Service Drive Revolution with Chris Collins

Business Outlaws Network
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Got a question for the show? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR! Chris Collins, the leading Automotive Service Manager Coach and Service Advisor Trainer in the world, discusses little known service drive secret weapons to help pull your service department ahead of the pack. Everything from hiring technicians, increasing dealership CSI, building relationships for long term customer retention, to increasing customer pay sales and more, is all discussed here on Service Drive Revolution. All from the automotive industries #1 go-to guy for Fixed Operations; Chris Collins. Listen, and enjoy!

  1. 6d ago

    SDR #361: How I Mastered Dealership Financial Statements

    In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #361, Chris, Hogi, and Adam continue our origin series by jumping back in time to the moment Chris realized that financial statements are the secret key to everything in a dealership. ] Chris shares a wild story about trading his own consulting services just to get a back-door education on how dealership financials actually work—and how a chance meeting with a former Kansas City Chiefs player changed his perspective. Plus: A deep dive into the trap of fatalism in America today, and why understanding the numbers is your ultimate industry superpower. 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Trading For Secrets: How Chris bartered his skills to learn the financial blueprint that most GMs keep behind closed doors. - The Financial Trap: Why trying to fix a service department without understanding the statement means you're just doing a lot of work for nothing. - The Broken Industry Average: Why the average service department barely breaks even, and how numbers tell you exactly where the leaks are. - The Kansas City Chiefs Connection: A chance encounter that completely shifted the room's perspective on success and leadership. - Defeating Fatalism: Why giving up on systems or assuming "that's just how the business is" will kill your growth. - SDR Live Is Coming: A sneak peek at the upcoming Service Drive Revolution Academy launching in June to help you master these exact numbers.  #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #FixedOperations #OriginStory #FinancialStatements #DealershipMath #BusinessSuperpower  🛑 OnDemand 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

    1h 13m

  2. May 25

    SDR #360: How I Arguably Made The Best Advisor Training

    In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #360, Chris, Hogi, and Adam share the incredible origin story of how the best Service Advisor training in the industry was actually born. Chris takes us back to the early 90s Seattle grunge scene, where he worked as a cold, wet part-time lot attendant while chasing a rock-and-roll drumming dream—and how an incredibly lazy coworker named Thomas became his ultimate inspiration for sales mastery. Plus: A look ahead to our brand new Service Drive Revolution Live virtual certification series kicking off in June!  🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS - The Birth of Elite Training: How analyzing a terrible coworker's bad habits led to a 12-point blueprint for service drive success. - The "Thomas Kemper" Effect: Why asking a customer "Do you have an appointment?" is the absolute worst way to greet them. - Never Prejudge Your Customers: Why you must always present the inspection results, even to broke college kids. - The Kinko's Masterpiece: How Chris rented a word processor by the 15-minute block to print his very first advisor workbook. - The Seattle Grunge Era: Balancing late-night band practices next door to Soundgarden with early morning service drive hustle. - Outwork Everyone: Why a relentless work ethic on the front lines is the only real foundation for a legendary automotive career.  📞 GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR — we answer on the show!  #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #FixedOperations #OriginStory #SalesTraining #SeattleGrunge #CustomerExperience  🛑 Get your On-Demand Training & See 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

    55 min

  3. May 18

    SDR #359: How I Got In The Car Business Part 1

    In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #359, Chris, Hogi, and Adam kick off a brand new series diving into the origin story of the Bulldog. Chris reminisces about the pivotal moments that shaped his career, starting with a life-altering piece of advice from a soccer coach that led him away from the field and into the car business. Plus: A look ahead to our upcoming Service Manager University Live certification starting in June! 🔥KEY TAKEAWAYS - The Soccer Coach's Ultimatum: Why a single conversation about commitment changed Chris's entire career trajectory. - The Decision to Pivot: Choosing between professional soccer, a music career, and the world of business. - Service Manager University Live: A sneak peek at our new virtual community for certifying elite service managers. - The Value of Focus: Why going "100% in" is the only way to make something of yourself. - Reminiscing on the Journey: Part 1 of a new series exploring how the industry's best training content was created. - The Tacoma Stars: How close Chris came to a completely different life in professional sports. 📞 GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR — we answer on the show!  Get your On-Demand Training & See 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 #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #OriginStory #CareerAdvice #SuccessMindset #AutomotiveHistory

    1h 46m

  4. May 11

    SDR #358: Viewer Q&A: Secret To Getting Promoted

    In this episode of Service Drive Revolution #358, Chris, Hogi, and Adam dive into a controversial trend: dealerships using social media to make fun of their own customers. We also follow up on a massive career question (promotions) from our  @YouTube  community regarding the value of a degree versus actual "saddle time" on the service drive. Plus: Chris shares an incredible story about a million-dollar job offer that proves why you can never keep results a secret. 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS - The Social Media Trap: Why "making fun of customers" is a dangerous marketing strategy that kills long-term trust. - The Promotion Gap: Why a degree in Automotive Management won't save you if you don't have a track record of performance. - Saddle Time Matters: Why you need to be an advisor or technician before you try to lead them. - The "Million Dollar" Check: Chris's real-life lesson on how a track record of selling cars is the ultimate job security. - Stop Hiding Behind Education: Why results are the only currency that truly matters in the car business. - Results Can't Be Secret: How to build a reputation that makes GMs and Owners come looking for you. 📞 GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR — we answer on the show! #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #FixedOperations #CareerGrowth #AutomotiveManagement #PromotionTips #JobPerformance  🛑 OnDemand 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

    45 min

  5. May 4

    SDR #357: YouTube Q&A: Your Top Comments Answered

    In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris, Hogi, and Adam dive deep into the YouTube comment section to answer your most pressing questions about shop flow, advisor success, and the future of car ownership. Plus: A heated discussion on the 2021 law mandating "kill switches" and driver monitoring in every car sold after 2027. 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS - The 2027 Mandate: Everything you need to know about the law requiring cabin sensors and remote shut-off capabilities. - Kill the Dispatcher: Why traditional dispatching is a constraint that slows down your shop's throughput. - Lateral Support: How breaking your shop into smaller teams allows advisors to control their own destiny. - Connection: Technical Knowledge: Why the best advisors aren't former techs, but people who know how to build trust. - Matrix Pricing: Using a scientific approach to labor rates instead of just "straight hours". - The Stafford Beer Rule: Remembering that the "purpose of a system is what it does"—not what it claims to do. 📞 GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR — we answer on the show! #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #FixedOperations #PrivacyRights #AutoTech #KillSwitch #ShopEfficiency 🛑 OnDemand 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

    48 min

  6. Apr 27

    SDR #356: Coaches Roundtable: Your Top Questions Answered!

    In this new episode of Service Drive Revolution, the entire CCI coaching staff is in the room — Chris, Jean, Hogi, Hunter, Blake, Adam, Jared, Avery, and Cliff — answering YOUR questions and getting brutally honest about the habits that made (and almost broke) their careers in fixed ops. Plus: a goosebumps moment as Cliff shares his son's role in the Venezuela boat operation. 🇺🇸 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Address the original concern + additional needs in ONE call — never two - Use the Table of Contents technique to present the full picture - A degree without saddle time = no callback. Get on the front lines first - Leadership ≠ gender. It's about being effective and reading the room - Top performers ask questions. Low performers give the loudest advice - If you keep hitting the same wall, the wall isn't the problem  📞 GOT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN? Call 833-3-ASK-SDR — we answer on the show! #ServiceDriveRevolution #FixedOps #AutomotiveLeadership #ServiceManager #ServiceAdvisor #DealershipLife #CarBusiness #ChrisCollins #AutoIndustry #DealershipTraining #ServiceDirector #FixedOperations #AutomotiveCareers #DealerLife #AutoSales #ServiceDept 🛑 OnDemand 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

    36 min

  7. Apr 20

    SDR #355: Why Customer Retention is Your Best Marketing Strategy

    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

    28 min

  8. Apr 13

    SDR #354: Why Your Techs Quit & How To Motivate The Ones You Have (Part 2)

    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

    35 min
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Got a question for the show? Call us at 1-833-3-ASK-SDR! Chris Collins, the leading Automotive Service Manager Coach and Service Advisor Trainer in the world, discusses little known service drive secret weapons to help pull your service department ahead of the pack. Everything from hiring technicians, increasing dealership CSI, building relationships for long term customer retention, to increasing customer pay sales and more, is all discussed here on Service Drive Revolution. All from the automotive industries #1 go-to guy for Fixed Operations; Chris Collins. Listen, and enjoy!

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