CollisionCast

In the second part of this two-part podcast, Dave Luehr of Elite Body Shop Solutions joins the CollisionCast to discuss how a transformational approach to the customer experience can allow you to have customers for life through your unique selling propositions. If you have OEM certifications, we discuss ways you can maximize your ROI at the dealership service lane, plus how to change what you can control over insurer pushback. They're just a few ways independent shops can win in 2026. See how you stack up against other collision repairers at bodyshopassessment.com, and register for the Positivity Summit Feb. 6 at collisionsummit.com.

In trying times, independent collision repairers are positioned to succeed by leveraging community relationships, reputation, and ability to quickly adapt, including custom programs to capitalize on the rising trend of customer-pay work.In part 1 of this episode, Dave Luehr, owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, joins the CollisionCast to talk about how the best time to be independent is now. We'll talk about what viewers can look forward to at the Positivity Summit on Feb. 6, plus other ways independents can win in 2026.

What's the state of the labor shortage in the collision repair industry, and what are some strategies for recruiting and retention? Crash Champions Founder and CEO Matt Ebert joins the CollisionCast to talk about how more young people are choosing skilled trades careers over traditional college educations, how the company's Skills Training Education Program apprenticeship is designed to get a technician standing on his or her own after a year, and more.

In this Endeavor to Discover special episode of CollisionCast, Endeavor B2B's Chris Messer and Discover Leadership's Mike Jones dive into why your mindset — not your skill set — determines the trajectory of your business. From the power of surrounding yourself with the right people to embracing change in a fast-moving industry, this episode challenges shop owners and leaders to elevate their awareness, rethink their environment, and commit to becoming an even better version of themselves. If you want to shift from fixed to growth mindset — and inspire your team to do the same — this conversation is your starting point.

Do you have a toxic team, or does your shop have a family atmosphere? Today, we’re talking about toxic leadership and team conflict in collision repair. Dr. Paul White, co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, joins the CollisionCast with speaker and coach Sheryl Driggers of Collision Advice, who's also a former collision repair shop owner, for real talk about tough people, team friction, and how to fix the things that slow your shop down. Get in touch with Dr. White at https://drpaulwhite.com and Sheryl at sheryl@collisionadvice.com. And be sure to check out the previous episode with Dr. White and Sheryl on Busted Myths: What Leaders Get Wrong About Showing Appreciation.

I-CAR President and CEO Kyle Thompson joins the CollisionCast to highlight the organization's focus on talent development. Highlights of this year include the rollout of the I-CAR Academy and Registered Apprentice Program, plus the organization's strong partnerships with ASE, CREF, the Collision Career Institute, and WrenchWay. Hear how these collaborations act as “force multipliers” to help address the technician shortage by aligning resources and modernizing training. And learn how I-CAR is adapting to differing learning methods in part by introducing mixed-reality and virtual-reality courses, is focused on growing Gold Class participation, accelerating technical-training updates, and deepening OEM engagement so that shops are prepared to repair the newest vehicles safely and correctly.

Boost productivity, reduce turnover, and elevate morale by mastering one overlooked leadership skill: showing appreciation. Dr. Paul White, co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, joins the CollisionCast with speaker and coach Sheryl Driggers of Collision Advice, who's also a former collision repair shop owner, to talk about how misconceptions could be hurting your retention, morale, and results. Get in touch with Dr. White at https://drpaulwhite.com and Sheryl at sheryl@collisionadvice.com.
 

In business, conflict is inevitable, whether it’s from customers or your staff. As Mike Jones, founder and president of Discover Leadership, points out, conflict often arises because people operate from their own “belief systems.”In this special episode, Mike joins Chris Messer, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s vehicle service and repair group, and Randy O’Connor, owner of Dealer to Dealer (D2D) Development Group, to talk about exploring the power of outcome-based leadership rooted in commitment, integrity, and personal accountability. 

In this episode, we’ll be talking with Andrew McInnes, FCSD, Collision & Global Brand Protection Manager, Ford Motor Company, about how the OEM recently updated its position statements for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles from 1996 and later to include a powerful word change to “required,” and the reasons for that change. For more information and the links to those position statements, go to: https://www.fenderbender.com/55321726.

Do you have an “I can” attitude…or an “I will” one? You may recall the protagonist in the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could” overcoming a seemingly impossible task. But according to Mike Jones, president and master trainer at Discover Leadership, “I can” is a statement only of potential. And saying, “I will try” can set oneself up with an excuse for failure. In this special CollisionCast episode, listen to Jones’ conversation with Chris Messer, executive vice president of EndeavorB2B’s Transportation Group, to see how you can change to an “I will” attitude.