The PartsEdge Podcast

PartsEdge
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Management
  • Updated Semimonthly

Conversations that matter. Insights you can use. Hosted by Kaylee Felio, she brings together the voices shaping today’s Fixed Ops landscape—alongside expert insights from Chuck Hartle. Featuring two core series: The Parts Girl Series (Hosted by Kaylee Felio) – conversations with industry leaders and operators focused on what’s working and what’s not. Webinar Replay Series (Led by Chuck Hartle) – structured, in-depth training sessions covering pricing, inventory strategy, and DMS optimization, built from decades of hands-on experience. Learn more about PartsEdge solutions: www.partsedge.com

  1. 14m ago

    Fixing the Foundation: Microlearning Solutions for Parts Managers with Chris Craig

    Chris Craig, FixedOps Content Developer at RockEd, joins Kaylee Felio to dive into the launch of Rocket’s powerful new training curriculum for parts departments. They get gritty on why parts managers and associates have been overlooked—until now. From microlearning and gamification to actionable reporting and industry certification, Chris Craig breaks down how RockEd is changing the game for parts teams across the country. If you’re ready to fix the foundation, turn inventory faster, and give your team smarter tools, this episode brings the insights, energy, and optimism you need. -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Microlearning Empowers Busy Teams Gamification Drives Engagement Industry-Recognized Certification Chapters 00:00 Military training and education 04:21 Balancing Army duties and work 06:40 Rocket's microlearning solution for dealerships 10:40 Understanding the parts manager role 14:25 Accessing Rocket Preview Mode 17:17 Rocketified learning platform overview 20:18 Checking out the RockEd app Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com Chris Craig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-topher-craig RockED Website https://www.rocked.us/technician-skills

    Fixing the Foundation: Microlearning Solutions for Parts Managers with Chris Craig

  2. Jul 24

    Stop Losing Customers: How Better Communication Drives Service Retention in Auto Dealerships

    On this Parts Edge Podcast episode, Kaylee Felio sits down at the NCM Fuel the Future Fix-Op Summit with Derek from NUMA. Together, they dig deep into the tech transforming parts and service departments: proactive AI that turns every customer touchpoint into an opportunity for retention, revenue, and hassle-free communication. Derek shares how NUMA’s “co-pilot” approach fixes the industry's biggest headaches—poor communication and missed service appointments. By streamlining inbound calls and digitizing the parts counter’s to-do list, NUMA empowers managers to get out of the weeds and focus on growth, customer satisfaction, and turning inventory faster. The result? Fewer bad reviews, loyal customers, and a serious impact on the bottom line. From fixing the foundation of internal dealership workflows to bringing sales and service together, this episode is packed with gritty, realistic advice for managers who want inventory (and customer experience) to be anything but a guessing game. -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Communication drives retention and revenue. AI frees your team for high-value tasks. Integrating sales, service, and parts leads to better customer experience. Chapters 00:00 AI tool for car dealerships 03:35 Challenges in service advisor roles 08:07 Streamlining service with the NUMA app 11:23 Increasing dealership service retention 13:30 Podcast guest introduction Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Stop Losing Customers: How Better Communication Drives Service Retention in Auto Dealerships

  3. Jul 22

    Transforming Dealership Service with Real-Time Communication and Sales Training Insights

    Kaylee Felio sits down at the Fuel the Future FixedOps Summit with Roger Gutierrez from Biggers Auto Group to dig into what it takes to run a growth-focused dealership—and why fixing the foundation in service and parts is more critical than ever. From smarter scheduling and AI to sharper sales skills for the parts team, this episode is packed with practical advice and gritty optimism for every parts and fixed ops leader. Roger reveals what it’s like to step away from the grind and immerse himself in innovation, lessons learned on managing people and process, and the powerful impact of clear communication—both with teams and customers. If you’re ready to turn inventory faster, give your managers better tools, and make every hour in the department count, this conversation is for you. -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Invest in Sales Training for Parts Teams: Equip your parts staff to sell complete jobs, not just parts, to strengthen reputation and customer satisfaction. Fix the Foundation With Process and Communication: Tighten up scheduling and status update processes—these “basics” keep customers happy and teams accountable. Face Weaknesses for Lasting Growth: Embracing vendor solutions or new technologies can be uncomfortable, but honest feedback and visibility are crucial for improvement. Chapters 00:00 Learning about AI and data management 06:07 Importance of knowledgeable parts staff Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Transforming Dealership Service with Real-Time Communication and Sales Training Insights

  4. Jul 20

    Fueling the Future of Fixed Ops with AI and Smarter Communication with Danny Zaslavsky

    This episode comes to you live from the NCM Fuel the Future FixedOps Summit, where the conversation focused on how innovation and collaboration are building a stronger foundation for dealership success. The discussion explored VinQ’s efforts to break down communication barriers between variable and fixed ops, leveraging advanced tech and AI to turn inventory management into a data-driven process, not a guessing game. A key theme that emerged was the transformative power of accurate reconditioning estimates and tighter variable-fixed integration for maximizing profit and reducing costly variance. Several points were raised, including how technology is helping parts and service departments operate like co-pilots rather than siloed teams, empowering every team member to deliver exponentially greater results without siloed “trial and error” approaches. If you’re passionate about fixing the foundation of your dealership operations—stocking smarter, reducing surprise costs, and giving your team better tools—this episode is a must-listen. -------------------------------------------- This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Overcoming communication gaps between variable and fixed ops—especially in recon—can add thousands in lost profit back to your bottom line. Leveraging AI isn’t just about shiny tech; it’s about making every decision smarter and freeing up bandwidth for growth-focused work. Fix the foundation: empower your current team to operate at a higher level rather than simply adding more staff. Chapters 00:00 Enhancing vehicle appraisal process 04:13 Sales channels and innovation sharing 06:56 Transitioning to software investments Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Fueling the Future of Fixed Ops with AI and Smarter Communication with Danny Zaslavsky

  5. Jul 17

    Webinar Replay - What the Best Parts Departments Do Differently

    Ever wondered what separates top-performing dealership parts departments from the pack? On this high-energy episode, Kaylee Felio brings gritty, actionable clarity to inventory management, smarter pricing, and the realities of working with your DMS. Packed with pragmatic advice and real-world examples, this session is all about giving parts managers the tools, support, and confidence to fix the foundation, turn inventory faster, and stop making inventory a guessing game. From the power of daily sales reporting to avoiding the traps of obsolete inventory, Kaylee Felio covers the core habits and strategies the most successful teams use—plus, she isn’t shy about naming which DMS platforms offer real advantages (and where others fall flat). Whether you’re looking to reduce obsolescence, boost profitability, or finally get your arms around all those so-called “protected parts,” this episode delivers the tactical details you need to stock smarter and stay growth-focused. -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Consistent, Proactive Training & Reporting Sets Winning Departments Apart. Your DMS Can Be a Co-Pilot—Or a Roadblock—Depending on How You Use It. Obsolescence Isn’t Inevitable—But It Takes Grit to Fix. Chapters 00:00 Encouraging audience questions 06:29 Managing staff shortages 07:55 Scheduling and optimizing short meetings 12:42 Issues with store migration data 16:11 Retail sales report insights 20:55 Retail pricing and markup strategy 23:16 Managing product pricing and profit margins 27:24 Challenges in Inventory Management 30:40 Analyzing dealership inventory levels 33:48 Managing obsolete inventory strategies 37:49 Analyzing inventory turnover rates 41:29 Forecasting obsolete inventory growth 46:18 Dealing with obsolete inventory 49:57 Honda's SRA and Inventory Management 50:52 Calculating true terms in inventory 54:14 Inventory management strategies 53:20 Tekions dealership strategy and pricing Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Webinar Replay - What the Best Parts Departments Do Differently

  6. Jul 15

    Driving Customer Retention and Embracing Tech in Part Departments with Dwayne Kinsley

    In this episode, Dwayne Kinsley from LACarGuy joins us live from the NCM "Fuel the Future" Fixed Ops event. Dwayne opens up about why these peer-driven conferences matter, what’s keeping dealers competitive, and why retention is a bigger conversation than ever. We dig into the constant evolution of dealership technology—how to cut through all the noise, avoid vendor overload, and find the right partners to help your team move fast and stay ahead. Dwayne pulls back the curtain on how true competition comes from outside the dealership world, what drives fixed ops profitability, and the tough calls parts managers are forced to make with ever-changing tech options. If you’re looking to sharpen your competitive edge and create more value for your customers, this episode is a must-listen. -------------------------------------------- This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Focus on customer value—convenience, speed, and having the right parts—drives real retention. Technology moves fast; choose partners who prioritize customization, support, and adaptability. Don’t get overwhelmed by vendors; streamline where you can, but never sacrifice quality or service. Chapters 00:00 Networking at NCM Events 03:50 Focus on fixed operations 07:55 Startups getting acquired Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Driving Customer Retention and Embracing Tech in Part Departments with Dwayne Kinsley

  7. Jul 13

    Fixing the Foundation: How Smart Tools Empower Dealerships Parts Managers

    In this episode, Adam Martel talks about stepping up from legacy processes, embracing PartsEdge automation, and what it’s like to turn the chaos of managing 50,000+ SKUs into a streamlined, growth-focused operation. From running smarter online sales to preparing for industry shifts like mandatory video MPIs, Adam shares gritty, optimistic insights on staying competitive and turning inventory faster. We dig into the real-world challenges parts managers face: drowning in outdated DMS setups, legacy sources nobody even remembers, and lacking tools to break out of silos. If you’ve ever felt like inventory is a guessing game, this one’s for you. -------------------------------------------- This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Fix the foundation: Overhauling source structures and automating processes frees up parts managers to focus on growth, not data entry. Turn inventory faster: Access to real-time, actionable reports empowers smarter stocking and helps reduce stale inventory. We’re your co-pilot: With specialized partners like PartsEdge and Revolution Parts handling the heavy lifting, managers can stay lean and competitive—without drowning in tech headaches. Chapters 00:23 Adam’s first podcast and NCM Summit vibes 01:25 Why Adam chose PartsEdge: “Buckets” metaphor and reporting clarity 02:31 The struggle with legacy DMS setups and impossible reports 03:07 Going from 15 outdated sources to 40 smart, automated ones 04:16 Why parts managers shouldn’t waste time on manual data entry 05:07 The daunting scale: 50,000+ SKUs and $750k inventory 05:28 Turning up online sales—250 orders over one weekend 06:17 Lessons from the summit: cross-department strategies and customer focus 07:03 Breaking down silos—why fixed ops needs one team approach 07:45 Bringing ideas home: prepping for video MPIs, evaluating tech solutions 08:47 The power of laser-focused partners versus DMS all-in-ones 09:01 Wrapping up: Stay gritty, stay optimistic, and keep building better parts departments Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Fixing the Foundation: How Smart Tools Empower Dealerships Parts Managers

  8. Jul 6

    Fixing the Foundation of Service Scheduling with Insights from Dave Anderson

    Dave Anderson, representing Evenflow AI, joins the PartsEdge Podcast from the NCM Fuel the Future Fixed Ops Summit to talk about what automotive can learn from healthcare and airlines when it comes to maximizing technician time, intelligent scheduling, and creating stand-out customer experiences. Dave shares how smaller, more immersive conference formats spark deeper connections and actionable conversations with dealers, and reveals why transparent, proactive communication keeps dealership customers happy and coming back. Drawing from his experience in healthcare and airlines, he highlights practical wins dealerships can implement right now to turn inventory faster and deliver the kind of service customers actually rave about. Fresh takeaways and gritty optimism, parts managers—this one is for you. -------------------------------------------- This show is powered by PartsEdge: Your go-to solution for transforming dealership parts inventory into a powerhouse of profitability. Our strategies are proven to amp up parts sales by a whopping 20%, all while cutting down on idle inventory. If you're looking to optimize your parts management, visit 🔗 www.partsedge.com -------------------------------------------- Takeaways Bring scheduling front and center: Make it easy for customers by putting the scheduler where they expect it—right on your homepage. Proactive updates = happier customers: Frequent, transparent communication reduces anxiety and bad reviews. Learn by listening: Spend time asking customers and peers real questions. Growth comes from conversations, not just demos. Chapters 00:00 Connecting at smaller conferences 03:27 Healthcare service and billing parallels 07:27 Taking time off for car issues Website:  https://www.partsedge.com/profilequiz Kaylee Felio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio Website: https://www.partsedge.com

    Fixing the Foundation of Service Scheduling with Insights from Dave Anderson
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5
out of 5
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About

Conversations that matter. Insights you can use. Hosted by Kaylee Felio, she brings together the voices shaping today’s Fixed Ops landscape—alongside expert insights from Chuck Hartle. Featuring two core series: The Parts Girl Series (Hosted by Kaylee Felio) – conversations with industry leaders and operators focused on what’s working and what’s not. Webinar Replay Series (Led by Chuck Hartle) – structured, in-depth training sessions covering pricing, inventory strategy, and DMS optimization, built from decades of hands-on experience. Learn more about PartsEdge solutions: www.partsedge.com

Information

  • Creator
    PartsEdge
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    194
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © PartsEdge
  • Show Website
    The PartsEdge Podcast