Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz

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Weekly 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.

3D AGO

Celebrate the Win… Then Keep Moving [244]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Host: Coach Chris Cotton Network: Aftermarket Radio Network Episode Title: Celebrate the Win… Then Keep Moving Podcast Description (Apple Podcasts / Spotify) What happens when you hit a big goal… and your coach barely pauses before handing you the next one? In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Chris Cotton dives into the tension between celebrating wins and maintaining momentum — from both sides of the coaching relationship. Sparked by a personal weight-loss milestone that was quickly followed by a new target, Chris reflects on what accountability really looks like, why great coaches don’t linger on success, and how a simple pause — just one more beat — can make people feel seen without slowing progress. This episode is a must-listen for shop owners, leaders, and coaches who want to push people forward without losing the human element along the way. 📝 Show Notes ⏱️ Episode Overview Coaching is about progress — not comfort. But does that mean we skip celebration entirely? In this episode, Chris Cotton shares a personal coaching moment that led to a deeper realization about how wins are acknowledged, why accountability partners often move on quickly, and how leaders can strike a better balance between recognition and forward momentum. This isn’t about trophies or praise — it’s about reinforcing discipline while keeping people engaged, motivated, and seen. 🔑 Key Topics Covered Why great coaches don’t linger on wins The difference between celebrating progress and getting stuck in it A personal story about weight loss, coaching, and unexpected emotions How shiny-object celebration can kill momentum The real job of accountability partners and coaches Why high performers need direction more than motivation The concept of “one more beat” — pausing just long enough to acknowledge effort How shop owners and leaders can apply this with technicians, advisors, and managers Recognizing progress without lowering standards 🧠 Key Takeaways Coaches move on quickly on purpose — not because they don’t care Momentum matters, but so does feeling seen You don’t need fireworks or long celebrations — just intentional recognition One extra pause can strengthen trust without slowing progress Great leadership balances pressure with humanity 📣 Sponsor Message This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros — a marketing partner that doesn’t just sell ads, but actually understands the auto repair industry. Chris recently joined Brian on the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast to discuss “The Most Important KPI You’re Not Tracking” — a conversation that highlights why it matters when your marketer is plugged into real industry conversations. It’s good to know your marketing partner is thinking, learning, and bringing meaningful insights forward — not just pushing clicks. 📻 Network Shout-Out Proud to be part of the Aftermarket Radio Network, where shop owners and industry leaders come...

7 min
FEB 2

Some People Can Only Take You So Far [E243]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Host: Coach Chris Cotton Network: Aftermarket Radio Network Episode Title: Some People Can Only Take You So Far In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Chris Cotton dives into one of the toughest leadership realities in business: recognizing when people have reached their capacity ceiling. From service advisors who cap sales to employees who unknowingly hold organizations hostage, this episode challenges shop owners to confront fear-based thinking and lead with clarity. Chris explains why it’s never as bad as your mind tells you it will be — and how growth often lives on the other side of uncomfortable decisions. Topics Covered: Capacity ceilings in service advisors The danger of hostage thinking Why great employees aren’t always the right employees How fear exaggerates outcomes Leadership decisions that unlock growth 🤝 Episode Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros. Shop Marketing Pros helps auto repair shop owners build consistent, long-term growth strategies that actually work—especially during slower or unpredictable seasons like January. If you’re looking for marketing that supports your business instead of stressing you out, visit ShopMarketingPros.com. 🎧 About The Weekly Blitz The Weekly Blitz is a short-form, tactical mindset podcast for auto repair shop owners who want clarity, confidence, and consistent execution in their business. Hosted by Coach Chris Cotton, each episode delivers real-world insight you can apply immediately in your shop. 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 Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion Diagnosing the Aftermarket A...

7 min
JAN 26

The Taco Salad Lesson: Communication That Actually Lands [E242]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Episode Title: It’s Easy to Contract When You Should Be Expanding Host: Coach Chris Cotton Network: Aftermarket Radio Network What if the real communication problem isn’t what you said… but what the other person heard? In this full-length episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton devotes an entire show to one of the most overlooked leadership skills: making sure communication actually lands. Using a personal story about taco salad from his youth, Chris breaks down why assumptions derail teams, how leaders unintentionally create confusion, and what it really takes to ensure understanding—at work, at home, and everywhere in between. If you’ve ever said, “That’s not what I meant,” this episode is for you. Episode Summary: In “The Taco Salad Lesson: Communication That Actually Lands,” Coach Chris Cotton explores why communication breaks down even when intentions are good. Through a relatable childhood story and real-world leadership examples, this episode dives deep into the difference between hearing and listening, the danger of assumptions, and how leaders can verify understanding before problems show up. You’ll learn: Why intent does not equal impact The difference between hearing and listening How assumptions quietly wreck teams Simple ways to confirm understanding Why clarity is a form of respect 🤝 Episode Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros. Shop Marketing Pros helps auto repair shop owners build consistent, long-term growth strategies that actually work—especially during slower or unpredictable seasons like January. If you’re looking for marketing that supports your business instead of stressing you out, visit ShopMarketingPros.com. 🎧 About The Weekly Blitz The Weekly Blitz is a short-form, tactical mindset podcast for auto repair shop owners who want clarity, confidence, and consistent execution in their business. Hosted by Coach Chris Cotton, each episode delivers real-world insight you can apply immediately in your shop. 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 Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae Email Chris: chris@autofixsos.com The Automotive Repair Podcast...

8 min
JAN 19

It’s Easy to Contract When You Should Be Expanding [E241]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Episode Title: It’s Easy to Contract When You Should Be Expanding Host: Coach Chris Cotton Network: Aftermarket Radio Network When business feels uncomfortable, most shop owners don’t pause — they panic. They pull back marketing. They delay hiring. They cancel training. In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton tackles one of the most dangerous instincts in business: contracting when expansion is required. This conversation is about leadership under pressure — and why fear-based decisions quietly kill long-term growth. Coach Chris breaks down why contraction feels responsible, why it’s often the wrong move, and how the best-performing shops expand strategically when others retreat. This is not about reckless growth. It’s about intentional expansion — expanding systems, leadership, visibility, and execution when it matters most. If you’ve been feeling squeezed, uncertain, or tempted to “wait and see,” this episode will challenge that thinking — and give you a better path forward. ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – 02:45 🔥 Opening Hook: Why contraction feels safe — and why it’s dangerous 02:45 – 08:30 🧠 Why shop owners contract under pressure (fear vs leadership) 08:30 – 14:45 📈 What expansion really means (hint: it’s not always a new building) 14:45 – 16:15 🎯 Mid-Roll Sponsor: Shop Marketing Pros 16:15 – 22:30 🏗️ Expand or slowly shrink: the real cost of waiting 22:30 – 25:00 🚀 Final close + Aftermarket Radio Network mention 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS Contraction is emotional. Expansion is strategic. Pausing marketing is usually the most expensive decision you can make. Expansion doesn’t mean reckless growth — it means intentional investment. Slow shops don’t need less visibility — they need better execution. Leadership shows up before confidence does. 🔊 QUOTABLE LINES “Contraction is easy. Expansion is leadership.” “Markets don’t reward fear — they reward presence.” “If your shop is slow, question execution before demand.” “There is no neutral — you’re either expanding capability or shrinking your future.” “Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes after.” 🤝 Episode Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros. Shop Marketing Pros helps auto repair shop owners build consistent, long-term growth strategies that actually work—especially during slower or unpredictable seasons like January. If you’re looking for marketing that supports your business instead of stressing you out, visit ShopMarketingPros.com. 🎧 About The Weekly Blitz The Weekly Blitz is a short-form, tactical mindset podcast for auto repair shop owners who want clarity, confidence, and consistent execution in their business. Hosted by Coach Chris Cotton, each episode delivers real-world insight you can apply...

7 min
JAN 12

The First Course Correction of the Year [E240]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Episode Summary By the second week of January, most shop owners are already questioning their plans, their numbers, and sometimes themselves. In this episode of The Weekly Blitz, Coach Chris Cotton breaks down why that feeling is not failure—it’s feedback. This episode is all about making your first smart course correction of the year without panic, emotional decisions, or abandoning a plan that still deserves time to work. If January hasn’t gone exactly how you expected, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and move forward with clarity and confidence. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why January rarely starts the way we picture it—and why that’s normal The difference between failure and feedback in the early weeks of the year A simple 3-question framework to make intelligent course corrections What shop owners should not change yet in week two of January One tactical move that can create immediate momentum without discounting How discipline—not hype—sets winning shops apart early in the year 🛠️ Key Takeaways January doesn’t reward optimism—it rewards process A slow start does not mean a bad year Most early-January mistakes are emotional, not strategic Small, fast corrections beat big reactive changes Momentum is built by staying in the game, not starting over 📋 Action Step for This Week Before making any big changes, sit down and answer these three questions: What did I assume that turned out to be wrong? What’s working better than I expected? What am I overreacting to? Then choose one tactical improvement to focus on this week—starting with follow-up on declined or unsold work. 🤝 Episode Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Shop Marketing Pros. Shop Marketing Pros helps auto repair shop owners build consistent, long-term growth strategies that actually work—especially during slower or unpredictable seasons like January. If you’re looking for marketing that supports your business instead of stressing you out, visit ShopMarketingPros.com. 🎧 About The Weekly Blitz The Weekly Blitz is a short-form, tactical mindset podcast for auto repair shop owners who want clarity, confidence, and consistent execution in their business. Hosted by Coach Chris Cotton, each episode delivers real-world insight you can apply immediately in your shop. 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 Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008 Facebook: a href="https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

6 min
JAN 5

If You Build It, They Will Come (But Only If You Build the RIGHT Thing) [E239]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind ✅ SHOW NOTES — “If You Build It, They Will Come (But Only If You Build the RIGHT Thing)” The Weekly Blitz with Coach Chris Cotton Presented by Shop Marketing Pros Episode Summary This episode dives into the Field of Dreams mindset and how the legendary line “If you build it, they will come” applies to auto repair shops — but with a modern twist. Coach Chris Cotton breaks down why so many shop owners build the wrong things, delay the right things, or avoid the hard things, and how that mindset stalls growth, profit, and momentum. You’ll walk away with real, tactical actions to build the processes, team, customer experience, and culture that actually attract customers — not just hope they show up. Big Ideas from Today’s Episode 1. Vision requires courage, not permission. Ray Kinsella didn’t wait for the neighborhood to approve his baseball field — and neither should you wait to build the systems your shop needs. 2. “Build it” means building the right foundation: Clear processes A signature customer experience A team that buys into the mission A brand customers trust instantly 3. Your shop’s experience IS your marketing. If people walk out feeling great, they will talk. If they don’t feel anything… they won’t remember you. 4. Fear delays momentum — and delayed momentum kills profit. If you already know what needs to be built, the cost of waiting is higher than the cost of starting. 5. The Field of Dreams Action List: Build a system people can feel Build consistent standards Build a reputation you earn, not buy Build the future version of your shop, not the fearful version Coach’s Tactical Homework Before the next episode, write down: What are you building right now? What do your customers actually need you to build? What’s the ONE thing you’ve avoided building because it scares you? If you disappeared tomorrow, what would people miss about your business? Your answers tell you whether you’re building a baseball field… or just mowing grass. Sponsor — Shop Marketing Pros For auto repair shops ready to attract better customers and build a brand worthy of attention, connect with Shop Marketing Pros. They’re the trusted experts who bring clarity, strategy, and real results. 👉 Visit them to level up your marketing game. Explore more industry-leading podcasts at: 📲 AutomotiveRepairPodcastNetwork.com Download the mobile app for Apple & Android for fast, easy access to every show. 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 Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com...

12 min
2025-12-29

Planning, Not Wishing: Part 4 — The Simple 3-Page Plan for Q1 [E238]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify. Don't forget to rate and review us! Finish Strong Series: “Planning, Not Wishing — The Simple 3-Page Plan for Q1” Presented by Shop Marketing Pros — your marketing engine for 2025 and beyond. Episode Summary In the final part of the Finish Strong Series, Coach Chris Cotton delivers the ultimate shop-owner reset: a simple, no-fluff, highly actionable 3 Page Plan to launch Q1 with focus, clarity, and momentum. No corporate complexity. No overstuffed binders. No 27-goal “strategy lists.” Just a tight, practical plan built around what ACTUALLY moves the needle in the first 90 days of the year. If you want 2025 to be different — truly different — it starts with this. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why Most Shop Plans Fail The traps: too big, too confusing, too vague, not shared with the team. ✔️ Page 1 — The Reality Check Chris walks through the exact questions and assessments needed to understand: What worked What failed What must be fixed first The ONE thing that will drive the biggest Q1 win ✔️ Page 2 — The Goals That Matter A focused, data-driven list of goals every shop should set for Q1, including: ARO Car count Tech productivity Labor GP% Parts margin % Customer experience targets The 3 behaviors that directly improve all of them ✔️ Page 3 — The Action Calendar This is where the magic happens: Who is responsible What happens weekly What gets tracked How accountability works How meetings tie it all together How to create a 90-day cadence that keeps the team aligned ✔️ How to Turn This Into a Team Tool, Not an Owner Document Because a plan that lives in your head doesn’t change your shop — only a plan your team understands and owns can do that. Why This Episode Matters Most shop owners “hope” January will be better. Hope isn’t a plan. A clear, simple, actionable plan is the difference between repeating another year… and creating a breakthrough one. This episode hands you the structure to do exactly that. Sponsored By: Shop Marketing Pros Special thanks to Shop Marketing Pros for supporting this episode. If you want stronger branding, better online visibility, and more cars in your bays, go to ShopMarketingPros.com — they’re the real deal. Connect with Chris: AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching YouTube: a href="https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae" rel="noopener...

10 min
2025-12-22

Part Three: Your Cashflow North Star [E237]

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops. Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo: https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/ Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ If you would like to join their private facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind Finish Strong Series: “Your Cashflow North Star” Presented by Shop Marketing Pros — trusted marketing partners for top-performing auto repair shops. Episode Summary In Part 3 of the Finish Strong Series, Coach Chris Cotton tackles the topic that stresses shop owners more than anything else: cashflow. This episode introduces the concept of the Cashflow North Star — the exact number that tells you whether your shop is safe, stressed, or in danger. Chris delivers a tactical, step-by-step breakdown of how to calculate it, how to use it, and how it transforms your clarity and decision-making as a business owner. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about money, unsure about what’s “safe,” or anxious about the ups and downs of car count… this episode is your cure. What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ Why You’re Not Broke — You’re Unclear The emotional truth behind why even profitable owners struggle with money fear. ✔️ What a Cashflow North Star Actually Is A simple but powerful financial safety system that every shop owner MUST have. ✔️ The 3 Zones Every Shop Operates In Green Zone — Healthy Yellow Zone — Tight Red Zone — Danger And exactly what to do in each. ✔️ How to Calculate Your North Star (Step-by-Step) Chris breaks down the full process: fixed expenses, weekly burn rate, danger thresholds, safety buffers, and the real “stop spending” line. ✔️ The December Cashflow Mistakes That Kill Shops Lessons on: Equipment purchases Early tax payments Holiday bonuses Subscription creep Neglected receivables Missing parts credits Poor forecasting ✔️ How to Forecast Cashflow for 90 Days A simple 30/60/90 approach that eliminates fear and replaces it with leadership-level clarity. Why This Episode Matters A shop without a cashflow plan is a shop that’s always one slow week away from panic. When you know your Cashflow North Star, you stop guessing… and start leading. This episode gives you that power. Sponsored By: Shop Marketing Pros A big thank you to Shop Marketing Pros for sponsoring this episode. They’re the experts in storytelling, branding, and digital marketing for auto repair shops. Learn more at ShopMarketingPros.com — where great shops get great marketing. 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 Coaching www.autoshopcoaching.com www.aftermarketradionetwork.com 940-400-1008 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching YouTube: a href="https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

14 min

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Weekly 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.