Advertise on podcast: Service Drive Revolution with Chris Collins

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Dealership Owners — are you tired of spending a fortune on marketing just to fill your drive with one-time customers? Most dealerships focus on "customer acquisition" while their current database is leaking out the back door. In this special "Coach Takeover" episode, our elite coaching team breaks down why retention is the only way to build a sustainable, high-profit service department. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution (#355), we break down: ✅ Why the "welcome" in the drive is the most critical moment for long-term retention ✅ The psychology of why customers leave (and it's rarely about the price) ✅ Relationship building: How to move from being a "transactional" shop to a "relational" one ✅ The Sales Manager vs. Service Manager dynamic: Why sales experience can be a superpower in Fixed Ops ✅ How to handle hand-offs from management to advisors to build instant trust ✅ The "Top Golf" debate and the value of team culture behind the scenes ✅ Why "staying in the driveway" is a service manager's most important job If your service department struggles with: - High customer churn and low repeat business - Advisors who treat every customer like a stranger - Managers who hide in their office instead of being in the drive - Low CSI scores despite "fixing it right the first time." - Or a lack of connection between your service and sales departments This episode features insights from our entire coaching team to help you stop the bleeding and turn your service drive into a retention machine. The strength of your business isn't how many new customers you find, but how many you keep. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #CustomerRetention #ChrisBulldogCollins #ServiceDriveRevolution #DealershipLife #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceAdvisorTraining 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://chriscollinsinc.com/chris-collins-method/ 🛑 Best Selling books on making Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Want to work with the best? https://chriscollinsinc.com/careers/ 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Dealership Owners — your technicians are the heartbeat of your production, but most managers are losing them because they're playing by an outdated rulebook. Motivation isn't just about the flat rate; it's about where you place your attention and how you show your team that they actually matter. In this conclusion to our technician motivation series, we reveal the final keys to building a shop that techs never want to leave. In this episode of SDR #354, we break down: ✅ Why your "Attention" is the most valuable currency you have as a leader ✅ The "Boat Dealership" Fail: How bad AI and poor follow-up are killing sales in every industry ✅ Non-traditional ways to show technicians they are the priority ✅ Why "investment" isn't always about money—it's about the time you spend in the bays ✅ The "Gift that Keeps on Giving": Adam's latest truck saga and the lessons in maintenance ✅ A sneak peek at our upcoming "Coach Takeover" episodes ✅ How to signal to your team who is actually important in the dealership structure If your service department struggles with: - Technicians feeling like an "afterthought" - Low engagement during shop meetings - Inconsistent production despite high pay plans - A lack of alignment between management and the shop floor - Or a culture where the best talent is looking for the exit This episode will give you the final pieces of the puzzle to transform your shop culture and drive long-term gross profit. The strength of your shop culture is determined by where you put your focus. #fixedops #ServiceManager #TechnicianMotivation #ChrisBulldogCollins #ShopCulture #ServiceDriveRevolution #AutoRepair #LeadershipTraining #TechnicianRetention 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://chriscollinsinc.com/chris-collins-method/ 🛑 Best-selling books on making Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Want to work with the best? https://chriscollinsinc.com/careers/ 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Dealership Leaders — your technicians are the engine of your business, but most managers are driving them into the ground without realizing it. Most dealerships misunderstand what actually motivates a technician. They think it's only about the paycheck, but the highest-producing shops know that motivation is built on a foundation of respect, growth, and support. In this episode of SDR #353, we break down: ✅ Why treating technicians like "numbers" is the fastest way to kill production ✅ The power of the 1-on-1 lunch: How to build actual relationships with your team ✅ How to build a "Career Path" that keeps technicians from looking for the exit ✅ Why you should be educating your techs on more than just technical skills ✅ The "Parts Dept" factor: How empathy and speed in parts drives tech motivation ✅ Chris's take on "Land Ownership" and why he's leaning Libertarian ✅ Adam's Turkey Hunting obsession (and the "Bearded Hen" mystery) If your service department struggles with: - High technician turnover - Low morale and "clock-punching" mentalities - An "Us vs. Them" relationship between Service and Parts - Technicians who feel stagnant in their roles - Or a culture where techs feel undervalued This episode will change the way you interact with your shop and give you a practical "recipe" for long-term retention. The strength of your shop culture determines the ceiling of your Fixed Ops profit.  #FixedOps #ServiceManager #TechnicianRetention #ChrisBulldogCollins #ShopCulture #ServiceDriveRevolution #AutoRepair #DealershipLife #ServiceAdvisor  🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://chriscollinsinc.com/chris-collins-method/ 🛑 Best-selling books on making Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Want to work with the best? https://chriscollinsinc.com/careers/ 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Dealership Owners — the gap between the leaders and the laggards in our industry is about to become an abyss. Most dealerships are looking at AI as a "maybe later" project, but the early adopters are already creating an unfair advantage that saves thousands in marketing and streamlines production. In this episode of SDR #352, we break down: ✅ The "Virtual Assistant" Fail: Why bad AI implementation is driving your customers away ✅ Critical takeaways from the TMC Conference: What the future of trucking and service looks like ✅ The "Igloo Cooler" Psychology: Why humanizing your tech matters more than you think ✅ Optimization of things that shouldn't exist: Are you perfecting a broken process?  ✅ How AI is moving from "Chatbot" to "Predictive Maintenance" in the shop ✅ The Unfair Advantage: Why being early to AI will slash your marketing costs ✅ Preview: A sneak peek into non-traditional ways to motivate your technicians If your service department struggles with: - Inconsistent customer communication - Bloated marketing budgets with diminishing returns - Resistance to new technology from your team - Or simply feeling overwhelmed by the "AI hype" This episode will cut through the noise and show you exactly where the industry is heading and how to stay ahead of the curve. The strength of your future production depends on the technology you embrace today. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #AIinAutomotive #ChrisBulldogCollins #TMC2026 #DealershipTechnology #ServiceDriveRevolution #futureofwork 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://chriscollinsinc.com/chris-collins-method/ 🛑 Best Selling books on making Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Want to work with the best? https://chriscollinsinc.com/careers/ 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and dealership leaders — your service menu is either a silent profit killer or your biggest untapped gold mine. Most dealerships treat their maintenance menu as an afterthought or a "loss leader" because they're afraid of being shopped. The truth? A properly structured menu can add $50,000 or more in monthly gross profit. In this episode of SDR #351, we break down: ✅ The 6 essential tips for building a high-profit service menu ✅ Why "Loss Leaders" belong in your advertising, not on your maintenance menu ✅ How to work from "Cost Up" to protect your effective labor rate (ELR) ✅ Why most dealerships are wildly overpaying (or underpaying) for labor times ✅ The "Nails on the Freeway" analogy for understanding supply and demand ✅ How to stop treating symptoms and start fixing the "cause" in your shop If your service department struggles with: - Low hours per repair order (HPRO) - Inconsistent maintenance sales - Technicians are complaining about menu pricing - Managers who don't know the true cost of parts and labor - Or a menu that hasn't been updated in years This episode will provide you with the exact "recipe" to turn your menu into a high-performance profit center. The strength of your menu determines the consistency of your Fixed Ops growth. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #AutomotiveLeadership #ChrisBulldogCollins #ServiceMenu #DealershipProfit #ServiceDriveRevolution  🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://chriscollinsinc.com/chris-collins-method/ 🛑 Best-selling books on making Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Want to work with the best? https://chriscollinsinc.com/careers/ 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Dealership Owners, General Managers, and Service Leaders — your ability to fix a department is only as strong as the system you build. Most leaders misunderstand the hierarchy of a turnaround. They believe "people" are the primary ingredient for success, but the truth is that a great system can survive mediocre people, while a bad system will run out of your best employees every time. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution (#348), we break down: ✅ Why "People" is actually the wrong answer when asked how to fix a department ✅ The "Fixer" Mentality: Telltale signs of a true production leader ✅ How to identify if your manager is a "ghost" or an intentional leader ✅ Lessons from the 2003 BMW technical nightmare and the value of a process-driven approach ✅ Why most leadership training is actually just "bad management" training ✅ The "Cleveland Browns" analogy: Why the situation (system) dictates the performance ✅ How to manage the "rate of change" within your team If your service department struggles with: - Stagnant or declining gross profit - Advisors who are washing cars instead of selling - Low average hours per repair order - Managers who react to problems rather than prevent them - A culture where everyone "loves" the manager, but the shop is losing money This episode will challenge everything you've been told about "people-first" leadership and give you the recipe for a true departmental turnaround. The strength of your system determines the ceiling of your Fixed Ops production. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #AutomotiveLeadership #ChrisBulldogCollins #SystemsVsPeople #DealershipLife #ServiceDriveRevolution 🛑 OnDemand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min. discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best Selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and dealership leaders — your leadership style is either building a powerhouse or quietly sinking your department. Most Service Managers struggle because they never truly leave the "technician" mindset behind. They manage by emotion instead of numbers, and they prioritize being liked over being a leader. In this episode of Service Drive Evolution #347, Chris Collins, Hogi, and Adam break down the 9 critical reasons why Service Managers fail and how to pivot toward a mission-driven leadership style. We also dive into the future of the industry, discussing our recent experiences with Waymo and Tesla's "Mad Max" self-driving tech—and what it means for the future of the service drive. In this episode, we break down: ✅ Why "The Technician Mindset" is the #1 killer of management success ✅ How to manage by facts and figures, not by feelings ✅ The "Recipe for Success": Why process must always beat people ✅ How to set clear expectations that your team can actually follow ✅ Why playing it safe is the riskiest move a manager can make ✅ The truth about self-driving tech: Waymo vs. Tesla's latest chips ✅ How to move from "Maintenance Mode" to "Mission Mode" If your service department struggles with: - Inconsistent performance and "rollercoaster" months - A culture of excuses instead of accountability - Lack of clear systems and processes - Managers who act like "glorified technicians" - Uncertainty about the future of automotive tech This episode provides the blueprint to stop "playing it safe" and start winning in the service drive. The success of your department depends on your ability to lead, not just solve problems. 📌 Watch now to evaluate your management style and prepare for the future. 🔔 Subscribe for daily automotive service industry insights 📞 Got a question? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR 📚 Special deals on training: https://offers.chriscollinsinc.com #ServiceDriveEvolution #ServiceManager #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #TeslaFSD #Waymo #ChrisBulldogCollins #ServiceDepartment #dealershipsuccess

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and dealership leaders — this role can either explode your production or quietly destroy it. Most dealerships misunderstand what a shop foreman in Fixed Ops is supposed to do. They treat the foreman like a master technician instead of a production leader. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution (#346), we break down: ✅ What a shop foreman's REAL job is ✅ Why production drops when foremen think like technicians ✅ How daily flagged hours should be tracked ✅ The right way to handle dispatch and technician balance ✅ How to build shop culture through standards ✅ Why coaching beats solving problems for techs ✅ How leadership in the shop drives gross profit If your service department struggles with: - Low technician productivity - Inconsistent efficiency - Poor shop culture - Lack of accountability - Or unclear production tracking This episode will change how you look at the shop foreman role. The strength of your shop foreman determines the strength of your Fixed Ops department. 📌 Watch now and evaluate your leadership structure. 🔔 Subscribe for daily automotive service industry insights 📞 Got a question? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR 📚 Special deals on training: https://offers.chriscollonsinc.com #FixedOps #ServiceManager #ShopForeman #DealershipLife #AutomotiveLeadership #ChrisBulldogCollins 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best-selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris's New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Service Advisors — If your service department feels busy but results stay inconsistent, the issue probably isn't your people. It's your system. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #344, Chris Collins answers real questions from service managers and breaks down why broken Fixed Ops systems create advisor burnout, technician inefficiency, and customer frustration — even in dealerships with great employees. This episode covers: ✅ Why good people fail inside bad systems ✅ How poor process design increases unapplied labor and stress ✅ Why convenience and ease drive customer retention ✅ How quick lube setups often hurt long-term profitability ✅ Why the real competition is anywhere customers can service their vehicle ✅ How service managers regain control by fixing systems first If you're a service manager or advisor dealing with: - Constant chaos in the service drive - Missed opportunities and low retention - Inconsistent technician performance - High stress with little improvement 👉 This episode will change how you think about Fixed Ops systems and leadership.  #ServiceManager #FixedOps #DealershipService #CustomerExperience #ServiceDriveRevolution #ChrisBulldogCollins 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min. discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best Selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Service Managers and Service Advisors — If you're dealing with angry customers, escalations, or CSI issues, the problem usually isn't the customer. It's the system behind the interaction. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #343, the conversation breaks down why most "difficult customers" in Fixed Ops are created by poor communication, unclear expectations, and weak leadership systems — and how service managers can fix it. This episode covers: ✅ Why arguing with customers makes situations worse ✅ How poor communication creates unnecessary conflict ✅ The leadership skill of absorbing tension and defusing emotion ✅ How to trace customer complaints back to process failures ✅ Why intention matters more than being "right" ✅ How to turn upset customers into long-term loyal customers If you're a service manager, service advisor, or Fixed Ops leader struggling with: - CSI problems - Customer escalations - Negative reviews - Advisor burnout - Constant complaints 👉 This episode will change how you approach customer conflict in the service drive. #ServiceManager #FixedOps #DealershipService #CustomerExperience #ServiceDriveRevolution #ChrisBulldogCollins 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min. discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best-selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris's New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Everyone says they have a communication problem — but what if that's just the symptom? In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #342, Chris Collins, Adam, and Hogi break down why most service departments don't actually suffer from poor communication… they suffer from broken systems, unclear expectations, and low standards. From chaotic scheduling and overloaded advisors to uncontrolled waiters, missed callbacks, and "freelancing" employees, this conversation exposes the real reasons communication falls apart — and why training communication alone never fixes it. You'll learn: - Why communication is an outcome, not a skill - How scheduling, appointment flow, and waiters silently destroy CSI - The power of putting customers on a track with clear expectations - Why logging, follow-up systems, and structure matter more than software  - How leadership standards (or lack of them) define customer experience - Why what you allow becomes your department's identity If you're a service manager, fixed ops leader, advisor, or dealer principal who's tired of chasing symptoms instead of results, this episode will change how you think about communication forever. Because once the system is right — communication takes care of itself. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #DealershipLeadership #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceDriveRevolution #ChrisBulldogCollins 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best-selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris's New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Directors, and Dealership Leaders — If your service department feels busy but profits don't match the effort, the problem isn't your people. It's your leadership systems. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #341, the conversation breaks down the Fixed Ops leadership mistakes that quietly destroy productivity, inflate labor costs, and hold service departments back — even in strong markets. This episode covers: ✅ Why leadership decisions matter more than market conditions ✅ How minimum performance standards lift technician productivity ✅ Why unapplied labor is a leadership problem, not a technician problem ✅ How tracking and visibility instantly change behavior ✅ Why systems outperform talent in the service department ✅ How to prepare your Fixed Ops operation for 2026 growth If you're a service manager or advisor dealing with: - Inconsistent technician efficiency - Rising labor cost per hour - Unclear accountability - Strong sales with weak service profits. 👉 This episode will change how you think about leadership in the service drive. #FixedOps #ServiceManager #DealershipLeadership #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceDriveRevolution #ChrisBulldogCollins 🛑 On-Demand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-minute discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best-selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR   Grab Chris's New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Service Advisors Refusing Walkarounds? Scheduling Chaos? Customers Who Can't Afford Repairs? In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris Collins answers real, unfiltered questions straight from the service drive. From why advisors resist walkarounds, to how to properly schedule service appointments, to what to do when customers can't afford diagnosed repairs, this episode is packed with practical leadership insight and real-world systems thinking.  🔥 Topics Covered in This Episode: ✅ Why service advisors push back on walkarounds (and how leadership creates that problem) ✅ How non-negotiable systems outperform "freelancing" advisors  ✅ The Service Drive Judo philosophy: using customer momentum to create structure ✅ How top-performing dealerships enforce consistency and accountability ✅ Smart service scheduling strategies (when to stop booking appointments) ✅ Loading the shop early vs. booking to close ✅ Managing waiters without overwhelming advisors ✅ How to handle customers who can't afford repairs before diagnosis ✅ Why repair authorization upfront protects both the customer and the advisor ✅ The leadership lesson hidden inside system design 🧠 Key Leadership Insight: Bad systems ruin good people. Good systems help average performers perform above average. This episode is a must-watch for: Service Managers Fixed Ops Directors Dealership Leaders Service Advisors Anyone responsible for customer experience and profitability in fixed operations  🛑 OnDemand Training For Huge Results: https://shorturl.at/j7J8u 🛑 Book a free 30-min. discovery call for coaching that grows your profits: https://calendly.com/cci-schedule/30-minute-discovery-call-with-chris-collins-inc?utm=SDRPod&month=2025-12 🛑 Best Selling books on making your Fixed Ops a money printer: https://chriscollinsinc.com/shop/ 🛑 Got a question? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR 🛑 Grab Chris' New Leadership Book I AM LEADER: https://iamleader.com  

Service Managers, Fixed Ops Leaders, and Dealership Executives — Why do some people and teams consistently outperform everyone else… while others stay stuck? In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #339, Chris Collins and the team break down what elite leadership actually looks like — and why intentionality, preparation, and standards matter more than talent, location, or luck. Using a surprising leadership case study (yes, even outside the automotive industry), this episode explores why the best performers: - Practice harder than everyone else - Prepare long before results are visible - Set expectations higher — and refuse to lower them - Build systems instead of relying on motivation - Create an experience focused on the customer, not themselves This conversation applies directly to service managers, advisors, directors, and Fixed Ops leaders who want: ✔ Better team buy-in ✔ More consistent performance ✔ Stronger culture and accountability ✔ Higher productivity without burnout If you're tired of average results and excuses like "market conditions" or "staffing issues," this episode will challenge how you think about leadership — and what's actually possible in your service department. 👇 Watch now and rethink how you set goals, lead people, and build a winning operation.