28 DEC 2023 · Charles Dickens might have said it best when he began his story “A Tale of Two Cities” by saying "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” When you think about it, every year end review and new years forecast could be summed up exactly the same way. It’s all in how you look at things. In this 2023 wrapup/2024 forecast episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman and Vic Tarasik discuss the state of the automotive industry at the end of the year and what to expect in the coming year. Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner magazine and Tarasik, The Shop Owner Coach agree that 2023 has been decent, with some clients experiencing record months and trending towards a record year. They also discuss the positive impact of lower gas prices and the potential for increased vehicle maintenance and repairs as a result. However, they acknowledge that things can change. The speakers touch on the importance of being prepared for potential challenges and uncertainties in the coming year, such as supply chain issues and changes in consumer behavior. They also discuss the trend of some shops considering a four-day workweek and the benefits and drawbacks associated with it. Overall, they emphasize the importance of focusing on what can be controlled within the shop and making decisions that prioritize the well-being of employees and the satisfaction of existing customers. Talking Shop with Shop Owner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2024 AAPEX show, to be held November 5-7 in Las Vegas, visit AAPEXshow.com.

27 NOV 2023 · When the workday is over, the tools are put away, the computers have gone to sleep, the customers have driven away safely and the last tech has clocked out, washed up and left the parking lot, do you ever just take a minute to put your hands on your hips, look around your shop, take a deep breath and think, “Is this really all there is to life?” If so, you’re probably not alone. After a tiring day of being responsible for everything – from customers’ cars and their safety, employee productivity and their family’s security to your own business legacy, things can get a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot of stressful nights spent tossing, turning and considering what’s next. Bryce Kenny understands what you’re feeling. Kenny, professional driver of the Monster Jam Great Clips Mohawk Warrior monster truck, says he has been stuck in routines that were intended to bring him one level of satisfaction, only to find out that he was stuck in the wrong gear. In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner, Bryce Kenny, talks about his new book called "Geared for Life." In the book, Kenny shares his personal journey and offers advice on finding the courage to chase dreams and overcome fear. He emphasizes the importance of shifting into the next gear in life and making a lasting impact on the world. Kenny believes that success is not about faking it until you make it, but rather believing in yourself and becoming the best version of yourself. He also encourages readers to look for ways to inconvenience themselves and to find meaning and purpose in their work. Kenny's book is available for purchase on various platforms, and he is passionate about helping others find their own gears and achieve success. Talking Shop with Shop Owner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive aftermarketing business and networking event. For more information about the show, visit AAPEXShow.com.

24 OCT 2023 · We talk a lot about the challenges facing shops these days – from technology to training to technicians, it often feels like we have more problems than solutions. In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, we endeavor to get answers to some of our questions. Doug Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner and Tomorrow’s Technician, talks with Jen Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and supporting young people to pursue careers as automotive technicians. TechForce provides scholarships, grants, and resources to help students get the education and training they need to enter the industry. Tech Force recently launched the "Grab the Wheel" campaign, which aims to reach out to 13 to 24-year-olds who may be interested in becoming automotive professionals. The campaign focuses on empowering young people to take control of their future and consider a career as a skilled technician. Tech Force also offers a community platform where industry professionals can connect and support each other and encourages industry professionals, shops, and manufacturers to get involved by volunteering, making donations or posting job opportunities. Tech Force is taking a group of students to the 2023 AAPEX Show, to expose them to the industry and show them the opportunities available. For more information on the foundation, visit TechForceFound.org Taking Shop with ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX.

2 OCT 2023 · Would you go for a ride in a car that has no driver? Autonomous vehicles are making news every day and they're making some automotive professionals nervous. Are they the future of ride sharing? Are we destined to become a world of passengers? Today we're talking about taking a backseat and letting technology do to driving. We're talking Shop with Shop Owner. Autonomous vehicles have been in the news a lot recently. Waymo, Google's self-driving car division has just announced success in putting completely autonomous vehicles into the field in Arizona. Yet there are still some challenges. Google says there have been cases where the test drivers in their vehicles fell asleep behind the wheel. A driverless car recently drove into wet concrete, mistaking it for a road, and studies from London have shown that self-driving cars and their cameras aren't yet perfect. In this episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner, Doug Kaufman discusses the future of autonomous vehicles with Chris Piche, the CEO of Smarter AI. Piche explains that Smarter AI develops software platforms for AI cameras used in various applications, including driverless cars. He emphasizes that while AI cameras are not perfect, they are constantly improving and have already been used to enhance safety features in cars. Piche also discusses the challenges of data collection and processing, as well as the potential for AI cameras to detect complacent and distracted driving. He concludes by mentioning the increasing use of AI technology in commercial transportation markets. This episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner is presented by AAPEX, the automotive industry's premier training, technical and networking gathering. The 2023 AAPEX Show will be held in Las Vegas, October 31-November 2. For information, visit AAPEXShow.com

30 AUG 2023 · Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan once said, "Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent." While it's doubtful the Ryan Express was discussing the future of the automotive aftermarket, his words are just as true for us as they were for himself, as he found himself facing increasingly younger, stronger batters throughout his career. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, the Kaufmans continue their analysis of what's to come. Doug Kaufman with Shop Owner Magazine and Derek Kaufman, managing partner at Schwartz Advisors, talk about the future of this industry, focusing on the people, the ones who work in the shops, the ones who own the shops. The common complaint is there's just no good techs out there. When the local fast food places are having trouble hiring workers, what chance do we have? What will it take to recruit, hire and retain top talent now and in the next several years? Talking Shop with ShopOnwer is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX Show to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31-November 2, visit aapexshow.com.

27 JUL 2023 · Of all the changes this industry has faced over its more than a century of life, that past 40 years have been a whirlwind. We’ve seen typewriters transition to mainframes to laptops; we’ve witnessed the eventual embrace of fuel injection and anti-lock brakes; we’ve seen OBDII and the internet come and pagers and faxes go. Through it all, shop owners have adapted. It’s fun to look back at what’s changed and consider how much better off we are now – but it’s scary to be on the other side of the curve, looking forward, trying to predict what’s coming next over the horizon. In this episode, Doug Kaufman, editor of ShopOwner grills Derek Kaufman, managing partner at Schwartz Advisors about what we can expect in the automotive industry in the future. As it turns out, that future is both closer and more amazing than you may imagine. Talking Shop With ShopOwner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX show, to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31 through November 2, visit AAPEXshow.com.

30 JUN 2023 · For years, many automotive professionals feared the growing presence of electric vehicles because of the possibility that they meant fewer service opportunities. Since it's now becoming clear that EVs will still require much of the traditional maintenance and repair found in conventional vehicles, shops are embracing the technology. With electric vehicles, potentially accounting for 40% of total passenger car sales by 2030, the time is now to equip the people working on these vehicles for the road ahead, especially since drivers are keeping their cars on the road longer. They're not going away and shop owners and technicians will need to know how to do jobs - even traditional service and maintenance work - efficiently and safely. From training to tooling, the requirements to work on EVs are more critical than ever. Increased production and the push to adopt EVs has been a long time coming, but are the technicians who service these vehicles and keep them on the road ready for the change? In this episode of Talking Shop With ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman talks with Susan Starnes, Vice President of Emerging Markets with NAPA and Jake Sorensen, a NAPA Auto Care technician at McNeil's Autocare in Sandy and Riverton, UT, who explain why addressing the challenges before they're a problem is the best way for shops to prepare for the coming influx of electric vehicles. This episode is sponsored by AAPEX.

31 MAY 2023 · As a fan, the drama and excitement of sports are a great distraction from real life - something amazing might be right around the next corner, the next pitch or the next pass. Yet, as a coach or player, you know you need a great game plan to get to the next level. It's no different with your business. When you've done all you can do to help your team be successful, it's up to them to execute your X's and O's. Sometimes, a timeout will be required to get things back on track. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman talks with Vic Tarasik about the efforts a good coach puts in before the game starts so that mid-course corrections aren't devastating to your business. This episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX Show, to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31st through November 2nd, visit aapexshow.com.

27 APR 2023 · Hopefully we all do vehicle inspections – and hopefully, most of those are digital inspections. And, with constantly evolving advances in technology, those inspections are producing amazing images. Those pictures are telling the story your customer needs to hear in ways that words alone can’t begin to explain. Whether it's between technicians, or the service advisor and customers, or technicians and the shop owner, communication is key to a successful day and a successful shop. But with increased communication hurdles is what you are saying really what's being understood? According to Rod Stewart, "every picture tells a story, don't it?" A DVI is like a three step support mechanism for, one, connecting with customers and showing them the importance of the repairs you recommend with. Two, visual proof of why it should be done. And three, showing the quality of the pair once it's done. Offering customers a log of pictures also helps them to see for themselves how the parts wear over time. This both educates your customer and also builds their trust in your shop. Likely they'll be more open to the repairs you recommend following those photos. But just having the pictures isn't the end of the story. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, editor Doug Kaufman has a conversation with Vic Tarasik from Shop Owner Coach and Greg Buckley, from Buckley's Autocare in Wilmington, DE. The trio discuss not only why a DVI is the best way to inspect every car, but what tools are required, how they should be conducted and what you can do with the information once you've captured it. This episode of Talking Shop with Shop Owner is sponsored by AAPEX. AAPEX is the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX show, to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31 through November 2, visit AAPEXshow.com.

29 MAR 2023 · There is justified concern about the future of this industry, and specifically, who's going to be around to fix vehicles when that trusted local mechanic retires his wrenches. Some fear that no one is interested or able to step into the gap. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, Doug Kaufman talks with Mike Wiant from the Ohio Tech Group. Mike has an innovative way of creating excitement about this industry and is on a mission to inspire the next generation of technician. This episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner is sponsored by AAPEX, the premier automotive industry networking and educational event. To get more information about the 2023 AAPEX Show, to be held this year in Las Vegas, October 31st through November 2nd, visit aapexshow.com.