Options For Getting Started in the Automotive Industry With Michael Wright of First Call

Gearbox Podcast

#Lifestyle #Business #Auto #MRSM Productions #Jimmy Purdy

33:58

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being "qualified" in the workplace, examining who gets labeled as such, who doesn't, and the underlying reasons. We explore "competency checking"—the practice of scrutinizing individuals' abilities—and how it disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, often going unnoticed or unchallenged. Our discussion aims to redefine qualifications in a fair, equitable, and actionable manner. Our guest, Shari Dunn , is an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, university professor, and sought-after speaker. She has been recognized as Executive of the Year and a Woman of Influence, with her work appearing in Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, and more. Her new book, Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work , unpacks what it truly means to be deserving and capable—and why systemic barriers, not personal deficits, are often the real problem. Her insights challenge the narratives that hold so many of us back and offer practical solutions for building a more equitable future. Together, we can build workplaces and communities that don’t just reflect the world we live in, but the one we want to create. A world where being qualified is about recognizing the talent and potential that’s been overlooked for far too long. It’s not just about getting a seat at the table—it’s about building an entirely new table, one designed with space for all of us. Connect with Our Guest Shari Dunn Website& Book - Qualified: https://thesharidunn.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/sharidunn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesharidunn Related Podcast Episodes: How To Build Emotionally Mature Leaders with Dr. Christie Smith | 272 Holding It Together: Women As America's Safety Net with Jessica Calarco | 215 How To Defy Expectations with Dr. Sunita Sah | 271 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! 🔗 Subscribe & Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music…

há 2 anos 1:01:04

MP3•Home de episódios

In this episode, Michael Wright shares his experience in the automotive industry and how he started as a driver to reach where he is today. He shares how he's able to stay on top of the parts game as well as the keys to building strong relationships to ensure you get the right parts when you need them.

00:04:12 Know what you sell.
00:09:16 Stop and think before buying.
00:10:07 Support local technicians and shops.
00:15:51 Don't skimp on maintenance.
00:23:07 Access parts quickly.
00:27:02 Back up parts with service.
00:32:57 Build strong relationships.
00:37:04 Build relationships through delivery.
00:38:29 Advancement available in the industry.
00:46:59 Check everything before replacing.
00:50:01 Call a technician first.
00:56:46 Advance beyond traditional mechanics.
00:58:06 Automotive industry is evolving.

77 episódios

Options For Getting Started in the Automotive Industry With Michael Wright of First Call

Gearbox Podcast

published há 2 anos

MP3•Home de episódios

77 episódios

#Lifestyle #Business #Auto #MRSM Productions #Jimmy Purdy

Todos os episódios

1
Revolutionizing Repair Estimates with Brandon Jones of Hub Shop Solutions 42:42

há 3 dias42:42

42:42

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast , we sit down with Brandon Jones , a former shop owner, coach, and leadership mentor , who is on a mission to change the way repair shops estimate jobs. Brandon has just launched Hub Shop Solutions , a groundbreaking company that provides a team of remote estimators , allowing service advisors to focus on what truly matters— building strong client relationships . We dive into Brandon’s journey from shop owner to mentor and now entrepreneur, exploring how his new venture is helping shops improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction . Whether you're a shop owner, service advisor, or industry professional , this episode is packed with insights on streamlining operations and boosting profitability in today’s fast-paced automotive world. Tune in to learn how Hub Shop Solutions is reshaping the future of repair estimating ! 🚗🔧 #AutoRepair #ShopSuccess #TheGearboxPodcast…

1
"Finding Your Own Path: Cutting Through the Noise in the Auto Repair Industry with David Marks" 1:06:59

há 10 dias1:06:59

1:06:59

1
Shifting Profit: Jaron Kleber on Stopping Free Work & Raising Labor Rates 36:46

há 17 dias36:46

36:46

Are you giving away free work without even realizing it? Struggling to raise your labor rate without losing customers? In this episode of The Gear Box Podcast , we sit down with Jaron Kleber from Repair Shops of Tomorrow to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the automotive industry—knowing your worth and charging for it. We’ll break down why so many shop owners underprice their services, how to confidently set and increase labor rates, and why giving away ‘freebies’ is costing your business more than you think. If you want to build a more profitable, sustainable shop, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!…

1
David Toole Shares Tips for Managing Multiple Auto Repair Shops 1:18:17

há 23 dias1:18:17

1:18:17

Today, Jimmy Purdy and David Toole talk about the pros and cons of owning multiple repair shops. David emphasizes creating a strong shop culture, particularly when expanding locations. He shares advice on preforming reviews and evaluations of technicians to ensure they are aligned with shop standards and discusses the challenges involved in managing financial aspects of a growing business. 00:00 Streamlining for Growth and Profit 07:52 Interviewing: Beyond Questions, Assessing Fit 12:56 Repair Level Evaluation Process 19:34 Embracing Classic Cars Against Trends 24:41 Occasional Vehicle Mechanic Consultations 27:42 Valley Springs Acquires Giant Tree 33:51 Teen Driver Lands Job at 17 39:36 "Transforming Work Culture" 45:56 Balancing Workload and Staffing Ratio 49:16 Learning from Skilled Shop Owners 56:29 From Transformers to Team Investment 58:43 Seeking Independence in Coaching 01:08:05 Employment Regulations Hinder Productivity 01:12:08 The "Unneeded Feeling" Dilemma 01:17:08 Dave the Car Guy Updates…

1
Organic Growth vs Paid Ads in Repair Shop Marketing | Christian Mosley 1:02:57

há 4 weeks1:02:57

1:02:57

Christian Mosley joins Jimmy Purdy to talk about automotive repair shop marketing. Christian talks about the pros and cons of social media how many shops have found wide success online. Jimmy shares his experience offering no-cost inspections to improve customer retention, saying that their retention rate increased significantly. The bottom line, though, is that quality work and good processes are essential in long-term customer relationships. 00:00 Understanding Client Lifetime Value 08:29 Targeted and Broad SEO Strategy 12:42 "Building a Self-Sustaining Business" 18:37 Convenience vs. Personal Interaction 25:49 Unexpected Positive Impressions Matter 29:18 Pre-Digital Marketing: Mailers and Tracking 32:14 Optimizing Repair Specials Timing 42:12 Reducing Resistance Increases Success 47:03 "Finding the Right Customer Fit" 50:25 Prioritize Quality Over Marketing 54:48 Business Audit and Digital Review 58:44 Comprehensive Digital Marketing Solutions…

1
Mike Allen Gives Free Diag and Won't Apologize 46:16

há 5 weeks46:16

46:16

In this episode of The Gearbox Podcast, Jimmy Purdy and Mike Allen talk about adaptability in today's industry. Mike shares why he offers free diag and gets into the constant balance between maintaining quality service and achieving growth. Listen to Mike Allen's new podcast "Confessions of a Shop Owner" HERE 00:00 Rural Store to Automotive Career 04:13 College Dropout Party Life 07:59 "Anomaly and Natural Selection in Business" 10:33 Assessing Growth and Contentment 14:32 Diagnostic Compensation Unchanged 19:10 Two Possible Conversation Outcomes 20:34 Owner Operators' Confidence Struggle 23:10 Value of Paid Coaching vs. Free Info 28:29 Scaling Business Challenges 30:19 Overvalued Small Business Reality Check 34:25 Cash Flow and Cars Debate 36:49 Technician's Emotional Roller Coaster 40:03 Scaling Challenges and Service Quality 43:19 Customer Relations Impact Warranty Perception 46:00 Evening Party Plans…

1
Coralee Zueff's Top Tips to Help Technicians Trust Service Advisors 51:56

há 6 weeks51:56

51:56

Today, Jimmy Purdy and Coralee Zueff talk about shop management and how to find the ideal ratio of technicians to service advisors. Jimmy asks Coralee to share her experience and advice to shop owners on how to gain trust between advisors and technicians. Coralee gives tips on setting expectations and improving diagnostic processes for shop owners. 00:00 "Gearbox Podcast: Automotive Journeys" 05:42 Setting Customer Expectations as Advisors 07:17 Flexible Collaboration in Auto Shops 09:50 Streamlining Diagnostic Time Approval 14:42 Improving Diagnostic Processes in Shops 19:46 Handling Customer Complaints 22:44 Embracing Mistakes for Growth 23:46 Effective Communication in Shops 28:53 Balancing Car Repair vs. Replacement 30:55 "Comprehensive Car Inspection Sales Strategy" 34:43 "Balancing Human Touch in Sales" 38:49 DIY Auto Troubleshooting Tips 42:46 Finding Comfortable Terminology 45:46 Training Service Advisors on Brake Maintenance 49:00 Positive Feedback Journal 50:33 Global Auto Industry Coaching Classes…

1
You Got a Negative Review At Your Shop. Now What? Todd Westerlund Weighs In 1:20:52

há 7 weeks1:20:52

1:20:52

Todd Westerlund is an industry vet. Over 15 years of technical experience and more than 18 years in the repair shop coaching. Todd is a believer in opening your shop seven days a week for ultimate customer service. He also shares advice on how to make your processes more efficient. 00:00 Industry Insights & Training 07:25 Technician's Journey: 15 Years Experience 10:46 Hands-On Training Initiative 20:16 Flexible Work Schedules Benefit All 23:15 Balancing Technician Ego and Client Needs 29:42 Problem Solving in Auto Repair 33:42 Overwhelmed by Work Demands 38:17 Investing in Employees' Future 42:25 "Streamlining Inspection Process" 47:43 "Confession About Car Brake Negligence" 56:42 "Prioritizing Morally Right Hospitality" 58:03 "Open Invitation despite Poor Reviews" 01:05:55 Welcoming Shop Tour Experience 01:12:05 Call Center Amplifies Pre-booking Revenue 01:16:06 "Shops Boost Sales with Callbacks" 01:19:14 Bones: Protection Against Slips…

1
These Kids Blew My Mind! Teen Siblings Ava and Kingston Talk Transmissions 22:24

há 8 weeks22:24

22:24

Jimmy talks with Kingston and Ava about their family-run transmission business at AAPEX 2024. Ava shares her journey in office management and how she's learned hands-on and gotten pretty good at multitasking. Kingston is excited about the technical side of the business, and even though he's in the 8th grade, he loves rebuilding transmissions. 00:00 Transitioned from packaging to office management tasks. 05:51 Mom suggests learning web design for marketing. 08:49 Working for Dad's business is fulfilling. 11:53 Inspect and test cores, then box them. 15:02 Memorize, build, clean, polish, update, test, ship. 18:45 AAPEX is such a cool place, but you don't see many kids. 19:27 Great ATRA Expo-Apex combo boosts knowledgeable discussions.…

1
Pricing, Shop Expansion, and Customer Engagement in Auto Repair 1:16:11

há 9 weeks1:16:11

1:16:11

Listen to Arun's podcast "We Are Driven" In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Arun Coumar, owner of Driven Auto Care and host of the "We Are Driven" podcast. Arun discusses the significance of efficient operations and avoiding high-pressure sales tactics to enhance the customer experience. Jimmy shares the challenges he faced in expanding his business, emphasizing the importance of having documented procedures for consistent quality. 00:00 Misdiagnosed allergy; later treated as seasonal allergies. 10:19 Experience teaches more than the SOP manual does. 12:59 Mistakes and engaged technicians enhance learning effectiveness. 17:17 Improving customer experience with meticulous vehicle inspection. 22:31 Ensure clarity in tasks and prioritize experience. 27:51 Picky customer values professional opinion when shopping. 36:11 Offer half-price diagnostics in November video. 43:39 Estimating unnecessary repairs versus actual car needs. 47:09 Adapt to customers' desires for effective sales. 51:05 Dressed as James Bond with Aston Martin. 59:32 Crank sensor repair complicated, delayed car delivery. 01:03:42 Worried about vehicle accidents and negative outcomes. 01:06:48 Avoiding delay, deceit, and disappointment ensures customer satisfaction. 01:11:13 A challenging year with evolving problems and goals.…

1
How to Develop a Positive Business Culture and Mindset at Your Repair Shop 1:05:29

há 10 weeks1:05:29

1:05:29

In this episode, Jimmy Purdy is joined by Jim Cokonis to discuss the significance of mindset and culture in business, especially within the realm of technician coaching. Jim Cokonis shares an anecdote about Simon Sinek to highlight the benefits of positive management on employee satisfaction. Jimmy emphasizes the difference between treating technicians as people versus mere productivity tools and suggests focusing on positive aspects to boost morale. They also examine the importance of interactive, hands-on learning and its impact on knowledge retention, advocating for a tiered certification system to motivate continual professional development. 00:00 Balancing multiple roles is challenging for operators. 06:51 Toyota thrives on growing and maintaining culture. 12:23 Finding issues provides dopamine, possibly fostering negativity. 17:22 Present value to customers to prevent dissatisfaction. 24:01 Questioning the value of training certifications. 28:50 Recognize achievements to encourage self-improvement voluntarily. 35:52 Vehicle tracks data; uses ISO class 6 fluid. 40:08 Hands-on learning is essential for AC proficiency. 43:58 Teach others for higher retention and improvement. 49:36 Occupations now require technical reading and understanding. 56:19 Teaching each other enhances growth and learning. 01:00:10 Basics are key, teaching martial arts inspires. 01:05:09 Ensure comma placement for proper pause timing.…

1
Car Inspections and Customer Relations with Phil Leone 1:19:56

há 11 weeks1:19:56

1:19:56

Phil Leone, a seasoned automotive business coach, joins Jimmy Purdy. Phil emphasizes the necessity of thorough car inspections to ensure efficiency and job satisfaction among technicians. He shares the importance of quick quoting for waiting customers to enhance customer experience and minimize delays. Additionally, Phil discusses the value of ongoing coaching and how shop visits help identify real operational issues, ensuring genuine progress and accountability 00:00 Automotive business veteran enjoys training and improving. 09:30 Passionate about training focused on helping others. 10:26 Consistency leads to eventual success and personal improvement. 20:07 Negative reviews offer opportunities to build loyalty. 22:32 Inexpensive oil change builds long-term customer trust. 27:43 Oil changes unprofitable individually, profitable monthly overall. 33:09 Focus on dollar amounts, not percentages. 41:54 Evaluating and planning for shop owner's success. 44:36 Motivation and accountability lead to progress. 48:06 Finish tasks to progress, and collaborate on solutions. 53:40 Coaching provides guidance and reduces dependency over time. 01:02:33 Achieving high sales became increasingly effortless. 01:05:47 Chill, focus on growth, and maintain personalized coaching. 01:12:27 Woman spent $9,000 on undervalued car repairs. 01:14:32 Cars depreciate; purchased for transportation needs. 01:19:51 Thanks, have a great night and talk soon.…

1
Handling Driven Individuals and Business Impatience with Cecil Bullard 1:12:23

há 12 weeks1:12:23

1:12:23

Cecil Bullard is the CEO of The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Cecil discusses the challenges of dealing with driven individuals in group settings and the risks impatience can pose in business decisions. He also shares his experiences with vetting marketing companies, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluation to avoid issues. 00:00 Coaching programs tailored to client business levels. 05:23 The M&A program offers growth and consolidation opportunities. 10:43 The Industry must modernize marketing and pricing strategies. 17:52 Vision: Professional, prosperous industry with work-life balance. 22:56 Persistence leads to achieving goals and connections. 27:40 Expect mistakes, solve them, and earn client trust. 35:43 Evaluating high performers sometimes includes misplacements. 36:56 Desire for others' success exceeds their own. 43:15 A Realistic view improved the father-child relationship significantly. 50:12 Guy's hype led to mixed results and discontent. 57:27 Challenges in accountability despite offering help. 01:00:28 Clients left for another caring coaching company. 01:04:52 Seeking agreement on decision-making and preparedness. 01:10:19 Business is always personal, despite claims otherwise.…

1
Buckaroo Bob on Transformative Automotive Training and Sponsorships 49:10

há 13 weeks49:10

49:10

Jimmy Purdy chats with Buckaroo Bob about organizing major training events in the automotive industry. Buckaroo Bob explains the strategies behind attracting participants from outside the local area, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and education in automotive diagnostics and repairs. Jimmy reflects on the enthusiasm of younger technicians today, contrasting it with past advice to avoid the industry, and underscores the value of continuous training for career advancement. 00:00 Gearbox podcast hosts automotive industry discussions. 05:38 Training in five Texas cities, same classes. 07:56 East Coast training dominates over the West Coast. 11:39 Sponsors supported Texas events; seeking title sponsors. 15:21 Advance your career through training and become a rockstar. 17:07 Trying out advanced features on Santa Fe. 19:23 Training builds confidence and justifies diagnostic fees. 23:37 Sign up early to choose your classes. 26:30 Using jokes to ease tension in training. 29:44 Coach suggests shop presence; I prefer autonomy. 33:59 Technician anxiety stems from customer vehicle responsibility. 37:46 Third loan requires ordering your tool. 41:25 Apprentices learn self-reliance through guided teaching. 42:12 Diagnosis requires informed, timely communication and decisions. 48:10 Advice from others was surprisingly humbling. 48:44 Humbling, blessed by shared knowledge for improvement.…

1
Can You Achieve a People-First Mindset in Your Automotive Shop? With Joe Hyde 39:08

há 14 weeks39:08