This episode is sponsored by AutoLeap. AutoLeap is a cloud-based all-in-one automotive invoice software that helps you supercharge your mechanic shop. Their customers have experienced: 30% increase in revenue by improving transparency and trust 50% reduction in time spent researching and ordering parts 10% increase in profit margins through robust reporting Click here to learn more about AutoLeap and schedule a demo: AutoLeap Link: http://bit.ly/3GRgO88 In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach...
Feb 13, 2023•38 min•Ep. 100
During Today's episode #98 I’m going to be talking about: Value vs. Perception, Not Being the smartest person in the room, Being Uncomfortable How we got there, cancellations etc Initial thoughts were, wow! Value vs. Perception Conversations I was hearing Whole other level Feeling like you don’t belong It’s ok to feel like you don’t belong, but just for a minute. Hike up your boots and get in there! To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate ...
Feb 06, 2023•11 min•Ep. 98
During Today's episode #97 I’m going to be talking about: Chris’ recent doctor's visit, Kimberly’s Old rocking chair & Having value in what you do. Chris, what are you talking about???? Kimberly’s Rocking Chair 89.00, 47 pictures, clear communication Recent Dr. Visit 2000.00 per hour, very concerned about how I would pay. If these people can charge that, so can you. Self Esteem Do it responsibly and with thought. We can’t just throw stuff against the wall. To listen to more episodes make sur...
Jan 30, 2023•11 min•Ep. 97
In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton welcomes Hunt Demarest to the show and they talk about Income Statement best practices: Specifically, they cover: Categories of Income and COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) Hunt's Favorite SuperHero! Accounting Practices What's Deductible How much detail you really need Who's Stealing from You & How? Processes & Procedures save the day! Check out Hunt on the Aftermarket Radio Network on his Podcast: Business by the Numbers: https://huntdema...
Jan 23, 2023•38 min•Ep. 96
In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton explains best practices on how: To make sure your people don't quit YOU, the leader. Specifically, he'll cover: Why People Quit, How to Retain Employees, 1. The Door Swings Both Ways 2. Why Do People Quit 3. Recipe for Retention Application Exercises: 1. Can your people rely on you 2. What is your attitude toward your people 3. Do you express your appreciation Mentoring Moment To listen to more episodes, go over to iTunes, Apply Podcasts, G...
Jan 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 95
In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton explains best practices on how Leaders Distinguish Themselves During Tough Times. Specifically, he'll cover: What is a Leader to Do Making The Tough Calls a. The Tough Call Demands Risk b. A Tough Call Brings with It and Inward Battle c. A Tough Call Will Distinguish You as a Leader Rising to the Occasion Application Exercises a. Have you aimed the tough calls in the past? b. Are you prepared to win the battle within? c. Are you playing it ...
Jan 09, 2023•18 min•Ep. 94
Profits Processes & Procedures Cash Flow Don’t buy into the Bullshit Spending Money where it needs to be spent AKA not spending it where you don’t Transparency with Employees Training & Staffing Hold your people accountable/active coaching Stop sitting on the sidelines because it's easy and get back in the game! Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M...
Jan 02, 2023•19 min•Ep. 93
Today our guest is Chris Cotton, owner of AutoFix Auto Repair Coaching, and also the host of The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton - which is also part of Aftermarket Radio Network Most often when a shop owner starts seeking out marketing options they’re doing it because they perceive they have a car-count problem. There are certainly cases where that is true, but there’s more to revenue than car count. In fact, there’s much more to the success of a shop than revenue. Revenue definitely solves a lo...
Dec 28, 2022•44 min
You aren’t alone if you’re looking for ways to exit the funk and approach your life and your work with positivity. If you can successfully address your own health and happiness, you can pass it on to your team. Here are seven books that will get you on your way. 1. The Leader’s Playlist by Susan Drumm 2. From Burnout to Purpose by Gina S. Calvado 3. First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill 4. The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon 5. Leading with Emotional Courage by Pe...
Dec 26, 2022•8 min•Ep. 92
Think about everyday decisions, goals, and events in your life, you generally have two ways to respond, you can either: Resist the situation Support the situation The Optimist Advantage: Lowers Anxiety and Stress Lowers Blood Pressure Self Care Staying Youthful High Performance So What Can We Do to be Optimistic? Change the Dialogue - Pay attention to the things you say to yourself (and to others) as well as what you say about yourself The old man quickly answered: “Well, the Good Book often say...
Dec 19, 2022•20 min•Ep. 91
Chris' Favorite Things 1. Walmart GoLocal 2. Ortho 3. Mahle Lift 4. LearnPro Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M
Dec 12, 2022•16 min•Ep. 90
Keep Learning to Keep Leading! How will you grow? 1. Invest in Yourself First 2. Be a Continual Learner 3. Create a Growth Environment for the People You Lead The People Difference. "Leadership & Learning are indispensable of each other." John F. Kennedy Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M...
Dec 05, 2022•15 min•Ep. 89
AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M Don't Manage Your Time, manage Your Life! Time for a change in perspective! Good Leaders Cannot Be Bad Self-Managers People who manage themselves poorly are often guilty of the following 3 things: 1. They undervalue their uniqueness doing what others want them to do. 2. They ryin their effectiveness by doing un-important things. 3. They reduce their potential by doing things without coaching or training. Application Exercises: 1. Are you squandering your tim...
Nov 28, 2022•13 min•Ep. 88
Please take 7 minutes out of your busy schedule to listen to this one! This is my gift to you on MY birthday: Are you counting your marbles? Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M
Nov 21, 2022•8 min•Ep. 87
It’s time to reflect on how this past year went; what did you accomplish? What fell through the cracks and why. After you’ve done that, It’s time to think about what you want to accomplish in 2023 and set things in motion to ensure you achieve those things. Also, time to think about year-end evaluations for all staff members. Are there people that don’t need to be on your staff? If so, don't carry those people into the new year. Also, don’t be afraid to let those people go now. It’s not ok to ke...
Nov 14, 2022•15 min•Ep. 86
Mentorship programs are a highly effective method of employee development. When done well, promoting mentorship within organizations can have a real positive impact. In fact, 88% of mentors and mentees agree that their productivity increased due to their mentoring experience. Let’s look at what makes mentorship programs successful and how you can set up a great mentoring program at your organization. Mentorship programs are structured learning relationships set up within an organization. They ai...
Nov 07, 2022•23 min•Ep. 85
What exactly does the term ownership really say to us when we see it describe a house that's currently on the market and being sold? Well, to me, it means that the individuals living there had been proud to have been home owners and once you see the house, you'll realize how proud they really were. So, when someone says that a house shows "pride in ownership," we know that the homeowner has taken great care to maintain their house. Such as making sure that things are fixed as soon as they break,...
Oct 31, 2022•21 min•Ep. 84
1. Admit Your Own Mistakes and Weaknesses. 2. Accept Mistakes as the Price of Progress. 3. Insist on Learning from Your Mistakes. 4. Ask Yourself and Others, What Are We Missing? 5. Give the People Around You Permission to Push Back. Application Exercises Mentoring Moment Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M...
Oct 24, 2022•15 min•Ep. 83
80/20 Principle! Finding The Main Thing 1. I Determined Not to Know Everything 2. I Determined Not to Know Everything First 3. I Determined to Let Someone Represent Me 4. I am Determined to Stay with My strengths and Not Work on my Weaknesses. 5. I Determined to Take Charge of What Took My Time and Attention "Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple" Application Exercises Mentoring Moment Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 9...
Oct 17, 2022•15 min•Ep. 82
Why is reaching out for help so hard for so many people? Let’s break down the barriers and formalities and dive into what the first call to a business coach can be like. I’m with Aftermarket Radio Network host Coach Chris Cotton at ASTE 2022. Look, you don’t have a hobby you have a business that needs your attention to profitability. Never stop improving yourself and your business. Embrace accountability partners, peer groups, and coaching, and watch what you can do. Chris Cotton, AutoFix Auto S...
Oct 14, 2022•34 min
Employee Training, Where Are You Headed Next? Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M
Oct 10, 2022•10 min•Ep. 81
Shop owners making decisions on people procrastinate and hurt their business without listening to what their gut is telling them. Your people know! Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M
Oct 03, 2022•20 min•Ep. 80
Leadership Gold: Chapter 10, Don't Send Your Ducks to Eagle School! Three Reasons Not To Send Your Ducks to Eagle School 1. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate the ducks. 2. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate the eagles. 3. If you send ducks to eagle school, you will frustrate yourself Know what you are looking for! Application Exercises Mentoring Moment Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email C...
Sep 26, 2022•17 min•Ep. 79
To see how the leader is doing, look at the people! The Leader is Responsible! Revealing Questions to ask about Followers: 1. Are the people following? 2. Are the people changing? 3. ARe the people growing? 4. Are the people succeeding? Application Exercises: 1. Are your people follwing you? 2. How do you keep score? 3. Do you believe in your people? Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Auto Shop Coaching website HERE . 940-400-1008 Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com AutoLeap Link:...
Sep 19, 2022•15 min•Ep. 78
Overcoming the Victim Mindset What is a victim mindset? A victim mindset is when someone feels that bad things keep happening to them no matter what. at the root of this mentality is that none of these circumstances or situations are their fault. What causes a victim mindset?----------No one is born a victim. A victim complex isn't a personality trait — it's learned behavior. In fact, victim syndrome could be considered a type of learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a phenomenon in psyc...
Sep 12, 2022•19 min•Ep. 77
I do not believe that anyone that works in the Automotive Service and Repair Industry would argue with the fact that there is a shortage of good technicians in our industry. In fact, 9 out of 10 shops that we work with today (or for that matter in our industry) need a good technician and I would also say that for 10% to 20% of those shops the lack of good technicians is a serious problem causing them to lose customers, profits and sleep. So Why are we in this position? That’s great Chris, Now wh...
Sep 05, 2022•18 min•Ep. 76
This is a tough one! Me talking about defining moments in my life. You're just going to have to listen to find out more. IF suicidal and or domestic violence situations could trigger you, then you may choose not to listen. Also, I use my everyday adult language..........if you need help, ask for it. There are people that can help you get what you need. I love you and wish you all the best.......................don't ever forget that! 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code th...
Aug 29, 2022•39 min•Ep. 75
The gang’s all here; we have the entire Aftermarket Radio Network together for an important episode inspired by the movie Moneyball. We all have experience with people who are not our top performers, but are we better to have them on the team than not? You know them; they are consistent, reliable, steady, and contributors. Are they worth replacing? Will they become the best or top performers, or do they help strengthen our overall performance? A great discussion among your peers. Watch the Episo...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Let’s start with: What is Success? The accomplishment of an aim or purpose. If you’re struggling to define what a successful life means, I have two pieces of good news for you: It’s never too late to start over. You get to write your own definition of success. 1. What is success to you? 2. Success has no deadline!! 3. What does success mean to me? 4. What does success mean to you? 5. What does success look like? 6. How do you define success? Coach Chris Cotton AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching Visit Au...
Aug 22, 2022•22 min•Ep. 74
AutoLeap Link: https://bit.ly/3n5qW2M The Rest of the Story As leaders, we always face criticism. We dish it out too. Some of it is helpful, and some of it is not. Like medicine, it all depends on administration and dose. But here’s the problem: If we’re quick to judge, we’re upping the odds that we’ll misdiagnose and seriously hurt someone. With that in mind, there are at least three reasons we should be slow to judge. 1. WE SOMETIMES DON’T HAVE THE FULL STORY 2. WE OFTEN PROJECT OUR OWN ISSUES...
Aug 15, 2022•7 min•Ep. 73
