Talking Shop with ShopOwner

Have you ever had a feeling that there is a huge party going on somewhere and you haven't been invited? You're happy for everyone who got to go and you know that you'll hear all about what happened, but boy, what did you miss!? To many thousands of people, AAPEX was the biggest party of the year - call it a festival, a homecoming, a reunion - if you weren't there, you're a little bummed because of...

Here’s an all-too realistic scenario – A technician is elbow deep into a repair when he suddenly needs to access an online repair manual. Because the shop’s computer is in the main office, he stops work, sets down his tools, washes his hands, walks to the office, starts to look for the TSB he needs but realizes he doesn’t remember the trim level on the vehicle. He finally inputs all the right info...

When you start a new job as an employee, you’re usually given time to acclimate to your new situation. You’re given time to learn how to do a job the right way, how to build your skills, how to master your craft. Expectations are tempered somewhat, at least until you know your way around the shop. Counter that with being the boss. You don’t have time to LEARN the job – you have to DO the job, hand...

No one should be surprised by the news that there's a shortage of technicians coming into or staying in this industry, but the revelation for many people is that this isn't just a dead-end career. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Mike Pressendo explains that TechForce Foundation's mission is to help the public and future technicians understand this is a high tech career path now. "I...

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different result. In today's economy, that's also a recipe for disaster. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, David Rogers tells Doug Kaufman that every instinct he had when he was a new shop operator would have led him down that path to insanity by relying on his habits and the patterns he was comfortable wit...

Perceptions of the industry have changed over the past 35 years. The grease monkey has given way to the technician and thanks to the effort of a lot of people in this industry, being in the automotive repair business is seen in a better light by many people. Of course, we still face resistance from some influential players. Luckily, there are dedicated trainers out there to remind us that educatio...

If you’ve tried to travel this summer, you may have come to one conclusion: the friendly skies seem decidedly angry. Luckily, the open road beckons, and though driving brings about its own challenges these days, there’s nothing like a little bit of windshield time to put your mind at ease. If, that is, you and your car are prepared for your journey. Before a long road trip, your customers count on...

A man with dreams, it’s said, needs a woman with vision. Her perspective, faith and support will change his reality. In this episode, of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman speaks with Holly Weller, part of the husband-and-wife team that owns and operates Auto Fix, an Auto Value Confidence Plus Certified Service Center in Henning, MN. This shop is featured on the cover of the June issue of S...

The technician shortage is nothing new - it's been a trending topic in the automotive industry for decades. According to experts, demand for technicians has nearly doubled in the past year and is expected to continue to skyrocket over the next few years. With a potential shortage of nearly 650,000 technicians by 2024, the question continues: where will we get the next generation of automotive prof...

They may seem like a foreign language to much of the population but terms like ADAS, VVT and R1234YF are more than just a secret code - they are terms that today's shop owners must know to be relevant to their customers. Vehicle technology continues to change and keeping up means continued adaptation. How can you know it all? In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, ShopOwner editor Doug Ka...

The automotive industry is flying high right now, but we all recognize that we could hit turbulence from time to time. If there are storm clouds over the horizon, are you prepared, not panicked? In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman and Vic Tarasik, from Shop Owner Coach provide a safety briefing designed to help businesses recognize the areas in which they'...

Canadian author, Margaret Trudeau said, "We can choose to wake up and grumble all day and be bitter and angry and judge others and find satisfaction in others doing bad instead of good. Or we can wake up with optimism and love and say, just what is this beautiful day going to bring me?" Is that something you can strive for and still be successful? Satisfaction is kind of a difficult thing to put y...

What could a jazz musician and former navy signalman possibly say to motivate the automotive industry? As it turns out, plenty. According to Frank Leutz, owner of Desert Car Car in Chandler, AZ and host of the popular WrenchNation podcast, the ability to face each day's challenges starts by accepting the opportunities each day presents. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Frank retrace...

Profits are up and business is booming - it's all great news, right? Well, on the one hand yes, it's likely you're busier than ever - on the other, are you able to keep up? The pandemic has changed many aspects of the automotive aftermarket, from vehicle availability to parts sourcing. One thing that hasn't changed is the importance of customer service. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwn...

The drought has ended and the return to trade shows has happened. AAPEX 2021 is in the books. And whether business as usual has now become business as possible, it was great to reconnect with the industry in Las Vegas. By all accounts, AAPEX 2021 exceeded the expectations of exhibitors and attendees. Business was booming, training was exception and, of course, the food was outstanding. Vic Tarasik...

Everyone talks about the technician shortage but does anyone do anything about it? Well, yes. From educators to manufacturers to shop owners to industry advocates, people have been working for decades to promote the automotive industry as an attractive and profitable career option. Unfortunately, the shortage tsunami is real and has real implications for the independent repair market. Jennifer Mah...

If you're a shop owner you've heard from your coaches and your industry suppliers that your labor rate is probably too low. Of course, you've heard from your customers that it's far too high! Who do you believe? As long as you're competitive to the shop down the street, there's not much more you need to know, right? Knowing your numbers will make your shop more profitable, more competitive and mor...

There are only two ways a manager can impact an employee’s output,” said Andy Grove, who was CEO of Intel. “Motivation and Training. If you’re not training, you’re only doing half your job.” Talking Shop With Shop Owner - sponsored by AAPEX 2021 - is here to help you do the WHOLE job. With all of the technological changes in the shop and under the hood, not to mention the changes in marketing, com...

The global microchip shortage has the power to disrupt nearly every consumer purchase, from computers to TVs to refrigerators. But the automotive industry may be the most visible victim of the chip shortage. Drive by any new car lot and you'll see that supply just hasn't been able to keep up with demand. ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman and Laura Tierney from ShopLoaner.com discuss reasons for the ch...

Hey, what’s new? Ask that question these days any you’re likely to get a wide assortment of answers. Business continues to change at a dizzying pace – from technology in the car to technology in the shop. It may be no surprise that some shop owners and service advisors find it difficult to keep up. Bob Greenwood, president and CEO of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Center has made a career out o...

From advanced technology under the hood to robotic devices keeping us between the lines, today’s cars are definitely NOT your grandfather’s Oldsmobile. And with all of the changes affecting business, this is probably not his independent repair shop either. Independent repair facilities deal with cutting edge technology and vehicle systems every day – but many of them are still running their busine...

Right to Repair promises unprecedented access to vehicle data, but that may not mean what you or your customers think it does. Joe Register, VP of Emerging Technology with the AutoCare Association tells ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman accessing the data stream and interpreting the information contained within are only some of the challenges facing the industry today.

NHRA Top Fuel Champ Clay Millican loves the crowds at a racetrack and, now that events are being held live again, he can't wait to go to work each week. He shares his thoughts on learning that he's a Hall of Famer, how fans have made his job even more rewarding and how excited he is for the upcoming AAPEX Show with ShopOwner's Joe Keene.

Despite an incredibly tough year, things aren't all doom and gloom in the automotive industry. In fact, there are some real bright spots you may be overlooking. ShopOwner editor Doug Kaufman and industry analyst Steve Shannon discuss some of the trends that are keeping cars and people moving. This episode is sponsored by AAPEX 2021.

2020 brought unprecedented difficulties to shop owners – but in many cases there were significant opportunities as well. From customer service to employee training to supplier relationships, modern technology has helped solve some of the industry’s oldest challenges. Doug Kaufman speaks with Chris Boshaw, president and CEO of Shop Boss and Cavan Robinson, general manager of Shop Boss.