I’ve heard most successful people are described as goal orientated or driven. They have a passion for their achievement daily and are inspired towards their purpose. Today I want to use an example of an individual I’ve known for many years, Shawn Dill. Shawn fits the bill I just described plus a lot more. Whenever success is illustrated in an individual’s…

Recently I’ve experienced some intermittent chest pain every now and then that would last about 10 to 15 seconds and go away. After considering potential health implications I went to my local doctor’s office that performed an EKG. After the EKG was performed she was studying the print out very concerned. She…

All of us have individuals in our lives that for better or worse impact who we are as a person forever. One of those individuals for me was a technician I worked with while being a fixed ops director for a car dealership. He came up to me one morning asking me to read a brochure then have a meeting with him. The brochure was…

If I asked you a simple question such as are you willing to be your best, how would you respond? Before you answer that question consider a few things. Doing your best often requires addressing things that aren’t comfortable. It might be a long-term employee that hasn’t had a positive thought in the last 15 years. They talk…

The technician shortage is a common concern across the United States and everybody is looking for solutions. Many dealerships are placing ads looking for experienced technicians with little response from qualified applicants. The focus is on the immediate need without an understanding of the overall solution. I understand immediate needs…

On Wednesday I presented a webinar on overcoming your technician crisis for Automotive News, and I want to say thank you to all the people that showed up! If you happened to miss this webinar on worries the recording is on the Automotive News website, by the way, it is free!…

On November 1st I will be presenting a free webinar for Automotive News in their Fixed Ops Journal at 2:00 pm ET. This webinar has the topic of Overcoming Your Technician Crisis. In this webinar, we will cover the reasons for our current shortage and spell out how your dealership…

I have watched countless presentations from dealers who want a change from their employees. Generally, these discussions don’t go well and the tone of the dealer is one of superiority that controls the conversation and doesn’t ask for input. Their authority is never in question and I am confident all of…

Today I spent some time reflecting after the tragedy in Vegas where hundreds were injured and many lost their life. They went to a concert to have a good time and their lives changed instantly affecting not only them but their families and friends. I live my life in a manner that isn’t focused on money or what’s in it for me…

Recently I was training an advisor that told me he wants to be great. It challenged my thinking so I thought it would be interesting to write down some thoughts on being a great advisor. Most would say this is a numbers business and great would mean incredible numbers. The most common question I receive is how do I get those…

Many things today require assembly when you buy them and include a package of individual parts such as nuts and bolts. Included in this package is printed information call directions that give step-by-step assembly instructions that should produce the assembled product without much effort. Recently I purchased some…

Most dealers are bottom line performance individuals and start there when reviewing a financial statement. Parts Departments have some interesting considerations that should be understood when reviewing their financial performance. Many dealerships don’t utilize G&A accounting that separates General Management,…

New car sales across the country have been declining with many dealerships starting to feel the heat from sales departments seeing reduced performance. Fixed operations have become critical and dealerships look for ways to improve returns from their service, parts, and body shops. The fact is, I believe fixed…

Recently I was at a grocery store deli to pick up my wife’s favorite cheese and learned a lesson about customer care and complaints. There was one employee in the Department cleaning the sink and a customer was patiently waiting ahead of me. I asked if she had been helped yet which caught the attention of the employee. She…

As our company Fixed Performance enters into its 15th year helping dealerships improve their fixed operations as its founder I have to reminisce. I recall starting out without a single client and no recognition to having a wait list and traveling around on a private plane for my visits. Nobody in the car business can…

When I was a kid growing up in Wooster Ohio, my father always fueled up his car at Williams Texaco. The station was right down the street from where we lived and it had service, I am willing to bet most dealerships would love to have. We would always be greeted at the pump promptly where they would wash our windshield,…

It doesn’t matter if you are in management or a staff member on a team so many have unanswered questions. One example of is a large majority of general managers for car dealerships come from a sales background. They are experts when it comes to selling cars and are very good at their trade. However, their…

Finding and retaining quality technicians has become an issue across the country with an immediate need for over 30,000 additional positions available. The amount of new technicians going into the field is low while technicians…

Often I discuss leadership skills, culture, and processes that assure the success of individuals and dealerships. Today we will look at something that involves all three of these in a unique fashion. 



Everyone has a…