Biography

Don Funk has over 40 years of actual hands on experience in the automotive after market business. Don's career started right after high school, as a tire tech handling all cars, light trucks, semis, trailers, agricultural and industrial repairs.

 

With a desire to advance his career, he joined Western Canada's largest transmission rebuilder which started in Saskatoon.  After a brief period there he accepted a promotion to the head quarters in Edmonton where he became the parts manager controlling purchasing for 28 outlets, moved to assistant Service Manager, Manager and finally to trouble shooter for this firm.

 

While in Edmonton, Don graduated from NAIT with a Business Management Diploma and wrote his journeymen's ticket.

 

In 1976 Don started his own transmission repair centre and expanded this operation, with family members, to 4 additional locations.  In 1988 he sold his interest to staff with the intention of moving back to British Columbia.

 

A call came from a Canadian Tire Dealer to manage his auto service department. Don's commitment was for one year during which time Don would agree to find and train a new manager. However, after a two week orientation, the existing manager went on a vacation and never returned. Don's first month in the trenches produced a positive 10% increase. The rest is a rich history which is summarized in the accomplishments section.

During my 18 years with Canadian Tire I have grown the business to approximately 2 million dollars in new labor revenues.

 

In his 18th year with Canadian Tire, his iconic leadership and track record have made him an automotive service expert. 18 years with an amazing growth within Canadian Tire, in sales has dramatically and consistently impacted the bottom line.

• first 4 years had a minimum of 25% sales increase per year
• 8 of the first 10 years having the highest units per bay productivity in Canada in the medium to large bay category
• finished in the top three category consistently over the years. Consistently produced near the #1 (top) units per bay and still be at the top.
• prides his success on honesty, integrity and hard work
• his career with Canadian Tire started with Store #133. The Store's labor sales at that time were ranked in the No. 238 spot out of the then 424 stores and has continually moved up in rankings, ending in the top 1%.
• early in his amazing career, he started to share his secrets with other Canadian Tire Dealers and Service Managers
• was involved with many think tanks as Canadian Tire Corporation evolved in the service sale growth.
• was the main contributor to the first Auto Service Manager Manual along with a select few other Service Managers
• his innovative ideas and record of consistent sales continue to move him into the top echelon of sales leaders. His parts and labor combined sales place Store #133 in the top spot in Corporate standing (2008) and will in all likelihood forecast as #1sales for 2009
• his strength is his ability to coach others to the highest level by producing numerous service managers for other Canadian Tire Auto Service Centers
• his mentoring and coaching has also produced 2 General Managers: one at Store #133 and one at Store #475 who will be entering into Dealer training in the next year
• provided service managers for the following locations:
  

  - Winnipeg	- Lloydminster	- Moose Jaw (twice)	- Thompson
  - Red Deer	- Trail	- Hinton	- 100 Mile House

• over the years assisted 2 Canadian Tire Dealers in being recognized with the Award of Excellence Award: Dave Deplaedt and Ian Van Norman.
• in 17 years 3 months created over 500,000 (half a million) Work Orders
• the audit blueprint report consists of extremely detailed store specific exciting strategies that change the culture of the service center as well as top line sales and bottom line profits.
• strategies are based on integrity and credibility without fudging the service book
• authored a 2-volume manual entitled “The Magic of Auto Customer Service” - see Resources section for additional topics - complete and in process
• drives an outstanding labor margin – not just talk, but does the walk producing amazing results in total staff labor of 58.4% on our 2008 P&L
• Has consistently scored in the top 1% shop store reports (in the 99% range) over 18 year period of a service manager
• after tutoring the present Assistant Manager over the last 3 years, he will inherit the Service Manager position and continue to be one of the top producers in the system.
• acted as legal representative in Small Claims with amazingly positive results – to date no losses
  Team Building Involvements - Coaching & Mentoring
• Director of Softball Canada's National Men's Teams & Programs
• Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame Appointed Member Builder Category
• Saskatchewan Sport Hall of Fame Appointed Member Builder Category
• Co-Chaired 1987 ISC World Softball Championshipment Team Event
• Co-Chaired 1988 ISC World Softball Championship National Team
• Sponsor Rick Folk Curling team - World Championship 1987, Canadian Championship 1988, Canadian Mixed Championship 1983
  
• served on 4 Provincial Boards
  - Workers' Compensation Safety Program
  - Saskatchewan Automotive Apprenticeship
  - Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Environmental Board
  - Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame
  
• his career within Canadian Tire started with Store #133 and grown the average units per work order into the top 2% in Canadian Tire.