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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog5 commentsI recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”
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By Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
Insights to the Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo 2024 Class “Which Scan Tool Should I Buy?" on Thursday, February, 29, from 1pm-5pm. Our panel discusses the importance of tailoring scan tool recommendations to a technician's specific needs, including the car lines they work on, their budget, and the features they require. Don't sit on the value of seeking advice from experienced users and trainers to make informed decisions. Justin Morgan LMV Bavarian Technical Support and Trainer, ASE-Wave Technical Ambassador. Justin’s Previous Episode HERE. Tanner Brandt, Autodiag Clinic. Tanner’s previous episodes HERE. Scott Shotton, The Driveability Guys. Scott’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo: https://visionkc.com/ Which Scan Tool Should I Buy? Thursday, February 29, 2024, 1pm-5pm Importance of proper training (00:01:18) The need for proper training in understanding the capabilities and limitations of scan tools. Factors to consider when recommending a scan tool (00:04:35) Questions to ask when recommending a scan tool, including car lines, functionalities, and budget considerations. Impact of feedback on scan tool development (00:06:08) Discussion on the importance of feedback from users and the impact of feedback on the development and availability of scan tools. Remote access and networking (00:10:02) The benefits of remote access for professional tech support and peer-to-peer networking among technicians. Understanding the capabilities of scan tools (00:13:34) Discussion on the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of scan tools before making a purchase. Importance of Proper Training (00:19:42) The importance of proper training before investing in tools and the impact of buying from industry-connected vendors. The Value of Support (00:22:04) The significance of having support when using tools, illustrated by a story about receiving support for a scope issue. Learning Methods (00:25:30) Discussion on different training methods, with a focus on the effectiveness of hands-on and in-person training. Virtual Training Challenges (00:26:51) The challenges of virtual training and the importance of in-person training to understand diagnostic processes. Hybrid Training Approach (00:32:08) Exploring the idea of a hybrid training approach combining virtual classes and hands-on sessions for better learning. Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
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By carmcapriotto
Ever wonder how automotive shops across the country set their labor rates? It's not just about matching the shop down the road. It's about achieving your profit goals. Tom Ham discusses the labor rate tracker tool, which can be found on the Automotive Management Network. The conversation includes the variability of labor rates among different types of automotive shops and across states and the influence of location and shop type on rates. Tom shares that the tracker has grown to 3,000 shops reporting their rates, providing a more comprehensive view of the market. The episode also covers the importance of having a labor rate that reflects a shop's quality and customer trust. Find out why the labor rate tracker is a valuable tool for both shop owners and industry coaches to gauge market rates and inform business strategies. Tom Ham, Automotive Management Network. Tom’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
Labor Rate Tracker The labor rate tracker tool (00:01:42) Discussion of the labor rate tracker tool, its development, and its purpose in the automotive industry. Setting labor rates based on profit goals (00:03:18) Importance of setting labor rates based on individual profit goals and the process of determining labor rates. Feedback from members of the Automotive Management Network (00:08:14) Positive feedback from members of the Automotive Management Network regarding the labor rate tracker tool. Different labor rates across various types of automotive shops (00:12:32) Discussion of the variation in labor rates across different types of automotive shops, such as RV shops, franchises, transmission shops, and more. Variations in labor rates across different states (00:15:50) Observations on the differences in labor rates across states, including the correlation between labor rates and political affiliations. Mobile Repair Rates (00:17:01) Discussion about the lower labor rates for mobile repair services and the impact of weather on their business. Membership and Data Privacy (00:19:40) Details about accessing the labor rate tracker tool, membership requirements, and the privacy of members' data. Profit Structure and Labor Rates (00:21:08) Consideration of the potential value in understanding a shop's profit structure based on their labor rate and the implications for success. Cost Factors and Labor Rates (00:23:29) Discussion about the impact of rising costs, including healthcare and insurance, on the setting of labor rates. Snowbirds and Florida (00:25:22) Conversation about the history of Florida's popularity as a winter destination and the influx of seasonal residents. Future Developments of Labor Rate Tracker (00:26:48) Discussion about the planned enhancements and future developments for the labor rate tracker tool. Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network
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By Transmission Repair
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