Chris Cotton 139 Potential - You Be the Judge - A Case Study [E139] - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partners,
RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee.
App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”
Dive into actionable marketing strategies for April with hosts Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand in this episode of the "Marketing by the Months" series. From leveraging Spring Car Care Month to hosting car care clinics, you’ll uncover creative ways to educate customers, build trust, and grow your auto repair shop.
This episode dives into turning quirky national days like National 4x4 Day into engaging social media content and using VEDA (Video Every Day in April) to showcase your shop’s personality and expertise on camera. Plus, explore strategies to capitalize on tax refund promotions and seasonal maintenance trends that help bring in springtime traffic.
Tune in now to discover actionable tips and fresh ideas to make your April marketing a success. Don’t miss this chance to fill your bays and grow your Shop!
Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build client loyalty. Get started today with your own customer loyalty app. Visit Appfueled.com
Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
https://www.daysoftheyear.com
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/
https://shopmarketingpros.com/ep-118-doing-video-every-day-for-a-month/ - Doing Video Every Day For A Month
https://shopmarketingpros.com/how-doing-video-every-day-can-transform-your-auto-repair-shops-marketing-strategy/
Show Notes with Timestamps
Introduction to April Marketing (00:00:10) The hosts introduce the episode and discuss the focus on marketing strategies for April. Spring Car Care Month (00:02:43) April is highlighted as Spring Car Care Month, emphasizing vehicle maintenance and customer education. Car Care Clinics (00:03:11) Hosts suggest hosting car care clinics to engage customers and educate them about vehicle maintenance. Vida: Video Every Day in April (00:04:55) Discussion on the importance of video marketing and committing to daily video creation for engagement. Celebrating National Pickleball Month (00:07:44) Hosts encourage engaging posts related to National Pickleball Month, even if not directly automotive. Honoring EMS Week (00:08:12) Discussing ways to celebrate and honor first responders during EMS Week with discounts or special offers. Tax Return Promotions (00:09:55) Promoting services around tax returns, encouraging customers to invest in vehicle maintenance with their refunds. April Fool's Day Marketing (00:10:48) Ideas for fun social media posts and jokes to engage customers on April Fool's Day. National Ride Your Horse to a Bar Day (00:14:09) Hosts humorously discuss the quirky holiday and encourage creative marketing ideas around it. National 4x4 Day (April 4) (00:14:45) Celebration ideas for off-road enthusiasts and engaging posts for customers. World Rat Day (April 4) (00:15:18) Discussion on celebrating the impact of rats on auto repairs. National Rita Roadmap Day (April 5) (00:16:12) A fun take on roadmap reading skills among staff. International Pillow Fight Day (April 5) (00:16:27) Humorous suggestions for a pillow fight as social media content. National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) (00:17:05) Ideas for a grilled cheese challenge at the shop. State Pride Days (April) (00:17:28) Encouragement to celebrate local state days and community engagement. Tax Day and National That Sucks Day (April 15) (00:18:08) Creative marketing ideas related to tax day and repairs. National Auctioneers Day (April 17) (00:19:08) Fun activities like staff auctioneering for customer engagement. Easter (April 20) (00:19:40) Ideas for Easter celebrations and community involvement. Girl Scout Leaders Day and Earth Day (April 22) (00:20:24) Promoting community ties with Girl Scouts and environmental awareness. Clean Comedy Day (April 28) (00:21:38) Encouraging clean jokes and humor among staff. Viral Video Day (April 29) (00:22:17) Encouragement to create engaging videos for social media. April Showers Bring May Flowers (00:23:38) Marketing strategies related to spring maintenance and vehicle care.
How To Get In Touch
Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
Website - shopmarketingpros.com
Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros
Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
Instagram - @shopmarketingpros
Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
Thanks again for listening to The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast on Aftermarket Radio Network. There are some other great shows on the network and you can find them at AftermarketRadioNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast listening apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and many others
Tune in for another episode next week. Until then, go fill those bays!
Talking Points
General Topics for April:
April showers bring may flowers - wiper blades, Aquapel, tires Continuing the theme from March Spring maintenance and cleaning Pot holes - winter damage Change back to summer tires Continue with the tax refund talk
Days of the Year - Monthly Themes
April is the first of the two National Car Care Months VEDA - Video Every Day in April
Days of the Year - Weekly Themes
National EMS Week
Days of the Year - Daily Themes
4/1 April Fools Day 4/2 National Ride Your Horse to a Bar Day 4/3 National Burrito Day 4/4 World Rat Day ⅘ International Pllow Fight Day ⅘ National Read a Road Map Day 4/12 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 4/15 National That Sucks Day 4/17 National Auctioneers Day 4/20 Easter 4/22 National Jelly Bean Day 4/28 Clean Comedy Day 4/29 Viral Video Day
Aftermarket Radio Network
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
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 the 200th episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton marks a significant milestone for the podcast by taking a moment to reflect on the journey over the past year. He shares personal anecdotes that resonate with the audience, including a heartfelt update on Kimberly, who made the selfless decision to donate a kidney to her brother, highlighting the profound impact of family and generosity.
Chris delves into key topics that are crucial for auto repair shop owners, offering insights and advice that are both practical and forward-thinking. One of the main discussions revolves around the concept of adopting a four-day workweek. He explores the potential benefits this can bring, such as improved work-life balance for employees, increased productivity, and enhanced job satisfaction, while also addressing the challenges and considerations that come with implementing such a change.
Another focal point of the episode is the distinction between commitment and mere interest. Chris emphasizes that true success in business requires a deep commitment, rather than just a passing interest. He encourages shop owners to fully dedicate themselves to their goals and to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes long-term success over short-term gains.
The benefits of business coaching are also highlighted, with Chris advocating for the value of having a mentor or coach to guide business owners through the complexities of running an auto repair shop. He shares how coaching can provide clarity, accountability, and strategic direction, ultimately leading to more effective decision-making and business growth.
Throughout the episode, Chris underscores the importance of professionalism within the industry. He stresses that maintaining high standards of professionalism not only enhances the reputation of individual shops but also elevates the industry as a whole.
In addition, he encourages listeners to take advantage of the marketing resources offered by the podcast's sponsor, Shop Marketing Pros. He explains how utilizing these resources can help shop owners effectively reach their target audience, build their brand, and drive business success.
Overall, the episode serves as both a retrospective on the past year's achievements and a motivational message aimed at inspiring business improvement. Chris Cotton's insights and stories provide valuable lessons and encouragement for auto repair shop owners looking to elevate their businesses to new heights.
Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:11)
Overview of the podcast's purpose and the value it offers to auto repair businesses. Celebrating Episode 200 (00:01:08) Kimberly's Kidney Donation (00:02:06) Highlighting Episode 164 - Unlocking Greatness (00:04:21) Highlighting Episode 170 - Four Day Workweek (00:05:24) Preparing for 2025 (00:07:42) Highlighting Episode 172 - Commitment vs. Interest (00:08:46) Highlighting Episode 175 - The Pumpkin Patch (00:09:58) Highlighting Episode 180 - Profit First (00:11:11) Highlighting Episode 185 - Mom and Pop Shops (00:12:00) Highlighting Episode 186 - Coached vs. Uncoached (00:12:46) Highlighting Episode 187 - Project Alpha (00:13:05) Highlighting Episode 189 - Impact of Politics (00:13:55) Highlighting Episode 192 - Self-Obstruction (00:14:20) Highlighting Episode 193 - Being the Best Shop (00:14:46) Highlighting Episode 197 - Chris's Favorite Things (00:15:30) Looking Ahead to Episodes 201 and 202 (00:15:50)
Connect with Chris:
[email protected]
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
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By marxautocenter
Premium Member Content
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By Zenoo
Hi my name is Zenas and I am 26 years old from Alberta, Canada. I started my own automotive repair shop in December 2023. After running it for 1 year I made a little bit of profit. I needed some advice on how I could increase it. Its a 3 bay shop with two 2 post hoists and one 4 post hoist with alignment. I am the only mechanic in the shop as I can't afford to hire anyone at this point. I am charging about $120 per hour for the labor and very minimal mark up on parts. The shop had no customer base when I got it so it took me sometime to build returning customers. If I try to increase the prices on parts the customers run away. Seems like they are calling around the city and going to the cheapest person. My monthly over head cost is about $7000. Whatever I make in a month goes back into next month's rent. Any advices on how to manage this properly from other shop owners?
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