For The Record - Archive

For The Record - Archive

By Carm Capriotto, AAPBusinessMarketingManagement
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For The Record - Archive episodes

  • FTR 034: Greg Bunch – Take Your Toolbox Home

    Greg Bunch is the owner of Aspen Auto Clinic, a five-location automotive and service business in Colorado. Greg started his passion for cars at 15 when he began rebuilding a 1966 Volkswagen Bug.  Greg has moved from a Volkswagen mechanic to ASE Master Technician, to Management, to starting his shop 18 years ago in his garage, to an award-winning multi-location business.

    Greg is currently a board member for the STEM-based charter school call “Automotive Institute of Science & Technology” and on the Advisory board of Ratchet and Wrench Magazine. Greg is also a board member of the Autocare organization and a certified instructor for the  Worldpac Training Institute and Carquest Technical Institute.  Greg’s unwavering passion for the industry has also led him to form a company called Transformers Institute, a coaching and training company dedicated to transforming the automotive industry.

    Listen to Greg’s previous episodes HERE. Transformers Institute HERE.

    Key Talking Points:

    • We’ve all had to learn to run a business the hard way.
      • Read books and going to classes

      • He realized that he could no longer be an automotive man in business, but a businessman in the automotive
      • Take your toolbox home.
      • He had to transform his mentality.
      • He stopped filling his brain with all the tech of automotive repair and fill his head with leadership and business principles.
      • You cannot be in the center of your business to solve every problem.
      • You’ve got to become the CEO of your business by educating your team, then delegate to do it and solve problems on their own.
      • Careful not to delegate too quickly.
      • Too many will shut their shop down so they can go on vacation. You should never have to do this.
      • Get out of your business to run it.
      • Consolidation is upon us and you’ll never be prepared for it without these disciplines.

        • A special thanks to Greg Bunch for sharing his passion – For The Record.
        • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
        • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
        • Email Carm HERE.

        •  

           

           

          Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

          Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

          This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

          Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

          FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

          Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

          Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

           

           

           

           

          11 min
        • FTR 033: Kirk Richardson On Technician Pay Plans

          Kirk Richardson is a young and successful entrepreneur. Born into a blue-collar, hard-working family, he was a below average student in high school and college. At the age of 22, he left school and started his first business. He bought his first three bay shop at the age of 24. Seven years later he bought his second shop, South Street Auto Care in Rochester, MI.

          Richardson really prides himself on his ability to create a family culture within his businesses. The culture is a blend of hard work, accountability, fun, and hi-jinx, which combine to make loyal and dedicated coworkers. Kirk loves business and people in general and will talk for hours about business! Listen to Kirk’s previous episodes HERE.

           

          Key Talking Points:

          • Flat rate incentivizes them to be concerned about #1
            • Responsibilities of life and at home is their #1 concern
            • Their co-workers or the customers do not have an important position in this hierarchy
            • It creates an island and not a co-worker atmosphere.

            • He believes flat-rate is flawed.
            • A contributing factor in the shortage of technicians in our pay plan and may prohibit some from joining our industry.
            • When you need your senior people, who are on flat-rate, to help the young person groom and grow in your business, their tendency to help and not book enough hours for the week prevents mentoring and grooming fail.
            • Kirk has 12 people involved in the production side of his business and he shares gross profit instead of paying a flat rate pay program.
              • They have one collective goal.


                • A special thanks to Kirk Richardson for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                • Email Carm HERE.

                •  

                   

                   

                  Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                  Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                  This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                  Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                  FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                  Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                  Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                   

                   

                   

                   

                  15 min
                • FTR 032: Pierre Respaut – Has Seen a Technical Revolution in His Lifetime

                  Pierre Respaut has a steep history as an automotive shop owner, dealership mechanic/technician, and trainer. He is in the aftermarket for fifty years.

                  Pierre worked at BMW and Ferrari dealerships and owned “Ultimate Cars”, a BMW specialty repair shop for 30 years. After he closed the shop he was recruited to help improve a VW dealership from 2010-2012.

                  Pierre was also a contract trainer for Bosch and is involved in various capacities, with STS, TST, the BIMRS tech and support groups (BIMRS.ORG). Our interview covered his role as VP of the Board os TST: Technicians Service Training a 501(c) (3) corporation. Look for Pierre’s other episodes HERE.

                   

                  Key Talking Points:

                  • Continues to learn every day and he says it keeps him young
                  • Young at heart even with 50 years in the industry
                  • Like a shark, if you stop swimming you die.
                  • No one should be entering the industry unless they commit being a perpetual learner.
                  • Networking helps you solve problems and is critical to your success. This podcast is a large part of personal networking to listen to the context of the aftermarket.
                  • More and more in the industry are acting like professionals. An exciting change
                  • Don’t stop reading and go to seminars and hands-on training.

                    • A special thanks to Pierre Respaut for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                    • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                    • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                    • Email Carm HERE.

                    •  

                       

                       

                      Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                      Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                      This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                      Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                      FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                      Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                      Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                       

                       

                       

                       

                      10 min
                    • FTR 031: Brett Bohlmann – Fixing Our Leadership Deficit

                      Brett Bohlmann, along with his wife, is the owner of HWY 7 Service Center, Newell, IA. He began his career in the automotive industry as an automotive technician. Over the years, Brett began to acquire top notch experience and a love of automobiles but more of a passion for learning in the entire automotive industry.

                      In 2010, Brett had an urge to start and open Hwy 7 Service Center with the goal of always exceeding the customer’s expectations. Oil definitely pumps in his veins as automotive knowledge, skill, and work ethic radiate from his actions and words. However, the fuel for the fire comes from his family at home and the community that has become a large family too. Find out more about Brett’s episodes HERE.

                       

                      Key Talking Points:

                      • The story of the ‘mad butcher’
                        • Short-sighted thinking on low price could not beat the competition
                        • He decided to build his people. Make then enthusiastic.
                        • He conquered because he put people first.

                        • Developing your people so they build your business
                        • Andrew Carnegie had 30 millionaires working for him.
                          • He mined for gold in his people

                          • Stop being insecure and start developing yourself and your people
                          • People need to work for more than a job. What about significance?
                            • Ask you people ‘What is their purpose?’
                            • What is their dream?

                            • We need to get out of our comfort zones and to start to lead our people.
                              • Invest in them for the long term.

                              • RATE formula
                                • Relationship + Attitude x Talent + Expectation = Production

                                • We can’t let our condition to control our attitude. We must let our attitude control our conditions.
                                • You build your people and they build the business.

                                  • A special thanks to Brett Bohlmann for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                  • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                  • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                  • Email Carm HERE.

                                  •  

                                     

                                     

                                    Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                    Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                    This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                                    Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                                    FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                                    Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                                    Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                     

                                    13 min
                                  • FTR 030: Tom Ham Part 2: What Owners Want From Their Technicians

                                    Tom Ham, with the help of his wife Deb, is the creator and owner of Automotive Management Network a 12,000 plus member website dedicated to the exchange of vehicle service management information. Tom got his start in the auto service industry pumping gas in the late ’60s. Tom and his wife operate Auto Centric, an import specialty shop in Grand Rapids, MI. Tom and Deb have five children including two sons and a daughter who served in the Iraq War as U.S. Marines.  He writes extensively on industry topics.  Discover Tom’s previous episodes HERE.

                                     

                                    Key Talking Points:

                                    • Attend training
                                    • Get ASE Certified
                                    • Improve your computer skills
                                      • Find the tips and tricks to make the computer work for you

                                      • Improve your basic language skills
                                      • Health:
                                        • Commit to quit smoking
                                        • Get help for substance abuse

                                        • Come to work with plenty of energy
                                        • Follow policies and procedures
                                        • Complete tasks 100%. Help me not be a micromanager
                                        • Go the extra mile
                                        • Use good judgment  
                                        • Avoid getting a criminal record
                                        • Be financially responsible
                                        • Look your best. Your appearance is the price for admission to the professional world.
                                        • Maintain a clean drivers license.
                                        • Show up every day on time. Ideally a little early.
                                        • Use good manners
                                        • Become better at problem-solving
                                        • Constantly improve your diagnostic ability.
                                        • Do a fantastic job with vehicle inspections
                                        • Manage your time well
                                        • Prevent comebacks. Double check
                                        • Attention to the details.
                                        • Produce hours.
                                        • Skip the side work.
                                        • Be clean. Work Clean. Like a formula one shop.
                                        • Prevent waste.
                                        • Take care of our equipment and facility.
                                        • Be cheerful. Smile. Be customer friendly. Be Flexible
                                        • Be honest.
                                        • Be mature.
                                        • Listen to criticism.
                                        • Provide constructive input to me.
                                        • Show respect. If you want respect, show it to others.  

                                          • A special thanks to Tom Ham for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                          • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                          • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                          • Email Carm HERE.

                                          •  

                                             

                                             

                                            Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                            Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                            This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                                            Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                                            FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                                            Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                                            Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                             

                                             

                                             

                                             

                                            12 min
                                          • FTR 029: Tom Ham Part 1: What Techs want from Shop Owners

                                            Tom Ham, with the help of his wife Deb, is the creator and owner of Automotive Management Network a 12,000 plus member website dedicated to the exchange of vehicle service management information. Tom got his start in the auto service industry pumping gas in the late ’60s. Tom and his wife operate Auto Centric, an import specialty shop in Grand Rapids, MI. Tom and Deb have five children including two sons and a daughter who served in the Iraq War as U.S. Marines.  He writes extensively on industry topics.  Discover Tom’s previous episodes HERE.

                                             

                                            Key Talking Points:

                                            • Standard Benefits are necessary.
                                            • Staffing. Hire people who are friendly and cooperative.
                                            • Hire great service advisers.
                                            • Estimate accurately. Ask me if you need more information.
                                            • Be fair with labor times. One of the biggest complaints.
                                            • Provide me with information that is user-friendly.
                                            • Provide state of the art information technology.
                                            • Bring in  enough cars to keep me busy
                                            • Maintain honest and ethical business practices.
                                            • Create and maintain consistent and well-defined guidelines.
                                            • Offer opportunities for advancement.
                                            • Buy quality parts.
                                            • Provide a low-stress environment as much as possible.
                                            • Manage well. Don’t micromanage.
                                            • Provide a fair pay system and review it and adjust as necessary.
                                            • Include a weekly tool allowance.
                                            • Provide all the necessary tools other than basic hand tools.
                                            • Provide the correct equipment for the work you take in.
                                            • Training. Offer plenty of training opportunities and compensate me for off-hours training time away from my family.
                                            • Maintain a clean and organized facility.
                                            • Maintain an nice employee break room for your employees.
                                            • Improve ergonomics.
                                            • Work hours. Avoid weekend and evening hours.
                                            • Create a four day work week option.
                                            • Create flexible work hours.
                                            • Offer a reasonable work week.
                                            • Respect your employees. Treat people fairly.
                                            • A special thanks to Tom Ham for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                            • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                            • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                            • Email Carm HERE.

                                            •  

                                               

                                               

                                              Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                              Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                              This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                                              Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                                              FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                                              Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                                              Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                               

                                               

                                               

                                               

                                              10 min
                                            • FTR 028: Ryan Clo – Taking Care of the Customer is More Than Taking Care of the Car

                                              Ryan Clo is a twenty-year veteran of the Automotive Service industry. He currently owns two specialized Automotive Service businesses located in Cincinnati, OH. Both businesses have systems and processes in place so that his presence is not required on a daily basis. Ryan’s first business, Dubwerx, has a 99% customer satisfaction rate while maintaining profitability and growth.

                                              Ryan currently consults for the Institute of Automotive Business Excellence providing guidance to automotive businesses including on-site evaluations, off-site coaching, business plan development, and one-on-one coaching with owners and staff. He is known as the “Systems and Processes guy.” Ryan teaches several business management classes for the Automotive industry.

                                              Ryan is also involved in the growing startup community in Cincinnati, OH meeting with other entrepreneurs regularly to discuss best practices and the future of business. Ryan volunteers his time serving on the editorial board for an industry magazine and two community non-profits in Cincinnati, OH. Listen to Ryan’s previous episodes HERE.

                                              Key Talking Points

                                              • Every successful shop of the future will understand this
                                              • 60% of customer don’t trust auto repair shops.
                                              • Are 60% of shops overselling services? NO!
                                              • Why is there a distrust issue? Because we are not taking care of the customer personal needs.
                                                • They need to feel safe.
                                                • They need to have a great experience.

                                                • Is your image current?
                                                  • Do your customers feel good about the environment they experience at your shop?
                                                  • Clean. Fresh. Modern.

                                                  • Don’t make your shop look the same as all the other shops.
                                                  • Customers want a higher level of service and will pay for it.
                                                  • Your image in the market will also attract the best people to work for you.
                                                  • Get a fresh look at your business through a different set of eye. Find someone you trust to help you look at your business.
                                                  • Pay attention to your own purchase decisions.

                                                    • A special thanks to Ryan Clo for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                                    • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                                    • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                                    • Email Carm HERE.

                                                    •  

                                                       

                                                       

                                                      Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                                      Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                                      This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                                                      Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                                                      FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                                                      Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                                                      Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                                       

                                                       

                                                       

                                                       

                                                      Find a Top Podcast Listening APP for your Mobil Device, Click HERE.

                                                      The views and opinions expressed are those of my guest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the author, sponsors, associates or affiliates of LSTN MEDIA LLC

                                                      8 min
                                                    • FTR 027: Andy Bizub – Be The Dealer Alternative

                                                      Andy Bizub from Midwest Performance Cars in Chicago is also a native of Chicago. His first career was 25 years as a commodity trader. He entered the professional auto industry in 2014 by acquiring a failing shop in downtown Chicago that he was a customer of and started a turnaround. Andy now has two locations. He bought his first car at age 19, a 1972 Triumph Spitfire, which was the start of his gas, oil, and automobile obsession. Listen to Andy’s previous episodes HERE.

                                                      Key Talking Points

                                                      • There is a misperception that the new car dealer knows the cars better than the independent.
                                                      • He works hard to break that perspective with his customers every day.
                                                      • We do our customers a disservice if we are not communicating our abilities with our customers.
                                                      • His position to his customer: Wouldn’t you want your car to be viewed by a shop/technician that see all kinds of problems across many different platforms?
                                                      • Andy believes that the breadth of knowledge and deeper wealth of experience makes the independent the smarter choice for vehicle repairs.
                                                      • We must spread this story.
                                                      • The reasons he knows he is the better choice. Their quality of work, customer service attitude, transparency, the training and experience that we bring to bear in servicing and repairing customer cars. We are vehicle experts.
                                                      • We are not here to sell cars, we are here to keep your car on the road for the best value.
                                                      • He believes his 3 years 100,000-mile warranty goes above and beyond the dealer program.

                                                        • A special thanks to Andy Bizub for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                                        • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                                        • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                                        • Email Carm HERE.

                                                        •  

                                                           

                                                           

                                                          Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                                          Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                                          This episode is brought to you by FlexCheck Auto Digital Vehicle Inspection Software.

                                                          Savvy shop owners use vehicle inspections to find additional work on a vehicle that the vehicle owner may not know is needed. The most successful shop owners fully inspect every car, every time. It benefits the vehicle owner more than the shop because most vehicle owners want their autos to be reliable.

                                                          FlexCheck Auto takes the power of a shop’s inspection process and puts it in the palm of your technician’s hand so that pictures, video and vehicle specific notes about a vehicle’s condition can be shared quickly with vehicle owners. This simple, fully customizable system is designed to operate on any Android device. It improves technician efficiency in the bays, service writer efficiency at the counter, increases average repair order and builds trust with vehicle owners.

                                                          Today’s vehicle owners want to receive their vehicles health status electronically, this makes FlexCheck Auto the most transparent way to do sell auto repair. Try it for free for 30 days! Go to FlexCheckAuto.com to learn more.

                                                          Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                                           

                                                           

                                                           

                                                           

                                                          Find a Top Podcast Listening APP for your Mobil Device, Click HERE.

                                                          The views and opinions expressed are those of my guest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the author, sponsors, associates or affiliates of LSTN MEDIA LLC

                                                          12 min
                                                        • FTR 026: Derek Kaufman on Start-Stop Technology

                                                          Derek Kaufman is a managing partner of Schwartz Advisors, a team of auto aftermarket experts who provide acquisition analysis, sell-side representation and growth strategy support for companies in our industry. Derek has over 40 years of experience in the transportation business and speaks nationally on the technology trends affecting auto service.


                                                          Today, Derek has an intriguing thought on the growth of start/stop systems and what they are really doing for vehicle owners. He is also thinking out loud on what shop owners can do to take advantage of the technology changes entering the market to address some of the battery issues start/stop systems are causing..

                                                          Derek Kaufman’s Previous Episodes HERE.

                                                           

                                                          Key Talking Points

                                                          • Automakers have added start-stop systems to improve mileage. In most driving circumstances, these systems can add 4 to 5% to a vehicle’s miles per gallon performance.
                                                          • Based on complaints from vehicle owners who do not like the constant starting and stopping of their vehicles in heavy traffic situations, most manufacturers have added an ON/OFF button to allow drivers to switch the systems OFF when they so desire.
                                                          • There are two versions of these ON/OFF switches – “latched”, in which the system stays OFF once the button is triggered until the driver turns the system back on; and “unlatched “ where the start/stop will always return to the ON position when the vehicle is restarted.
                                                          • The EPA will include 100% of a start/stop system’s mileage increase in its mileage rating if the start/stop system is an unlatched design. Latch designs result in a vehicle’s mileage results being tested in both the fully ON and fully OFF mode and then averaged to deliver the mileage number that is printed on the Monroney sticker for new car sales.
                                                          • One fun fact not included in the podcast audio – the Monroney sticker is named after Senator Almer Stillwell “Mike” Monroney who served as a Senator representing Oklahoma from 1951 t0 1969. Senator Monroney thought that car makers should be more transparent on their vehicle performance. His bill to create the Monroney sticker created a cottage industry adding huge costs to the automobile industry as companies work to test, certify and print the labels added to each vehicle.
                                                          • In many driving conditions where short commutes with heavy stop/start cycles exist, many vehicles equipped with start/stop systems are seeing battery degradation because their standard lead-acid batteries are not sufficiently charged during a daily commute to and from work.
                                                          • To counter early battery failures, many manufacturers are moving to adsorbed Glass Mat (AGM) or enhanced lead-acid batteries that are built for the tougher conditions imposed by start/stop systems.
                                                          • Tests are showing, however, that even AGMs are showing signs of early failure in certain operating modes. Some AGMs have also shown a tendency to lose charge acceptance levels over a relatively short period of time. As their average charge level reduces, the start/stop system will eventually turn itself off to conserve battery energy.
                                                          • The ultimate solution may be the introduction of ultracapacitors which are designed to provide quick discharges of high power for starting and quick recharge to be ready for the next starting event. Ultra caps are usually combined with a lower cost standard lead acid battery that will handle the other electric loads of the vehicle like lighting, cabin air temperature, and infotainment equipment.
                                                          • Schwartz Advisors sees other electrification coming for vehicles with today’s belt driven pumps and compressors being converted to electric drive devices. Electric drive turbos are also now increasing in usage.
                                                          • Service shops can differentiate themselves by becoming “electrification experts”. Study battery alternatives, stop/start systems and ultracapacitors to understand the products available or about to be introduced.
                                                          • If you have commercial customers who have multiple vehicles being used in heavy stop-start conditions, you may have an opportunity to install ultracapacitors that can save them battery costs and eliminate those jumps starts that are costing them time and money.

                                                            • A special thanks to Derek Kaufman for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                                            • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                                            • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                                            • Email Carm HERE.

                                                            •  

                                                               

                                                               

                                                               

                                                              Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

                                                              Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email    Events   Instagram   Speaking

                                                              Download the Remarkable Results Radio listening APP for your smart device:

                                                               

                                                               

                                                               

                                                               

                                                              Find a Top Podcast Listening APP for your Mobil Device, Click HERE.

                                                              The views and opinions expressed are those of my guest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the author, sponsors, associates or affiliates of LSTN MEDIA LLC

                                                              9 min
                                                            • FTR 025: Bill Nalu on Abundance

                                                              Bill Nalu is President of Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, Michigan and has been in business for 30 years.  Bill collaborates with industry professionals, in building today’s “high-tech/old-fashioned” customer service system. Bill has been a big contributor to the podcast and he currently serves on several industries and educational advisory councils including AutoValue/Bumper to Bumper, Dorman Industries, and Cardone.

                                                              Bill Nalu’s Previous Episodes HERE.

                                                               

                                                              Key Talking Points

                                                              • Abundance can come at us passively if we like it or not.
                                                              • What if we successfully completed a failed endeavor?
                                                              • Your sponsoring thought can drive your abundance.
                                                              • If you don’t think you deserve what you deserve, you will not get it.

                                                                • A special thanks to Bill Nalu for sharing his passion – For The Record.
                                                                • Books mentioned in the content library HERE
                                                                • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
                                                                • Email Carm HERE.

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                                                                  The views and opinions expressed are those of my guest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the author, sponsors, associates or affiliates of LSTN MEDIA LLC

                                                                  6 min

                                                                About For The Record - Archive

                                                                From the publisher's feed

                                                                A platform to say what is top of mind. A short but intense rhapsody from a peer. This is in the style of the OP/ED section of your newspaper. The intention is to push a few boundaries and create a…