Maximum Octane

  • 101. How To Make Your Auto Shop Start Like the Lions and End Like the 49ers with Jason Patel and Geoff Berman

    39:43
    Marshall Goldsmith said it first and best, "what got you here won't get you there." This premise works virtually in every aspect of life, yet in business and sports, it is remarkably accurate. Competitors (and rivals) constantly look for weaknesses in our game to exploit, take advantage of, and outperform us. Even when we are winning, we must take a moment to reflect on what can be improved. So, what can we learn from the 49ers' comeback against the Lions last week? Today, on another NFL-related episode, I'm joined by Jason Patel and Geoff Berman to analyze the Lions' meltdown at the NFC Championship against the 49ers and what we can learn from it and incorporate it into our auto repair shop's strategy. Geoff and Jason are Performance Coaches at ATI, proud owners of innovative thinking, and two of the most inspiring and compelling thought leaders in the automotive industry. Throughout this episode, you'll hear about the importance of being adaptable and innovative as a leader, understanding the consequences of your actions, and working constantly to strengthen your auto shop's weaknesses just as much as you know your competitors' weaknesses. You'll also hear Jason and Geoff's thoughts on how to build positive leadership in rough times, why you must take a step forward and recognize your failures, how to motivate your technicians, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn: What did the Lions' meltdown teach us about growth strategies (4:20)Why adaptability is essential (9:00)The importance of being aware of our auto shop's weaknesses (13:20)What can you do to fail less next time? (16:50)Why do so many auto shops start strong and then decay? (24:30)What kind of half-time pep talk is the one you should be working on (30:00)Resources Mentioned:Book: Marshall Goldsmith - What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More SuccessfulAndy Griffith - What It Was Was FootballAbbott and Costello - Who’s On First?Connect with Geoff:LinkedInEmail: gberman@autotraining.netLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 100. How To Recruit A Swifities' Army for Your Auto Repair Shop with Jason Patel

    32:16
    Regardless of how often you watch football or how much of a Taylor Swift fan you are, as a business owner, you should (or at least we recommend) look closely at the power a faithful following is capable of. It took only rumors of her participating in the Super Bowl's halftime show to break the internet and transform virtually everything touched by that expansive wave into gold. How likely is it we create an army of followers as loyal as the swifties for our auto shop? Let's find out. In today's episode, I'm joined by Jason Patel to discuss how likely we are to create a massive, loyal following for our auto repair shops. Jason is a Performance Coach at ATI, passionate about creating compelling digital narratives to inspire and influence younger generations to embrace the Automotive Industry. Throughout this episode, you'll hear our take on the Super Bowl/Taylor Swift affair, the genius marketing she has behind her, and what we, auto repair shop owners, can learn from it. You'll also hear Jason's thoughts on the power of social media to promote our businesses, what social media every auto shop owner should concentrate their efforts on, the most effective ways of creating content, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About the Taylor Swift effect on the Super Bowl (2:40)What can auto shop owners do to boost their presence on social media (8:20)What is social media all about these days (14:20)How to get the reach in social media you want and need for your business (17:00)What the automotive industry can learn from the entertainment industry (21:00)What social media platforms every auto repair shop should build a presence on (24:00)Let's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 99. Throwback To Ep# 5 | Mixing Business and Family the Right Way with Kelli and Lee Weatherby

    44:10
    Is it possible to run a successful auto repair shop with your spouse, keep it stable and solid for three decades, work on your personal growth, and transition from business owner to CEO? The Weatherbys are living proof that it's possible and are here to tell you how they pulled that out. This week, we revisit my conversation with Kelli and Lee Weatherby, owners of Accurate Automotive. Together, they created a fantastic crew that became part of their family, have been serving the greater Phoenix and East Valley since the 1990s, and feel honored to work side by side with their team to ensure the vehicles of their community run safely.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear their thoughts on establishing boundaries, how and when to show gratitude, appreciation, and criticism, and dealing with the intersection of family and business affairs. You'll also hear about the tools that most helped them transition from auto repair shop owners to CEOs, why keeping communication clear and respectful is crucial, and much more.Tune in to episode 99 of Maximum Octane and learn from this family that put the best of their marriage into their business and vice versa. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Feeling comfortable being uncomfortable. The importance of setting boundaries (3:10)Recognizing each other's contribution to the family and the business (5:50)About the organizational chart that changed Kelli and Lee's lives (12:50)Family life bleeds into your business (22:50)Just as your kids, your team wants stability (25:00)Establishing anchors you can rely on when things get messy (37:50)Resources:Accurate Automotive websiteConnect with Kelli:LinkedInConnect with Lee:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 98. Throwback To Ep# 72 | Is Your Auto Repair Shop Undercharging For Its Services? with Brian Hunnicutt

    31:24
    How much does your auto repair shop charge for an accurate diagnosis made by an A Tech in 15 minutes? How much for the same diagnosis, made in 4 hours by your best B Tech?This week, we revisit my conversation with Brian Hunnicutt about the doubt that shows up quite often in every auto repair shop owner's mind: how to set rates that make justice to the value they provide. Brian shares his perspective as an Executive Coach and Certified Profit First Professional on why most auto shop owners rarely charge diagnostics properly, why they have the weird feeling of ripping their clients off when charging what they should, and how the automotive industry as a whole should deal with this issue. Additionally, Brian explains how to tell apart clients who want their cars fixed from those who want to spend the minimum possible, shares three questions he came up with to keep the front counter and the technicians in alignment, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The A Tech, the prima donna of every auto repair shop (2:10)Why do some clients get the wrong idea of how much auto repair professionals' time is worth? (8:40)It's 2023, and the automotive industry still struggles to charge diagnostic time properly (12:40)Three questions to align the front counter and technicians in your auto repair shop (18:00)Connect with Brian:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 97. Throwback To Ep# 60 | The B-side of Holidays with Mike Warren

    31:49
    Right after losing a loved one or while dealing with addiction, family reunions tend to be pretty hard. Especially Christmas and New Year's Eve, which are synonyms for peaceful times, filled with hope, good wishes, and quality family time.This week, we revisit my challenging yet necessary conversation with Mike Warren about the B-side of holidays, the challenges some people must go through, how being surrounded by nothing but smiles makes them feel, and what we, who aren't mourning or dealing with serious issues, can do to help them. Mike is an Executive Coach at ATI and an active member of the Christian recovery group Celebrate Recovery. He brings our attention to what Christmas and New Year's Eve represent to those dealing with addictions, the loss of a loved one, or even those just trying to avoid unhealthy foods.Additionally, he shares some tips for practicing acceptance, serving others, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why holidays are tough for many people (5:00)How to deal with family members that trigger us (9:30)Participating in every discussion is optional. Be mindful of your mental health (13:30)Why practicing gratitude is life-changing (21:40)Why we should stop glamourizing alcohol (26:20)Resources:Celebrate Recovery websiteConnect with Mike:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 96. Throwback To Ep# 61 | A Miracle From God with Lee Anderson

    37:07
    This week, we revisit my moving conversation with Lee Anderson, Service Manager at Integrity Auto Care in South Beloit, Illinois. Lee and his wife, Brittany, went from hell to heaven and everything in between before manifesting the arrival of their son, Asher. Throughout our conversation, Lee shared the highs and lows of his and his wife's struggle with infertility and the exhausting process of "speed dating" birth mommas to find the perfect match and fulfill the adoption requirements. Lee also explained the difference between closed and open adoptions, the risks parents might face when adopting without the support of any institution, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Lee and Brittany's background story (4:20)The excruciating process of "speed dating" birth mommas (8:10)Lee and Brittany's miracle from God (11:20)Where to start once you decide to adopt a child (17:20)Lee shares tips and advice for couples considering adoption (29:00)Resources:Integrity Auto CareConnect with Lee:LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 95. Throwback To Ep# 55 | Everything You Need To Know About Your Auto Policy with Richard Sharman

    31:49
    How familiar are you with your personal auto policy? This week, we revisit the second part of my conversation with Richard Sharman, in which he shared everything you must know about your auto policy. Richard is an Executive Coach at ATI with over 40 years of experience in the auto collision industry and insurance claims professions.Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Richard's thoughts on State limits and coverage exclusions, how to avoid getting caught off guard when accidents hit, and what happens with medical bills if you get into an accident while driving an uninsured passenger. You'll also hear about deductibles, exclusions, and what you should know before handing your car keys to an internal customer to "get something for you real quick."Buckle up and get your reading glasses because today, we dive right into the small prints of your personal auto policy. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Do States have coverage limits? (3:40)What happens when someone gets hurt in your vehicle (6:30)What are comprehensive and collision limits? (8:40)Does carrying the minimum protect you from being sued for larger amounts? (14:50)A quick auto policy breakdown (21:00)Some details of exclusions under liability to others (24:00)Let's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 94. Rev Up Your Marketing Efforts and Make Your Competitors Eat Dust with Kim and Brian Walker

    35:06
    Isn't it frustrating to know you are better than your competitors, yet you see them getting all the work? The only thing you must do to change that is to get your marketing efforts right. This week, I'm joined by Kim and Brian Walker, Owners of Shop Marketing Pros and Hosts of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, to discuss auto repair marketing, the importance of creating and presenting unique content, and why every auto shop owner should understand how marketing works. As former auto repair shop owners, Kim and Brian know the importance of increasing auto shops' online visibility and using that exposure to grow their client base. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear Kim and Brian's journey into auto shop marketing and how they "had to figure marketing out" themselves. You'll also hear why they invest a lot of their time in knowing their clients, why they believe having a customer success manager is crucial, why understanding marketing reports is as vital as receiving them, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Kim and Brian's backstory (3:10)Why did Kim and Brian decide to leave their auto shop and start a marketing business (7:00)As a business owner, you must become a people and money manager (12:10)What message do you send when your marketing content isn't unique (16:20)Know your audience and create content accordingly (23:10)Why every auto repair shop owner should learn about marketing (29:50)Connect with Kim and Brian:WebsiteThe Auto Repair Marketing PodcastKim's LinkedInBrian's LinkedInLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
  • 93. You Can Become an A-Tech and Repair Your Own Mind with Cally Rampis

    37:22
    Although talking about the pandemic in 2023 might sound like ancient times for some, many others are still struggling with the stress and anxiety of that epoch, and the worst part is that they aren't aware of it. In today's episode, I'm joined by the wonderful Cally Rempis to talk about entrepreneurship, stress release, anxiety and trauma relief, and the best methods to lower your cortisol levels. Cally is an Integrative Health Coach and Certified Hypnotherapist who, after consulting a hypnotherapist to figure out what was stopping her from feeling fulfilled, decided to become one, change her life, and help others change theirs. Throughout our conversation, you'll hear about Cally's introspective journey that led to all kinds of changes in her life: her looks, her thoughts, her career, and the way she sees the world. Cally also shares effective and ridiculously simple ways to lower your cortisol levels, tips and advice to leave stress in a drawer before going to work, how to incorporate meditation into your life, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Cally's first encounter with a hypnotherapist. The beginning of a new life (4:40)We all are molded by our experiences (7:30)Some people weren't made to work from home (13:10)How focusing on what you want tricks your brain (18:10)How to get rid of stress in a couple of minutes (24:20)Why hiring an outsider to look at the inside might be all you need (30:50)Connect with Cally:WebsiteInstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebookLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com
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