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Shop Owner magazine explores management topics with some of the industry’s best shop owners and business leaders.
1 NOV 2024 · In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner, Lucas Underwood, owner of L&N Performance Auto Repair in Blowing Rock, NC, discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on the automotive repair community in North Carolina. Lucas describes how his shop and nearby repair businesses have rallied to support their devastated communities. Local shops have cooked meals for first responders and neighbors, helped with road clearing and offered free repairs for those in need.
The discussion between Doug Kaufman, ShopOwner’s editorial director and Underwood highlights the strong bonds within the automotive repair industry, emphasizing how professionals come together in times of crisis. The Automotive Service and Tire Alliance of North Carolina (ASTA) set up a GoFundMe campaign to support affected shops, which quickly raised over $100,000. Additionally, organizations like WorldPac and Scanner Danner joined in, providing essential resources.
Lucas and others will continue sharing this story and gathering support at the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, which serves as a central gathering for automotive professionals to connect and collaborate. This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity within the automotive repair community.
For more on how to support the relief efforts, visit ASTA’s website or Samaritan's Purse, a local organization involved in disaster relief.
Talking Shop with ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. The 2024 AAPEX Show will be held in Las Vegas, November 5-7. AAPEXShow.com
ASTAUSA.org
SamaritansPurse.org
29 SEP 2024 · What's the best type of training? Cheap, convenient, and quick might seem to be the best answer. It costs your shop money when your techs are not repairing vehicles, right. Well consider this: training may seem expensive, but continuous training isn't a cost. It's an investment in employees to retain talent and provide high quality service in the automotive repair industry.
In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner Doug Kaufman highlights the significance of continuous learning for technicians, service advisors and managers. Bill Snow, VP of franchise development at RadAir Complete Car Care and Tire Centers, joins to discuss various training methods and the challenges shop owners face in keeping employees up to date with the latest industry developments.
The conversation underscores that training isn’t just about gaining technical knowledge; it’s about fostering personal growth and strengthening relationships within the team and the industry.
Talking Shop With ShopOwner is sponsored by http://aapexshow.com, the premier business and networking event in the automotive industry.
4 SEP 2024 · According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 5,000 fires in automotive service and repair facilities each year. These fires cause an estimated $108 million dollars in direct property damage, result in about 10 civilian an 3 firefighter injuries, and often spread beyond the initial location resulting in even more damage and even deaths.
The worst news? They’re usually preventable.
In this episode of "Talking Shop With ShopOwner," ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman and Steve Lockwood from https://www.mountainstatefire.com/ in Mesa, AZ, discuss fire safety in automotive repair shops. They discuss the potential threats in the automotive industry, such as combustible liquids and sparks from equipment. They also mention the importance of maintaining electrical equipment and the common occurrence of fires in automotive shops.
Steve recommends shop owners keep their shops clutter-free and provide employee training on fire safety. He suggests reaching out to local fire protection companies or fire departments for resources and assistance. They also touch on the importance of sprinkler systems and the legal requirements for fire safety in shops.
This episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner is presented by http://AAPEXShow.com, the premiere business and networking event in the automotive industry. Training is one of the key aspects of AAPEX - For more information about the huge number of onsite training sessions or to register, visit AAPEXShow.com.- On September 28, the price increases to $120. During registration, you can add individual training sessions for $150 each. For more value, choose the AAPEX Seminar Package and get five sessions of your choice for only $400 ($350 in savings).
Visit http://www.mountainstatefire.com or your local fire department or fire protection agency to get more helpful tips.
30 JUL 2024 · Knowing the different personalities and dominant traits of team members helps with communication and prevents internal conflicts, says John Wade, owner of Super Eagle Auto Care in Charlotte, NC.
In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman discusses the challenges of finding, hiring and implementing your next ideal team member.
Flexibility and constant adjustment are necessary for successful teamwork. Finding the right employees who fit the team can be a challenge for owners. Growing too quickly without sufficient cash flow can lead to struggles.
The conversation touches on the challenges of employee retention and finding the right fit for the team and delves into the decision-making process of when to grow a business and the risks involved. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of effective customer communication and service advisors in driving growth.
Talking Shop with ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX2024. For more information visit AAPEXShow.com.
12 JUN 2024 · We all know the value of training - or do we? Is it always valuable? Is it alway effective? Should it always take top priority?
Naturally, you want to say yes, but experts say the RIGHT training for your team's needs is what's really crucial.
Today's episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner focuses on the challenges of training technicians and service advisors in the automotive industry. The guests, Dave Boyes and Ron Shanas from Today's Class, discuss the importance of training in a rapidly changing technological landscape and the difficulties shop owners face in finding time for training amidst busy schedules.
Together, they introduce their training platform, which offers daily training sessions in three to five-minute increments, tailored to the individual's role and experience. The platform uses adaptive technology to adjust the training based on the user's knowledge and provides feedback and opportunities for deeper learning. In a free-form conversation with ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman, the guests emphasize the importance of consistency in training and the benefits of their approach in terms of knowledge retention and engagement. They also discuss the flexibility of the platform, which can be configured to align with the shop's specific needs and services.
The guests highlight the ongoing development of the platform's content and its ability to adapt to changing industry needs. They also address common concerns and fears of shop owners, such as the perception of training as a game and the return on investment. They explain how the platform addresses these concerns and provides measurable outcomes, such as improved knowledge and performance, which can be used for salary increases, hiring decisions, and overall business improvement.
The guests invite listeners to visit their website (ShopSquadOnline.com) for more information, to participate in webinars or to learn more about the platform.
This episode is sponsored by AAPEX 2024, the premier business and networking event in the automotive industry. Visit AAPEXShow.com to learn more about the show, being held November 5-7 in Las Vegas.
28 DEC 2023 · Charles Dickens might have said it best when he began his story “A Tale of Two Cities” by saying "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” When you think about it, every year end review and new years forecast could be summed up exactly the same way. It’s all in how you look at things.
In this 2023 wrapup/2024 forecast episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman and Vic Tarasik discuss the state of the automotive industry at the end of the year and what to expect in the coming year.
Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner magazine and Tarasik, The Shop Owner Coach agree that 2023 has been decent, with some clients experiencing record months and trending towards a record year. They also discuss the positive impact of lower gas prices and the potential for increased vehicle maintenance and repairs as a result.
However, they acknowledge that things can change.
The speakers touch on the importance of being prepared for potential challenges and uncertainties in the coming year, such as supply chain issues and changes in consumer behavior. They also discuss the trend of some shops considering a four-day workweek and the benefits and drawbacks associated with it.
Overall, they emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be controlled within the shop and making decisions that prioritize the well-being of employees and the satisfaction of existing customers.
Talking Shop with Shop Owner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2024 AAPEX show, to be held November 5-7 in Las Vegas, visit AAPEXshow.com.
27 NOV 2023 · When the workday is over, the tools are put away, the computers have gone to sleep, the customers have driven away safely and the last tech has clocked out, washed up and left the parking lot, do you ever just take a minute to put your hands on your hips, look around your shop, take a deep breath and think, “Is this really all there is to life?”
If so, you’re probably not alone.
After a tiring day of being responsible for everything – from customers’ cars and their safety, employee productivity and their family’s security to your own business legacy, things can get a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot of stressful nights spent tossing, turning and considering what’s next.
Bryce Kenny understands what you’re feeling. Kenny, professional driver of the Monster Jam Great Clips Mohawk Warrior monster truck, says he has been stuck in routines that were intended to bring him one level of satisfaction, only to find out that he was stuck in the wrong gear.
In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner, Bryce Kenny, talks about his new book called "Geared for Life." In the book, Kenny shares his personal journey and offers advice on finding the courage to chase dreams and overcome fear. He emphasizes the importance of shifting into the next gear in life and making a lasting impact on the world.
Kenny believes that success is not about faking it until you make it, but rather believing in yourself and becoming the best version of yourself. He also encourages readers to look for ways to inconvenience themselves and to find meaning and purpose in their work. Kenny's book is available for purchase on various platforms, and he is passionate about helping others find their own gears and achieve success.
Talking Shop with Shop Owner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive aftermarketing business and networking event. For more information about the show, visit AAPEXShow.com.
24 OCT 2023 · We talk a lot about the challenges facing shops these days – from technology to training to technicians, it often feels like we have more problems than solutions.
In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, we endeavor to get answers to some of our questions. Doug Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner and Tomorrow’s Technician, talks with Jen Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting young people to pursue careers as automotive technicians.
TechForce provides scholarships, grants, and resources to help students get the education and training they need to enter the industry.
Tech Force recently launched the "Grab the Wheel" campaign, which aims to reach out to 13 to 24-year-olds who may be interested in becoming automotive professionals. The campaign focuses on empowering young people to take control of their future and consider a career as a skilled technician. Tech Force also offers a community platform where industry professionals can connect and support each other and encourages industry professionals, shops, and manufacturers to get involved by volunteering, making donations or posting job opportunities.
Tech Force is taking a group of students to the 2023 AAPEX Show, to expose them to the industry and show them the opportunities available. For more information on the foundation, visit TechForceFound.org
Taking Shop with ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX.
2 OCT 2023 · Would you go for a ride in a car that has no driver? Autonomous vehicles are making news every day and they're making some automotive professionals nervous. Are they the future of ride sharing? Are we destined to become a world of passengers? Today we're talking about taking a backseat and letting technology do to driving. We're talking Shop with Shop Owner.
Autonomous vehicles have been in the news a lot recently. Waymo, Google's self-driving car division has just announced success in putting completely autonomous vehicles into the field in Arizona. Yet there are still some challenges. Google says there have been cases where the test drivers in their vehicles fell asleep behind the wheel. A driverless car recently drove into wet concrete, mistaking it for a road, and studies from London have shown that self-driving cars and their cameras aren't yet perfect.
In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner, Doug Kaufman discusses the future of autonomous vehicles with Chris Piche, the CEO of Smarter AI. Piche explains that Smarter AI develops software platforms for AI cameras used in various applications, including driverless cars. He emphasizes that while AI cameras are not perfect, they are constantly improving and have already been used to enhance safety features in cars. Piche also discusses the challenges of data collection and processing, as well as the potential for AI cameras to detect complacent and distracted driving. He concludes by mentioning the increasing use of AI technology in commercial transportation markets.
This episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX, the automotive industry's premier training, technical and networking gathering. The 2023 AAPEX Show will be held in Las Vegas, October 31-November 2. For information, visit AAPEXShow.com
30 AUG 2023 · Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan once said, "Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent." While it's doubtful the Ryan Express was discussing the future of the automotive aftermarket, his words are just as true for us as they were for himself, as he found himself facing increasingly younger, stronger batters throughout his career.
In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, the Kaufmans continue their analysis of what's to come. Doug Kaufman with Shop Owner Magazine and Derek Kaufman, managing partner at Schwartz Advisors, talk about the future of this industry, focusing on the people, the ones who work in the shops, the ones who own the shops.
The common complaint is there's just no good techs out there. When the local fast food places are having trouble hiring workers, what chance do we have? What will it take to recruit, hire and retain top talent now and in the next several years?
Talking Shop with ShopOnwer is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX Show to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31-November 2, visit aapexshow.com.
Shop Owner magazine explores management topics with some of the industry’s best shop owners and business leaders.
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