Knowledge
Don’t Just Survive...THRIVE!
Arm yourself with the right knowledge at the right time.
In this issue, you will find:
- Knowledge Panel with Three Industry Experts
- How Failing a Welding Class – TWICE – Made Me a Lifelong Learner
- National Scheduling Helps Shops Plan Future Training Needs
- Business Tools and Tips – Raising Your Liability IQ
- And Much More!
Barry Dorn
Dorn’s Body & Pain
Elissa Larremore
CBS Collision
Heidi Harris
Caliber Collision
Scott Rossell
Matthews Motor Company
Q1 – When you think of the obstacles to training one of the recurring issues has to do with the time away the technicians need, the cost of that time away, lost revenue for the shop and the tech. Is the onsite on the job approach to validating knowledge areas and voids offered through the In-shop Knowledge Assessment beginning to change this?
Q2 – Many of you have been, excuse me, let me start that one again. Many of you have been or are shop owners or managers who understand the critical need for training, but also the realities of making it happen. From who to select and who invest in and how much training is enough, how real is that struggle and balance?
Q3 – Does the fear of losing a technician that you've help to train prevent you from training them?
Q4 – Let's talk about the frontline folks turning the wrenches. They're instrumental to the knowledge IQ of your shop and your ability to perform complete safe and quality repairs. Does the industry do enough to serve and recognize them and express the deep value and significance that they bring?
Q5 – How do we make complete safe quality repairs each and every time a guiding principle for everyone in the industry? How do we ensure that this is embraced by everyone across the board? Is this a culture throughout your entire business or is it the responsibility of the technician?
Q6 – You've personally experienced an In-shop Knowledge Assessment. What's the biggest benefit been, or the impact to the shop, or not?
Q7 – During the In-Shop Knowledge Assessment process, one of the lessons learned is that technicians have gone from being skeptical to becoming ambassadors of the assessment approach. Instead of feeling like this is going to point out my weaknesses and show my boss and everyone else what I don't know, the one on one approach has been described as more of a coaching to help the technician understand their knowledge strengths and gaps, and helps them feel empowered to move to closing the gaps. Does this scenario ring true with what you've seen or experienced?
Q8 – Let's talk about the convenience and delivery of the In-shop Knowledge Assessments. Having this brought right to your shop's doors, has this been a time saver and what other ways has it offered direct benefits?
Q9 – One of the most significant benefits that you kind of just talked about of the In-shop Knowledge Assessment is how it can accelerate a shop's path to Gold Class, or recognition. Can you speak to this benefit and provide some examples of how it's helped you so far?
Q10 – What would you tell another collision shop on the fence about pursuing an In-shop Knowledge Assessment?
Q11 – Knowledge is power. The power to change your circumstances, your journey, your outcome. What's the one piece of advice you have to anyone in the industry about the need for continued knowledge.
Q12 – At the start of the new year, what's on your radar for enhancing your industry knowledge for you and your business from books to white papers to training?
Q13 – Do you have any final thoughts or comments about the over all In-shop Knowledge Assessment program?
PANEL BIOs
Owner
Dorn’s Body & Pain
A passionate second generation business owner from Virginia, Barry Dorn started as a technician at his family’s collision repair, service and transport businesses. He refinished his first vehicle at age 9. The facility is currently certified with 20 different OE Manufacturers ranging from Audi Ultra to Tesla in both steel and Aluminum. He and his team have been around the world at their training centers learning and is currently personally certified with four different OEMs. Part of his passion is educating his peers to continue to raise the repair standard globally.
While serving on several industry boards, advisory councils numerous panel discussions, having a positive effect on the collision industry has been paramount in his goals. Proudly serving as the Society of Collision Repair Specialists Chairman and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association President, working with like-minded repairers is a definite highlight.
While working with other passionate shop owners and managers, spearheading educational initiatives that will help all collision repairs such as The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), Database Task Force, March Taylor Educational Foundation, Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) ICAR and Collision Industry Conference (CIC). Being active and involved helps to give back to an industry that has been wonderful to him and his family.
Barry has been mentored and guided by some of the best in the industry. He has often regarded as a creative and positive leader within the collision industry space, and brings insight on areas of focus for collision repair professionals effecting positive change. He works with an incredibly talented group of people who enable him to do what he does.
Owner
CBS Collision
Elissa Larremore has owned CBS Collision for 15 years and running the day-to-day operations for 3. A graduate of Baylor Law School, she is on the Collision Operation Committee for ASA, as well as a member of Business Council 1 for Axalta.
VP, Field Administration
Caliber Collision
One area of responsibility for my team is maintaining and managing the Gold Class certifications for all 543 locations nationally. Caliber also has internal requirements that require ICAR training and my team ensures all centers and regions are compliant there, executing on our culture of safety and quality.
President
Automotive Industry Consulting, Inc.
Lou DiLisio grew up in a family owned collision business that was started by his grandfather in 1932 in Mt. Kisco NY. He spent his life working in the shop going from floor sweeper through all the ranks. In 1979 Lou opened and operated his own collision repair shop until he chose to close it in 1995 to pursue other interests.
Lou was involved in numerous activities in the collision industry, which included 5 years as President of the Westchester - Putnam - Rockland Auto Body Association and Vice President of the New York State Auto Body Technicians Association. Lou has also participated on a number of committees such as the ICAR Uniform Procedures for Collision Repair, I-CAR Professional Development Program Committee, The New York State Repairability Committee, National Auto Body Council, Various Collision Industry Conference (CIC) committees, Motor Advisory Board, Allstate PRO Advisory Board, CIC Data Base task Force, Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), and many others.
Lou began consulting in the mid 1980’s and during that time opened a fraud investigations company working with insurance companies. In 1992 he began consulting with CCC Information Services in the development of the Collision Center Connection program. In 1997 Lou joined Carter & Carter International as vice president of the US operations.
In 1999, Lou left Carter & Carter and opened his own consulting firm: Automotive Industry Consulting, Inc. His company works with insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, refinish paint companies, body shops, salvage vendors, aftermarket parts manufacturers, I-CAR, and equipment manufacturers and distributors in a wide variety of services including strategic and tactical planning and implementation.
Lou Spent several years as a third party auditor for the Mercedes Benz USA Certified Collision Center Program. He was also Vice President of Operations for Sterling Auto Body Centers before going back into his own Consulting Company.
Lou continues his involvement in the collision repair industry as a past Chairman of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and past Chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). Lou was inducted into the Collision Industry Hall of Eagles in 1998 and in 2000 was named one of the Top 25 Movers and Shakers of the Collision Repair Industry for the 20th Century. In 2005 Lou was awarded the prestigious Auto Body Repair News (ABRN) Industry Leadership Award. In 2010, Lou was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from SCRS. He participates on a number of other related committees and presents frequently at various industry functions.
Collision Center Manager
Matthews Motor Company
Scott has rich automotive experience—Currently Collision Manager at Matthews Motor Company, he is also an I-CAR Platinum Estimator. Previously he held positions as a welder and fabricator specializing in custom street rods.