What’s The Worst Piece of Advice You’ve Ever Been Given in Business? [THA 397]

carmcapriotto · September 6

Join our panel of shop owners as they discuss the worst advice they've received in the automotive business: "Be the cheapest in town; it will get you more business." "Don't give a price over the phone." "Don't get personal." "DVI's are not worth the extra time." "You'll never make it because you're too honest." "Don't hire a business coach." Bill Nalu, Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI. Listen to Bill’s previous episodes HERE. Judy Zimmerman Walter, Zimmerman’s Automotive, Mechanicsburg, PA. Listen to Judy’s other episodes HERE. Jesse Matthews, Matthews Mobile Mechanic LLC. Listen to Jesse's other episodes HERE Brian Winograd, Broadway Transmissions and More, Red Lion, PA Show Notes

Judy's Experience with Cheap Advice (00:02:57) Judy shares her father's experience with advice to be the cheapest to attract customers.
Bill's Perspective on Pricing (00:03:47) Bill discusses the pitfalls of being the cheapest and the importance of quality over price.
Brian's Insights on Industry Standards (00:06:29) Brian emphasizes the value of hiring professionals for quality work in any industry.
Communication of Value (00:10:46) Brian highlights the need for better communication of the value provided to customers.
Jesse's Coaching Advice (00:12:22) Jesse recounts his father's skepticism about business coaching and the importance of seeking guidance.
Brian on the Value of Websites (00:14:03) Brian recalls being advised against investing in a website, which he later found invaluable.
The Inner Business Person (00:16:44) Carm discusses the concept of the "inner business person" and its importance in business growth.
Judy's Advice on Competition (00:17:47) Judy shares a piece of dubious advice about removing competitors' oil stickers, highlighting ethical concerns.
Shop management systems (00:18:28) Discussion on the significance of effective shop management systems for profitability and efficiency.
Handling customer inquiries about pricing (00:20:45) Exploration of the complexities surrounding giving prices over the phone and customer engagement.
The art of conversation with customers (00:21:04) Emphasis on the need for better communication skills to engage customers effectively.
The value of customer trust (00:22:45) Discussion on how to build customer trust and the importance of in-person interactions.
The role of visual aids in service (00:26:12) Highlighting the effectiveness of visual aids in explaining vehicle issues to customers.
Customer misconceptions about vehicle maintenance (00:27:20) Addressing common customer beliefs about car longevity and the need for regular service.
The value of coaching in business (00:28:30) Discussion on the advantages of hiring coaches for personal and business growth.
Mentorship groups as a resource (00:31:34) Exploring the benefits of mentorship groups for shop owners seeking guidance and support.
Accountability in coaching (00:34:35) The importance of having a coach who holds you accountable for your business actions.
Discussion on Humility and Growth (00:34:48) Brian shares his journey of learning humility and the importance of accepting advice for personal growth.
Confession and Reflection (00:37:12) Carm acknowledges Brian's confession about recognizing personal issues as a barrier to success.
Advice on Social Media (00:37:49) Carm warns against seeking advice on social media, emphasizing it can lead to poor decision-making.
Critique of Low Pricing Strategies (00:38:21) Judy discusses the dangers of lowballing business prices to attract customers, advocating for value instead.
Integrity in Business Practices (00:39:15) Brian reflects on the importance of honesty in business, sharing a personal story about integrity.
Finding Mentorship and Growth (00:41:47) Jesse emphasizes the value of mentorship and learning from various sources to improve business practices.
Shift from Training to Education (00:43:10) Carm proposes changing the terminology from "training" to "education" to enhance the learning experience.
Personal Investment in Business (00:44:25) Bill stresses the importance of taking business personally and aligning it with core values for success.
Educating Customers (00:46:06) Carm concludes with the need to educate customers about services rather than simply responding to their demands.

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