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What the Fixed Ops?! (WTF?!)Join automotive expert and entrepreneur Russell B. Hill and CMO Charity Dunning as they venture into the world of automotive, fixed operations, and the successes and failures in life in the What the Fixed Ops?! podcast. Get new episodes by following... Author: Russell Hill, Charity Dunning
Join automotive expert and entrepreneur Russell B. Hill and CMO Charity Dunning as they venture into the world of automotive, fixed operations, and the successes and failures in life in the What the Fixed Ops?! podcast. Get new episodes by following our social media networks or by visiting us at www.FixedOPSMarketing.com/WTF. Language: en Genres: Automotive, Business News, Leisure, News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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How Dealerships Can Keep Their Best Technicians with Josh Arnold
Monday, 14 September, 2026
In this episode of What the Fixed Ops?!, hosts Russell Hill and Charity Dunning welcome Josh Arnold, Master Technician and Co-Founder of Within Spec, for an insightful conversation about the automotive technician shortage, technician retention, mentorship, and what dealerships need to do differently to develop the next generation of skilled automotive professionals. Josh explains why the industry's technician problem may be less about a shortage of young people interested in the trades and more about a shortage of dealerships equipped to develop them. From clearly defined career paths and strong shop leadership to consistent mentorship and follow-up, Josh argues that dealerships must give technicians a reason to see automotive service as a long-term career rather than simply a job.The conversation also explores the power of video MPI and technician-to-customer communication. After seeing firsthand how customers responded to technician videos, Josh developed his own customer-focused approach and eventually trained approximately 150 technicians on video inspections. Rather than treating video MPI as another tool for selling repairs, Josh believes technicians should use it to educate customers, create transparency, build relationships, and improve long-term service retention.We talk about:Why the technician shortage isn't simply a recruiting problemThe importance of mentorship for young automotive techniciansHow dealerships can create clearer technician career pathsWhy Master Technicians need opportunities to continue growingRecruiting technicians with honesty and real-world expectationsHow dealerships can improve technician training and retentionWhy video MPI should focus on trust instead of sellingBuilding stronger technician-to-customer relationshipsChallenging the "that's how we've always done it" mentalityHow Within Spec is building a community for the next generation of techniciansJosh also shares what becoming a teacher and mentor taught him about his own career, why being questioned can make technicians better at their craft, and how the Toyota philosophy of Kaizen—or continuous improvement—continues to shape his approach to automotive service. His message to dealerships is clear: recruiting young talent is only the beginning. Developing, supporting, challenging, and communicating with technicians throughout their careers is what ultimately keeps great people in the industry.Whether you're a dealer principal, fixed ops director, service manager, shop foreman, technician, advisor, or automotive professional, this episode delivers practical insights into technician recruitment and retention, automotive mentorship, video MPI, customer communication, and building a stronger future for dealership fixed operations.BE THE 1ST TO KNOW. LIKE and FOLLOW HEREhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fixed-ops-marketing/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfhttps://www.youtube.com/@fixedopsmarketing?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfGet watch and listen links, as well as full episodes and shorts:https://www.fixedopsmarketing.com/wtf/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtfJoin Managing Partner and Host, Russell B. Hill and Charity Dunning, Co-Host and Chief Marketing Officer of FixedOPS Marketing, as we discuss life, automotive, and the human journey in WTF?!Don't forget to send us a message here!https://www.fixedopsmarketing.com/?utm_source=wtf&utm_medium=wtf&utm_campaign=wtfsocial&utm_id=wtf#podcast #automotive #fixedoperations
