The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton explores the metaphor of changing pastures to symbolize personal and professional growth. He addresses the common belief that "the grass is always greener on the other side" and emphasizes the importance of recognizing when change is necessary. Chris offers practical tips for self-assessment, investing in personal growth, eliminating negativity, staying committed to goals, and being patient with the process. Aimed at auto repair shop owners and professionals, the episode encourages taking control of one's circumstances for improvement. The episode is sponsored by Shop Marketing Pros.

Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:08)

• Coach Chris Cotton introduces the episode and its focus on business insights for auto repair professionals.

The Grass is Always Greener (00:01:10)

• Chris shares a metaphor about changing pastures for personal and professional growth, inspired by a meme.

Recognizing the Need for Change (00:02:16)

• He discusses the common feeling of envy towards others' situations and the importance of assessing one's own life.

Challenges and Perceptions (00:03:18)

• Chris reflects on how negativity can distort our view of others' success, leading to feelings of being stuck.

When to Change Pastures (00:04:22)

• He emphasizes recognizing when it's time to shift environments for better personal and professional growth.

Tips for Cultivating Growth (00:05:29)

• Chris provides actionable advice on assessing situations, investing in oneself, and making meaningful changes.

Conclusion and Encouragement (00:07:35)

• He wraps up with a reminder that growth takes time and encourages listeners to embrace necessary changes for fulfillment.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton is joined by guest Coach Mike for an in-depth discussion on the remarkable transformation of "Project X," an absentee-owned auto repair shop. Coach Mike provides a comprehensive overview of the myriad challenges faced in managing the shop, particularly highlighting the critical need for robust on-site leadership and stringent accountability measures.

Throughout the episode, Coach Mike elaborates on the key strategies that were instrumental in turning the shop around. One of the primary steps taken was the recruitment of highly skilled technicians, which was essential for delivering quality service and boosting customer satisfaction. Additionally, the shop transitioned to using TeckMetric software, a move that significantly enhanced performance tracking and operational efficiency.

A major focus was also placed on fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement among the staff. This involved regular training sessions, workshops, and encouraging a mindset geared towards growth and excellence. As a result of these concerted efforts, the shop's revenue saw a threefold increase, and the average repair orders experienced a substantial rise.

The episode underscores the importance of community engagement, illustrating how building strong relationships with local customers and businesses can drive sustained success. It also highlights the necessity of continuous improvement, advocating for ongoing assessment and refinement of processes and strategies.

Furthermore, effective communication between owners and managers is emphasized as a cornerstone for achieving long-term success. The dialogue between Coach Chris and Coach Mike provides valuable insights into how transparent and consistent communication can bridge gaps, align goals, and ensure that everyone is working towards a common objective.

Overall, this episode of "The Weekly Blitz" offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice for anyone looking to transform their business, emphasizing that with the right leadership, tools, and culture, significant improvements and success are well within reach.

Introduction and Overview (00:00:09)

• Coach Chris Cotton introduces the episode and discusses the podcast's focus on auto repair business innovation.

Guest Introduction (00:01:03)

• Coach Chris brings in Coach Mike to discuss the transformation of an absentee-owned auto repair shop, "Project X."

Absentee Owner Challenges (00:02:13)

• Coach Mike outlines the difficulties in managing a shop with an absentee owner and the need for strong leadership.

Starting Point and Initial Changes (00:03:46)

• Discussion on the initial steps taken to improve the struggling shop, focusing on hiring experienced staff.

Importance of Tech Metric (00:04:57)

• Coach Mike emphasizes the significance of using Tech Metric for tracking business performance remotely.

Training on Estimates and Inspections (00:06:09)

• Coach Mike describes the training provided to staff on creating accurate estimates and conducting thorough inspections.

Staff Engagement and Overcoming Issues (00:07:16)

• Mike shares how engaging staff in discussions helped improve buy-in and operational efficiency.

Growth and Profitability (00:09:10)

• The shop's revenue growth from $10,000 to $25,000 weekly, illustrating successful team collaboration and profitability.

Absentee Owner's Success (00:10:42)

• The absentee owner expresses interest in acquiring more shops, highlighting the success of the current operation.

Addressing Bad Apples (00:11:20)

• Discussion on identifying and removing unproductive staff to improve shop performance.

Future Plans for the Shop (00:13:15)

• Coach Mike outlines upcoming goals, including staffing and efficiency improvements to sustain growth.

Community Involvement Strategy (00:14:44)

• Plans for local engagement and marketing to strengthen community ties and attract more customers.

Community Engagement Strategies (00:15:35)

• Discusses ways to attract customers, including open houses and community involvement.

Team Accountability (00:16:24)

• Explores the importance of a strong service manager and team buy-in for business growth.

Owner's Accountability from Afar (00:17:31)

• Highlights how absentee owners can maintain accountability through regular communication and ticket audits.

Continuous Improvement (00:19:24)

• Encourages business owners to strive for constant improvement and efficiency in operations.

Closing Remarks (00:20:54)

• Wraps up the discussion with appreciation for the guest and encouragement for listeners.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this podcast episode, Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching offers valuable insights for auto repair shop owners. He emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the first half of the year and preparing for a successful second half by recognizing achievements and overcoming hurdles. Chris provides actionable steps such as revamping marketing strategies, investing in team training, and enhancing customer experience. He stresses the significance of setting clear goals, implementing strategic changes, and maintaining accountability. The episode concludes with gratitude to listeners and a reminder to stay positive and proactive in business endeavors.

• Supercharge Your Auto Repair Business (00:00:01) Introduction to the podcast episode and a brief overview of what to expect.
• Mid-Year Reflection (00:01:06) Reflecting on the first half of the year for auto repair shop owners and setting the stage for the second half.
• Assessing First Half Performance (00:02:11) Reviewing achievements and setbacks in the first half of the year for auto repair shops.
• Overcoming Personal Roadblocks (00:03:15) Identifying and addressing internal barriers that may have held back the shop's performance.
• Setting Clear Goals (00:05:23) Discussing the importance of setting ambitious and measurable goals for the second half of the year.
• Actionable Steps for Improvement (00:07:21) Providing eight actionable steps for auto repair shop owners to consider for business growth and improvement.
• Accountability and Monitoring (00:13:01) Emphasizing the importance of tracking progress, reviewing key performance indicators, and holding oneself and the team accountable.
• Seeking Support for Business Growth (00:15:01) Highlighting the value of seeking support, collaboration, and learning from a network of like-minded individuals for business success.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

• People who don't reach out for help end up out of business or stuck not knowing what they need to know and not able to grow
• Chris asks a lot of open-ended questions on the first call and asks what prompted them to reach out and what struggles you have in your business. 
• If you're not afraid to disappoint someone, then accountability does nothing
• Join peer meetings and start networking to grow as the industry evolves
• KPI is used to measure strategy and leadership improvements
• Motivate, connect, and teach the younger generation
• A lot of people use work as an escape or release. Show love within your organization
• Hug until the other person breaks the embrace- are people hugging longer these days?
• Take criticization as a stepping stone to level up
• Reset your mind to be ready for the next thing

Employee Training, Where Are You Headed Next?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Shop owners making decisions on people procrastinate and hurt their business without listening to what their gut is telling them. Your people know!

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Leadership Gold: Chapter 10, Don't Send Your Ducks to Eagle School!

Three Reasons Not To Send Your Ducks to Eagle School

1. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate the ducks.

2. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate the eagles.

3. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate yourself

Know what you are looking for!

Application Exercises

Mentoring Moment

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

To see how the leader is doing, look at the people!

The Leader is Responsible!

Revealing Questions to ask about Followers:

1. Are the people following?

2. Are the people changing?

3. ARe the people growing?

4. Are the people succeeding?

Application Exercises:

1. Are your people follwing you?

2. How do you keep score?

3. Do you believe in your people?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Overcoming the Victim Mindset

What is a victim mindset?

A victim mindset is when someone feels that bad things keep happening to them no matter what. at the root of this mentality is that none of these circumstances or situations are their fault.

What causes a victim mindset?----------No one is born a victim. A victim complex isn't a personality trait — it's learned behavior. In fact, victim syndrome could be considered a type of learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a phenomenon in psychology where people who have traumatic experiences feel that they can't escape it, no matter what they do.

Here are some circumstances that might result in developing a victim mindset as a coping mechanism:

Trauma-------If a person has experienced a traumatic situation in their youth, they may feel like life is inherently difficult and there's nothing they can do to make it better. This is a key way that learned helplessness develops. Victims may feel that no one understands them or that they can't trust anyone to help them.

Manipulation------Some people enjoy the attention and sense of control that victimhood brings. Even though they feel like they lack control over the circumstances in their life, they thrive on validation and sympathy from others. Being able to get other people to stop and help them — or at the very least, feel sorry for them — helps them retain a sense of importance and control.

Lack of accountability--------People may respond to low standards or expectations by playing the victim. Whether because someone else has always stepped up to take responsibility, or because people don’t expect much, being “out of control” becomes comfortable. Victimhood provides anonymity and protection. When you’re never at the wheel, things are never your fault.

Avoidance--------Sometimes we are more afraid of our own success then we are of our failure. Giving up responsibility for ourselves and our actions makes us feel like we don't have to be accountable for what we say we want. Chasing our dreams requires a degree of vulnerability, resilience, self-confidence, and willingness to grow — none of which you need if you just play the victim card.

Take your life back into your hands----It can be hard to feel like your life is under your control when bad things keep happening. This is especially true when success feels slow — and failure feels overwhelming.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

I do not believe that anyone that works in the Automotive Service and Repair Industry would argue with the fact that there is a shortage of good technicians in our industry. In fact, 9 out of 10 shops that we work with today (or for that matter in our industry) need a good technician and I would also say that for 10% to 20% of those shops the lack of good technicians is a serious problem causing them to lose customers, profits and sleep.

So Why are we in this position?

That’s great Chris, Now what’s the solution?

First: We make it cool to become a technician/mechanic and we dramatically increase the pay for every technician in the industry immediately.

Second: We take $5 of the increase and make sure we have a full benefit package.

Third: We take the other $5 of the increase and join a non-profit organization that will market to the mothers and fathers out there!

Lastly, every shop owner books an appointment at a college, auto tech school or high school and ‘volunteer’ their time to talk to the students, teachers and administrators about our incredible industry.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

This is a tough one! Me talking about defining moments in my life. You're just going to have to listen to find out more. IF suicidal and or domestic violence situations could trigger you, then you may choose not to listen. Also, I use my everyday adult language..........if you need help, ask for it. There are people that can help you get what you need.

I love you and wish you all the best.......................don't ever forget that!

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States. https://988lifeline.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Hunt Demarest, CPA, Paar Mellis and Associates, Business by the Numbers Podcast

Matt Fanslow, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN, Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z Podcast

Kim and Brian Walker, Shop Marketing Pros, Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

Chris Cotton, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching, Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz Podcast

• What REALLY contributes to production?
• Simpson Paradox
• Simon Sinec points out that Navy Seal teams value Trustworthiness far, far more than Performance.  VIDEO HERE 
• Tech productivity is one of the most important aspects of business, but how can these numbers skew what that employee is really doing (helping others, sharing duties outside of production, etc.)
• Are there some numbers or metrics that actually can look too good, which could cause an issue for growth or retention
• Numbers don’t lie, but sometimes can be misleading. Do your numbers match up with what you are trying to do with the business?
• You have to have your head up and eyes wide open to make sure you can identify the "doers" in your group. 
• Do you have a scorecard for success for your technicians?
• Pay plans; incentive greatness
• Who are your ‘support people' to contribute and make the whole picture better
• Culture is contagious
• Training when hiring-
• Weaknesses- be honest with eachother
• Fine balance- profitability aspect, you can’t have a shop full of unicorns
• Removing obstacles

Connect with the Podcast

Aftermarket Radio Network

Subscribe on YouTube

Visit us on the Web

Follow on Facebook

Become an Insider

Buy me a coffee

Important Books

Let’s start with: What is Success? The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

If you’re struggling to define what a successful life means, I have two pieces of good news for you:

It’s never too late to start over.

You get to write your own definition of success.

1. What is success to you?

2. Success has no deadline!!

3. What does success mean to me?

4. What does success mean to you?

5. What does success look like?

6. How do you define success?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this podcast episode, Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching addresses the negative impact of pride in the auto repair industry. He offers strategies for shop owners to overcome pride, such as staying open to learning, seeking feedback, and embracing change. Cotton stresses the importance of building a strong team, networking, and setting realistic goals. He advocates for a balance between pride in one's work and humility, underlining its significance for business success, personal well-being, and family relationships. Shop Marketing Pros is also featured, promoting their marketing solutions for auto repair businesses.

• The Introduction (00:00:00) Introduction to the podcast episode and a brief overview of what to expect.
• The Impact of Pride on Auto Repair Business (00:01:43) Discussion on the detrimental effects of pride on business decisions in the auto repair industry.
• Manifestations of Pride in Business (00:02:53) Eight ways pride can manifest and cause problems in auto repair business, including resisting change, ignoring feedback, and refusing help.
• Strategies to Overcome Pride (00:09:51) Strategies to keep pride in check, such as staying open to learning, seeking feedback, and hiring a coach or consultant.
• Conclusion and Sponsor Acknowledgment (00:13:19) Closing remarks, encouragement for growth, and acknowledgment of the sponsor, Shop Marketing Pros.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

The Rest of the Story

As leaders, we always face criticism. We dish it out too. Some of it is helpful, and some of it is not. Like medicine, it all depends on administration and dose. But here’s the problem: If we’re quick to judge, we’re upping the odds that we’ll misdiagnose and seriously hurt someone.

With that in mind, there are at least three reasons we should be slow to judge.

1. WE SOMETIMES DON’T HAVE THE FULL STORY

2. WE OFTEN PROJECT OUR OWN ISSUES

3. WE USUALLY REGRET IT LATER

Criticism is like medicine. It’s poison unless carefully administered at the right dose. Michael Hyatt

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

The winds are changing, something’s coming, not sure exactly what just yet but let’s talk it out and see what we can do. I’m also trying to make a general statement about how shop owners seem to be doing really well right now and are maybe just a bit too big for their britches at this point.

1. As we're more successful and get a little fat and happy our expenses "creep" take a look at your expenses and get rid of "wants" and only keep the "needs".

2. Stop being distracted and focus on what got you through covid! All processes and procedures need to be scrutinized, improved and followed and you need to hold your employees accountable.

3. Credit.............I think the biggest issue will be people running out of money. We will have to have ways for customers to be able to pay us when all of their other ways have been exhausted.

4. We have to be prepared to do things in new and inventive ways, don't get stuck in the: I've always done it this way!

5. Pay attention to the world around you:

6. Pay Off Existing Debt

7. Understand Your Numbers

8. Expand Your Customer Base

9. Cut Expenses

10. Set Aside Money

11. Manage Inventory

12. Diversify Your Marketing Channels

13. Establish a success attitude!

14. How do you Think About Credit?

Preparation Is Key!

Preparation is the key to surviving a recession. Focus on these ways to ready your business for uncertain financial times. You want to employ strategies that will land you on top and allow your business to continue growing even during the most challenging economic periods.

I’m challenging you to be a gorilla in a world of Monkees…………time to rise and grind everyone!!

Coach Chris Cotton

Sponsored by AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching: AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Leadership Gold - A Leader's First Responsibility Is to Define Reality

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Chapter 8: Leader’s First Responsibility is to Define Reality

• You Can't Define What You Don't See
• Questions to ask yourself to help you define reality.
• Guarding Against Unrealistic Thinking:

1. Admit My Weakness
2. Embrace Realistic People
3. Ask for Honesty From Others
4. Invite Fresh Eyes to Check You Out

Application Exercises:

1. What kind of thinker are you?
2. Who speaks the truth in your life?
3. Where do you need a reality check?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Leadership Gold: Get In The Zone & Stay There!

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Chapter 8: Leader’s First Responsibility is to Define Reality

You Can't Define What You Don't See

Questions to ask yourself to help you define reality.

Guarding Against Unrealistic Thinking:

1. Admit My Weakness

2. Embrace Realistic People

3. Ask for Honesty From Others

4. Invite Fresh Eyes to Check You Out

Application Exercises:

1. What kind of thinker are you?

2. Who speaks the truth in your life?

3. Where do you need a reality check?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Production Apprentice Program for Auto Shops

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Why a Production Apprentice….

1. We have to start somewhere and change the stigma etc….of just a lube tech

2. We have to get these folks in a production mindset

3. We have to make sure that our current producers are producing and the best way to do that is to eliminate the stops and starts that make them unproductive.

4. One of the top two reasons why people leave when asked on exit interviews is because they didn’t receive the training they thought they were going to get or they didn’t understand what their future looked like.

Production Apprentice Daily Tasks:

• Make sure that everyone is set up for success every day.
• Walk in with a positive Can-Do attitude! We have no place for Can’t-Do’s in our business.
• Make sure to pull out all vehicles not needed in the shop.
• Make sure that your area is cleaned and ready to go.
• Check-in with the supervisor to see what is pressing and important and what direction you should move first. What is your daily schedule?
• Check with the supervisor for the To Do List for the day.
• To end the day make sure the shop is clean and ready for the following day.

Leadership Gold - The Best Leaders are Listeners

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

The Best Leaders Are Listeners

Why Listeners Are More Effective Leaders

1. Understanding People Precedes Leading Them

2. Listening Is The Best Way to Learn

3. Listening Can Keep Problems from Escalating

4. Listening Establishes Trust

5. Listening Can Improve the Organization

Application Exercises:

1. Give Yourself A Listening Audit

2. Who Doesn't Feel Listened to?

3. What people have you neglected to seek out?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Follow Your Passion, Creating A Breakthrough, Forget the Money, Follow Your Passion.

Application Exercise:

1. What is your true passion?

2. How much passion do you have for your current work?

3. How can you follow your passion?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Scorecard for Success - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz

What is a Scorecard for Success?

Step 1: This first step, in the beginning, is to begin!

Step 2: Identify 5-Scorecard Categories and a maximum of 3 scorecards.

Step 3: Put a weekly goal on each category.

Step 4: Assign each goal to a department and the team members in that department.

Step 5: Assign a Scorecard keeper.

Step 6: Use the Scorecard each week.

Step 7: Review the Scorecard.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Stop Putting Yourself Last - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz

1. Stop Being the Martyr

2. The Trouble with Selflessness (more concerned with the needs of others)

3. How Selflessness Becomes an Excuse

4. Finding the Balance

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Leadership Gold: You Know You're Out Front When ...

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

How do YOU handle criticism?

How to Hold Up Under Criticism:

1. Know Yourself

2. Change Yourself

3. Accept Yourself

4. Forget Yourself

Application Exercises:

1. What are your deficiencies?

2. How secure are you as a leader?

3. How can you properly process criticism?

Mentoring Moment:

Observe how others handle criticism and share your feedback with them!

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this podcast episode, Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching shares his expertise on team development within the auto repair industry. He advises against being the best person on your team, as it can hinder growth and lead to burnout. Instead, he offers strategies for building a capable team, such as hiring top talent, training, delegating, and fostering leadership. Chris emphasizes the benefits of collaboration, clear expectations, feedback, and a positive work environment. He also discusses transitioning to a team-focused approach and succession planning. The episode wraps up with Chris offering personalized advice and thanking the audience and sponsor, Shop Marketing Pros.

• The importance of not being the best person on your team (00:01:15) Chris discusses the negative impact of being the best person on your team and its limitations on business growth.
• The drawbacks of being the best person on your team (00:02:25) Chris outlines the negative consequences of being the best person on your team, including burnout, dependency, and stifled innovation.
• Building a stronger team (00:06:05) Chris provides practical tips for building a stronger team, including hiring the best, investing in training, and fostering leadership.
• Transitioning from being the best to building the best team (00:09:41)
• Chris offers steps to transition from being the best person on your team to building the best team, emphasizing the need for assessment, training, and succession planning.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

Defining Moments Define Your Leadership

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Defining Moments Define Your Leadership

1. Defining Moments Show Us Who We Really Are.

2. Defining moments declare to others who we are.

3. Defining moments determine who we will become.

4. Reflect on defining moments from the past.

5. Prepare for future defining moments.

6. Make the Most of defining moments in the present.

Application Exercises:

1. What is your track record?

2. How are you managing your decisions?

3. How prepared are you for your future defining moments?

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

We’re talking Exit interviews. Some shop owners do them religiously. Some don’t want to face the music. Some don’t know what to do in an exit interview. Is it a smart time not to burn a bridge? Is there a format to follow? We are going to attempt to answer these questions and more in today’s Town Hall Academy. You can learn a lot about yourself and your company in exit interviews.Watch the Episode on YouTube

Matt Fanslow, lead diagnostician and shop manager, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN. Matt’s previous episodes HEREMatt Fanslow Podcast: Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z

• Chris Cotton, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching and the Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz PodcastKey Talking Points
• Think of it as information gathering.  We think nothing of gathering information to go about repairing a vehicle, be it a customer interview, service information search, or data collection via a scan tool or scope, or meter.  It's getting more and more common to ask clients for reviews.  We want good reviews on our sites, or on Google or Facebook and we want bad reviews to go to us immediately so they can be rectified and hopefully earn a "good" review.
• 
  
• 
  
• People leave people, not companies
• 
  
• 
  
• Winning sports team- winning is a salve for everything
• 
  
• 
  
• If a soon-to-be or former employee just doesn't want to talk to you about their time with you, it may be a sign that your "open door policy" isn't nearly as open as you thought.
• 
  
• 
  
• Your role in an exit interview, as the owner or manager, is to shut up and listen.  Ask questions.  The only statements you really should be making is maybe clearing up real misunderstandings, earnestly asking questions, and thanking them for their time with you working AND talking to you. 
• 
  
• 
  
• Take the information and try very hard to look at it purely at face value, and then after a day or two or a week, come back to it and try to put yourself in their shoes/boots and read between the lines.  Don't let your imagination get too crazy, but with those two perspectives, you should be able to extract information that is true and applicable to improving your business and work environment.
• 
  
• 
  
• There are not enough exit interviews done
• 
  
• 
  
• We value customer reviews why not employees on an exit interview
• 
  
• 
  
• The company should have a formal policy regarding exit interviewing. Must have a policy and or procedure. The same list of questions for all departing employees etc....
• 
  
• 
  
• Not emotional.....hard part about smaller businesses is that the direct report usually does the interview, if at all possible have a neutral party conduct the interview, you can even outsource it if it fits in your budget to do so 
• 
  
• 
  
• if you think of this in marketing terms this is a retention tool, not an acquisition tool. You need to listen to the employees as they leave and then think about your current employees, how can you use the information gathered in order to keep the employees you have
• 
  
• 
  
• top 2 reasons for leaving repair shops is lack of accountability and employee not knowing what their future holds/training plan or lack of one.
• 
  

Connect with the Podcast

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Important Books

Check out today's partners:

More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com

Are You Coachable

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

8 Point Check on Your Coachability . . Which of these are true and to what extent?

1. I usually allow my manager and others to complete their sentences before responding.

2. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I usually think about it before responding, waiting

just a bit.

3. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I rarely find myself defending a position or action immediately.

4. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I ask questions about it in order to try to better

understand it. (A good sign.)

5. I feel my work’s purpose is to serve my external customers.

6. I feel my work’s purpose is to serve my internal customers (managers, colleagues, other

departments).

7. I’ve changed/ revised my position/ approach because of the advice of another individual.

8. My manager invests time in my professional development (If s/he doesn’t, it might be

because of a perception that you’re uncoachable).

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Please take a minute to check out our sponsor, AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Leadership Gold, Chapter Two; The Toughest Person to Lead is Yourself!

1. Judging Yourself:

a. We don't see ourselves as we see others.

b. We are harder on others than we are on oursleves.

2. Keys to Leading Yourself

a. Learn Followership

b. Develop Self Discipline

c. Practice Patience

d. Seek Accountability

Accountability Exercises:

1. How Clearly do you see yourself?

2. Where do you need to grow?

3. How well do you take advice?

Mentoring Moment:

Conversations with your employees.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Leadership Gold - Chapter One - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz

Please go to: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M to check out our sponsor, AutoLeap!

1. Loneliness is NOT a leadership issue!

2. No one ever got to the top alone!

3. Avoid positional thinking.

4. Understand that you are in the people business.

5. Application Exercises:

6. Mentoring Moment

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Click Here for more information from our sponsor: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. Dirty Parking Lot, Weeds, No Striping, where do your employees, trash can??

2. Lighting and signage

3. Building needs painted, updated, benches, signage for after hours drop off etc…

4. Windows washed, door clean, no handprints

5. Information on the door correct (google my business information correct)

6. Contact us…………

7. Bathroom, public, clean, if you have a specific one for ladies do they have a place to hang up a purse and coat.

8. Stand up when people come into the business, for crying out loud look up and acknowledge the people

9. Telephone on hold…………ask and then wait for an answer.

10. Waiting area nice and neat, wifi code correct and noticeable

11. No nasty signs: short staffed signs…stop,

12. Smile be nice………..

13. A shop environment that your daughter/wife/mother would go into and feel comfortable

Coach Chris Cotton

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Click the link to visit AutoLeaps site: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Here are the bullet points of what we are going to talk about this morning:

• The importance of having a strong organizational culture.
• The shop owners' role in fostering a high-performance culture.
• Definitions of organizational culture.
• Factors that shape an organization's culture.
• Considerations in creating and managing organizational culture.
• Practices to ensure the continuity and success of an organization's culture.
• Communications, metrics, for your repair shop'sCoach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

• Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com success

10 Steps to Auto Repair Shop Business Evaluation

Please click our sponsor link from AutoLeap to learn more information about their great shop management system: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. Reputation of Shop–Google My Business, Interview Vendors that they use, Website……..Mystery Shop

2. What role is the owner currently performing in the business? What about a spouse in the business?

3. Website, Social Media, advertising

4. What do the business financials look like?

5. What type of POS do they use? Do they have one?

6. Are they using current technology? DVI’s, Cloud-based POS,

7. What does their equipment look like? Do they have an updated list? Items that are supposed to be inspected–have they been done and is it up to date? Do they have an accurate inventory?

8. Processes and Procedures…..

9. What does their cash flow look like?

10. What is the quality of their current employees?

11. Accounts Receivable vs. Accounts Payable

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Catching up with Shop Marketing Pros - Kim and Brian Walker

Sponsored by: Click here to check out AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Please check out AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. Get your finances in order! Make them readable and learn what the business’s numbers are telling you.

2. Separate your business money from your personal money.

3. Income statement/ p or l—generate one!

4. Stop making paper invoices! Get a cloud based POS system.

5. Set Goals

6. Hold employees accountable!

7. Align your car count with business needs.

8. DVI’s are a must!

9. Pay Plans

10. Align for Profits! Make sure the business can generate what it needs in order to be successful!

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this podcast episode, Chris Cotton, an auto repair business coach, emphasizes the significance of building relationships with stakeholders in the auto repair industry. His spouse, Kimberly, is highlighted as a key stakeholder, illustrating the personal connections involved in the business. The episode also features a mention of Brian and Kim from Shop Marketing Pros, acknowledging their sponsorship and likely contribution to the industry through marketing expertise.

• The importance of connecting with stakeholders (00:01:18) Discussing the crucial aspect of connecting with stakeholders in an auto repair business, including defining stakeholders and the reasons for engaging with them.
• Benefits of holding meetings outside the shop (00:03:47) Exploring the advantages of conducting stakeholder meetings outside the auto repair shop, such as minimizing distractions, creating a neutral ground, and sparking creativity.
• Ideal locations for stakeholder meetings (00:04:57) Suggesting various locations for holding stakeholder meetings, including coffee shops, conference room rentals, restaurants, and co-working spaces.
• Structuring effective stakeholder meetings (00:06:54) Outlining the importance of having a clear structure and agenda for stakeholder meetings, including setting objectives, prioritizing topics, and assigning time slots.
• The impact of regular stakeholder meetings on business success (00:10:15) Highlighting the significance of holding regular stakeholder meetings based on research findings, such as achieving business goals and improving satisfaction and performance levels.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. 8,000 miles driven so far this year!

2. Shop Visits in: Tucson, Plano, Albuquerque

3. Big Bend National Park

4. Service Center Scholars Meeting in Tucson

5. WorldPac STX 2022 in Orlando

6. ServiceUP Repair Cloud

7. Weekly Blitz Podcast

8. #grindpositivity

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Time Blocking - Gain Control of Your Calendar - Chris Cotton

AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

• Every day, we juggle competing demands on our time and, as a result, experience more chaos than clarity.
• Luckily, there’s a solution: time blocking. This is a terminology change for me, I’ve always called it making appointments with myself but time blocking is the correct verbiage,
• With time blocking, you can gain control of your calendar in order to focus on what truly matters to you and the business. Time blocking can help you align your attention with your intentions, so you always prioritize the right work at the right time. What is time blocking?
• Time blocking is a time management strategy where you schedule out every part—and I mean every part—of your day. With time blocking, you’re effectively breaking the work week into bite-sized time slots where you check your email, work on projects, take a break, or even exercise.
• Like most time management strategies, time blocking is a way for you to reclaim your day and get a better sense of where your time is actually going. By scheduling blocks of work, you can not only ensure you’re completing your important tasks, but also make sure you’re setting aside time for rest and self-care.

How time blocking works:

• To create a time block, group like tasks and schedule a block of time to work on those tasks. There are two main fundamentals of time blocking:
• Visually scheduling time blocks on your calendar, so your work can’t be interrupted or scheduled over.
• Grouping like tasks into one concentrated block of time.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Show Notes:

I'm sure you've read articles about the importance of "culture" to shape the behaviors of your employees. One of my favorite descriptions of company culture is that it is "the invisible hand that shapes team behavior when there is no defined process or system to tell them what to do."

But understanding the concept of culture doesn't give you a nuts and bolts path to intentionally build it. Here are seven leadership habits that I've emphasized with my business coaching clients over the past decade.

1. Be on time, all the time.

2. Meet your own deadlines (and take responsibility for when you can't).

3. Clarify all action items and deliverables in writing at the end of every meeting.

4. Clearly state what you can't commit to so that you don't lower the accountability bar in your company by missing a "phantom deliverable."

5. "Close" the accountability loop.

6. Ask, don't immediately solve.--Coaching Opportunity!

7. Celebrate progress

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Click here to go to AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

What is Backbone?

Marshall defines backbone as "firm and resolute character". In action, she says, it might look and feel like courage. The word "integrity" also describes someone with a strong backbone. My belief is that everyone can grow a backbone and that business is a perfect place for you to learn how.

The Three Components of Backbone:

According to Marshall there are three components of backbone: competence, the ability to take purposeful risks, and confidence. Each component interacts with the other.

1. Competence. Be open to growing your ability in every aspect of your academic career, and not just knowledge of your field. Seek out help in improving your writing abilities, time management skills, and ability to deal with others, for example. Cultivate experiences that will help your competence grow. List all your talents and abilities, and be aware of how much you've accomplished in the past few years.

2. The ability to take purposeful risks. As Marshall says, this is "the ability to engage in intelligent, purposeful ventures on behalf of your career." By taking on appropriate challenges, you will not only succeed some of the time, but you will get practice in learning how to cope with setbacks, criticism and disappointment.

3. Confidence. This is a natural outgrowth of the first two components and will lead you to take on more challenges. Knowing that you can survive the negative consequences of the risks you have taken will actually increase your courage and self-esteem. Having more competence, of course, will make you more calmly confident in yourself and your abilities.

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

As always I want to thank AutoLeap. If you are interested in a demo please go to: https://autoleap.com/

As a preface to todays show I would like you to go and listen to: Common Issues with Financial Statements from Hunt Demarest: https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/episode/02

What I Want You To Take Away:

• Understanding why you need to put Profits First
• Understanding why putting Profits First is Important
• How to set up Bank Accounts
• How to start making Allocations
• A better understanding of your Income Statement
• What it means when Accounts are Over & Short
• Commitment to Implementing & when you will have it completed

Have a great day and Rise and Grind Everybody!

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Link to AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Don't Just Celebrate Wins - Savor Them!

1) Reminds you of the goal you set and why you set it in the first place.

2) Reminds you that a good, focused goal-setting process works.

3) Motivates your team to continue delivering good work.

4) Unifies the team around a positive outcome.

5) Reminds the team that they work for a winning organization.

6) Forces you and your team to concentrate on the positive rather than the negative.

7) Builds momentum for you and your team.

8) Gets you away from mundane day-to-day tasks.

9) Allows you to connect with colleagues and co-workers in a way that is not just work-related.

10) Allows you to reward specific employees.

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

• If you haven’t listened to the other episodes in the series please go back and listen to Episode 39, Series overview, Episode 41 Phase 1, Episode 44 Phase 2
• Are You happy with the shop you have?
• What’s Next, expansion into multiple locations?
• Exit Planning and Strategies
• Developing Leaders, not managers
• Making Employees comfortable
• Identifying a potential owner in the business
• Insurance in the business
• Is your REd Envelope/Yellow Envelope done?
• 529 Plans for your children, maybe one for your employees?
• Profit-sharing plans
• Retirement Planning, don’t depend on the sale of the business to fund your retirement.
• Who holds who accountable, who is taking over for you?

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. Women in the aftermarket auto repair industry.

2. Embrace Zoom to meet with clients.

3. Overpay great employees!

4. Know the numbers cold

5. Say no more often

6. More Content

7. Ability to throw out the playbook!

8. Pay yourself first

9. Remember and share the good, let go of the bad

10. Don’t get involved in gossip, shut it down on the spot

BONUS

11. Don’t let the bad employees run off good ones

12. Implement Auto Shop Profits and Cashflow

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

1. Giving to others, making a statement—putting it out to the universe, we live in a world that is louder about negativity and quieter about positivity,

2. Our plan for the year—give monthly

3. Gift for January, H.E.A.T. Texas State Chapter

4. Others we’ve given to: https://ambucs.org/ , https://warriordogfoundation.org/ give to local needs, if you can’t give money give time.

5. 501c for Auto Repair Shops struggling from Natural Disasters

6. Helping others, Gary Vee, Giving without expectation, but donating time without expectations, Don’t join a non-profit board for the networking, do it to actually make a difference in someone's life, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do0gIzPa-f8

7. Donation program for business

Also, find an episode from Remarkable Results Radio speaking fo Joel Ayers from the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation Inc.

https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e128/

To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.

Don't forget to rate and review us!

Connect with Chris:

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

www.autoshopcoaching.com

www.aftermarketradionetwork.com

940-400-1008

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Rocket Fuel Chapters 4 - 7 Five Rules

AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M

Rocket Fuel Assessment: https://bit.ly/32lNxRr

Rocket Fuel University: https://bit.ly/3GSEt5w

Free Copy of Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing: https://bit.ly/3g9eHhV

A collection of episodes on the Entrepreneur Operating System (EOS); the overall components of Rocket Fuel. From the Remarkable Results Radio Podcast. https://bit.ly/3ISwXbq

CHAPTER 4: THE ACCOUNTABILITY CHART The Accountability Chart is a supercharged organizational chart that forces you to be intentionally proactive about your structure, rather than reactively adapting a structure to fit your current people.

CHAPTER 5: THE 5 RULES You need absolute core alignment in your Visionary/Integrator relationship to harness the power of the unique combination.

RULE #1: Stay on the Same Page. This is accomplished through the Same Page Meeting.

RULE #2: No End Runs. It’s essential for the Visionary or the Integrator to not impede the effectiveness of the other.

RULE #3: The Integrator is the Tie Breaker. The basic rule of thumb is that the Sales Leader owns decisions on Sales issues, the Operations Leader owns Operations issues, and so on.

RULE #4: You Are an Employee When Working “in” the Business. If you are a Visionary or an Integrator and also an Owner, you must recognize that your role as an “Owner” is very different from your role as an “Employee.”

RULE #5: Maintain Mutual Respect. As a dynamic Visionary/Integrator duo, you must truly respect each other.

CHAPTER 6: FINDING EACH OTHER Choosing an Integrator entails hard work and takes time. Before you begin this important search process, you must make sure you are ready to commit.

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.

Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/

Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/

If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind

In this podcast episode, Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching underscores the significance of professional attire in the auto repair industry. He connects dressing well with increased confidence, employee morale, and customer trust. Cotton shares personal anecdotes and cites studies on "enclothed cognition," reinforcing the idea that appearance can influence performance. He offers practical advice for shop owners to elevate their business's professionalism through attire, leadership, and delegation. Cotton concludes by advocating for a standard of respect and dedication in the industry, supported by the episode's sponsor, Shop Marketing Pros.

The importance of dressing professionally (00:01:15) Chris discusses the impact of dressing professionally on business perception, employee morale, and customer confidence.

The psychological impact of dressing well (00:03:22) Chris explores the psychological connection between dressing well and feeling better, projecting confidence, and improving performance.

Supporting data on the importance of dressing well (00:05:33) Chris presents data on perception and trust, employee morale, and customer confidence related to professional appearance.

Setting a new standard (00:06:45) Chris provides practical tips for setting a standard of professionalism, including investing in quality uniforms and leading by example.

The role of the owner in dressing professionally (00:07:49) Chris emphasizes the role of the owner in creating a culture of professionalism and setting boundaries through professional attire.

The pledge to elevate industry standards (00:11:15) Chris encourages listeners to join him in pledging to dress professionally, reflecting respect for themselves, employees, and customers.

Connect with Chris:

chris@autofixsos.com

Phone: 940.400.1008

www.autoshopcoaching.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook

As you get into today’s episode, Phase 2- Repairing YOUR Auto Repair Shop, you may know someone in your network who can benefit from what I’m talking about today, please take time to share personally or through your social network.”

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1. Growth Mode–Productivity tracking, What’s your shop capable of doing?

2. Employee Handbook–a mechanism to enforce the rules overall

3. Employee Job Descriptions–Accountability

4. Employee Pay Plans

5. Marketing and car count, Determine if you need more cars to reach our shop's capability or just do a better job with what we already do.

6. Auto Shop Profits and Cash Flow, Controlling your money, Identifying the percentages for your business, setting up bank accounts, making an allocation chart, making sure the accountant is on board-if not time to find another one. Start making allocations–slow and steady wins the race.

7. Identify Key Employees, some can only get you so far, realize who those are and replace them if necessary. Keep the great ones!

8. Training for Everyone! It’s your job as an owner to elevate the abilities of everyone in the business. Don’t be afraid of training them and having them go somewhere else…..You can’t live/run a shop in fear

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Does everyone remember the receptionist on ghostbusters?

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When I started thinking about this episode I went back to an old slide deck that I put together and I want to share some random bullet points from it:

1. What I see most often in small businesses is that we rush to hire and then fail to follow up with employee training.

2. We put new hires on the phone not knowing if they know how they talk to customers. Why aren’t we following up on what the new hires say to the customers?

3. By not praising and rewarding them on what they did right we are teaching and training them poor customer service. Your employees don’t know what they don’t know!

4. Locate and identify small problems before they become bad habits

Identify training and operational weaknesses

Identify opportunities to serve customers more effectively than the competition

5. Link incentives to performance—don’t punish people for doing things wrong, you coach them through that part of things, reward them for doing right.

Great ways to identify this is by Mystery Shopping and Auditing phone calls. https://bit.ly/3ze561S

The only thing that separates your business from others is customer service, that type of service doesn’t happen by accident. Train yourself and your employees to excel and the results will amaze you!

Steps for Giving Great Phone:

1. When you hire, make role playing the phone part of your hiring process.

2. On the employees first day give them the script for answering the phone and then have them practice it.

3. Then only have them answer the phone for an amount of time and do nothing else! A lot of times we just put people in their seats and say here's the phone, the pos good luck and then we get upset because they don’t know how we want them to do it, because we never told them….

4. Next we present them with the other scripts and practice, then start letting them work with customers in that way, all the while, recording, coaching, and rewarding them doing the right things.

5. One last thing, when you go through the role play on how to greet a customer, have them pretend it’s their long lost buddy from high school, great big smile, the feeling should be how the hell you've been and I can’t believe I’m seeing you now…………Your job should be fun, make it fun for the customer and the employee and you will be blessed in so many ways you can’t even begin to imagine.

Shout out to New Zealand!

Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

940-400-1008

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com

Chapter 1-The Visionary

If you are a visionary you are entrepreneurial, a creator, and most likely you founded your company. You are an Idea generator, You have lots of ideas. As an idea generator, you probably have 10 new ideas per week and sometimes maybe 10 per day. Many of them might not be good and or not fit with the company’s focus, some might even be dangerous but in the end, some are absolutely brilliant! Those few great ideas keep the business growing and as the person that has/creates those ideas you are priceless to the business!

Chapter 2- The Integrator

Integrator is one who integrates, they harmoniously unite the major functions of a business, they are the conductor and keep the train running on time, they also create focus, accountability, and alignment.

An Integrator’s role and skills are unique, they are the glue and the visionary’s right hand, they beat the drum and make sure everything gets accomplished they are referred to as the inside man or inside woman. Do you have an integrator in your organization? Are you the Integrator?

Chapter 3- The Relationship

The 2 roles are a complementary force coming together to form a system where the whole is greater than the parts, one without the other is doomed, together they create and the interaction evolves and they transform each other via complement, I want you to think of a rope with two twisted strands.

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Coach Chris Cotton

AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching

Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.

580-491-3519

Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com