Digital Shop Talk Radio

It's the start of a new year (and a new decade, for that matter) which is the perfect time to set our sights on the goals we want to accomplish over the next year and beyond. What often gets left behind, however, is a plan on how to acheive them and examining their progress. On this week's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio, we have Roy Foster (Roy Foster's Automotive, Reno, NV) on to discuss how he uses AutoVitals to set ambitious goals for his shop and the steps he takes along the way to ensure his team hits their mark.

As technology shifts and shops become more digitized, the back end of the shop seems to get more of the focus when it comes to implementing new technologies leaving the front end to adjust accordingly. On today's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio we have Doug Brackett from Downtown Automotive (Nelson, BC) to tell us how he is using a technological approach to solve some of the issues that have come up at his shop such as customer engagement, going full paperless and workflow management.

As shop owners and managers, it can be so easy to get caught up in growing and running your business that it can be difficult to focus on what got you there in the first place - getting back to the basics. On today's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio, we are talking about fundamentals for every role in your shop with Bruce Nation from Westlake Independent Automotive. Bruce has been in the business for over 30 years, and is proof that mastering the fundamentals is crucial to growing your business.

Any business owner knows that their livelihood is largely dependent on having quality staff. As the independent auto repair industry evolves, it becomes increasingly difficult to staff roles in your shop properly. Changes in technology and the workforce have forced some shop owners to get a little more creative when it comes to hiring staff and what roles are present in their shop. On today's episode (LIVE on Facebook at 1p ET/ 10a PT) we have Digital Shop Conference 2020 presenter Fred Gestwicki (Fix it With Fred, Canton, OH) on the show to talk about how he uses some tried-and-true methods as well as some forward thinking techniques to successfully staff his shop.

Running your shop at peak efficiency can be a difficult task. That's why we have 2019 Digital Shop Conference presenter Devin Kelley (All-Star Automotive, Columbia, MO) on to discuss how he runs his shop so efficiently and how he uses his shop's efficiency to make decisions regarding the future of his shop. How does he do that? Devin will give us a look at the thought process behind being open six days per week instead of 5, and how he keeps efficiency in mind when planning for future expansion.

Even though much of your shop's marketing efforts have probably shifted online, there is still great value in balancing that out with networking and community events. One of the toughest things to do at these types of events is differentiate yourself from other shops in your area. On today's episode we have Digital Shop Conference 2020 presenter Russ Crosby (Russ' Wrench, Clinton, NJ) on the show to talk about how he uses the Digital Shop to make presentations and network at Chamber of Commerce events, BNI meetings or even meeting new folks.

Good business owners will tell you they are only as good as the people they have working for them. On this week's episode of the Digital Shop Talk Radio, we have Ryan Flattum from RMF Auto Service which has two locations in western Wisconsin to talk about his team and how they work together to accomplish pretty remarkable goals. We will talk about the ways he structures his team, the way they work together and how he works with them on professional development to ensure they are reaching their professional goals as well.

For decades, most auto repair shops made their money on fixing what ailed a vehicle. Mostly a reactionary and transactional approach to doing business. On this week's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio, we talk with Aden McDonnell of McDonnell's ATS in Livingston, Montana who decided a few years ago to quit waiting for the business to come to him and take a more proactive approach to running his shop. You don't want to miss this episode, as we are talking about how going digital can open new doors for your business by becoming more proactive in the way you approach your customer-base. We will also talk about the challenges being in a small town presents and how the Digital Shop can help move the needle regardless of location.

LIVE FROM AAIW! This week, the Digital Shop Talk Radio show hits the road to Las Vegas for Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. We have an exciting episode planned for you as we have industry veteran and author Mitch Schneider on to talk about how important it is to stay ahead of your competition by developing your skills as a shop owner among peers at industry events like AAIW. We will also talk about how career development can help prepare you for the challenges you face as a business owner. Heck, Mitch literally wrote the book on it! He is the author of Misfire: What to Do When Things Aren’t Running on All Cylinders.

One of the biggest hesitations shop owners have in going digital is how to handle the implementation process. How well will your staff buy in? How will they understand the value of what a Digital Shop can provide? How long will it take for them to get the hang of it? On this week's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio, we have Christoph Schopfer of Auburn Euro Motors on to discuss his shop's journey in going digital, what changes his shops had to make and what kind of advice he can give to shops who are considering going digital or who are new to the process.

Digital Shop Conference 2020 will be here in no time, so we thought we would give you a taste of what you can expect to see at this year's conference. We will have Fred Gestwicki, Jamey Whitlock, Matt Fowler, Russ Crosby and more on to talk about their previous experience at Digital Shop Conference and what they will be talking about at this year's show. Digital Shop Conference will be held from January 9-11 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. and will feature collaborative breakout sessions by other shop owners and their staff. For more information on Digital shop conference, visit www.autovitals.com/conference

Regardless of craft or industry, those who are truly great at what they do will often attribute their successes to a mentor, coach or teacher who truly helped them along the way. On this weeks episode we are talking about coaching: how to effectively receive it to become a better shop owner, technician or service advisor, and how to become a better coach to those around us. We welcome back Kathleen Jarosik of Xpertech Automotive in Englewood, Fla. to talk about her experience with coaches throughout her life and how she has used that to propel her shop to soaring heights. We will also chat about her role as a coach to others and how she is impacting the lives of future motorists and professionals in the industry.

In talking to successful shop owners and their staff over the years, one of the most common traits we have discovered among them is the ability to recognize their weaknesses and the passion for getting better at their craft. In this week's episode, we talk to three highly-successful shops which are self-admittedly weak at the pickup touchpoint. We welcome back Matt Fowler, Jamey Whitlock and Doug Brackett on the show while we follow their journey over the course of the next few months to transform their process at pickup and see the results in the KPIs. This week, along with AutoVitals trainer Bill Connor, we will talk about their current process and what goals they hope to reach by using a more improved process. We will check back in on Nov. 20th to see how they are doing and what changes they have implemented.

We talk a lot about workflow on Digital Shop Talk Radio, and on this week's episode we are going to take a deep dive into how an effective, custom-tailored workflow setup can help maximize the potential of your shop's output. Specifically, we are going to look at an area many have wondered about but aren't really sure what to think: full-time estimators. In this 30-minute episode, we have shop owner Dave Earp (Village Transmission, Edmonds, WA) on with host Tom Dorsey to talk about his full-time estimator and how he uses that role to maximize his shop's potential. We will also discuss what to look for in an estimator and how to help optimize your shop's workflow.

We talk a lot about workflow on Digital Shop Talk Radio, and on this week's episode we are going to take a deep dive into how an effective, custom-tailored workflow setup can help maximize the potential of your shop's output. Specifically, we are going to look at an area many have wondered about but aren't really sure what to think: full-time estimators. In this 30-minute episode, we have shop owner Dave Earp (Village Transmission, Edmonds, WA) on with host Tom Dorsey to talk about his full-time estimator and how he uses that role to maximize his shop's potential. We will also discuss what to look for in an estimator and how to help optimize your shop's workflow.

It can be so easy to get caught up on earning the business of new customers that marketing to your current customers can become somewhat of an afterthought. On this week's episode of Digital Shop Talk Radio, we have guests Jim Saeli (DRIVE) and Frank Scandura (Franks European Service) on to talk about how to set yourself up for success when marketing to your current clients and what pitfalls to look out for. Jim is a senior service consultant, instructor and shop inspector for DRIVE. With more than 35 years of industry experience and having owned a shop of his own, Jim is a highly requested keynote speaker, specializing in areas of management, marketing and employee relations. Frank owns and operates Frank's European Service in Las Vegas. Along with running an exceptional automotive repair business, Frank is an accomplished public speaker and frequent contributor to Digital Shop Talk Radio.

All too often, vehicle dropoff becomes a rushed interaction. Instead of exchanging keys and phone numbers, make drop off a time to connect with your customer in a positive manner and prepare them to make a good buying decision. On this week's episode we will take a look at some simple yet effective practices to improve your engagement with your customers at this crucial moment of customer engagement. We have a star-studded lineup of experts this week with Matt Fowler (Airport Automotive in Colorado Springs, Colo.), Doug Brackett (Downtown Automotive in Nelson, British Columbia) and Jamey Whitlock (Whitlock Automotive in Dripping Springs, Tex.) joining the show to discuss how their shops excel in this department and how you can turn drop off into a mutually beneficial experience.

This week on Digital Shop Talk Radio we are doing something a little different. Our guest, Jennifer Grady, Esq., is the daughter of auto-repair shop owners and now specializes in employment law and leadership training. Jennifer is going to share some insight with us on how to handle challenging legal situations, how to effectively implement sexual harrassment training in the workplace and record-keeping like a pro to protect yourself down the road.

Having talented techs in your shop is crucial, but any successful shop will tell you that their techs' success is due in large part to a team of skilled service advisors. This week we have two shop owners who truly understand the value and potential that a proficient SA wields. Frank Scandura of Frank's European Service in Las Vegas and Russ Crosby of Russ's Wrench in Clinton, NJ join the show to discuss the hills and valleys of finding and training good Service Advisors and how the reward is truly worth the investment.