Changing The Industry Podcast

09/15/2026

You don't have to work on everything to build a successful shop.

A lot of shops try to customize everything and take on every type of vehicle and every kind of repair.

But sometimes, the better business model is much simpler.

Find a formula that works.

Maybe you specialize in certain makes. Maybe you focus on a specific age range. Maybe you narrow down the services you perform.

The point is to build a system you can repeat.

When you know what you're good at, what your team can handle, and what your customers expect, you can build processes around it. Your technicians get better at the work. Your workflow gets more predictable. And your business becomes easier to manage.

That doesn't mean you can never step outside your formula.

It means those exceptions should be intentional, not the foundation of your business.

Find what works. Build the system. Repeat it.

You don't need to do everything.

You need to do the right things really well.

09/15/2026

A Tech Cares More Than The Shop Owner?

09/14/2026

🎙️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧

Modern vehicles are more complex than ever, and technicians have to keep up.

When proper diagnosis is replaced with parts changing, the consequences go beyond one repair.

Customers lose confidence, vehicles come back repeatedly, and skilled technicians can become undervalued.

The industry needs technicians who understand how to diagnose and actually fix the vehicle, not simply replace parts until something works.

Customers aren't paying us to change parts. They're paying us to fix their cars.

Listen to the full episode. 𝐋𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 👇

09/14/2026

Hey everyone, new episode is live! 🎙️

As vehicles become more complicated, the expectations on technicians continue to grow.

When technicians aren't properly trained in diagnostics, it can turn into a cycle of changing parts, comebacks, frustrated customers, and damaged shop reputations.

It also creates a bigger problem for technicians who have invested the time to develop their diagnostic skills. When poor repairs become common, the value of true technical ability can get overlooked.

Are we doing enough to train technicians to diagnose today's vehicles instead of just replacing parts?

Watch the full episode 👇
Episode Link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/67cb7214
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52x8BsKZGVI

09/14/2026

Shop Marketing Pros is hosting a free webinar next week, Thursday, September 17th at 2 PM CT, for shop owners on a topic that often gets overlooked in marketing conversations: the front counter's role in ad performance. 5 Ways Your Front Counter Can Optimize Your Ad Results will cover how shops can improve the customer experience, increase booking rates, and see their true dollar-for-dollar ROI from Local Services ads. We'd appreciate it if you would share this with your organization's contacts, if possible!

Here's the link to register: https://f.mtr.cool/i36x55q48x

09/13/2026

You can't blame the industry for every outcome in your life.

The industry can create challenges. Your employer can make mistakes. The market can change.

But at some point, you have to look at your own decisions and take responsibility for where you are.

Too often, people confuse equal opportunity with equal outcome.

Those are not the same thing.

Everyone may have the opportunity to learn, improve, work harder, make better decisions, and build something different. But the outcome is going to be influenced by what you choose to do with that opportunity.

Your industry can't make those decisions for you.

Your paycheck can't make those decisions for you.

You have more control over your outcome than you think.

That means taking ownership of your finances, your career, your skills, your habits, and the decisions you make every day.

You may not control where you start.

But you have a say in where you go from there.

09/12/2026

Being cheaper isn’t the same as being a better value.

A dealership quotes $12,000 for a repair. Your shop quotes $14,000.

The customer’s first question is probably going to be, “Why are you more expensive?”

The answer can’t just be, “Because we are.”

You have to be able to explain what the customer is getting for that difference.

Maybe it’s a longer warranty. Maybe it’s a more thorough repair process. Maybe it’s the way your technicians are compensated.

When your technicians are paid by the job, there can be an incentive to get the vehicle done as quickly as possible.

But when your team is compensated regardless of how fast they complete the repair, you can build a culture where quality comes before speed.

That doesn’t mean efficiency doesn't matter. It means you don't sacrifice the quality of the repair just to make the clock look good.

Customers aren't always looking for the lowest price.

They want to know that the person working on their vehicle is going to do the job right.

If you're going to charge more, you better be able to explain the value behind it.

09/10/2026

If you're trying to change the industry, you're probably going to make some people uncomfortable.

Not everyone is going to agree with what you say.

Not everyone is going to like the direction you're pushing.

And that's okay.

A lot of the people who are frustrated with the industry are the loudest voices. The people who are happy with their shops, their careers, and their leadership often aren't jumping into the comments to tell everyone how good things are.

So don't let the noise convince you that progress isn't happening.

If you want to grow, build a better career, or create a better life, pay attention to the people you're surrounding yourself with.

Your environment matters.

Surround yourself with people who are learning, growing, building, and moving in the direction you want to go.

You don't have to follow the crowd.

Sometimes you have to be willing to challenge it.

09/09/2026

🎙️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧

A customer says, "I already know what's wrong with it."
Sound familiar?

One of the biggest challenges in auto repair is helping customers understand that diagnosing a vehicle is a process.

A trouble code doesn't automatically tell you what part needs to be replaced.
A price doesn't tell the whole story.

And when communication breaks down, even a good repair can turn into a bad customer experience.
That's why great shops focus on transparency, communication, and accurate processes.

From explaining diagnostics to managing parts inventory and controlling the numbers inside your shop, the details matter.

Good shop management isn't just about making more money. It's about creating systems that prevent mistakes, protect profitability, and deliver a better experience.

Listen to the full episode. 𝐋𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 👇

09/09/2026

Hey everyone, new episode is live! 🎙️

One of the biggest challenges in auto repair isn't just fixing the vehicle.

It's managing expectations.

Customers may come in convinced they already know what's wrong. They may question diagnostic charges, compare your pricing to a dealer, or leave frustrated when the repair costs more than they expected.

That's where communication matters.

A diagnostic code isn't a diagnosis.

Your team has to be able to explain what they're testing, what they're finding, and why the recommended repair is necessary.

But this episode also gets into the business side of running a shop.

Parts inventory.

Labor rates.

Pay structures.

Software controls.

Internal processes.

Accurate numbers.

Because when the systems behind the scenes aren't right, it eventually affects your team, your profitability, and your customers.

What's the biggest challenge in your shop right now: customer expectations, diagnostics, or managing the business?

Watch the full episode 👇
Episode Link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5088dcea
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/KSd74KNYqgc?si=bGjQB1K-8-UeuI52

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