Maximum Octane

Many shop owners think there is a right time to turn off their marketing. There is not; you should never turn off your marketing! But that is just one of the many misconceptions about marketing and how it can improve your car repair shop. 

In this episode, Jimmy Lea revisits us to share seven proven marketing methods to help you take your business to the next level. Jimmy is a colleague, friend, and product evangelist at Kukui. 

Jimmy loves to help car repair shop owners of all sizes and shapes invest wisely in their marketing efforts, track their ROI, and make the proper adjustments to guarantee their efforts.  

Throughout our conversation, Jimmy explains why having a user-friendly, quick, and agile website is crucial, how to use Google ads, why they are so important, and how to communicate clearly with customers. We also talk about why we, as shop owners, must embrace technology, the importance of committing to social media, why you should use it mostly to build genuine relationships with your customers, and much more.  

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why you should never turn off your marketing (3:22)
• What kind of website should you get for your shop (6:32)
• How Google Ads work and why you should invest in them (10:06)
• Don't confuse your customers (20:01)
• Don't get overly attached to your ZIP code (23:16)
• Why exploiting the benefits of social media is an excellent idea (26:12)
• Check your Google reviews and reply as soon as you can (32:13)

Resources:

• Kukui Corporation website
• Kukui LinkedIn
• Kukui Instagram
• Kukui Facebook

Connect with Jimmy:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all want to grow our businesses, influence our internal customers and help them develop, grow, and become better professionals. But how many of us are prepared to delegate and trust our team members' decisions? 

Today, I'm joined by the fantastic LeAnne Williamson. She is an Executive Coach, Advanced Certified Profit First Professional, Certified Engagement Coach, DEI Certified, and Consultant at Automotive Training Institute. She also writes for Motor Age and for the ATI Blog. Besides her formal education, LeAnne is passionate about personal development and is constantly honing her craft by studying with some of the greatest, like Bob Proctor, Tony Robbins, and Robert Kiyosaki, to name a few. 

Throughout our conversation, LeAnne dissects and explains leadership, what practices lead to an enticing, productive, and stimulating leadership style, and why so many shop owners struggle with delegating. We also discuss the importance of trust and accountability to achieve empowering levels of leadership, how to break old habits, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about LeAnne's background and why she is so passionate about leadership (2:43)
• Leadership is an influence process (7:25)
• The four styles of leadership (8:13)
• An advice for shop owners who can't let go of making all the decisions (14:43)
• Learn to embrace and accept change (17:30)
• You can always squeeze in some personal development training in your schedule (21:05)
• Sometimes, shop owners get in the way of their internal customers (26:03)
• Is advice always welcome? (34:05)

Resources:

• Book: Michael Bungay Stainer - The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Connect with LeAnne:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many shop owners make conscious and sincere efforts to keep their internal customers happy or satisfied, yet their retention rates keep dropping. Pizza parties and scratch-offs might get employees happy, but to get engaged employees who feel appreciated and valued, managers and shop owners need to do a bit more than that. 

In today's episode, I welcome Don Rheem to explain how neuroscience and behavioral science can help shop owners and managers to create engaged internal customers, increase retention rates and productivity, and transform the workplace. 

Don is an Author, Keynote and TEDx speaker, Culture Changer, and Founder and CEO of E3 Solutions. In his book, "Thrive by design," Don analyzes internal customers' performance from a brain-based perspective and offers tips and insights on increasing production and boosting engagement at a neurological level. Don was also a Technical Consultant to the Science, Technology, and Space Committee in the US House of Representatives and an Adviser to the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Throughout our conversation, Don explains the difference between having happy and engaged employees and why the latter should be every shop owner's goal. We cover the reasons behind "the great resignation" or "the big quit" and how to avoid suffering from it by building solid teams. We also discuss how to prepare managers and team leaders to generate cohesion among their groups, the importance of measuring results, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about Don and his passion for neuroscience (3:11)
• Why pizza and scratch-offs won't do the trick (even though they'll increase happiness and satisfaction) (6:57)
• The importance of making internal customers feel valued for more than the work they produce (10:56)
• Why are so many Americans quitting their jobs (14:36)
• "I can't take this anymore; guess what? I don't" (15:13)
• How to stop "the great resignation" at your shop (21:53)
• You can't manage what you don't measure (25:05)

Resources:

• E3 Solutions website
• Book: Don Rheem - Thrive By Design: The Neuroscience That Drives High-Performance Cultures
• How can work save our relationships? | TEDxBYU
• How to Stay Ahead of the Future of Work |TEDxWarrenton

Connect with Don:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having a family atmosphere in your shop makes everything smoother; it creates a great work environment and strengthens relationships, trust, and efficiency. It sounds simple, yet it is not so easy to get.  

In this episode, we chat with Greg Marks, Owner, Technician, and Advisor at Marks Automotive in Jasper, Alabama. Greg's shop is known not only for its top-notch quality service but also for its unique culture. The work environment Greg created at Marks Automotive since the company started in 2013 is light, fun to be in, and inviting. 

Throughout our conversation, we delve into how Greg and his team created a family-like work environment and the challenges they had to overcome along the way. We also talk about how challenging it can be to establish boundaries and a boss/employee relationship while, at the same time, nurturing an honest friendship. 

Plus, Greg talks about the importance of training and developing internal customers, his journey of developing a second in command for his shop and the advantages of it, and so much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Marks Automotive family atmosphere and its creation (2:09)
• How to build solid boundaries while nurturing your friendship with internal customers (4:13)
• How to be ready to have difficult conversations (7:17)
• Greg's experiences developing a second in command (12:18)
• Trust but verify, always (21:40)
• How having a second in command improved Greg's personal and professional life (23:01)

Resources:

• Marks Automotive website

Connect with Greg:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world can be a hateful place, yet luckily, there are people out there showing us that you don't have to be upset or hostile all the time. Meet Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois, and the protagonist of a unique, inspiring, and touching story. 

In today's special episode, we delve into an unknown side of adoption, how Lee and his wife Brittany navigated it after struggling with infertility for over 15 years, and how they manifested the arrival of his son, Asher. Lee also talks about the risks parents might face by going for adoption by themselves, how to avoid being scammed and the safest ways of going through adoption's emotional rollercoaster. 

Plus, Lee shared details of the exhausting process of "speed dating" birth mommas to find the perfect match and adoption requirements; he explained the difference between close and open adoptions and so much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about Lee and his wife's background story (4:19)
• The excruciating process of "speed dating" birth mommas (8:13)
• Lee and Brittany get their miracle from God (11:23)
• Lee's advice for parents seeking to adopt a child (17:19)
• What to avoid when thinking of adopting (29:05)

Resources:

• Integrity Auto Care

Connect with Lee:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The holidays are, for most people, a reason to gather with their loved ones and celebrate. But for many people, Christmas and New Year's eve are two of the most triggering weeks of the year. 

In today's episode, Mike Warren visits us to talk about the side of the holidays no one wants to discuss: a lot of people suffer during this time of the year. Mike is an Executive Coach at ATI, and an active member of the Christian recovery group, Celebrate Recovery.

Mike brings our attention to the other side of the holidays, how they affect those dealing with addictions, the loss of a loved one, or even those just trying to avoid unhealthy foods. He also talks about how the expectations around the holidays are massive triggers for many people and the importance of establishing solid and healthy boundaries. 

Plus, Mike shares some tips for practicing acceptance, serving others, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Some of the reasons why holidays are tough for many people (4:55)
• Sometimes, people from our family of origin are the most difficult people to deal with (9:31)
• We don't have to participate in every discussion we are invited to (13:30)
• The multiple benefits of practicing gratitude (21:40)
• Why we should stop glamourizing alcohol (26:20)

Resources:

• Celebrate Recovery website

Connect with Mike:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What kind of business do you want to have one year from now? 

In this episode, the amazing Don Walter visits us to share some of his vast experience in the automotive industry and invites us to take a minute and think about our next year's goals. Don has done everything, been everywhere, and seen everything in the industry. Now he is a Certified Executive Coach and Profit First Professional at ATI, where he mentors shop owners to help them achieve their greatest potential.

We discuss the importance of creating ambitious, measurable, trackable, and simple goals. We analyze the "blanket mentality," the need to defy the "we've always done things this way" trap, and why the "we'll never be able to do something like that" type of mindset will always hold back your business growth.

Don also explains why we must avoid being reactionary and plan ahead, how to attract and retain talent, and how to stop blaming every holiday in the calendar for your shop's lack of growth. Plus, we talk about focusing on the biggest picture for your shop, the crucial importance of scheduling training for your internal customer, and more.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How to create a simple yet measurable, trackable, and ambitious plan for next year (2:51)
• What is the blanket mentality, and how can we avoid having it (6:44)
• Why it is crucial to challenge the "we've always done things this way" type of mentality (14:02)
• What is your retention plan for next year? (18:46)
• How to avoid falling into the monthly excuses for not making enough revenue (26:17)
• Why the "I have enough money" statement is one of the silliest things a shop owner can say (31:25)

Connect with Don:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are successful shop owners in the automotive industry treated differently from successful entrepreneurs or business owners?

In today's special episode, I'm joined by Gilda Dyckman, owner of Cars Muffler & Automotive; Denise Stanley, owner of Quality Automotive; Chris Cozad, President at Alternative Auto Care; and Frank Leutz, Marketing Director at Desert Car Care and host of the Wrench Nation podcast. We gathered this exceptional panel to discuss some of the automotive industry's biggest flaws. 

We discuss the ridiculous questions shop owners get asked daily, the crucial role of mentorship, and the lack of diversity in the industry. We also analyze how to solve the lack of female presence among technicians, overcome "the grease monkey" stereotype, the cultural and generational factors that influence young people to join the industry, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About the advantages and disadvantages of being a man in the automotive industry (5:25)
• How to react to: Can I talk with the person making the decisions here? (12:04)
• The automotive industry's lack of representation (17:28)
• How to overcome "the grease monkey" stereotype (27:37)
• We must stop blaming the industry (37:01)
• We should keep the doors open, but we must open our hearts (44:58)

Connect with today's guests on LinkedIn:

• Gilda Dyckman 
• Chris Cozad
• Denise Stanley 
• Frank Leutz

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is special in the whole extension of the word because Gilda Dyckman joins us to tell the story of her identical twins, Troy and Brent. 

The twins, now 22, were blessed with an autism diagnosis, and since they arrived in Gilda and her husband's lives, they did nothing but bring joy, good laughs, and tons of teachings about love, empathy, patience, and compassion. 

Gilda has owned Cars Muffler & Automotive since 1996, where she recently hired Brent to help her with filing and reconciling statements. 

Throughout our conversation, Gilda shares details of the twins' journey to incorporate into the American workforce. The challenges they face to get a job and the bitter flavor of negatives from shop owners who (sometimes) can't grasp the value exceptional adults can add to their businesses. Gilda also debunks some myths about the supposed dangers of hiring special people, explains why sometimes an autistic person might be perfect for specific jobs, and so much more.  

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about Gilda's challenging and fun journey (3:31)
• Some differences between Troy and Brent (6:25)
• A proposal Brent had to think about for a couple of days (10:33)
• What are ILS and Tailor Services, and how do they work (17:21)
• How Trey and Brent changed life also at Cars Muffler & Automotive (23:08)
• Why hiring exceptional adults is an excellent idea (27:04)

Resources:

• Cars Muffler & Automotive website
• Collective Social Services website. Regional Centers in California

Connect with Gilda:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What kind of vehicle are you? A semi-truck that needs a defined plan and route before hitting the road; a sports car, fast, agile, and always looking for shortcuts; or perhaps a diesel truck, a constant, consistent performer, who needs supervision and steady direction, but who always delivers? 

What about your internal customers? What kind of vehicles are they? 

In today's episode, JeanAnn St Grace visits us to share her unique view on group management, customer service, and how we react to and deal with our emotions. She is the Founder of The Simple Heart Sanctuary, a space dedicated to helping people take control of their healing journey. 

She highlights the importance for shop owners of knowing themselves before guiding internal customers, how we can use technology to create "owner manuals" on how to run a business, why it is crucial to embrace internal customers' uniqueness, and so much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How car issues can turn into personal issues (3:10)
• Once you are in crisis mode, you're incapable of operating at any level (6:53)
• Different people can't be managed exactly the same (10:25)
• What kind of vehicle are you? (12:41)
• Emotions are like a wave (22:34)
• How to create (and use) an "owner manual" (28:02)

Resources:

• The Simple Heart Sanctuary website
• The Simple Heart Sanctuary Instagram
• The Simple Heart Sanctuary YouTube

Connect with JeanAnn:

• Instagram

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.