Maximum Octane

Service advisors are a vital part of every auto repair shop. Making the right choice when hiring them can be the difference between boosting your automotive business, slowing it down, or drowning it. Ask yourself a simple question, would you rather bridle a racehorse or saddle a donkey? Because you'll work as hard for both of them. In today's episode, I'm joined by Jodi and Darren Knepper, Franchise Owners of Lee Myles Auto Care & Transmissions, in two separate locations, Birdsboro and Reading, Pennsylvania. Throughout our conversation, Jodi and Darren shared their experiences as franchise owners for almost two decades and how they balance having to "follow some rules" and imprinting their own style to the business. They also talk about the advantages of working with DVIs in clients' cars and how crucial service advisors are to selling them to customers. Additionally, they share their thoughts on hiring the right service advisor for auto repair shops, their passion for cars, and the funny story of how expanding their business to a second location came up.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why DVIs make Auto Care and Transmissions shops' lives easier (6:18)What's the primary trait every service advisor should have (8:28)Would you bridle a racehorse or a donkey? (12:08)How to realize if someone is service advisor material (14:11)Where is the best place to get good service advisors (17:13)The story behind owning a second auto repair shop (17:59)Always be the dumbest person in the room (26:47)Resources:Lee Myles Autocare & Transmissions websiteConnect with Jodi:LinkedInLet's connect:LinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

Even when games feel under control and coaches can taste victory, they must be prepared for the unexpected. What if their star player injures or gets ejected? In that case, only an eager and capable bench can save them. With automobile repair shops is the same. Your internal customers might be doing great, yet you must have a few replacements lined up, just in case, ready to jump on the field when needed. In today's episode, I'm joined by the extraordinary Geoff Berman, an innovative thinker and Performance Coach at ATI. Together, we discuss why auto repair shop CEOs should invest more time in having a skilled bench to replace (if needed) any internal customer. Geoff explains how to gather the right candidates for your bench, the difference between recruiting and hiring, and the ideal depth for a bench.We also go through why you should avoid hiring in a hurry, the 90/10 rule, and so much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:What losing an internal customer can cost us (3:20)Why the deeper the bench, the better (7:48)The differences between recruiting and hiring (11:13)The importance of training B and C techs (18:01)Even if you have 20 years of experience under your belt, you must keep practicing (20:41)Just because you've been doing it for years, it doesn't mean you are good at it (27:20)Connect with Geoff:LinkedInEmail: gberman@autotraining.netLet's connect:LinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com

PTSD and severe wounds don't really care about political views, party affiliations, or opinions on sensitive topics. They exist, they are real, and they affect thousands of real American people. On the bright side, providing massive help to them is pretty simple; anyone can do it, and it doesn't require communing with any particular political view. In today's episode, I'm joined by the inspiring Leslie Hunt and her infectious energy. She is the Director of Donor Partnerships at Hope For The Warriors®, a private company dedicated to serving those who served and their families, helping military veterans to transition into civilians, get employed, and deal with mental and physical health issues. We talk about the things society and most institutions fail to provide for military veterans and their families, the importance of peer-to-peer mentorship, and the impressive work of Hope For The Warriors®. We also discuss how auto repair shops can benefit from employing veterans and the multiple (and effortless) options we have to extend a hand and offer valuable help. In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about Leslie and Hope For The Warriors® (1:59)The things veterans and their families are missing and struggle to get (6:06)How helpful peer-to-peer mentorship can be (10:07)What makes Hope For The Warriors® one of the best charities out there (17:05)How veterans can solve the #1 problem of most auto repair shops owners (21:58)The military-civilian translator and other Hope For The Warriors® resources (25:05)Resources:Hope For The Warriors® websiteConnect with Leslie:LinkedInLet's connect:LinkedInFacebookEmail: info@maximumoctane.com