As a part of an ongoing series called The Training Experts, this episode features ICA Chief Learning Officer, Claire Moore and Jonathan Delicate, Director of Training at Mr. Clean Car Wash. Jonathan shares his insights on how to effectively implement training programs across multiple locations using innovative tools and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Jonathan’s journey into training at Mr. Clean Car Wash began with his hiring as a General Manager. A crucial part of Jonathan’s success has been using an LMS platform to deliver training across the company's multiple sites in Georgia and Florida. He emphasizes the importance of tracking progress and ensuring employees complete the necessary training modules.
• Faced with a previous eight-month training void when he took over, Jonathan began by focusing on entry-level employees and moved up to management-level training.
• To engage employees, Jonathan introduced a fun, sports-themed approach with The Mr. Clean Huddle, featuring short training videos that cover essential procedures. This has made learning more interactive and accessible for all team members.
• One of Jonathan’s standout innovations is placing QR codes on every piece of equipment in the car wash tunnel. Employees can scan these codes to instantly access training videos related to specific equipment, offering on-demand learning.
• When asked what advice he’d give to those starting out in training, Jonathan’s response was clear: Be patient.

In this insightful episode of Car Wash The Podcast, host Matt DeWolf is joined by Deborah Jasper, Founder and CEO of Mindset Digital. Deborah shares her expertise on how businesses can capture and hold the attention of today’s consumers—who often decide in just 8 seconds whether a message is worth their time! From building better customer experiences to effective employee retention strategies, Deborah provides actionable insights you can use immediately to level up your communication and business growth.

Key Takeaways:

• The 8-Second Rule. Deborah highlights the importance of grabbing attention fast, emphasizing that mobile-friendly, personalized, and easy-to-skim content is key to engaging today’s consumers.
• Jasper reveals strategies to “recruit” employees and reduce turnover, including how to keep messaging clear and relatable using a three-point checklist from Mindset Digital.
• Deborah breaks down the “curses” that can hinder effective messaging and discusses how gamification can be a fun and effective tool for keeping employees engaged.
• Jasper talks about the role of AI in business growth, offering examples of how artificial intelligence can streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

Reach out to Deborah Jasper at Jasper@mindsetdigital.com for more insights.

In this episode, host Matt DeWolf sits down with Jack Stratton, a Retail Trend Spotter, to discuss the evolving landscape of customer expectations and how businesses can adapt to stay ahead. But first, what exactly is a retail trend spotter? Jack breaks it down—explaining how he uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative data to identify fundamental shifts in consumer behavior that businesses can apply to their everyday operations.

Key Insights:

• Luxury Expectations of Modern Customers

Stratton identifies a major trend in today’s consumer behavior: customers are increasingly expecting luxury experiences, even if it means splurging on things they may not be able to afford. He refers to this as the polarized customer—someone who is willing to pay for premium experiences, regardless of their financial status.

• The Power of Subscription Services

Learn the key to successful subscription models and how customers are now purchasing these services both online and in-store. Jack emphasizes the importance of being available across all channels and touchpoints—the key to driving consistent, positive customer interactions.

To connect with Jack Stratton, you can find him on LinkedIn via Insider Trends: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/insider-trends/⁠

Join Car Wash The Podcast as they sit down with Devario Parson, Sales Director, and Tyler Slaughter, CEO/COO of Camel Car Wash, during The Car Wash Show in Nashville. This heartfelt episode highlights the power of community, support, and the human side of the car wash industry.

Key Moments:

• A Life-Changing EventJust a day after the birth of his first child, Devario received devastating news—his home was on fire. His first call? Tyler Slaughter, who immediately stepped up, providing Devario’s family with a hotel stay, clothing, and essential supplies to help them rebuild. As Tyler says, “There’s nothing more important than people. It’s not a requirement in all companies, but it is in ours.”

• Community at the CoreListen as Devario and Tyler share their story, recounting how their Camel Car Wash community—comprised of family, co-workers, and friends—came together in a time of need. This powerful conversation took place in front of an audience that included their extended Camel family, amplifying the message of unity and support.

• More Than Just Car WashingDiscover what makes Camel Car Wash more than just a business—it's a community built on compassion, care, and a commitment to each other.

In this second episode of a two-part series, International Car Wash Association CEO Eric Wulf speaks with Jim Davis, a professor of corporate strategy at Notre Dame and now Utah State University. Together, they offer an exclusive preview of Davis's upcoming study, set to be unveiled at ROADMAP, DESTINATION: PROJECTIONS on December 13.

The conversation begins with ICA's interest in The Consolidation Curve, which led to Davis’s research on consolidation within the car wash industry, and expanded to explore industry saturation. In this episode, listeners get a sneak peek at Davis's key findings, including the difference between consolidation and saturation, their critical importance for business owners, and their impact on both operators and consumers. Davis delves into how these trends intersect to shape the industry, offering insights valuable for strategic planning and operational decision-making.

Beyond the data and formal presentations, Davis highlights the invaluable networking and informal "hallway conversations" that bring this research to life and make it actionable. For Davis, these “confluence of factors” can ignite transformative ideas and strategies for the future. There’s no better place to plan for your business’s future than at ROADMAP. Secure your seat today! carwashroadmap.com/register

In this kickoff episode of our two-part series, International Car Wash Association CEO Eric Wulf sits down with industry leaders Robert Dubinsky, CEO of Waterway Car Wash, Curt Hutchins, CEO of Sonny’s Enterprises, and John Lai, CEO of Mister Car Wash.

These experts share their perspectives on emerging trends, crucial factors for strategic planning, and which practices may no longer serve the evolving car wash industry. Get a front-row seat to this insightful Q&A session, and hear practical takeaways on how to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting market.

Join top car wash organizations like Waterway, Sonny's, and Mister Car Wash at ROADMAP: DESTINATION PROJECTIONS—the premier event for industry professionals on December 13 in Austin, TX. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain essential insights for the road ahead. Reserve your spot now at carwashroadmap.com/register.

In this episode of CAR WASH The Podcast, ICA Chief Learning Officer Claire Moore is joined by Alexander C. Pullen, HR Consultant with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Together, they discuss the importance of a robust people strategy and preview DESTINATION: PEOPLE at ROADMAP on December 11th.

Pullen, a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience, shares his expertise in helping organizations create better workplaces. He provides valuable insights into why continuous learning is critical in industries like car washing, where organizations and employees constantly evolve.

Key Takeaways:

Learn More:For additional details about DESTINATION: PEOPLE at ROADMAP, visit: carwashroadmap.com/people

• Pullen emphasizes the critical role that a solid people strategy plays in any organization’s foundational success. He highlights how, at ROADMAP, we will focus on key aspects of the talent lifecycle—recruitment, engagement, retention, and offboarding.• Future leadership needs are a key area of discussion in the car wash industry. The program will help attendees identify tools to lead and grow their teams while also guiding succession planning to ensure an organization is ready for the future.• They preview what a hands-on workshop looks like at ROADMAP where attendees can build their own custom talent strategies. The goal? Practical applications that you can take back to your workplace and implement immediately.

Join International Carwash Association Chief Learning Officer Claire Moore in a conversation with a marketing expert and a headline speaker at ROADMAP at DESTINATION 1: PEOPLE, Jay Baer, New York Time bestselling author, 5x multimillion-dollar entrepreneurial founder and trusted brand advisor to over 700 companies, including 40 of the Fortune 500.

In this episode, Jay delves into the power of combining customer experience with customer acquisition, highlighting the importance of retaining current customers while actively attracting new ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Customer Experience Meets Acquisition
  Jay discusses how businesses can harness the net present value of customers by encouraging word-of-mouth marketing, where current customers share their positive car wash experiences with friends. The key? Give your customers a compelling story to tell.

• Subscription Model Impact
  Learn how subscription models influence revenue, and why the "customer experience engine" often isn't about the product you sell, but the experience that comes with it.

• ROADMAP Projections
  Attendees can look forward to Jay’s presentation where he’ll dive into how to take subscription models to the next level.