decade, the vital role of coaching, continuous education, and adapting to industry changes such as labor rates and operations. Emphasizing the importance of strong processes, community, and putting people first, the conversation highlights how shared experiences and lifelong learning drive success in the automotive repair industry. Clint Dudley, https://www.shadetreeauto.biz/, Grimes, IA. Clint’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=clint+dudley Dwayne Myers, https://dynamicautomotive.net/. Dwayne’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=%22Dwayne%20Myers%22. Gene Morrill, https://www.certifiedautoca.com/. Gene’s previous episodes https://remarkableresults.biz/?s=%22Gene+Morrill%22 Show Notes:
- https://youtu.be/MHFReTfjv5s
- Introduction & 10th Anniversary Kickoff (00:00:00)
- Early Podcast Episodes & Guest Introductions (00:01:11)
- Podcast’s Impact & R&D Philosophy (00:03:19)
- Dwayne’s Journey & Business Growth (00:05:28)
- Podcast as a Turning Point (00:06:36)
- Clint’s Growth Story (00:08:10) C
- Gene’s Reflections & Downsizing (00:10:06)
- Family, Health, and Work-Life Balance (00:11:33)
- Memorable Moments & Industry Changes (00:14:31)
- Evolution of Podcast Formats (00:16:02)
- COVID-19’s Impact on Business (00:21:09)
- Transition from Technician to Business Owner (00:21:58)
- The Value of Coaching & Peer Groups (00:22:52)
- Coaching vs. Expert Help (00:25:59)
- Learning from Other Industries (00:27:30)
- Giving
12 GIU 2025 · Thanks to our partner PromotivePlanning for taxes shouldn’t feel like rolling the dice. In this episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt walks through how smart shop owners use real data, not hope, to forecast and manage their tax obligations all year long.
- Why Q2 and Q3 are the real moneymakers for accurate tax forecasting
- When it actually makes sense to buy that truck for the write-off
- How and when to adjust your tax estimates (and why it matters)
- The truth about retirement contributions as a tax strategy
- Common mistakes shop owners make by skipping tax planning
Thanks to our partner PromotiveIt’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit http://www.gopromotive.com/.Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive RepairVisit us Online: http://www.paarmelis.com/Email Hunt: podcast@paarmelis.comText Paar Melis @ 301-307-5413Download a Copy of My Books Here:
- https://info.paarmelis.com/wrenches-to-write-offs
- https://paarmelis.com/your-perfect-shop-book-download/
https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/https://remarkableresults.biz/ with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
The Voices, Ideas, and Insights That are Shaping the Future of the Automotive Aftermarket - Reside Here
Informazioni
| Autore | Carm Capriotto |
| Organizzazione | Carm Capriotto |
| Categorie | Automobilismo , Gestione , Marketing |
| Sito | remarkableresults.biz |
| carm@remarkableresults.biz |
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