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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 Changing The Industry
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Recorded Live at Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo, Jeremy O'Neal shares his journey of transforming a struggling business into a thriving enterprise, emphasizing the critical role of service advisor training. Jeremy also highlighted how understanding the business, the owner's goals, and team dynamics is essential before implementing any training program. It's not just about fixing cars; it's about creating an exceptional customer experience that drives business success. Jeremy O’Neal, Advisorfix, Freedom Auto Repair, Hesperia, CA. Previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
Service Advisor Coaching & Training: https://www.advisorfix.com/ Jeremy's Transition to Shop Ownership (00:00:36) Jeremy discusses his transition from service advisor training to owning Freedom Automotive. The Impact of Vision 2024 (00:04:17) Jeremy and Carm discuss the impact of the Vision 2024 event on their lives and the industry. Youth Presence at Vision 2024 (00:04:48) Carm and Jeremy discuss the significant presence of young talent at the Vision 2024 event. Jeremy's Business Growth (00:06:56) Carm inquires about the growth of Jeremy's business over the past eight years. The Importance of Service Advisor Training (00:07:11) Carm and Jeremy discuss the critical need for service advisor training in the automotive industry. Jeremy's Business Transformation (00:08:55) Jeremy shares the transformation of his shop, including significant growth and plans for expansion. The Role of Service Advisors in Business Growth (00:09:29) Jeremy discusses the potential for business growth by adding service advisors and technicians. Customer Service Challenges (00:10:45) Jeremy and Carm discuss the decline in customer service and the impact on the automotive industry. The Role of Customer Experience (00:12:21) Carm emphasizes the importance of creating a great customer experience in automotive repair shops. Parenting and Cultural Observations (00:13:24) Jeremy shares his observations and concerns about modern parenting and societal changes. Firing underperforming staff (00:15:20) Jeremy discusses his commitment to high service standards and the consequences for those who don't meet them. Training and standards (00:16:07) Carm questions Jeremy about his work-life balance and the importance of training in maintaining high standards. NAPA Auto Care Center program (00:16:55) Carm discusses the benefits of the NAPA brand and the Pro Image upgrade program for automotive shops. Employee commitment and performance (00:19:00) Jeremy shares his experiences with committed but underperforming employees and the impact on customer service. Service advisor training and culture (00:21:20) Jeremy emphasizes the importance of daily coaching and the shop owner's role in guiding training and culture. Continuous improvement and learning culture (00:23:03) Jeremy discusses the importance of employees having a learning culture and the availability of educational content. Phone call analysis and customer service (00:24:22) Jeremy explains the value of listening to service advisor calls for assessing competency and customer responses. Service advisor's impact on top-line sales (00:26:26) Jeremy highlights the significant impact of service advisor competency on the shop's top-line sales. Life Cycles with Customers (00:30:57) Jeremy shares a personal anecdote about a customer's car and the importance of understanding customer needs. Building Trust with Customers (00:31:35) Jeremy discusses the importance of building trust with customers and ensuring they follow the shop's process for repairs. Market Trends and Automotive Industry (00:32:52) Jeremy talks about market trends, the impact of COVID-19, and the future of the automotive industry, including the rise of EVs and hybrid vehicles. Success in the Marketplace (00:34:19) The discussion revolves around the importance of solid processes, good people, and effective marketing to succeed in the marketplace. Communication and Networking (00:35:18) The conversation shifts to the significance of communication and networking, including a mention of the Disney Institute's emphasis on personal interaction. Reflecting on Life's Milestones (00:37:21) Jeremy reflects on life beyond 50, the legacy he aims to leave, and the importance of capturing special moments with loved ones.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care 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 Joe Marconi
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By Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
"Individuals who have made outstanding career contributions to the mobile A/C and heat transfer industry are recognized for their work with the Mobile Air Climate Systems Pioneer Award." Recorded Live at the 2024 MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems) Training Event & Trade Show, Carm Capriotto discusses the automotive air conditioning industry with Peter Coll and Pioneer Award Winners Larry Hays, and Tom Massey. They explore the evolution of air conditioning systems, the importance of collaboration, and the role of MACS in advancing the industry. Larry Hays' career in automotive service began in high school when his shop teacher got him a job at an independent garage. Shortly thereafter, and while still in high school, Larry took a work/study job starting at 80 cent an hour and stayed there for 5 years before moving to Dallas Smith Transport. There he got his first taste of the A/C life learning to install factory A/C in a 1962 Buick and rebuild A6 compressors at the GM Training center in El Paso, TX. After three years, Larry found his forever home at Tony M. Coury Buick in Mesa, AZ where he would go on to spend the next 40 years. In 1966 Harrison Radiator introduced their own automatic A/C system and often visited Larry from the GM Proving ground due to his close proximity. The visits led to friendships, networking and, eventually an introduction to the likes of Paul Weissler, Jim Resutek, Ward Atkinson, and many others. In 1976, Tom Massey, an ASE certified Master Technician, started his own shop in Sioux Falls, SD. Doing A/C in South Dakota in the 1980’s, Tom was frustrated because the one fitting that was needed for the job was not available locally so, Tom started stocking A/C fittings, A/C units and other parts to be available on demand. When other shops found out that he had inventory, the business progressed to add wholesale parts & distribution. He was a distributor for ARA, AIR & later for the company that became Global Parts Distributors. Tom’s passion for A/C drew him to heat of Las Vegas in 1993 when he started Auto Air & More Inc. selling A/C parts to consumers, fleets, dealerships, and competitors as well as servicing vehicles. Show Notes: Pioneer award winners and their contributions (00:01:00) Recognition of industry pioneers and their significant contributions, including the first board member who was a technician. Challenges in automotive air conditioning systems (00:03:49) Discussion about the challenges and innovations in air conditioning systems, particularly in the context of specialized vehicles like limousines. Impact of temperature on air conditioning systems (00:06:35) Explanation of the impact of high temperatures on air conditioning systems, including the need for specialized designs and heat exchange. Differences in customer expectations between dealerships and independent shops (00:08:27) Comparison of customer expectations and concerns between dealership and independent shop environments. Effect of climate on air conditioning systems (00:09:21) Discussion about the influence of climate, particularly humidity, on the functioning of air conditioning systems. Collaboration between manufacturers and technicians (00:12:00) Importance of collaboration between manufacturers and technicians in diagnosing and addressing technical issues in air conditioning systems. Role of MACS in industry collaboration (00:15:04) The significance of MACS in providing a platform for industry professionals to engage with manufacturers and address technical challenges. The history of automotive air conditioning (00:16:56) Discusses the early development of automotive air conditioning systems and the valuable feedback provided by technicians. Collaboration and learning at MACS (00:17:34) Highlights the importance of collaboration between manufacturers and technicians at MACS and the exchange of knowledge between different automotive brands. Shop management systems (00:18:10) Emphasizes the importance of selecting the right shop management system and the benefits of customization and support. Comparing equipment and industry expansion (00:19:21) Discusses the comparison of different equipment, the entry of new suppliers into the US market, and the perspective gained from evaluating different machines. Challenges of retrofitting air conditioning systems (00:22:54) Addresses the challenges and potential issues associated with retrofitting air conditioning systems. Testing and innovations at GM proving ground (00:26:07) Describes the testing procedures and innovations at the General Motors proving ground. Industry relationships and contributions (00:28:43) Explores the relationships and contributions of industry figures, including the impact of technical bulletins and the role of influential individuals in the automotive industry. Innovations and intellectual property (00:30:19) Discusses the development and sharing of innovative tools and the challenges of patenting and profiting from inventions. Supplier relationships and cost savings (00:33:02) Addresses the exchange of information and prototypes with suppliers and the challenges of providing valuable input without significant compensation. Innovative Ideas for Tools (00:35:11) Exploration of the search for innovative tools in the industry and the rarity of finding them. Early Air Conditioning Systems (00:35:23) Anecdotes about early air conditioning systems in vintage cars, including unique features and challenges. Friendship and Collaboration (00:36:42) Stories of friendship and collaboration within the air conditioning industry, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing. Respect for Industry Professionals (00:38:13) Reflections on the respect and admiration for industry professionals, highlighting the impact of their expertise. Challenges in the Industry (00:40:32) Discussion on the challenges and limited number of specialists in the air conditioning industry. Parts Distribution and Inventory (00:43:38) Insights into the evolution of parts distribution and inventory management in the air conditioning industry. Business Transition and Negotiation (00:45:39) Brief discussion about the possibility of business transition and negotiation in the industry.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS 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 (X): https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -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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