Speaker Lineup Announced For ETI's ToolTech 2014 -

Speaker Lineup Announced For ETI’s ToolTech 2014

The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) has finalized the speaker lineup for its ToolTech 2014, which takes place April 28 through May 1 in Sonoma, Calif.

The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI)
has finalized the speaker lineup for its ToolTech 2014, which takes place April
28 through May 1 in Sonoma, Calif.

The “Connected Shop” has been evolving
for almost two decades, with North American and European standards defining how
shop management systems, information systems and diagnostic tools can share
information in a seamless environment. What do these “connected” strategies
mean as the Connected Car becomes more pervasive in the car parc? ToolTech 2014
will explore the connected shop, both dealership and aftermarket, and how they
will interact with the connected vehicle. ETI has established a powerful lineup
of panel discussions and speakers from OE and aftermarket companies
participating in these “connected” environments – so that the automotive
service network is equipped to take advantage of these new technologies to
provide the services customers expect.

Keynote Speaker
Monday 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Integrating Digital and Social Media
into your Mix
Suse Barnes – President and Digital
Marketing Consultant – Susby Internet Solutions

OEM Panel – Question and Answer Session
with the Automakers
Tuesday 9-10:30 a.m.
Panelists: Bob Stewart, Aftermarket
Service Support and Brand Protection, GM; Wes Arnold, Assistant Manager,
Special Tools/Tool and Equipment Program, Honda; Tom Wall, Technical
Information and Diagnostics Manager, Toyota; Jim VonEhr, Manager, Technical Information
and Serviceability, Nissan; Nathan Knight, Regulatory Affairs Engineer,
Porsche; Kurt Immekus, Service Publications Regulatory Specialist, Volkswagen;
Dennis Blough, Director Marine and Auto Service – Division Head, Suzuki

Shop Owner/Technician Perspective Panel
Tuesday 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panelists: Richard Kahn, Owner, Earth In
Upheaval; Harry Dhaliwal, Owner, Drive Rite Automotive; Scott Andrews, Owner,
Pacific Rim Automotive; Ray Paoletti, Owner, Personalized Auto Care; Jason
Smith, Technician, Dana Point Auto Service; Aaron Christaldi, Technician,
Paul’s Japanese Auto Repair

Connected Vehicle Session – Data and
Information Access
Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Vehicle Data Ownership
Presenters: Stephen Finnegan – Manager, Government
and Community Affairs, Automobile Club of Southern California; Greg Brannon-
Director, Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations – AAA National Office

Safe and Secure Access to Vehicle Data
(The Vehicle Station Gateway)
Presenter: Greg Potter – Global Director
– Business Development and Product Management – DG Technologies

Access to Vehicle Manufacturer Training
Materials
Presenters: Mark Warren – Trainer – WORLDPAC
Technical Training Program; Rob Morrell – Director – WORLDPAC Training
Institute

Question and Answer Session on
Technology Integration and National Accounts
Thursday 9-10:30 a.m.
Panelists: George Hoffman, Manager Automotive
Assets, Sears Automotive; Martin Corbett, Director, Property Management
Purchasing and Service Equipment, Pep Boys

Panel Discussion on Collision Service
Procedures
Thursday 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panelists: Kelly Logan, Project Manager–Body
Repair Program, Tesla Motors; Dan Risley, President, ASA; Steve Marks, Industry
Technical Support Manager, I-CAR

For more information on the speakers and subjects that
will be presented at ToolTech 2014, click here.

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The True Cost Of Comebacks

Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.

By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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