Service Department Roundtable: What’s Changed in Fixed Ops Leadership

When the Service Drive Revolution team gets together for a roundtable, you know you’re about to hear some hard truths mixed with real dealership wisdom. In this episode, Chris Collins and his team reflect on how the service drive has evolved over the years—and how the core challenges for SERVICE ADVISORS and MANAGERS remain surprisingly […]

Proven Fixed Ops Success: Client Results That Define ‘Record-Breaking’

You don’t just need a program—you need a proven track record in Fixed Ops Profit Turnaround. At Chris Collins Inc., our coaching programs are specifically designed to deliver quantifiable, bottom-line results and the fastest service department turnaround worldwide. We are consistently capturing some of the most dramatic turnarounds and sustained profit growth in the industry. […]

SERVICE & PARTS DEPARTMENTS ARE CARRYING AUTO DEALERSHIPS THROUGH ONE OF THE ROUGHEST MARKETS IN MEMORY

AS THE ON-ROAD VEHICLE AGE RISES FROM NINE TO THIRTEEN YEARS, FIXED-OPS IS ONE OF THE FEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEALERSHIPS IN 2025. THE AVERAGE ON-ROAD VEHICLE AGE IS UP TO 13, ALMOST 14 YEARS FROM 9. AS INFLATION PERSISTS AND CREDIT MARKETS TIGHTEN, CUSTOMERS ARE KEEPING THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THAN EVER. LOS ANGELES (October […]

Service Department Culture Killers: The Hidden Factors Destroying Team Performance

When your service department feels chaotic, unmotivated, or full of drama, it’s not a mystery — it’s a culture problem. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris Collins and Christian Lafferty break down the top culture killers in dealership service departments — and how to fix them before they destroy your shop’s performance and […]

Top 7 SERVICE ADVISOR Pay Plan Failures (and How to Fix Them)

Every dealership thinks they’ve nailed their pay plan—until they realize their SERVICE ADVISOR pay plan mistakes are driving away top performers and rewarding mediocrity. In this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris Collins, Christian Lafferty, and Hogi break down the top SERVICE ADVISOR pay plan mistakes that quietly kill motivation, reward mediocrity, and drive your […]

Moneyball for Your Service Department: What Baseball Can Teach Fixed Ops

Moneyball for service department: When dealership leaders make decisions based on feelings instead of facts, the results are usually disappointing. That’s why in this episode of Service Drive Revolution, Chris Collins, Christian Lafferty, and Hogi talk about “Moneyball” for your service department—how to cut through the noise, focus on the right numbers, and finally run […]

How Great Leaders Keep Teams From Walking Out the Door

That’s an excellent place to reinforce your keyword! Placing the focus keyword, service manager retention strategies, near the start of the content boosts its perceived relevance to search engines. Here is the revised opening paragraph with the keyword integrated naturally: ✍️ Revised Blog Introduction If you’ve ever lost a great technician or ADVISOR and thought, […]

Are You Really Paying Your Technicians Enough? (Hint: It’s Not Just About Money)

When dealership leaders ask, “Am I paying technicians enough?” they’re usually thinking in terms of dollars per flagged hour. But here’s the truth: pay isn’t the #1 reason technicians stay or leave your shop. The customer technically pays the technician—the dealership is simply the middleman. That means the real question isn’t about hourly rates. It’s […]

7 Steps to Go from SERVICE MANAGER to GENERAL MANAGER

If you’re a SERVICE MANAGER or PARTS MANAGER, you’ve probably wondered: Could I ever run the whole dealership? The path from service manager to general manager is achievable. The short answer? Yes. The long answer? You’ll need more than technical know-how—you’ll need systems, people skills, and the ability to think bigger than your department. In […]

Are You Ruining Your New Service Advisors?

If you’re a SERVICE MANAGER or FIXED OPS DIRECTOR, you’ve probably wrestled with this question: When is a new service advisor truly ready to handle customers on their own? The answer lies in effective new service advisor training systems. Some will tell you it’s six months. Others will say a year. The truth? There’s no […]

What To Do When Customers Say “No” in the Service Drive

If you’re a SERVICE ADVISOR or SERVICE MANAGER, you’ve probably felt the sting of a customer saying “no.” Whether it’s an alignment, a brake job, or recommended maintenance, objections can feel like rejection—and too often, ADVISORS are trained to “push harder.” The truth? Objection handling isn’t about comebacks—it’s about systems that prevent “no” from happening […]

What Canada Does Better: A Fixed Ops Lesson for U.S. Dealerships

If you run a dealership service department, you already know the technician shortage is one of the biggest obstacles in FIXED OPS today. Finding a technician shortage solution is critical. While the U.S. struggles to find and retain talent, Canada has quietly figured out a better way. And there are lessons here that every SERVICE […]