Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

AI is moving fast, but most shop owners are still trying to figure out where it actually fits into their business. Joe Schindler has gone far beyond experimenting with ChatGPT and is putting AI to work in ways that save time, improve processes, and create better experiences for both customers and employees.

In this conversation, Joe joins Brian Walker to share how he's using AI-powered tools inside his shop, from predictive maintenance scheduling and call analysis to custom-built AI agents that act as digital assistants. They also dive into prompt engineering, vibe coding, technician knowledge management, and the practical ways shop owners can start leveraging AI without needing a background in programming.

If you've been curious about how AI can help your shop become more efficient, more organized, and more profitable, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Listen now and discover real-world AI strategies you can start applying in your shop today.

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction to Joe Schindler and AI(00:00:10) Host Brian Walker introduces guest Joe Schindler, a shop owner using AI to stay on the cutting edge.
• Joe's Journey into AI(00:02:13) Joe explains how he went from avoiding AI to fully embracing it after attending an inspiring class at Vision.
• AI for Scheduling Maintenance(00:03:20) Joe built an AI agent that predicts when a customer's vehicle is due for service based on their driving habits.
• Choosing the Right AI Tools(00:06:02) Discussion on using different AI models like ChatGPT and Claude, and the benefits of starting with one before moving on.
• Getting Started with "Vibe Coding"(00:06:33) Advice for beginners to learn AI development by starting with simple projects and letting the AI teach them.
• AI Integration in CRM and Phone Systems(00:09:03) How AI is baked into CRM and phone systems to analyze calls, take notes, and score service advisor performance.
• The Power of Small AI Wins(00:14:06) AI's biggest impact comes from saving small increments of time on various tasks, which add up significantly.
• Building a Personal AI Assistant(00:16:42) Joe details his ambitious project of building a personal AI assistant, "Sarah," trained on his own knowledge and writing style.
• AI for Technical Information(00:19:33) Discussing how AI can create a searchable knowledge base for technicians, saving significant time on diagnostics and repairs.
• Using AI to Write Service Orders(00:22:46) AI can easily translate a technician's technical notes into a clear, easy-to-understand description for the customer's invoice.
• WhisperFlow for Voice-to-Text(00:24:30) Praising the accuracy of WhisperFlow for dictation, saving technicians and service advisors time from typing up repair descriptions.
• First Steps for Shop Owners New to AI(00:27:38) The best starting point for a shop owner is to create a simple AI agent to help write service orders.
• Brian's Vibe Coding Success Story(00:30:18) Brian shares how he built a custom software tool in a few hours, saving his company $250 a month.
• Final Advice on Using AI(00:35:57) Don't be afraid to start small, be genuine in your marketing, and don't get frustrated with the learning process.

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Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Joe Schindler

ChatGPT

Claude AI

AppFueled CRM

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueled

This episode is sponsored by Shop Boss. You know, other shop management software makes you work, but Shop Boss works for you.

AppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”

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