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Featured Episode
On this episode of Gain Traction, Neal Maier welcomes Sonny for a conversation about all the ways the tire and auto repair industry benefits when its employees receive stellar training. Sonny shares how he came to appreciate the benefits of training, how it makes customers feel more comfortable, and why employees feel great about their jobs when they are well-trained. He also reveals which 1980’s TV show led to him being called “Sonny” instead of Robert. Don’t miss it!
Previous Episode Library
Looking Back on 100 Episodes With Neal Maier, David Christopher, and Mike Edge of Tread Partners
Revolutionizing Tire Sales With George Silagadze, Vice President of TireConnect
Relationships Drive Success With JP Gallagher, President of Gallagher Tire
Growing Customer Awareness With Bill Bainbridge, Former VP of Marketing and Business Development with CJ’s Tire and Automotive
How Core Values Enhance Credibility With John Repp, Sales Manager for Dunlap & Kyle Co.
How To Hire a Great Technician With Chris Lawson of Technician Find
Expanding Your Portfolio To Meet Customer Demand With Lance Bullock of OE Wheels
Supplying and Servicing Big Tires in the Mining Industry With Mason Hess of Purcell Tire
Roy Littlefield of the Tire Industry Association on Tire Registration and Right to Repair Legislation
Innovating Software to Accommodate Customer Demands With Dave Vogel, General Manager at ASA Automotive Systems
Fascinating Insights Into the Production of Automotive TV Shows With Tom Diaz, Coordinating Producer at Bright Bay Creative
A Voice for Independent Tire Dealers With Jason Rook, President and CEO of Independent Tire Dealers Group
Increasing Sales Through Effective and Thorough Training With Robert “Sonny” McDonald, Senior National Training Manager at Toyo Tires Corp USA
Selling Tires Without a Sales Pitch With Ron Dolan, President at Sailun Tire North America
The Value of Experienced and Empathetic Leadership With Kyle Blankenhorn of Ken’s Tire
Promoting a Tire Brand by Sponsoring a Sport With Samuel Felberbaum, President at Prinx Chengshan Tire
Eliminating Fear From the Payment Process With Chris Talevi, Vice President of Sales at PayTomorrow
Simply Subscribe to Your Sweet Ride With Immanuel Klaiber and Jürgen Lobach of FINN
The Fruits of Being a Franchisee With Brian Beers, President at Prenlyn Automotive
Do the Right Thing and Have Fun With Joe McDonald, Vice President of Sales at Jasper Engines & Transmissions
Ensuring Customers’ Cars are Safe, Reliable, and Efficient With Craig O’Neill, Vice President of Training at Autoflow
Servicing Your Vehicles Wherever With Angie Oleson, Business Lead at Firestone Direct
Using Technology To Increase Your Shop’s Efficiency With James Krakower of JMK
Tires and Technology in Tandem With Kevin Marley, Managing Director at E-Solution Professionals
Successful Franchising With Charles Bonfiglio, CEO at Tint World
Tires Are a People Business With Kent Coleman, Owner at Big O Tires
Easy Money for Tire Dealers With Mike Edge, Director of Business Development With Tread Partners
The Benefits of Association Membership With Tony DeSimone, Executive Director at New England Tire and Service Association (NETSA)
Turning Old Tires Into Treasure With John Ward, E-commerce Manager at Allen Rubber Co.
Bringing Tires to the People With Jay Condrick, Owner at Boston Mobile Tire
Building a Culture and Getting Buy-in With Darren McLea, Business Development Consultant at Molloy Business Development Group
Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch With Kim McMahon, President at McMahon’s Best-One Tire
An Appreciation for Hard Work With Quinton Molnar, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Ward Tirecraft
Building Long-Lasting Client Relationships With Matthew Peters, Business Development Manager at Tread Partners
Sticking to What You Do Best With Larry Sutton, President and Founder of RNR Tire Express
Growing Your Tire Business With Judd K. Shader, Founder and CEO at Leeds West Groups
Building a Positive Work Environment With Al Pridemore, CEO and Co-owner of Pride Auto Care
Working Your Way From Lube Tech to Owner With Brad Updegraff, Owner of Dave’s Ultimate Automotive
Every Phone Call Is Valuable With Jeff Scherer, Founder of Ntelegence
Building a Great Culture with Max Gardner, Founder of Tire Max
The Fight for Your Right-to-Repair with Tim Winkeler, President and CEO of VIP Tires & Service
Family and Fun + Tires and Cars With Rick Benton II, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors and Black’s Tire and Auto Service
Staffing and Branding a Venerable Company With Kate Speelman, Brand Management and Talent Acquisition Specialist at Rice Tire
The Joy of Selling Your Own Tires With Michael Mathis, Founder and President of Atturo Tire Corp.
Minimizing Headaches and Maximizing Efficiency With Crissy Zellers of Accelerate Personalized Sales Solutions
Profit Sharing Increases Caring With Dick Erickson, Founder of Sun Tire and Author of How the Rubber Meets the Road.
How and When To Sell Your Auto Shop With Michael McGregor
Never Stop Evolving With Dwayne Myers, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Dynamic Automotive
Providing Great Customer Experiences Regardless of Circumstances With Sally Thomas, Co-Owner of J.P. Thomas & Company
Generating Loyalty and Avoiding Complacency With Steven Stamey, Operations Manager at Maxi Auto Service Centers
Finding the Right Customers for Your Shop With Neal Maier, Co-Founder of Tread Partners
Finding the Best Tires at the Best Price With Tim Shaffer, CEO and Co-Founder of Search Tires
Providing Great Car Care in Tough Economic Times With Brian Sump, Owner and President of Urban Autocare
Thriving in Difficult Times With Doug Miller, President of St. Lucie Battery & Tire
Get Your Old Customers Back with Neal Maier, Co-Founder at Tread Partners
The Incredible Value of Telling Your Shop’s Story with Patrick Egan, Founder and CEO of Spark Interactive
Maximizing Customer Retention with Clare Hetherington of DriveRightData
[Year in Review] Connecting Pioneers Across the Automotive Industry
How To Smoothen Your Acquisition Process
Top-Notch Training for Hybrid and EV
Building Up the Automotive Community with Tricia Sauls of ASTA
Stop Merely Getting Sales and Start Building Customers
Building Better Together with Michael Chung of Auto Care Association
Creating a Work Happy, Values-Based Culture with Marc Pons of Chapel Hill Tire
Creating an Inclusive Automotive Business with Jody DeVere of AskPatty.com
Offering Affordability and Impeccable Service with Jared Kugel of Tire Agent
Acquisition for Exponential Growth with Jeffry Gardner of Sun Auto
What is the Transformers Institute? Meet Their VP, Fernando Miranda
How to Take Strategic Business Risks with Jarid Lundeen
The Recipe for a Successful Website in the Tire Industry with Matt Peters of Tireweb Marketing
Developing Trust in the Automotive Industry with Tommy Gaynor of Gaynor’s Automotive
Customer Satisfaction, Franchising, and Marketing in the Auto Care Industry with Andy Fiffick of Rad Air
Franchising in the Auto Care Industry with Bill Snow of Rad Air
Achieving Successful Sales Strategies with Dan Molloy of Molloy Sales Development Group
Who is the Real Competition to Tire Dealers and Auto Shop Owners?
Starting an Agency and Finding Your Niche with Neal Maier and David Christopher of Tread Partners