Your work can be flawless and still fall flat if nobody understands it. We feel that tension all the time in the automotive aftermarket: cataloging, fitment, ACES, PIES, content syndication, and system details are critical, but they can sound like noise to the rest of the business. So our host, Jacki Lutz, brought Ryan Henderson (CarParts.com) and Brian Matthias (Dorman) into the carpool to talk about communication through storytelling, the skill that turns “accurate data” into “aligned action.”
They dig into why data pros often get boxed into speaking in ones and zeros, and how to break out of that corner without dumbing anything down. Ryan shares a simple mental model that sticks: think of a database like a pile of Legos. Sorting pieces helps, but building something recognizable is what creates meaning. Brian adds practical tactics for making technical language accessible, like expanding acronyms and using tiny memory hooks that help non-experts stay confident in the conversation.
They also get real about what changes depending on who you’re talking to. Leaders may want a clean yes-or-no and a clear ask, while technical teammates may want the full detail. They talk about trimming emails, not burying the ask, and even the “no hello” approach in chat so work doesn’t stall. On the listener side, they make the case that saying “I don’t understand” is not weakness, it’s a shortcut to clarity and trust. They even touch on using AI tools to sanity-check whether your message is the right level for a senior audience.
If you want stronger cross-functional communication, better stakeholder buy-in, and fewer painful misunderstandings around product data and fitment, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a teammate who lives in spreadsheets, and leave a rating and review so more aftermarket pros can find the show.
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