Informative event featured in-depth workshops and great networking opportunities

September 12-14 were days full of business, training, and comradery at the recent AARO Business, Trade Show, Reception & Training—tailored exclusively for automotive repair shop owners, their teams and industry visionaries.

The busy season

Starting off the Event, Alan Beech, from Beech Consulting presented ‘Mastering the Chaos of Busy Season: A Tactical Training Course’. He took the audience through highlights—especially for the repair shop staff—to help equip them with the skills and strategies needed to succeed during the anticipated busy season. Those highlights included Presentation and Organization; Capitalizing on Tires; Day-to-Day Process and Post-Busy Season Review and Strategy.

Murray Voth, RPM Training was next up with ‘Stop Overthinking Your Management Process’. Voth designed this course specifically for repair business owners looking to streamline their management methods. It focused on five key concepts to guarantee your clients are well cared for, your employees remain involved, and the business becomes profitable. It was a way to gain insights into what the client expects, effective vehicle care, the roles of your service advisors and the vital commitments for successful client meetings. The five key objectives were Understanding Client Expectations; Optimal Vehicle Care; Service Advisor Responsibilities; Technician Responsibilities and Client Consultation.

Today’s positions

Next to present was Carm Capriotto, the Auto Service Aftermarket Podcast Pioneer, Host and Producer of Remarkable Results Radio and the Aftermarket Radio Network. His presentation had many in the audience nodding in agreement. Carm stated, “This is a very noble narrative for the entire automotive service industry. I wrote this Declaration to upgrade our professionalism and make essential changes to the language of our roles, better describing to our clients and employees how we value all positions in the Auto and Truck Repair Specialist aftermarket.”

He showed how role titles all mean something different. “The word tech/technician is now in effect—tech being the short way of saying mechanic or diagnostician. What does that mean to the customer? How definitive is it for the industry? Tech can mean many different things regarding hiring roles or responsibilities within the organization.” Then he talked about ‘the moniker “installer”. Those in the industry don’t like to be called installer!

Carm listened to a podcast from Matt Fanslow as he brainstorms with two Mobile Diagnosticians where the takeaway word was technology! Capriotto told the audience he started to brainstorm about a title change that gives the job the respect it deserves because words carry meanings. So Carm came up with two new words. For those on the ‘diagnostic’ side—a client comes in because his check engine light is on. As a shop owner, you now tell the client your ‘Technology Specialist’ will do this job! Then he thought about the mechanic. Maybe the client needs brake or timing work—and this is your cue to tell them you’re going to have your best ‘Mechanical Specialist’ work on your car!

New titles

In other words, you are now either a Technology Specialist or a Mechanical Specialist! Much improved titles and well deserved!

The audience loved it and sincerely applauded Carm Capriotto and his new terms!

Next was the Trade Show where everyone had questions for the vendors and new products were examined.

Tuesday brought forth Lindertech Training with Scott Shotten who took attendees through Engine Mechanical Diagnosis with Electron Equipment and after lunch “Efficient and Effective Network Diagnosis”.  Wednesday morning, Brandon Steckler continued the Lindertech Training with “A Streamlined Approach to Diagnostic Dilemmas”, and “Driveability From the Driver’s Seat: Mastering Scan Tool Data Interpretation”.

In all, a very informative event. Now everyone needs to remember it’s ‘Technical Specialist’ or ‘Mechanical Specialist’!