Maximum Octane

Are you aware of the power of coaching and strategic planning to help you elevate your collision shop to the next level?In this episode, we learn from Jeff Zalis' innovative views on how to take collision shops to the leading edge. Jeff is the Owner of "Specialized Auto Craft, Collision Specialists" and a tireless entrepreneur constantly looking to improve his auto shop through transparency with the customer, polishing processes and procedures, and putting the latest technological advances to the service of his auto repair shop.  Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Jeff's unique approach to helping collision shops move forward and how he elevated his shop, Specialized Auto Craft, to the next level through planning and executing growth strategies effectively. Jeff also shares his thoughts on the importance of coaching's guiding hand, how to deal with the challenges of automotive sensor calibrations, and how he improved his documentation process to optimize OEM repair procedures.Jeff also talks about the importance of transparency when dealing with total loss, how he deals with the constant changes in the insurance industry, shares practical tips for independent repair shops, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Jeff talks about tax and benefits load in the collision industry (3:50)Why transparency is crucial when dealing with total loss (9:10)Jeff shares his thoughts on dealing with insurance companies (16:30)How to optimize documentation processes (20:40)It is not "buy the machines, and you are ready to go." Jeff talks about adding new tech the right way (24:50)Connect with Jeff Zalis:Specialized Auto Craft WebsiteLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Do you feel it is time to expand your auto shop and don't know where to start?In today's episode, Robbie Windham from Windham Body Shop joins us to share the blueprint of his auto shop's growth and expansion strategy. Robbie's shop is in New Albany, Mississippi, a small town of about 10,000 people; they recently doubled its size, hired internal customers for their office, parts, blueprints, and paint, got new technicians, and even added an ADAS area.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Robbie's expansion and growth strategies, his approach to dealing with insurance companies, and maintaining high-quality standards while adding new internal customers to his staff. Robbie also shares insights on managing a young team, how keeping an upfront communication style helped develop a culture that supported his auto shop's growth, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Robbie shares some details of Windham Body Shop's expansion (2:20)The challenges of implementing an ADAS section (3:10)Training internal customers for new systems (4:40)Robbie talks about how he deals with insurance companies (7:20)The multiple benefits of upfront communication (16:20)What are the strategic reasons for expanding your auto shop (17:10)How to train and retain a young and motivated workforce (21:00)Connect with Robbie Windham:Windham Body ShopFacebookLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Sometimes, we forget we are in people's business, not the car business. Cars are what bring people to us. - Geoff BermanIn today's episode, Geoff Berman joins us to discuss auto shop repairs' convenience in customer experience and dealing with those moments when the backstage and the front stage intersect.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Kim and Geoff's thoughts on the importance of focusing on the small things that make external customers return to your auto repair shop. They also discuss why creating seamless and stress-free experiences for clients is worth hundreds of times more than simply fixing their cars, and a crucial element some auto shop owners unbelievably forget: marketing how convenient they are!Additionally, you'll hear about the importance of involving both internal and external customers in identifying areas to improve customer experience, how to keep backstage behavior and mannerisms away from the front counter, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:When backstage moments cross the front counter border (2:00)How convenient is your auto repair shop? (7:20)Do your clients know what conveniences you have for them? (15:00)Conveniences don't cost a lot of money (20:10)Make your auto shop as convenient as you can (24:50)Resources:Book: Jon Taffer - Raise the Bar: An Action-Based Method for Maximum Customer ReactionsConnect with Geoff:LinkedInEmail: gberman@autotraining.netLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

What is the best way to create a culture that positively impacts your auto repair shop?In this episode, Jason Patel, Geoff Berman, and ATI's Collision Division Vice President, Keith Manich, learn from Fred Gestwicki Jr. from Fix It With Fred about the multiple benefits of clear communication and transparency when building an exciting and growth-promoting culture. Fix It With Fred is an AutoTechIQ Certified shop, and a cutting-edge technology-equipped auto shop in Canton, Ohio, that has been committed to customer satisfaction for over 13 years.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Fred's insights on building a positive work culture, providing proper training, and empowering internal customers to improve efficiency and productivity. You'll also hear Fred's thoughts on including different pay plans to incentivize employees, like progressive flat rates, hourly pay, and profit sharing, and why it's imperative to build on clear communication, transparency, and accountability for making any of those work.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Fred's background and Fix It With Fred's mission (2:40)Why it is crucial to have someone who loves "handling numbers" (8:00)Fred shares his thoughts on the benefit of including different pay plans (14:40)Why proper training can help you make more money (22:10)How to get ready for a mindset change as auto repair shop owners (27:00)Connect with Fred Gestwicki Jr:Fix It With Fred WebsiteFix It With Fred InstagramFix It With Fred TwitterFix It With Fred FacebookLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Can we be ready for the unexpected? Of course not; its main characteristic is arriving without previous notice. Still, there are things we can have in place to reduce the impact of unforeseen events: it's called strategic planning.In today's episode, you'll hear about the challenges John Blanton and his son Jackson went through, from John starting his business in his garage to opening a second location, all while dealing with Jackson's health issues and, by the end of this episode, I bet you'll want to be just like Jackson when you grow up. John has been the Owner of Barebones Automotive in Danton since 2011 and his second location in Krum since 2019.We had a fantastic conversation about John's journey from working seven days a week, 20 hours a day for years to getting coached and figuring out how to spend less time in his business and more time on the business. They talked about Jackson's heart transplant and his miraculous recovery, their future plans, the benefits of coaching and strategic planning, and so much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:From fixing cars in his garage to opening a successful shop (2:00)Jackson talks about his heart condition and the whole transplant odyssey (5:50)How it was for John to run a business while Jackson was at the hospital (12:40)The importance of teaching our kids about business in the real world (17:00)Jackson talks about where he sees himself in three years (29:50)Geoff reflects on legacy, and living to make an impact (36:00)Connect with John Blanton:Barebones AutomotiveLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Do you feel your auto repair shop is ready to embrace AI?In this episode, we are joined by industry experts Dan Garlock, Mike Bennett, and Ricky Jordan Jr., who provide a glimpse into the automotive industry's future after the disruptive arrival of AI. Whether we see this "Google on steroids" as a powerful tool, an efficient assistant, or the little push humanity needed to lose its soul, AI is here to stay, and it seems the best way to deal with it is by learning how to do it.Throughout this episode, you'll hear our guests' thoughts on using AI to improve customer service, streamline processes, and enhance marketing efforts. We also discuss whether AI is an industry savior or a tool to fix broken processes, how we can use it to improve business operations, how it can help us produce exceptional customer experiences and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Is AI here to fix auto repair shops? (4:00)About AI's potential to assist us in creating customer service of quality (8:10)Why seeing AI as a definitive solution is a problem (16:30)What's the balance between automated and human customer service (23:30)If you have a process, AI can help you with it (27:50)Connect with Mike Bennett:LinkedInConnect with Dan Garlock: Silverlake Auto & Tire Centers' websiteConnect with Ricky Jordan Jr: Fifth Gear Automotive's websiteLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

How effective are your strategies to attract and retain A-Techs and higher-end sales professionals?In this episode, Dan Garlock, President of Silverlake Auto & Tire Centers, and Ricky Jordan Jr., President of Fifth Gear Automotive, join us to share their approaches to attracting and retaining talent in the ever-evolving automotive industry market. Throughout this episode, Dan and Ricky share their experiences shifting from passive to active hiring approaches, fostering a culture of intentionality, and providing their internal customers with the space and opportunities to grow. They also explain the importance of aligning recruitment strategies with the company's values and goals, implementing effective hiring practices, and more. Additionally, they talk about the dos and don'ts of interviewing technicians, the advantages of exposing internal customers to the decision-making process, the tools they use to aid their hiring processes, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The differences between active and passive hiring (2:30)A different approach to quarterly meetings (8:30)How to get mission, vision, and values involved in the hiring process (10:40)How to promote internal customers' growth and opportunities for development (16:00)Using formal training for fostering continuous learning and development (19:20)The importance of mixing up hiring channels to attract diverse talent (20:40)Resources Mentioned:TeamtailorConnect with Dan Garlock: Silverlake Auto & Tire Centers' websiteConnect with Ricky Jordan Jr: Fifth Gear Automotive's websiteLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

What kind of auto repair shop do you wish to build? One with excellent customer service, one that is comfortable and visually pleasing, or one with incredible installations for your internal customers? Kori and Troy: Yes.In today's episode, a power couple joins Kim, Jason Patel, and Geoff Berman at ATI's Annual Super Conference, the owners of Graham Auto Repair, Kori and Troy Vaninetti. They started at Kori's stepdad's auto shop when they were teenagers, and after cleaning toilets, picking up millions of cigarette butts, and sweeping the floor thousands of times, they worked their way up and bought the place. From day one, they treated the place as if it was theirs, which eventually happened. We had a fantastic conversation about Kori and Troy's extraordinary transition from internal customers to owners, the advantages their experience as auto shop employees gave them at the moment of leading technicians, and their unnegotiable convictions on building a culture they feel comfortable with. Kori and Troy also share their thoughts on the importance of creating a cozy space for internal customers and how to keep bench warmers happy and active. Additionally, you'll hear Kori and Troy's experiences opening a second location, how they found out the things they didn't know they didn't know, their "give 'em the pickle! approach" to customer service, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How it all started for Kori and Troy (2:30)Troy talks about the challenges of building the auto shop of your dreams (7:20)The importance of taking care of your internal customers (12:00)How to turn your auto shop into the "Garage Mahal" (18:00)Kori and Troy talk about the challenges of opening a second location (22:20)How to keep your bench warmers engaged (27:30)Kori and Troy find out the things they didn't know they didn't know (32:50)Connect with Kori and Troy Vaninetti:Graham Auto RepairGraham Auto Repair Yelm, WAFollow Graham Auto Repair on InstagramFollow Graham Auto Repair on FacebookLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

If you were parachuted into the middle of the automotive industry, would you know where to start to build a profitable auto repair shop? Today's guests, Terry and Travis Griffith, weren't precisely parachuted into the automotive industry since their love for cars runs in their family. Yet they were "merely" car enthusiasts when they bought Ocala Auto Repair and turned it into one of Florida's most successful family-owned and operated auto repair shops.In today's episode, they share their experiences getting into the automotive industry with a hobbyist mindset, the lessons learned, the adjustments they made to adapt to the space, and how their diverse background helped them turn their new adventure into a raging success. Terry and Travis also talk about how they shaped Ocala Auto Repair's culture and how they keep things fun while respecting boundaries.Additionally, you'll hear about how they masterfully divide their tasks and responsibilities, how they settle the differences their generational gap and the father/son relationship keeps bringing up, their marketing approach, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What led Terry and Travis to buy Ocala Auto Repair (2:30)From car enthusiast to auto repair shop owner (5:20)The importance of having clear duties and job descriptions (8:00)Marketing and generational differences (13:20)How to create a fun environment while keeping clear boundaries (18:30)Smiling faces get a lot of responses (26:10)Connect with Terry and Travis Griffith:WebsiteInstagramFacebookPinterestLet's connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com