The Everyday Educator: How Leaders Reinforce Learning [THA 458]
About this episode
Exploring innovative training methods, this episode features David Boies, CEO of Today's Class, and shop operator Lola Schmidt, who share insights on daily training practices that enhance team performance. They discuss the benefits of gamification in learning, with Lola's team engaging in short, effective training sessions that foster competition and collaboration. The conversation highlights the importance of continuous education in the automotive industry, showcasing how data-driven training can lead to significant knowledge gains and improved shop efficiency.
David Boyes, CEO of Today’s Class, and Lola Schmidt, Schmidt Auto Care, explore how short, personalized, and gamified training is transforming team development in the automotive industry.
The discussion centers on how Today’s Class delivers 3–5 minute, mobile-friendly training sessions that fit seamlessly into daily shop routines, often completed right after morning huddles. This consistent “daily drip” of learning minimizes workflow disruption while fostering a culture of continuous growth.
Gamification drives engagement through points, badges, and friendly competition, sparking team conversations and collaboration. Shops like Schmidt Auto Care have seen measurable improvements in technical knowledge, such as increased proficiency in brake systems, wheel alignment, and HVAC performance.
Lola shares how her team’s enthusiasm for competition has built deeper learning habits, while David explains how the platform’s data-driven insights help shop leaders identify knowledge gaps, coach effectively, and make smarter business decisions from equipment investments to targeted, hands-on training.
The takeaway: Small, consistent, and data-informed training can create powerful results, driving engagement, improving technical skills, and strengthening both team and business performance.
David Boyes, President of ‘Today’s Class” David’s previous episodes HERE
Lauralee Schmidt, Schmidt Auto Care, Springboro, OH
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Thanks to our Partner, KUKUI Stop juggling multiple marketing tools. KUKUI’s integrated platform delivers 4x better website conversions, automated follow-up, and real-time ROI tracking. Get industry-leading customer support with KUKUI at https://www.kukui.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Pit Crew Loyalty You’re probably tired of chasing new customers who never return. We understand. Pit Crew Loyalty ends the one-and-done cycle, turning first visits into lasting, reliable revenue at https://www.pitcrewloyalty.com/ Connect with the Podcast:- The Automotive Repair Podcast Network:https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/
- Follow on Facebook:
Chevrolet Trax
"...thank you so much to our sponsors. You know, Napa Trax, they've got local representatives to optimize yo..."
The Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV that is easy to drive and park, perfect for city life. It has a roomy inside and comes with helpful tech features, making it a good option for people who want a practical car without needing a lot of space.
The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact crossover SUV that offers a blend of practicality and efficiency. It is designed for urban driving, providing a comfortable ride with a spacious interior and modern technology features, making it a popular choice for those seeking a versatile vehicle.
purge valve
"...now he's very confident what a purge valve is. That was his exact example. So they are learning. And so we can see the metrics..."
A purge valve helps control fuel vapors in your car, making sure they get burned in the engine instead of being released into the air. It's important for keeping your car's emissions low.
A purge valve is a component in a vehicle's evaporative emissions control system. It regulates the flow of fuel vapors from the charcoal canister to the engine, allowing them to be burned during combustion, which helps reduce emissions.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.