Training Days: On the Road with Haakan Light

It’s a hot summer day, and Haakan Light, TOPDON’s U.S. Training and Development Manager, is on the road again. Criss-crossing the country is all just part of the job.

The year is only two-thirds done, and Light has conducted training classes and seminars at numerous trade shows and tech expos, not to mention the countless webinars and private training sessions for independent businesses and TOPDON’s wholesale and retail distributors.

The reason for his travels is simple: in a fast-changing technical environment, there are plenty of knowledge gaps about how modern cars, trucks, motorcycles, powersports vehicles, and agricultural equipment are serviced and repaired. The need for technicians to stay current on technological changes is more important than ever. TOPDON doesn’t just make cutting-edge tools for professionals and enthusiasts but sees part of its mission as getting out in the field and being proactive about training current technicians, as well as tomorrow’s work force.

To cover the most ground, Light and TOPDON have been refining curriculum for the biggest possible impact. “We have two different lanes of training. At the most basic level, we train people who have no idea how to pilot the tool,” Light explained. “While at the bigger training events, we really do try to focus on providing technical subject matter that’s authentic and will help attendees develop quality skills. In addition, we are teaching them how to use TOPDON tools, so that they’re learning how to be better at their job.”

“I think the class that provides the most value in terms of technical skills, but also effective use of our tools, is our class on Diagnostics and Critical Thinking. It’s very much focused on process, structure, and organization, but also critical thinking. It’s so incredibly valuable to every technician because this isn’t necessarily a mindset or a methodology that is taught at the school level with tech programs. It also seems to be an area where a lot of shops struggle.”

Of course, Light is not just out there lecturing, he’s also listening to get a handle on the hurdles technicians and shops face: “The biggest challenge I find in most of my classes is training technicians to develop a sense of confidence and diagnostic judgement. Those are the big ones that I find are consistent struggles facing most technicians,” Light said. “And to be fair, even the people with the most experience still struggle with that. It’s not necessarily something based on skill level per se, I would say it is one of those things where if there is not a published or defined threshold or specification from a vehicle manufacturer, and in many cases, there isn’t, then a lot of technicians struggle with the ability to figure out the solutions. Providing some useful insight and helping technicians develop more of a methodology to make critical thinking judgements is a very satisfying part of my job.”

TOPDON is also doing its part to help technicians solve problems more efficiently with their new AI solution called Topfix AI, designed to help technicians and DIYers with diagnostic judgement.

Although training varies depending on the venue, one particular line of TOPDON tool sees regular use: “The majority of our training is heavily focused on the Phoenix line. That’s because the Phoenix line is for the professional customer, who is our primary audience.”

“The Phoenix Max is our flagship tool,” Light continued. “It’s what all our customers are the most excited to put in their hands, simply because when you buy the top-of-the-line, you get the most amazing experience. You also get the bigger display area for the Phoenix Scope osciliscope, and a lot of shops really like that.”

One recent update to the Phoenix line that Light says has people excited is that the tools now support wireless screen casting, allowing technicians in the bay to cast the screen from the scan tool to their monitor on their cart.

“We talk about the Phoenix Lite 3 with some regularity, simply because it’s such an accessible price point. If a technician is buying their own tool, or the shop is looking to add additional coverage, they can get the Phoenix Lite 3 for under $1000. That additional unit expands coverage in their shop by a substantial amount without a substantial financial commitment. Believe me, any time we talk to shop owners or technicians about that, just the insane value available through the Phoenix Lite 3, we get a lot of traction.”

Light’s travels have taken him to the top technical conferences and expos across the country. “The Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo in Kansas City is a big one. We reach a lot of people at that show. I did three or four classes at this year’s show. That was a pretty large number of end users and large volume of people we were able to help.”

Light also cites the Automotive Training Expo (ATE) in Seattle and the North American Council of Automotive Teachers conference and Expo in Detroit  (NACAT) as impressive events where he has conducted training classes that reached wide audiences.

TOPDON works with private companies to conduct training classes as well. “We’re doing the Christian Brothers ‘Mastering the Difference’ conference this fall for the first time,” Light said. “We’re excited to be a part of that one. That’s an event exclusively for their Christian Brothers franchise shops.”

Haakan Light and TOPDON are always looking for additional opportunities to share knowledge and training with the professional workforce. Webinars are particularly effective as they reach a lot of people and cut down on travel costs.

“We’re trying to work with strategic partners who are interested in having us conduct webinars on topics that are good for the trade, spreading knowledge and awareness,” he said. “The shops and technicians who are going to training, they are the only ones who are going to repair new cars accurately, in my opinion. They’re also the only ones who are going to have sustained success going forward due to the steep technology curve that continues to accelerate.”

Haakan Light has plenty more miles to travel and classes to conduct before the year is through, but with each stop, the knowledge gaps shrink, and more technicians collect useful skills and positive energy to rejuvenate their careers.

“Ultimately, our goal is to help our customers be better at their tasks and use our tools more effectively every day. That gives them the greatest return on their investment and value out of what their purchase represents to them,” he said. “Training is absolutely an excellent avenue to accomplish that.”