The PartsEdge Podcast

Coralee Zueff is the author of the Amazon best-selling book, Five Star Service Advisor where she provides guidelines for advisors, shop owners, and dealerships about proven management techniques. Effective communication keeps customers and technicians on the same page, eliminates conflicts, and increases profit.

Coralee believes that service advisors can diagnose miscommunication issues that can risk the business. With efficient sales skills, service advisors make it possible for shops to achieve their goals. Based in Canada, Coralee provides training and consultations for dealers and automotive businesses.

0:00 Introduction

1:00 The challenges of independent shops

3:00 Coralee’s Five Star Service Advisor

4:19 Women and automotive

7:09 Priorities of an import shop

8:00 Coralee’s hobbies

9:53 Piece of advice for younger self

10:41 Hardest lesson Coralee has learned in life

13:20 Reach out to Coralee

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with

LinkedIn: Coralee Zueff

Website: https://www.coraleezueff.com

Scott Armstrong’s expertise in fintech platforms propelled him to launch GasApp.io. This innovative payment system empowers automotive dealers and merchants in strengthening the loyalty of their customers. With dealerships and purchases earning them credits, customers can receive rewards such as fuel and other additional products and services.

Scott believes that change in the automotive industry is inevitable, especially when payment systems are now leveraging digital platforms. Integrating innovation helps auto dealerships improve their revenue stream. Scott also believes in the impact of collaboration, and this is what encourages him to help dealers achieve their success.

0:00 Introduction

0:46 What are the opportunities for dealers?

5:39 Technology that saves fees

12:06 LinkedIn connections

12:30 Innovations in the automotive industry

14:43 Loyalty is important

16:47 Scott’s earliest experience with hard work

20:23 Change is inevitable.

28:33 Future features of the payment system

29:25 Reach out to Scott Armstrong

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Scott Armstrong

LinkedIn: Scott Armstrong

Website: https://gasappauto.carrd.co

Carol Kitts is the fixed ops director of Schomp Automotive Group, with 11 stores under her watch. Based on her experience, automotive professionals can achieve success by setting realistic business goals, training their employees about new industry trends, and having a clear vision for the company.

With all her expertise, Carol always makes sure to include her family as her top priority. Even when corporate culture is present among businesses, they need to provide a space and opportunities for their employees to grow and be valued like family. As the industry faces inevitable changes, the best course of action is to welcome these changes and adapt with them.

0:00 Introducing Carol Kitts

3:50 Adjusting to a new customer demographic

6:50 Getting into real estate

9:10 Dealerships grow to the next level

10:19 Challenges in the fixed operations role

14:47 Future of the industry

17:58 Compassion and care in the family

20:50 Carol’s favorite car

21:40 Pet peeve for work

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Carol Kitts

LinkedIn: Carol Kitts

Website: https://www.schomp.com/

With the industry’s inevitable changes, how can automotive professionals and entrepreneurs keep up?

Scott Gregg acknowledges that change is constant and the best way to thrive in an ever-changing industry is to learn and adapt. As Tucson Subaru’s Fixed Op Director with 43 years of experience in the automotive business, Scott has witnessed these changes and still succeeded.

Scott cites the rising popularity of electric vehicles in the United States, which could mean a gradual decline of vehicles with internal combustion engines. However, automotive businesses will always be there to offer quality parts and cars, maintenance services, lucrative careers for professionals, and effective solutions for their clients.

0:22 Introducing Scott Gregg

02:11 Challenges in Dealership

06:08 Changes in the Industry

7:57 Preparing for the Industry’s Future

8:47 Scott’s Daily Routine

10:42 Scott’s Legacy

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Scott Gregg

LinkedIn: Scott Gregg

Website: https://www.tucsonsubaru.com/

Success in the automotive industry is achievable, but it depends on how car dealers run their business. For Sean Welsh, CEO and cofounder of Car Biz Done Better, innovation is key to stay on top.

Shifting from the corporate world to his entrepreneurial career, Sean finds the value of taking risks and strengthening connections. When he first started his business, he saw the advantage of maximizing available resources to accomplish goals. With social media’s massive reach, business owners can take their companies a step further.

Today, Sean’s business thrives with the mission to help sales executives and entrepreneurs save time and stay efficient by streamlining the process of serving vendors and sealing lucrative deals through effective digital marketing.

0:00 Introduction

2:30 Impact of LinkedIn

7:05 How Sean Started

11:00 Life in Colorado

18:44 Shift to Corporate Job

23:00 Innovation of Car Dealerships

29:31 Birth of a New Opportunity

37:08 Potential of Social Media

47:00 Impact of Content

50:49 From Idea to Business

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Sean Welsh

LinkedIn: Sean Welsh

Website: https://carbizdonebetter.com/

Innovation paves the way for an automotive business to stand out in an ever-changing competitive industry.

In this episode, FixedOPS Marketing Co-Founder and Managing Partner Russell Hill and Chief Marketing Officer Charity Dunning share tips on how dealerships can build their Fixed Operations brand online. Whether it’s designing their websites or posting on social media, Dealerships need to make sure that their Fixed Operations products and services are easily accessible to their customers.

As hosts of their own podcast show, Russell and Charity find potential in new methods to grow their business. By hiring the right people for the tasks and utilizing automations, they take marketing to a whole new level. Keeping up with the trends will open more opportunities for the business to expand, such as partnerships with popular automotive brands.

0:00 Introduction

2:55 Dealerships and Marketing

7:22 Future Plans

8:09 Difficulties and Challenges

13:13 Biggest Failure

18:53 Russell and Charity’s Podcast

21:17 Favorite Meal

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Russell Hill

LinkedIn: Russell Hill

Website: https://fixedopsmarketing.com/

Connect with Charity Dunning

LinkedIn: Charity Dunning

Website: https://fixedopsmarketing.com/

For Rusty Stewart, teamwork can overcome any challenge that the parts department usually encounters.

As the Fixed Ops Director at Akins Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Rusty believes that effective communication and the recognition of team members’ efforts will enable a healthy working environment. While meeting the needs of the clients is a top priority, the team needs to assess their resources and abilities to achieve this goal.

Each team member’s effort matters to the department’s success. Focusing on the results can streamline the process. But failures may still have their purpose. Rusty considers them as a learning opportunity that will help improve the team and the business.

0:00 Introduction

1:17 Opportunities for Dealers

3:22 Odd Accessories

4:40 Parts Manager

5:15 Advice On Parts

7:31 Improving Communication

8:44 Accountability

11:01 Failures

15:33 Respect and Empathy

16:52 Rusty’s Favorite Vehicle

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Rusty Stewart

LinkedIn: Rusty Stewart

Website: https://www.akinsford.com/

Shawn Butler knows how to turn obstacles into milestones for success. As the Fixed Ops Director for Bristol Honda in Johnson City, Tennessee, Shawn’s expertise in the automotive industry spans for thirty years. When challenges come in the way, he believes the best strategy to overcome them is to focus on the company’s vision, value their people, and provide the right needs for their customers.

Despite the damages brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in the automotive industry, their business continues to thrive today. Assessing the needs of the area where their company operates and serves have contributed to their ongoing success. How else can a business grow if not for providing what their customers ask for? Getting to know them and giving them what they need will keep the business going.

For Shawn, a business’ best marketing strategy is quality customer service. When people in your community have the assurance that your business is readily available to cater them, their loyalty stays even through tough times.

0:00 Introduction

0:53 Early Beginnings

1:55 Dealerships

3:09 Issues

5:30 Loyalty of the Team

7:30 Impact of Marketing

8:30 Parts Department

10:39 Biggest Failures

13:51 Favorite Cook-Outs

14:50 Hobbies

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Shawn Butler

LinkedIn: Shawn Butler

Website: https://www.bristolhonda.com/

Fixed Ops Solutions President Chris Schaubert joins this week’s episode where he underscores the value of connections, leadership, and balance. When he started in the automotive industry in 2003 with the help of his friend, he had grown a strong passion in car sales. Since then, he has devoted much of his career in the business.

Over the years, Chris discovered that strong leadership is the foundation of a successful business. To become an effective leader, one has to gain experience and learn about the trends in the industry. One also needs to lead with compassion.

Giving employees recognition for their hard work, even for small wins, is a good way to enhance rapport. As he puts it, a better work atmosphere where employees are valued will ensure a happier and more productive work environment.

0:00 Introduction

2:20 Fixed Ops Solutions

3:47 Issues of Training and Leadership

5:48 How Dealerships Address These Issues

8:54 Accomplishments

12:50 Favorite Places

14:23 Connect with Chris

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Chris Schaubert

LinkedIn: Chris Schaubert

Website: https://www.fixedopssolutions.ai/

Holden Scott has driven many wheels for Regal Nissan. Since he started working for the company in 2011, he’s been a dispatcher, a parts man, parts manager, executive assistant manager, and a lot more. When he got promoted to his current position as a fixed operations director, he became an expert in steering the company towards success.

Holden attributes this success to the employees who continue to help shape the company to what it is today and what it will be in the future. He believes that an engaging work culture where employees can learn, feel included, and get challenged to become their best selves is a key secret to their company’s success. With his background in the military, he advocates for a strong camaraderie where triumph can be achieved through strategic cooperation and tactical teamwork.

An engaging work culture keeps employees motivated and passionate. For Holden, the company’s success is everyone’s success.

In This Episode:

0:00 Introduction

3:11 Importance of Company Culture

5:48 People’s Interests

6:50 Obstacles in Dealership

9:38 Be Open and Candid

11:57 Biggest Failure

13:20 Accomplishments

14:58 Book Recommendations

17:08 Reach Out to Holden

Connect with Kaylee

LinkedIn: Kaylee Felio

Website: https://www.partsedge.com/

Connect with Holden Scott

LinkedIn: Holden Scott

Website: https://www.regalauto.com/