Mary Kelly joins us today to give a mini masterclass on how to be more effective throughout our days, increase productivity, and retain our internal customers.

Mary is a High-performer and a Super-achiever. Wrote, co-authored, and edited over 15 business, leadership, productivity, and personal finance books. She is a Motivational Leadership Speaker and Growth Business Consultant. Mary served over 21 years in the Navy and retired as a Commander with specialties in HR, Logistics, Intelligence, and Security.

Mary holds a P.h.D in Economics, a master's degree in History, and another in Economics. She is considered the 16th most influential economist and a top 50 Keynote Speaker. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and Mensa, to name a few. 

In this episode, Mary shares some valuable tips for turning ourselves into high-achievers and going through our daily tasks more effectively. She highlights the importance of creating tiny habits, occupying our dead time, and using it for other things. We also talk about internal customer retention and what we can effectively do to guarantee they feel valued, appreciated, and content working with us. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Mary shares a bit about her background and her family of high-achievers (3:39)
• Mary explains the advantages of multitasking (7:27)
• Mary talks about why we shouldn't use our "big brain" for small tasks (11:26)
• Mary talks about the best ways of using the dead time (15:16)
• Mary goes through the importance of making our internal customers feel appreciated and valued (23:20)
• Mary and Kim talk about the flexible hours concept and why it is so resisted (27:12)

Resources: 

• Productive Leaders website
• Books of Mary Kelly
• Productive Leaders Free-resources

Connect with Mary:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

We have an inspiring, educational, and as successful in business and entrepreneurship as humble to educate us about cryptocurrency, blockchain, and how to revolutionize our company, Dr. Mark Hale. 

Mark is the Founder of Facepay, a company that most likely will change the payments landscape forever. He has a P.h.D in Aerospace, created four startups, and advised dozens more. Mark is also passionate about new technologies, has an eye for discovering new tendencies, and loves flying. 

In this episode, Mark removes cryptocurrency and blockchain's ghost mask, Scooby-Doo style, breaking it down into simple concepts and debunking the myths around them. He also explains why digital currency can prevent the expensive scams business owners deal with and why it can also eliminate the inconveniences of having the old banking system as an intermediary between businesses and customers. 

In addition, he shares some of the old, unproductive habits he removed from his routine and how breaking from traditional ways of doing things can change our business' direction. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• What do crypto and cars have in common? (6:21)
• Can you tell us what cryptocurrency is and what blockchain is? (7:59)
• Where do I begin if I want to be involved in crypto and take it into my business? (19:56)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• A bit about Mark and his background (3:01)
• Mark explains what cryptocurrency and blockchain are (8:04)
• Mark talks about why he sees digital currency as the evolution of the traditional banking system and how can businesses benefit from it (14:02)
• Mark debunks the myths about cryptocurrency (18:13)
• Mark explains how digital currencies can help shop owners stop suffering from scams (23:08)
• Mark talks about the unproductive habits get got rid of (31:42)

Resources:

• Facepay website
• Facepay LinkedIn
• Facepay Facebook

Connect with Dr. Mark:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

Even if we don't realize it, and perhaps just like any other industry, the automotive space is traversed by biases that determine how we treat and expect our internal customers to be and, above all things, how we attract and retain them. 

In this episode, Charlene Parlett visits us to raise awareness over the importance of thinking more about diversity and inclusion when writing our hiring ads, during our daily conversations, and how we can make our businesses more appealing to the needs of the modern working class. 

Charlene is an Executive Coach and Speaker at the Automotive Training Institute, Managing Shareholder of IRS Assistance, and a Master Certified Business Coach and Owner of Seamless Coaching Service. She is also part of the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement (CADIA), an organization created to promote inclusion and diversity in the automotive industry, help minorities advance in their careers, and reach C-Suite level positions. 

Throughout our conversation, Charlene explained the multiple benefits of thinking more inclusively and using this skill to attract the perfect fit for our business and create a space where internal customers can offer their best version and decide to build a career. We also discuss parental leaves, religious holidays, how to attract younger people to the industry, and much more. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why it is crucial to understand the role of inclusion and diversity in our business growth and evolution (2:04)
•  Charlene talks about why she joined CADIA and the work they perform (4:13)
• Charlene talks about some of the automotive industry's most common biases (8:45)
• Charlene talks about how society shifted how they see parenting and the industry's need to adapt to it (10:11)
• Charlene shares an exciting idea on internal customers and transportation (16:19)
• Charlene talks about flexible schedules and how companies should think about it (24:10)
• Charlene explains how to write appealing ads to attract the right people to work with us (31:51)

Resources:

• CADIA website
• Charlene Parlett's blog

Connect with Charlene:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

Joining us today is Matt Barnes to talk about the benefits of empowering internal customers, removing the fear of failing, and being aware of our state of mind at work. 

Matt is the Owner and Operator of B&B Automotive and Superior Auto Service in Bryan, Texas. 

In this episode, we travel to the land where everything's bigger to learn about Matt's unique perspective on leading a business. Throughout our conversation, Matt shared his thoughts on the importance of bringing the right energy to work, empowering internal customers, and working hard to create a space where failure is allowed and accepted as part of any process. He also talks about the lessons he got from getting rid of an unproductive habit and the importance of remaining calm when things go South and everyone starts panicking. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Matt talks about how leaving an unproductive habit benefited him and his business (5:01)
• Matt talks about the importance of leaving personal problems aside when it's show time (6:11)
• Matt explains how to deal with the hard-to-swallow-pill of failing (9:41)
• Matt explains how he manages to remain calm in critical situations (14:38)
• Matt shares a concrete example of how empowering internal customers translated into more revenue (17:27)

Resources:

• B&B Automotive Services website
• Superior Auto Service website

Connect with Matt:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

Aden McDonnell joins us today to talk about how rebranding and becoming the CEO of his businesses transformed his life. 

Aden owns two companies, McDonnell's ATS (Automatic transmission Specialists) and GOS Performance, and ran a third business, Destroked, a machine shop in Denver where he managed the sales and tech support. He rebranded and now operates his businesses under the umbrella of Greybeard Automotive. 

In this episode, Aden reveals what made him decide to rebrand without worrying about losing his clients or starting all over again. We discuss the importance for business owners to realize that just as they do, their brands, logos, and business can change and evolve with time. Aden talks about the book reading practice he turned into a habit in his company and the positive impacts of creating and maintaining the tradition of meeting with his team weekly to discuss the books they read.

We also talk about Aden's transition from business owner to CEO; he shares his thoughts on how liberating it is to create responsible leaders and delegate and how he uses his freedom to focus on strategic parts of the business.   

Some Questions I Ask:

• You recently had a transition in your business name. You've had a few different divisions of your business. So why don't we explain a little bit about what those are and what you were doing? And then why did we have to come up with a name change? (2:43)
• Can you talk about that book reading a little bit and explain that to our listeners? (12:55)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Aden talks about his three businesses and the services they provide (3:56)
• Why we must overcome the fear of rebranding and changing our business' name (6:39)
• Later never happens. Why we must take care of things as they come up (11:19)
• Aden talks about how he found time to work more ON his business and less IN it (16:08)
• Aden shares advice for business and shop owners (24:48)

Resources:

• Greybeard Automotive website
• Greybeard Automotive Instagram
• Greybeard Automotive Facebook

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

In this episode, Pam Tures brings a magnificent example of how liberating can be to develop a good second in command and a solid staff we can rely on.

As the co-owner of Lee Hill Auto Service, Pam built a supportive team that gave her the freedom to nurture her passion for artistic expression. She founded Bee-Potsitive Creations, the space where she produces fused glass and pottery sculptures, one of them recently accepted by the Smithsonian Museum on her work depicting her perception of COVID. 

Throughout our conversation, Pam talks about how she got into pottery and glass sculptures, the empowerment and freedom gained from building a reliable team in her business, and the moment she got the email from the Smithsonian Museum announcing they accepted her artwork be exhibited. She also describes the turning point when she realized and convinced herself that her art was worthy and valuable to folks and the importance of instilling an independent mindset in our internal customers. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Could you talk about your business, Bee-Potsitive Creations? (1:57)
• You didn't consider yourself an artist, right? You had a journey with all of that. Can you speak to that a little bit? (14:16)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Pam shares a bit about her journey and her relationship with art (6:09)
• About how the art piece soon to be exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum was born (9:03)
• How Pam embraced the idea that she was a business owner and an artist (17:35)
• Pam talks about how refreshing it is to come back to the business after spending quality time with our passion (23:14)

Resources:

• Bee-Potsitive Creations Facebook
• Lee Hill Auto Service website

Connect with Pam:

• Email: [email protected]

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

We are thrilled to have Bruce Spencer again on the show. This time, our conversation revolves around habits, creating space and time to rest, transparency, and freedom. 

After a long and successful trajectory in corporate America, Bruce decided to pivot and get into the automotive industry, buying Walt Eger's Service Center in Maryland. 

In this episode, Bruce talks about the importance of building healthy habits and the negative impact of not resting properly or treating our bodies poorly. We talk about how, as business owners, we must bring our best energy every day, why creating honest and open communicating channels is key to our growth, and how to increase retention by simply respecting our internal customers. 

Bruce also talked about why we shouldn't be cheap when paying our freedom tax and why he is entirely unapologetic when enjoying the benefits of his business. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The importance of generating a daily WOW effect for our clients (3:06)
• About the benefits of incorporating healthy and productive habits (5:13)
• How to motivate internal customers through transparency and goal setting (10:41)
• About Bruce's "Don't be cheap" model (14:12)

Resources:

• Walt Eger's Service Center website
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Bruce:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

Visiting us today is Bruce Spencer to talk about his experience joining the automotive industry as an "outsider." After several relocations following the needs of his corporate career, Bruce decided to pivot and find a way that allowed him and his family to settle down. Bruce found a fantastic opportunity to do so by buying Walt Eger's Service Center in 2016. 

Bruce Spencer is the Owner of Walt Eger's Service Center in Maryland; he is also the President of BJS Consulting and an experienced strategic leader of high-performing teams. 

In this episode, we delve into Bruce's journey transitioning from the corporate and consulting world into the automotive industry. We talk about the challenges he faced during the last six years, his thoughts and feelings about running a repair shop without being a technician, and the skills he brought into the business from his previous life. 

We also discuss the importance, as business owners, of knowing to take distance from our company, owning and replying to bad reviews, and clear communication with internal customers. In addition, Bruce shared his flawless approach to deciding what things he won't get involved in and spending time on them. 

Tune in to episode 31 of Maximum Octane and learn about Bruce's unique approach to the automotive industry.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Many people we talk to grew up in a shop; their parents or uncle had a shop. You come from a completely different world. Could you share your story with us first? (1:50)
• What advantages do you think you have, coming from outside the industry, to run this business? (11:17)
• So many people focus on what they want to do next, even having different systems for it. But you also do that with the things you will not be doing. Can you speak about that a bit? (20:13)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About how Bruce decided to join the automotive industry (3:10)
• How Bruce dealt with the fact that he doesn't "speaks technician" (9:13)
• Deciding what to work on is as important as deciding what not to work on (14:43)
• The benefits of taking ownership of bad reviews and using them to talk to future customers (19:48)
• Bruce shares his thoughts on weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities (24:43)

Resources:

• Walt Eger's Service Center website
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Bruce:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

After attending ATI's last conference in March, our guest, Wendy Hawk, decided to do something different with the information she gathered throughout the event. 

In previous years, the notes, the brilliant ideas, and the revolutionary methods compiled in a notebook would lie on a shelf, slowly drowning in oblivion. 

This time, Wendy decided to act, organize the notes, and use them to help her manage her business and personal life, make sure to reach her goals, finish projects on time, become a better leader, and be a more patient and emphatic person.

Wendy Hawk, General Manager of Riverside Auto Center, shared how organizing and planning her days was a life-changing decision. She described how she changed the dynamics of her business by committing to change every day a bit and highlighted the importance of treating ourselves with compassion when we fail. 

We also discuss how essential it is to check in regularly with those to who we delegate work, setting one-on-one meetings, and how breaking things into small pieces can be the solution to many of our problems. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• This year's ATI Conference helped encourage you to make some changes and get some things you needed to work on. Could you talk about that? (2:13)
• What do you think was the difference this time? What made you make that shift? (4:39)
• How has "leaving things for tomorrow" helped you stay positive and keep things going? (9:55)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About what made Wendy approach things differently this time (4:46)
• Why do we tend to beat ourselves when we fail to finish what we have planned to do, and how can we be less harsh with ourselves (9:51)
• Some non-negotiables that help Wendy remain sharp and responsive (13:59)
• How to use Wendy's method to live a more intentional life (17:47)

Resources:

• Riverside Auto Center website

Connect with Wendy:

• LinkedIn

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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

In today's episode, the #1 Relationships Coach, C. Regi Rodgers, visits us to discuss how we establish and build romantic and business-related relationships. 

Former renowned Pastor C. Regi Rodgers has been featured in "I'm Just Saying" from TCT Network, "Heavenly Sent" from the Word Network, "Atlanta Live" from TV 57 in Atlanta, and other local cable and national radio programming. Regi leads people to understand their own destiny and their power to create their own reality. He is a gifted teacher, speaker, mentor, and author.

Throughout our conversation, Regi shared the five stages of dating to help us create long-lasting and healthy relationships. We talk about the difference between having chemistry or a connection with someone, why we must look for consistency when meeting someone new, and how we can do it following our intuition. We delve into the limiting beliefs our image-based society instills on us, the importance of constant evolution, and how to develop soft skills to improve our problem-solving abilities. 

In addition, Regi revealed how to change the narrative of our thoughts to attract what we want and need in our lives and business and let the universe's choreographic abilities work in our favor.  

Some Questions I Ask:

• There are many very busy people who don't go out a lot. They rely on online dating. How do you relate chemistry or connection, those things that you speak about, to this? (5:42)
• I see with my friends, they meet people, talk and exchange pictures, and the pictures don't look anything like them. Why do you think people do that? (8:18)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About the first stage of dating, the Meet and Greet stage (3:44)
• Do you remember who you were before the world told you who you are? (8:13)
• The importance of being in constant evolution. Dating and marriage are a constantly evolving process (13:23)
• We need to normalize having arguments and focus on our problem-solving skills (20:21)
• We create, attract, and expand the world around us with our words (22:42)
• Regi shares some advice for people without healthy coping mechanisms (38:25)

Connect with Regi:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Let's connect:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

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