#013: HSL Best of Episode: Fear or Forward?

In this episode, Coach J and The GMan discuss the importance of taking action and making decisions, even if they are not perfect. They emphasize the need to constantly adapt and try new things in order to grow and improve. And give you their 3-1-2 method, which involves analyzing three different options and choosing the one with the least risk to test and evaluate. You should always seek to grow, procrastination stems from the fear to act.

#085: Advisor Burnout

We have all seen that number one advisor suddenly drop off, coming in late to work and seeming uninterested in their job. It isn’t because they forgot how to do their job. They are most likely experiencing burnout. We’ve all experienced it before ourselves, but how you treat burnout with your employees can greatly improve team morale and decrease advisor turnover. So, in this episode, Coach J and The GMan talk all about burnout and how you can best handle it.

#084: Net to Gross is a Lie

In this episode of Hard Shop Life, Coach J and G-Man explore the widely-used but often limiting benchmark of 30% net to gross, questioning its potential to stifle growth and success. Too frequently, this metric is hailed as the ultimate measure, yet in reality, no single metric operates in isolation. Achieving a thriving business requires a holistic consideration of all metrics. Focusing solely on one metric blinds you to emerging opportunities. Embracing discomfort, letting go of outdated beliefs, and tackling challenges head-on are pivotal for substantial business growth. By shedding old beliefs and embracing new opportunities, you can set your business apart from the competition.

#012: HSL Best of Episode: A La Carte Selling

In this Best of episode, Coach J and the GMan discuss the negative impact A La Carte selling can have on customers and your ability to close. The automotive service experience is already a confusing and anxiety causing event for most people. Our job is to take as much anxiety out of their experience as we can — great service departments can turn it into a positive experience. The big factor of customer anxiety is the unknown expense they may incur to fix or maintain their vehicle. So when it comes time to sell, the presentation can make or break your sale, and A La Carte selling will lead to more customer anxiety .

#083: Potential

Understanding your service departments potential will dictate every way in which you operate your business. Once you know what is possible, then you are able to visualize what your operation looks like at its true potential. How many employees do you have? What goals are you setting? and the big one.. What is your customer experience like? These questions you have to ask yourself, and answer, and honestly evaluate what will take you to that next level. To unlock your true potential, everything you do has to be in service of achieving that number. In this episode, Coach J and The GMan talk about how to find your stores true earning potential, and how you can move closer to it.

#082: Industry Villains

In this episode, Coach J and The GMan discuss the current news, good and bad, in the automotive industry. They both have first hand experience being a leader in their Service Department during good times, but also. during very tough economic times, such as 2008. These times will make our business change. It does not always mean it’s going to be worse, and the businesses who make it through these times, usually come out doing even better than before. Coach J and The GMan go through their experiences in these times and give you actions you can take to succeed through it.

#011: HSL Best of Episode: Nature vs Nurture

Are good salespeople born or built? Coach J had natural talent, and some would say he was a “born salesperson”. In this episode, GMan talks to Coach J about what made him a superstar advisor, and if it was his natural charisma or a skill he had to learn. They also discuss how anyone can learn how to be a great advisor, no matter your natural abilities.

#081: Investing in Personnel Growth

Often Coach J and The GMan stress the importance of personal development, but in this episode they get into the importance of personnel training. Investing in training and development will help your team improve their skills, and handle the stresses of the job better. When you continuously train and reinforce the training, it ingrains these good habits into your workforce. As stick with the continuous training of your staff, over time you’ll build a skilled and motivated workforce, that is much more likely to stay with your company.

#010: HSL Best of Episode: Are You Winning?

In this episode, Coach J and The GMan discuss the concept of winning and what it means in your service department. They stress the need of setting goals, celebrating small victories, and continuously striving for improvement. It’s ultimately important to have a winning mindset and empathy in leadership, in order to lead a winning team. To know you are winning you must be constantly pushing past mediocrity and striving for excellence, and even then you will still ask… Am I Winning?