FWRD: An EasyCare Podcast Corey M Smith Fixed Operations Training Manager For EasyCare

Corey Smith and Kumar Kathinokkula engage in a discussion on the future of AI in the automotive industry, focusing on its impact on customer service, dealership operations, and F&I products. Kumar provides insights on current implementations of AI like chatbots for customer interactions and predicts a transformative shift towards automation in dealerships over the next decade.

You won't want to miss them discuss the potential for tailored F&I products using real-time risk analysis and predict changes in dealership operations with fully automated showrooms and virtual customer interactions powered by AI.

Tune into more episodes of FWRD: An EasyCare Podcast for the latest insight in the industry with experts in the field!

In this enlightening episode of the Fixed Ops 5 podcast, host Corey Smith is joined by Jerry Davis, a seasoned professional in the automotive service industry, to explore the critical intersection of mental health and workplace performance. The conversation dives deep into the nuances of advocating for mental health awareness and self-care within high-pressure environments.**Chapter Breakdown:**- **Chapter 1: Preparation for Podcast Recording** (00:29 - 12:24)  Jerry sets the stage with his readiness for an in-depth discussion, while Corey expresses gratitude for his participation, setting a tone of mutual respect and anticipation.- **Chapter 2: Understanding Mental Health Impact** (13:38 - 20:24)  The dialogue focuses on mental acuity's role in aiding others, with Jerry emphasizing the necessity of recognizing personal triggers and the power of strategic breaks.- **Chapter 3: Recognizing Signs of Mental Health Strain** (18:32 - 20:24)  Insights into identifying mental health strain through indicators like body language and team engagement are discussed, highlighting the importance of active listening.- **Chapter 4: Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout** (25:47 - 30:32)  Conversations pivot to proactive stress management techniques, the significance of self-improvement resources, and the role of recognition in mitigating burnout.- **Chapter 5: Personal Experiences and Future Trends** (31:34 - 39:26)  Jerry shares poignant personal experiences, reflecting on the evolving dialogue surrounding mental health in the industry and its profound personal and professional impacts.- **Chapter 6: Key Takeaways and Closing** (40:06 - 42:28)  The episode concludes with Jerry offering three key takeaways: the importance of creating a safe space, developing self-awareness, and fostering open communication within teams.**Core Insights:**- **Mental Health Strategies for Service Professionals:** Delve into how mental health directly influences performance and well-being, especially under the pressures inherent to service roles.- **Proactive Measures & Tools:** Explore actionable steps like regular mental health check-ins and utilizing tools such as DISC assessments for better understanding personal and team dynamics.- **Future of Mental Health in the Workplace:** Unpack the significance of integrating mental health considerations into hiring processes and the broader industry dialogue.Join us for this vital conversation that not only sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of mental health in the workplace but also provides practical advice and real-world experiences aimed at fostering healthier, more productive professional environments.

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Corey Smith, the national fxed operations training manager with Apco Holdings, is joined by Ujj from My Karma in a podcast episode titled "Charging Ahead: Unpacking Strategies, AI Integration, and Having a Vision for 2024 in Fixed Ops." Ujj discusses his career journey and how he started My Karma. They then discuss why dealerships have traditionally not been able to pass surcharge fees to customers due to legal risks and concerns about customer satisfaction. However, Ujj explains that implementing surcharges can actually increase debit card usage while still allowing credit card users to enjoy benefts such as rewards points. He emphasizes the importance of being legally compliant when implementing surcharges and highlights how My Karma provides guidance and training on this topic. Corey shares his personal experience at a restaurant that charges a surcharge fee for their team-based service model. They also discuss potential cost savings for dealerships if they implement surcharges and suggest that an average dealer could save around $15k per month or $180k per year. Finally, they explore the process of implementing surcharges using My Karma's services, including training dealership staff on talking points and dispute handling. The conversation touches on the need for compliance when dealing with insurance companies who do not allow additional charges on approved amounts for extended warranties. Ujj emphasizes the importance of attention to detail in Apple's success. He discusses how Apple agonizes over every little detail, leading to a product that appears easy to use. Ujj also highlights the signifcance of detail in the retail industry and credits dealerships for their attention to detail. He then shifts focus to the trends impacting fxed operations in 2024, particularly electric vehicles (EVs). Ujj explains that EVs still require maintenance, although different from traditional cars, and predicts an increase in proftability for certain operations such as sensor recalibration. He encourages dealerships to adapt and invest in EV infrastructure. Additionally, he mentions AI advancements and its potential role in improving customer service through triaging calls and analyzing sentiments.