How do you make the leap from Service Manager to General Manager? In SDR #326, Chris & Christian lay out the 7 key steps every ambitious Fixed Ops leader needs to follow if they want to run the whole dealership. Most Service Managers get stuck because they only think about their department.

But the path to GM requires mastering leadership, profitability, culture, and dealership-wide strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn exactly what separates managers who stay in the service lane from those who rise to the top.

We also cover: - The mindset shift every Service Manager needs before becoming GM - Why controlling hours per RO and gross profit isn’t enough - How to think like an owner, not just a department head - The importance of recruiting, coaching, and culture-building daily - Industry news, leadership lessons, and Top Dog updates

Whether you’re just starting to think about your next step—or you’re actively gunning for the GM seat—this episode gives you a roadmap to get there.

If you want more than just survival in Fixed Ops… if you want to run the whole show… this is the playbook.

#ServiceManager #FixedOps #CarDealership #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceDrive

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Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule

Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR

Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleaderbook.com

Grab our best selling books for your team: Your 90-Day roadmap to your best Fixed-Ops month ever starts here: https://swiy.co/F-ln

Millionaire Service Advisor also includes our 11-step Circle of Trust System: https://swiy.co/F-lq

When is a new service advisor really ready? In SDR #325, Chris & Christian break down training timelines, feedback loops, and why rushing onboarding ruins more advisors than it helps.

Plus, industry updates on Ford recalls, Nissan’s struggles, and more. We also tackle one of the most common questions in the service drive: how long does it actually take to get a new service advisor up to speed? Is it 6 months? A year? Or is there no set timeline at all?

Chris & Christian also reveal why “one-size-fits-all” training doesn’t work—and how dealerships can create smarter onboarding systems that build confidence, boost CSI, and keep advisors around for the long haul.

We also cover:

- Why there’s no universal timeline for training advisors

- How feedback loops and gradual workload increases build lasting success

- Leadership lessons on hosting, culture, and Top Dog Live prep

- Industry news: Nissan plant closure, Ford F-150 recall, and rising brand loyalty

If you’re serious about building a high-performing service team—and want to avoid burning out new hires before they’re ready—you won’t want to miss this one.

#ServiceDriveRevolution #DealershipLife #AdvisorTraining #FixedOps #ChrisCollins #TopDogLive

Offers on Training and Books in Description Below ⬇⬇⬇

OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u

Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule

Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR

Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleaderbook.com

Grab our best selling books for your team: Your 90-Day roadmap to your best Fixed-Ops month ever starts here: https://swiy.co/F-ln

Millionaire Service Advisor also includes our 11-step Circle of Trust System: https://swiy.co/F-lq

In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, we dig into a hot-button topic in the service lane: what to do when customers say "NO!" Should advisors really be trained to overcome objections?

Or is that outdated sales tactic actually hurting CSI, retention, and long-term profitability? We share stories from real dealership experiences—including a Range Rover service visit—and reveal why the way most advisors are taught to handle a “no” is broken.

Instead of teaching advisors to push harder, we break down how to build trust, create "key-thrower" customers, and design systems that prevent objections in the first place.

We also cover:

✅ The big announcement for Top Dog Live (October 23–24 in Los Angeles, with Chris Voss (Never Split the Difference)

✅ Why alignments, inspections, and advisor write-up systems make or break customer trust

✅ Real talk on recalls, dealer inventory shortages, and the reality of $5,000 mirrors

✅ Why treating symptoms (like “overcoming objections”) will never fix your dealership’s real problems

If you’re serious about running a more profitable, customer-focused service drive—and want to stop losing customers because advisors are taught bad habits—you need to hear this one.

 #ServiceDriveRevolution #DealershipLife #AdvisorTraining #CustomerExperience #ChrisCollins #TopDogLive #NeverSplitTheDifference

Offers on Training and Books in Description Below ⬇⬇⬇

OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u

Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule

Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Grab our best selling books for your team: Your 90-Day roadmap to your best Fixed-Ops month ever starts here: https://swiy.co/F-ln

Millionaire Service Advisor also includes our 11-step Circle of Trust System: https://swiy.co/F-lq

Welcome to Service Drive Revolution – In this episode, we dig into a surprising topic: What does Canada do better than the U.S.? (Hint: it’s not poutine, but it could change the game for dealerships everywhere).

If you care about the industry, the country, and your job in the automotive world, you may want to watch this one! We also hop around from hilarious stories about giving away Jeeps and monster trucks, to serious insights on vocational training, technician shortages, and dealership teamwork – this episode is packed with both laughs and lessons.

We also cover:

✅ A cutting-edge new way of doing the news – live, raw, and tech-powered

✅ A discussion about our next potential Service & Parts Manager Challenge (think: Corvettes, teamwork, and big prizes)

✅ How technician shortages are reshaping the auto industry – and how Canada’s immigration system might hold the solution

✅ Classic debates: red cars, recalls, audio systems, and even Rolex vs Corvette as the ultimate prize If you’re in automotive service or just love cars and business strategy, this one’s for you.

#ServiceDriveRevolution #Leadership #DealershipLife #AutomotiveService #CorvetteChallenge #Canada #TechnicianShortage #ChrisCollins

Offers on Training and Books in Description Below ⬇⬇⬇ OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleaderbook.com Grab our best selling books for your team: Your 90-Day roadmap to your best Fixed-Ops month ever starts here: https://swiy.co/F-ln Millionaire Service Advisor also includes our 11-step Circle of Trust System: https://swiy.co/F-lq

In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris and Christian break down the hard truth behind why over 50% of service managers are turned over every year — and it’s not what you think.

From raw, personal stories of their most personal firings to a detailed breakdown of industry failures, broken leadership systems, and the lack of real mentorship… this episode will hit home for anyone in the Dealership world.

What you'll learn: The real reasons service managers get fired (not just gross profit) Why firing someone never gets easier — even when it’s necessary Christian’s emotional story about firing a close friend Chris’ first-ever firing… as a teenage head "Lot Lizard"

How dealerships are failing their managers with outdated systems The 9 big mistakes that cost great leaders their jobs How to fix the turnover crisis and lead with vision and empathy If you’ve ever laid awake the night before a termination… if you’ve questioned your own value in your role… if you're tired of being set up to fail — this episode is for you.

Want to break the cycle? Chris and Christian share proven leadership lessons that reduce turnover from 50% to under 5%. 👀 Also in this episode: Chris’ book-carrying system and “everyday carry” video plug Why customer experience is the ultimate marketing tool How to design a service department that feels like a Tesla diner

Explore more: Check out our “Books That Changed My Life” series on the Library channel!

OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u

 Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule

Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR

This week on Service Drive Revolution, we’re pulling back the curtain on what most will never see. Not theory. Not hype. But raw, real numbers that tell the story of who’s actually winning in fixed ops—and who’s pretending. Some are still stuck in the mindset that says, “That can’t happen in my market.” Others are taking informed action and making their way to the green line of success - rewriting what’s possible inside a single service drive.

We're not just talking performance—we're showing you how leaders behave differently. What they pay attention to. What they no longer tolerate. How they’ve stopped making excuses and started producing undeniable results that punch through market limitations and dealership folklore. And yes—some of the numbers you’ll hear will sound impossible. Until you realize… someone’s already doing it.

What we're going to ask fundamentally is: What do you believe about your team, your market, your potential—and is it helping you, or is it holding you hostage? We're going deep on what SPOP really represents in the DNA of a team.

We're unpacking the shift from “we can’t” to “we already did.” Plus, in classic SDR style—we’ll take a detour through jet skis, AI agendas, and maybe a few uncomfortable truths about recall math and legacy thinking. If you want to laugh, learn, and maybe have your entire standard of performance shattered—this one’s for you.

#servicedriverevolution #fixedops #servicemanager #serviceadvisor #servicedriverevolution #podcast #auto #autoindustry #ford #autoindustrynews

OnDemand Training For Huge Results: https://chriscollinsinc.com/op/ondemand-sales-page/

Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can change your entire iutlook and get you on the green line of success. https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/15-minute-discovery-call

Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR

In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris and Christian dive deep into one of the challenges facing Service Departments today: How do you take a Quick Lube Tech and grow them into a Master Tech?

This isn’t just theory—we’re talking real, actionable strategies that can transform your technician pipeline. You’ll walk away with at least 3–4 powerful ideas that can immediately be implemented in your service department to reduce turnover, improve training, and build your bench.

💡 What You’ll Learn: Why it’s the Summer of Fixed Ops and how to capitalize on increased driving and travel The importance of creating a clear career path for your entry-level techs How to design systems where form equals function Why mentoring and career mapping matter more than ever How European-style vocational education might inspire new technician development models The real reason many Quick Lube Techs quit within two years—and how to stop it Plus, hear Chris and Christian talk about: Their hilarious road trip habits (spoiler: one loves RVs, one doesn’t 🚐✈️) Which cities top their global travel lists 🌍 The Automotive News list ranking dealership groups by service & parts revenue Why leasing, EVs, and midlife crises are reshaping car buying behaviors

👉 Whether you're a service manager, GM, or Fixed Ops leader—this episode is for YOU.

Offers on Training and Books in Description Below ⬇⬇⬇ OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u

Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our team to find out how Chris Collins Signature Coaching can grow your bottom line. http://bit.ly/CCIschedule

On this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris, Christian & Hogie talk with a very special guest - Dave. He's a Chris Collins Elite Member, lifelong automative industry veteran, and true leader in the industry! Dave shares his inspiring rise from Parts Manager to General Manager of a dealership and offers invaluable insights for Parts Managers, Service Advisors, Service Managers and all Fixed Operations staff aspiring to take their careers to the next level.

🔑 In this episode, we cover: How Dave overcame imposter syndrome to step into a leadership role. Why fixed ops professionals are perfectly positioned to become general managers. The surprising truth about why sales is easier than you think when transitioning from fixed ops. Misconceptions about the GM role and the realities of leadership. Practical advice for parts and service managers to think bigger and pursue their full potential. 🌟 Key Takeaways: Don’t let self-doubt hold you back—your skills in fixed ops are transferable! Leadership is about solving problems, building trust, and focusing on the customer experience. “Do it faster, don’t hold back!”—Dave’s advice for aspiring GMs. 📢 Plus, we dive into some wild LA stories (think Tesla shenanigans and road rage!) and share exciting news about a Philadelphia Catholic high school launching a technician training academy, supported by a $1M dealership donation.

🛠️ 👉 Want to learn how to break through limiting beliefs and lead like a pro? Watch now and get inspired! Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon 

🔔 to stay updated with new episodes every day. #servicedriverevolution #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorsuccess #autoindustry #automotivecoaching #serviceadvisor #servicemanager #fixedops #fixedoperations #chriscollinsinc

Ready to revolutionize your automotive shop with video inspections? They’re the hottest trend in the industry, but without a clear strategy, they can backfire. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris, Christian, and Hogi share the best way to make video inspections work for your shop—driving customer trust, technician buy-in, and serious growth.

Why watch? If you’re adding or refining video inspections, this is your must-see roadmap to success. Discover the 5 critical components that top-performing shops use to create consistent, trust-building videos that actually move the needle.

This isn’t guesswork—these insights come straight from our Elite coaching group, the best service managers in the country, backed by decades of real shop experience. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to train your techs to shine as on-camera communicators The secret to a standardized process for flawless consistency Proven ways to highlight the positive and build customer trust How to ditch tech jargon for clear, customer-friendly language Why honest inspections are non-negotiable—because fake data flops 

📞 Got questions? Reach out at 833-3-ASK-SDR 🎓 Grab exclusive books and training at https://offers.chriscollinsinc.com 🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay ahead with our latest tips! ❤️ The shops that dominate with video inspections are the ones who act with purpose and get ahead of the curve. If you’re ready to elevate your shop and win big, this video is your first step to getting it right. OnDemand Training For Huge Results - https://shorturl.at/j7J8u

Join us on Service Drive Revolution for an informative roundtable discussion about the NEXT impending crisis in the automotive industry! From tariffs to arranged marriages (yes, you read that right!), our expert panel—Chris and Christian, along with coaches Jean, Cliff, Hogie, Vicky, and Fairborz—dive into the challenges facing service departments and dealerships. We reflect on past crises like COVID, the 2008 recession, CDK outages, and even the Ford Pinto gas tank debacle, sharing lessons learned and strategies that separate the winners from the losers.

 Discover why adaptability, mindset, and preparation are key to thriving in any storm, and how top performers turn challenges into opportunities. Plus, get a view into our upcoming quarterly virtual meeting, where we’ll cover hot topics like The Five Love Languages of Parts, Parts is from Venus, Service is from Mars, and Atomic Habits of the Service Department. Find out which session our panel is most excited about!

🔥 Key Takeaways: How successful dealers double down on what works during a crisis Why tariffs and rising costs could actually benefit service departments The power of creative solutions, like delivering pizzas to frontline workers Why the auto industry resists change—and how to break the cycle

📞 Have a question? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR and we’ll answer it on air!

🔔 Don’t miss a single episode—subscribe and hit the bell icon for daily uploads! #servicedriverevolution #autoindustry #crisismanagement #dealershipsuccess #automotiveservice #servicemanager #serviceadvisor This video is perfect for service