Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
Chris Cotton
Updated 3 days agoWeekly inspiration from automotive service business coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. www.autoshopcoaching.com Run Your Shop. Don't Let It Run You.
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Episodes (272)
Leadership Gold - A Leader's First Responsibility Is to Define Reality [E071]
Leadership Gold - A Leader's First Responsibility Is to Define RealityAutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MChapter 8: Leader’s First Responsibility is to Define RealityYou Can't Define What You Don't SeeQuestions to ask yourself to help you define reality. Guarding Against Unrealistic Thinking:Admit My WeaknessEmbrace Realistic PeopleAsk for Honesty From OthersInvite Fresh Eyes to Check You OutApplication Exercises:What kind of thinker are you?Who speaks the truth in your life?Where do you need a reality check?Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Leadership Gold: Get In The Zone & Stay There! [E070]
Leadership Gold: Get In The Zone & Stay There! AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MChapter 8: Leader’s First Responsibility is to Define RealityYou Can't Define What You Don't SeeQuestions to ask yourself to help you define reality. Guarding Against Unrealistic Thinking:1. Admit My Weakness2. Embrace Realistic People3. Ask for Honesty From Others4. Invite Fresh Eyes to Check You OutApplication Exercises:1. What kind of thinker are you?2. Who speaks the truth in your life?3. Where do you need a reality check?Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Production Apprentice Program for Auto Shops [E069]
Production Apprentice Program for Auto ShopsAutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MWhy a Production Apprentice….1. We have to start somewhere and change the stigma etc….of just a lube tech2. We have to get these folks in a production mindset3. We have to make sure that our current producers are producing and the best way to do that is to eliminate the stops and starts that make them unproductive. 4. One of the top two reasons why people leave when asked on exit interviews is because they didn’t receive the training they thought they were going to get or they didn’t understand what their future looked like. Production Apprentice Daily Tasks: Make sure that everyone is set up for success every day.Walk in with a positive Can-Do attitude! We have no place for Can’t-Do’s in our business.Make sure to pull out all vehicles not needed in the shop. Make sure that your area is cleaned and ready to go. Check-in with the supervisor to see what is pressing and important and what direction you should move first. What is your daily schedule?Check with the supervisor for the To Do List for the day.To end the day make sure the shop is clean and ready for the following day.
Leadership Gold - The Best Leaders are Listeners [E068]
Leadership Gold - The Best Leaders are ListenersAutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MThe Best Leaders Are ListenersWhy Listeners Are More Effective Leaders1. Understanding People Precedes Leading Them2. Listening Is The Best Way to Learn3. Listening Can Keep Problems from Escalating4. Listening Establishes Trust5. Listening Can Improve the OrganizationApplication Exercises:1. Give Yourself A Listening Audit2. Who Doesn't Feel Listened to?3. What people have you neglected to seek out?Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Leadership Gold: Follow Your Passion [E067]
AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MFollow Your Passion, Creating A Breakthrough, Forget the Money, Follow Your Passion.Application Exercise:1. What is your true passion?2. How much passion do you have for your current work?3. How can you follow your passion?Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Scorecard For Success [E066]
Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MScorecard for Success - Chris Cotton Weekly BlitzWhat is a Scorecard for Success?Step 1: This first step, in the beginning, is to begin!Step 2: Identify 5-Scorecard Categories and a maximum of 3 scorecards.Step 3: Put a weekly goal on each category.Step 4: Assign each goal to a department and the team members in that department.Step 5: Assign a Scorecard keeper.Step 6: Use the Scorecard each week.Step 7: Review the Scorecard.Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Stop Putting Yourself Last [E065]
Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MStop Putting Yourself Last - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz1. Stop Being the Martyr2. The Trouble with Selflessness (more concerned with the needs of others)3. How Selflessness Becomes an Excuse4. Finding the BalanceCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Leadership Gold: You Know You're Out Front When [E064]
Leadership Gold: You Know You're Out Front When ...Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MHow do YOU handle criticism?How to Hold Up Under Criticism:1. Know Yourself2. Change Yourself3. Accept Yourself 4. Forget YourselfApplication Exercises:1. What are your deficiencies?2. How secure are you as a leader?3. How can you properly process criticism?Mentoring Moment: Observe how others handle criticism and share your feedback with them!Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Defining Moments Define Your Leadership [E063]
Defining Moments Define Your LeadershipLink for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MDefining Moments Define Your Leadership1. Defining Moments Show Us Who We Really Are.2. Defining moments declare to others who we are. 3. Defining moments determine who we will become. 4. Reflect on defining moments from the past.5. Prepare for future defining moments. 6. Make the Most of defining moments in the present. Application Exercises:1. What is your track record?2. How are you managing your decisions?3. How prepared are you for your future defining moments?Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
The Value of Exit Interviews [THA 278] - Remarkable Results Radio Podcast
We’re talking Exit interviews. Some shop owners do them religiously. Some don’t want to face the music. Some don’t know what to do in an exit interview. Is it a smart time not to burn a bridge? Is there a format to follow? We are going to attempt to answer these questions and more in today’s Town Hall Academy. You can learn a lot about yourself and your company in exit interviews.Watch the Episode on YouTubeMatt Fanslow, lead diagnostician and shop manager, Riverside Automotive, Red Wing, MN. Matt’s previous episodes HEREMatt Fanslow Podcast: Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to ZChris Cotton, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching and the Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz PodcastKey Talking Points Think of it as information gathering. We think nothing of gathering information to go about repairing a vehicle, be it a customer interview, service information search, or data collection via a scan tool or scope, or meter. It's getting more and more common to ask clients for reviews. We want good reviews on our sites, or on Google or Facebook and we want bad reviews to go to us immediately so they can be rectified and hopefully earn a "good" review. People leave people, not companies Winning sports team- winning is a salve for everything If a soon-to-be or former employee just doesn't want to talk to you about their time with you, it may be a sign that your "open door policy" isn't nearly as open as you thought. Your role in an exit interview, as the owner or manager, is to shut up and listen. Ask questions. The only statements you really should be making is maybe clearing up real misunderstandings, earnestly asking questions, and thanking them for their time with you working AND talking to you. Take the information and try very hard to look at it purely at face value, and then after a day or two or a week, come back to it and try to put yourself in their shoes/boots and read between the lines. Don't let your imagination get too crazy, but with those two perspectives, you should be able to extract information that is true and applicable to improving your business and work environment. There are not enough exit interviews done We value customer reviews why not employees on an exit interview The company should have a formal policy regarding exit interviewing. Must have a policy and or procedure. The same list of questions for all departing employees etc.... Not emotional.....hard part about smaller businesses is that the direct report usually does the interview, if at all possible have a neutral party conduct the interview, you can even outsource it if it fits in your budget to do so if you think of this in marketing terms this is a retention tool, not an acquisition tool. You need to listen to the employees as they leave and then think about your current employees, how can you use the information gathered in order to keep the employees you have...
Are You Coachable? [E062]
Are You CoachableAutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M8 Point Check on Your Coachability . . Which of these are true and to what extent? 1. I usually allow my manager and others to complete their sentences before responding. 2. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I usually think about it before responding, waiting just a bit. 3. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I rarely find myself defending a position or action immediately. 4. When I’m given feedback/ criticism, I ask questions about it in order to try to better understand it. (A good sign.) 5. I feel my work’s purpose is to serve my external customers. 6. I feel my work’s purpose is to serve my internal customers (managers, colleagues, other departments). 7. I’ve changed/ revised my position/ approach because of the advice of another individual. 8. My manager invests time in my professional development (If s/he doesn’t, it might be because of a perception that you’re uncoachable).Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Leadership Gold - Chapter 2 - The Toughest Person to Lead [E061]
Please take a minute to check out our sponsor, AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MLeadership Gold, Chapter Two; The Toughest Person to Lead is Yourself! 1. Judging Yourself:a. We don't see ourselves as we see others. b. We are harder on others than we are on oursleves. 2. Keys to Leading Yourselfa. Learn Followershipb. Develop Self Disciplinec. Practice Patienced. Seek AccountabilityAccountability Exercises:1. How Clearly do you see yourself?2. Where do you need to grow?3. How well do you take advice?Mentoring Moment:Conversations with your employees. Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Leadership Gold - Chapter One - Lonely at the Top [E060]
Leadership Gold - Chapter One - Chris Cotton Weekly BlitzPlease go to: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M to check out our sponsor, AutoLeap! 1. Loneliness is NOT a leadership issue! 2. No one ever got to the top alone!3. Avoid positional thinking. 4. Understand that you are in the people business. 5. Application Exercises:6. Mentoring MomentCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Pet Peeves from Coach Chris Cotton [E059]
Click Here for more information from our sponsor: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M1. Dirty Parking Lot, Weeds, No Striping, where do your employees, trash can??2. Lighting and signage3. Building needs painted, updated, benches, signage for after hours drop off etc…4. Windows washed, door clean, no handprints5. Information on the door correct (google my business information correct)6. Contact us…………7. Bathroom, public, clean, if you have a specific one for ladies do they have a place to hang up a purse and coat. 8. Stand up when people come into the business, for crying out loud look up and acknowledge the people9. Telephone on hold…………ask and then wait for an answer. 10. Waiting area nice and neat, wifi code correct and noticeable11. No nasty signs: short staffed signs…stop, 12. Smile be nice………..13. A shop environment that your daughter/wife/mother would go into and feel comfortableCoach Chris CottonEmail Chris: [email protected] Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008
Developing Your Auto Repair Shop Culture [E058]
Click the link to visit AutoLeaps site: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MHere are the bullet points of what we are going to talk about this morning:The importance of having a strong organizational culture.The shop owners' role in fostering a high-performance culture.Definitions of organizational culture.Factors that shape an organization's culture.Considerations in creating and managing organizational culture.Practices to ensure the continuity and success of an organization's culture.Communications, metrics, for your repair shop'sCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected] success
10 Steps to Auto Repair Shop Business Evaluation [E057]
10 Steps to Auto Repair Shop Business EvaluationPlease click our sponsor link from AutoLeap to learn more information about their great shop management system: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M1. Reputation of Shop–Google My Business, Interview Vendors that they use, Website……..Mystery Shop2. What role is the owner currently performing in the business? What about a spouse in the business?3. Website, Social Media, advertising4. What do the business financials look like?5. What type of POS do they use? Do they have one? 6. Are they using current technology? DVI’s, Cloud-based POS, 7. What does their equipment look like? Do they have an updated list? Items that are supposed to be inspected–have they been done and is it up to date? Do they have an accurate inventory?8. Processes and Procedures…..9. What does their cash flow look like?10. What is the quality of their current employees?11. Accounts Receivable vs. Accounts PayableCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Catching up with Shop Marketing Pros - Kim and Brian Walker [E056]
Catching up with Shop Marketing Pros - Kim and Brian WalkerSponsored by: Click here to check out AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Help for Small Struggling Auto Repair Shops [E055]
Please check out AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M1. Get your finances in order! Make them readable and learn what the business’s numbers are telling you. 2. Separate your business money from your personal money. 3. Income statement/ p or l—generate one! 4. Stop making paper invoices! Get a cloud based POS system.5. Set Goals6. Hold employees accountable! 7. Align your car count with business needs. 8. DVI’s are a must! 9. Pay Plans10. Align for Profits! Make sure the business can generate what it needs in order to be successful! Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Catching Up with Chris Cotton [E054]
AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M1. 8,000 miles driven so far this year! 2. Shop Visits in: Tucson, Plano, Albuquerque3. Big Bend National Park4. Service Center Scholars Meeting in Tucson5. WorldPac STX 2022 in Orlando6. ServiceUP Repair Cloud7. Weekly Blitz Podcast8. #grindpositivityCoach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Time Blocking - Gain Control of Your Calendar - Chris Cotton [E053]
Time Blocking - Gain Control of Your Calendar - Chris CottonAutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MEvery day, we juggle competing demands on our time and, as a result, experience more chaos than clarity.Luckily, there’s a solution: time blocking. This is a terminology change for me, I’ve always called it making appointments with myself but time blocking is the correct verbiage, With time blocking, you can gain control of your calendar in order to focus on what truly matters to you and the business. Time blocking can help you align your attention with your intentions, so you always prioritize the right work at the right time. What is time blocking?Time blocking is a time management strategy where you schedule out every part—and I mean every part—of your day. With time blocking, you’re effectively breaking the work week into bite-sized time slots where you check your email, work on projects, take a break, or even exercise.Like most time management strategies, time blocking is a way for you to reclaim your day and get a better sense of where your time is actually going. By scheduling blocks of work, you can not only ensure you’re completing your important tasks, but also make sure you’re setting aside time for rest and self-care.How time blocking works: To create a time block, group like tasks and schedule a block of time to work on those tasks. There are two main fundamentals of time blocking:Visually scheduling time blocks on your calendar, so your work can’t be interrupted or scheduled over.Grouping like tasks into one concentrated block of time.Coach Chris CottonAutoFix-Auto Shop CoachingVisit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE.940-400-1008Email Chris: [email protected]
Raising the Bar - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz [E052]
Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MShow Notes: I'm sure you've read articles about the importance of "culture" to shape the behaviors of your employees. One of my favorite descriptions of company culture is that it is "the invisible hand that shapes team behavior when there is no defined process or system to tell them what to do."But understanding the concept of culture doesn't give you a nuts and bolts path to intentionally build it. Here are seven leadership habits that I've emphasized with my business coaching clients over the past decade.1. Be on time, all the time.2. Meet your own deadlines (and take responsibility for when you can't).3. Clarify all action items and deliverables in writing at the end of every meeting.4. Clearly state what you can't commit to so that you don't lower the accountability bar in your company by missing a "phantom deliverable."5. "Close" the accountability loop.6. Ask, don't immediately solve.--Coaching Opportunity!7. Celebrate progressTo listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Connect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: [email protected]
Wishbone vs Backbone - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz [E051]
Click here to go to AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MWhat is Backbone?Marshall defines backbone as "firm and resolute character". In action, she says, it might look and feel like courage. The word "integrity" also describes someone with a strong backbone. My belief is that everyone can grow a backbone and that business is a perfect place for you to learn how.The Three Components of Backbone:According to Marshall there are three components of backbone: competence, the ability to take purposeful risks, and confidence. Each component interacts with the other.1. Competence. Be open to growing your ability in every aspect of your academic career, and not just knowledge of your field. Seek out help in improving your writing abilities, time management skills, and ability to deal with others, for example. Cultivate experiences that will help your competence grow. List all your talents and abilities, and be aware of how much you've accomplished in the past few years.2. The ability to take purposeful risks. As Marshall says, this is "the ability to engage in intelligent, purposeful ventures on behalf of your career." By taking on appropriate challenges, you will not only succeed some of the time, but you will get practice in learning how to cope with setbacks, criticism and disappointment.3. Confidence. This is a natural outgrowth of the first two components and will lead you to take on more challenges. Knowing that you can survive the negative consequences of the risks you have taken will actually increase your courage and self-esteem. Having more competence, of course, will make you more calmly confident in yourself and your abilities. To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Connect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: [email protected]
Auto Shop Profits and Cash Flow - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz [E050]
As always I want to thank AutoLeap. If you are interested in a demo please go to: https://autoleap.com/As a preface to todays show I would like you to go and listen to: Common Issues with Financial Statements from Hunt Demarest: https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/episode/02What I Want You To Take Away:Understanding why you need to put Profits FirstUnderstanding why putting Profits First is ImportantHow to set up Bank AccountsHow to start making AllocationsA better understanding of your Income StatementWhat it means when Accounts are Over & ShortCommitment to Implementing & when you will have it completedHave a great day and Rise and Grind Everybody!To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Connect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: [email protected]
Don't Just Celebrate Wins - Savor Them! [E049]
Link to AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MDon't Just Celebrate Wins - Savor Them!1) Reminds you of the goal you set and why you set it in the first place.2) Reminds you that a good, focused goal-setting process works.3) Motivates your team to continue delivering good work.4) Unifies the team around a positive outcome.5) Reminds the team that they work for a winning organization.6) Forces you and your team to concentrate on the positive rather than the negative.7) Builds momentum for you and your team.8) Gets you away from mundane day-to-day tasks.9) Allows you to connect with colleagues and co-workers in a way that is not just work-related.10) Allows you to reward specific employees.To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Connect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: [email protected]
Repairing Your Repair Shop - Phase 3 [E048]
Link for AutoLeap: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2MIf you haven’t listened to the other episodes in the series please go back and listen to Episode 39, Series overview, Episode 41 Phase 1, Episode 44 Phase 2Are You happy with the shop you have?What’s Next, expansion into multiple locations?Exit Planning and StrategiesDeveloping Leaders, not managersMaking Employees comfortableIdentifying a potential owner in the businessInsurance in the businessIs your REd Envelope/Yellow Envelope done?529 Plans for your children, maybe one for your employees?Profit-sharing plansRetirement Planning, don’t depend on the sale of the business to fund your retirement.Who holds who accountable, who is taking over for you?To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Connect with Chris:AutoFix-Auto Shop Coachingwww.autoshopcoaching.comwww.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0aeEmail Chris: [email protected]