Exploring the often-overlooked features of point-of-sale systems, this episode emphasizes the importance of canned service packages and categories for enhancing shop efficiency. Guests Dave Shadeen and Ben Dexter discuss how these tools can help shop owners track diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and repairs more effectively. They share insights on organizing business data to improve efficiency and profitability, as well as the significance of measuring performance to identify areas for growth. The conversation is filled with practical advice and real-world examples that can transform how shops operate.
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Host Carm Capriotto dives into the untapped power of Shop Management Systems (SMS) with business coach Dave Schedin and Ben Dexter, National Training Manager at NAPA TRACS. Together, they reveal how two often-overlooked tools, categories and canned jobs, can dramatically improve shop efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
The conversation highlights how a smarter system setup leads to faster workflows, clearer data, and stronger decision-making.
Key Topics Discussed
Unlocking the Power of Categories: Dave Schedin explains the importance of tracking three core labor types: Diagnostic, Preventative Maintenance, and Repair. When categorized correctly, shop owners can pinpoint exactly where time and money are gained—or lost.
Building the “Superhighway” to Faster Estimates: Schedin compares developing Canned Jobs to constructing a freeway: it takes an upfront investment of time, but once built, it enables rapid, efficient estimating.
Professional Communication: Canned jobs help replace vague descriptions with clear, value-focused explanations. This allows newer advisors to communicate like seasoned professionals while ensuring consistent pricing, messaging, and storytelling across the shop.
Turning Data into Profit: Ben Dexter reinforces the principle of “garbage in, garbage out”: without clean, organized data, shop owners are simply guessing.
By mastering categories and canned jobs, shop owners can turn their management system into a powerful engine for clarity, consistency, and long-term profitability.
Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:03:15 – The Three Labor Categories (Diagnostic, PM, Repair)
00:05:45 – Creating Smart Warranty Categories
00:08:20 – Data Integrity: “Garbage In, Garbage Out”
00:14:15 – Canned Jobs & Professional Storytelling
00:16:30 – “Level 10” Jobs & Built-In Parts Triggers
00:18:00 – Reducing Advisor Cognitive Load
00:19:45 – Generic Jobs vs. Vehicle-Specific “Pro Jobs”
00:22:30 – Helping New Advisors Sound Like Pros
00:25:00 – Writing Complex Estimates in 2–3 Minutes
Ben Dexter, National Training Manager, NAPA TRACS. Find Ben’s other episodes HERE
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...
"...ive SMS in the industry. We'll prove to you that Trax is the single best shop management system in the..."
The Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV that is easy to drive and park, making it great for city living. It has a roomy inside and gets good gas mileage, which means you can save money on fuel. People talk about the Trax because it's a good option for anyone needing a practical and affordable vehicle.
The Chevrolet Trax is a subcompact SUV that offers a blend of practicality and efficiency, making it a popular choice for urban drivers. It features a spacious interior, advanced technology options, and good fuel economy, which are significant factors for those looking for a versatile vehicle. Discussions about the Trax often center around its value as an entry-level SUV and its suitability for daily commuting.
"...customer okayed, authorized to replace the air conditioning compressor and service and flush system as needed. Or I have a whole lot more by which reasons than our can job packages that we have."
The air conditioning compressor helps make your car's AC work by pushing the refrigerant around the system. Without it, your car wouldn't be able to cool down on hot days.
An air conditioning compressor is a crucial component of a vehicle's AC system. It compresses the refrigerant and circulates it through the system, allowing the AC to cool the air inside the car.
"...authorized to replace the air conditioning compressor and service and flush system as needed. Or I have a whole lot more by which reasons than our can job packages that we have."
Flushing the system is like giving your car's AC a deep clean. It helps remove dirt and old fluids so that the AC can work better and last longer.
Flushing the system refers to the process of cleaning out the air conditioning system to remove contaminants and old refrigerant. This is important for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of the AC system.
"When you do an AC compressor, make sure you do this, make sure you do this, make sure you do this, you know, and there was a brand of AC compressors."
The AC compressor is the part that helps your car's air conditioning work. It pushes the refrigerant around the system to keep the air cool inside the car.
An AC compressor is a crucial component of an automotive air conditioning system. It compresses refrigerant gas and circulates it through the system, allowing the AC to cool the air inside the vehicle.
"...give a new service rider an intake manifold gasket estimate, it's more than just the intake manifold gasket and the labor. We got all the other things we got to do with that."
The intake manifold gasket helps keep the air and fuel mixture in your engine. If it breaks, it can cause problems with how the engine runs.
An intake manifold gasket is a seal that sits between the intake manifold and the engine block. It prevents air and fuel leaks, ensuring the engine runs efficiently. If it fails, it can lead to poor engine performance and increased emissions.
"Then I'm going to put on a cooling system service, adjust labor appropriately if there's overlap,"
A cooling system service is when a mechanic checks and fixes parts that keep your engine from getting too hot. This includes things like the radiator and the fluid that cools the engine down.
A cooling system service involves checking and maintaining the vehicle's cooling system, which includes the radiator, coolant, thermostat, and hoses. This service helps prevent overheating and ensures the engine operates efficiently.
"You know, the same with, like, the thermostat. Or, and if you have to disconnect the battery for anything,"
The thermostat is a part that helps keep your engine at the right temperature. It opens and closes to let coolant flow when the engine gets too hot or too cold.
The thermostat is a critical component in a vehicle's cooling system that regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. It opens and closes based on the engine's temperature to maintain optimal operating conditions.
"...how do you get them to speak automobile ease in a short amount of time? Well, our can jobs, which I'm actually going through and revancing them now..."
Automobile ease is the specific language used by people in the car industry. It includes all the special words and phrases that help them talk about cars and their parts easily.
Automobile ease refers to the specialized language and terminology used within the automotive industry. It encompasses the jargon and technical terms that automotive professionals use to communicate effectively about vehicles and their components.
"...plus a matter and a feature. So the wet valley intake was leaking."
The wet valley intake is a part of the engine that helps mix air and fuel before it goes into the engine. If it leaks, it can cause problems with how the engine runs.
The wet valley intake is a component of an engine's intake system that helps distribute air and fuel to the engine cylinders. A leak in this part can lead to performance issues and engine inefficiency.
"okay, so we just did the wet valley intake, the water pump or the whatever. There's, I'm adding a tag in there."
The water pump is a part of the car that helps keep the engine cool by moving coolant around. If it stops working, the engine can get too hot and cause problems.
The water pump is a crucial component of a vehicle's cooling system, responsible for circulating coolant through the engine and radiator to maintain optimal operating temperatures. A failing water pump can lead to overheating and engine damage.
"If you do this preventative maintenance, this won't happen again. And now the advisor who doesn't know what related services would have prevented that..."
Preventative maintenance means taking care of your car regularly to stop bigger problems from happening later. It's like getting check-ups to stay healthy.
Preventative maintenance refers to regular and routine maintenance tasks that are performed on a vehicle to prevent potential problems and ensure its longevity. This can include oil changes, fluid checks, and other services that help avoid costly repairs in the future.
"In my shop, I got to the point where if I had nine to 10 or 11 items in an RO needed..."
An RO is like a receipt for car repairs. It shows what work was done, how much it cost, and what parts were used.
An RO, or Repair Order, is a document that details the services performed on a vehicle, including parts used, labor, and costs. It serves as a record for both the shop and the customer regarding the work done on the vehicle.
"...Once I got my can jobs down, then you know how long it took me to do nine to 10 or 11 on average, two to three minutes."
A CAN job is a type of estimate that mechanics use to figure out how much a repair will cost. It includes prices for parts and labor, making it easier to give customers an accurate quote.
A CAN job refers to a standardized estimate or repair procedure used in the automotive industry, often generated using a computer system that includes parts and labor pricing. It helps technicians quickly assess repair costs.
"...I've got that can job in a real live situation with current pricing. Now I copy that, I save that job as a can job per manufacturer."
'Chevy half ton' is a nickname for the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. It's called 'half ton' because it can carry about 1,000 pounds of weight in its bed.
The term 'Chevy half ton' typically refers to the Chevrolet Silverado, which is a popular full-size pickup truck. The 'half ton' designation indicates its payload capacity, which is around 1,000 pounds.
"...2008 Chevy half ton 5.7 liter or whatever. I don't even know the leaders anymore."
'5.7 liter' means the size of the engine in the truck. A bigger engine usually means more power, which helps the truck carry heavy loads or tow things.
The '5.7 liter' refers to the engine displacement of the V8 engine commonly found in the Chevrolet Silverado. Engine displacement is a measure of the total volume of all the cylinders in an engine, affecting power and efficiency.
"over a Toyota Camry timing belt, the dealership will quote them for the belt and the labor only"
The Toyota Camry is a well-known car that many people use for everyday driving. It's known for being dependable and good on gas.
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan known for its reliability and comfort. It's often used as a family car and is recognized for its fuel efficiency and resale value.
"So Mr. Jodes comes in for a check engine light. It's not just check engine light on and it goes out to the tech. Well, does it do it cold? Does it do it warm? Is it any work? When does it do it?"
The check engine light is a warning light on your car's dashboard that tells you something might be wrong with the engine. It can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a serious engine problem.
The check engine light is an indicator on the vehicle's dashboard that signals a problem with the engine or emissions system. It can illuminate for various reasons, ranging from minor issues to significant mechanical failures.
"...because we have a new left-handed EGR widget on a left-handed EGR driven Subaru. There are specific questions..."
An EGR widget is a part of the car that helps make it cleaner by sending some of the exhaust back into the engine. This helps the car use fuel better and pollute less.
An EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) widget is a component that helps reduce emissions by recirculating a portion of the exhaust gas back into the engine's intake. This process helps improve fuel efficiency and lower nitrogen oxide emissions.
– Introduction
– The Three Labor Categories (Diagnostic, PM, Repair)
– Creating Smart Warranty Categories
– Data Integrity: “Garbage In, Garbage Out”
– Canned Jobs & Professional Storytelling
– “Level 10” Jobs & Built-In Parts Triggers
– Reducing Advisor Cognitive Load
– Generic Jobs vs. Vehicle-Specific “Pro Jobs”
– Helping New Advisors Sound Like Pros
– Writing Complex Estimates in 2–3 Minutes
– The ROI: 15–20% Sales Growth Potential
– Building the Estimating “Superhighway”
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