Are New Car Dealers Chasing Away Technicians?
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Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's BlogGot your attention? Good. The truth is, there is no such thing as the perfect technician pay plan. There are countless ways to create any pay plan. I’ve heard all the claims and opinions, and to be honest, it’s getting a little frustrating. Claims that an hourly paid pay plan cannot motivate. That flat rate is the only way to truly get the most production from your technicians. And then there’s the hybrid performance-based pay plan that many claim is the best.
At a recent industry event, a shop owner from the Midwest boasted about his flat-rate techs and insisted that this pay plan should be adopted by all shops across the country. When I informed him that in states like New York, you cannot pay flat-rate, he was shocked. “Then how do you motivate your techs” he asked me.
I remember the day in 1986 when I hired the best technician who ever worked for me in my 41 years as an automotive shop owner. We’ll call him Hal. When Hal reviewed my pay plan for him, and the incentive bonus document, he stared at it for a minute, looked up, and said, “Joe, this looks good, but here’s what I want.” He then wrote on top of the document the weekly salary he wanted. It was a BIG number. He went on to say, “Joe, I need to take home a certain amount of money. I have a home, a wife, two kids, and my Harly Davidson. I will work hard and produce for you. I don’t need an incentive bonus to do my work.” And he did, for the next 30 years, until the day he retired.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, here’s mine. Money is a motivator, but not the only motivator, and not the best motivator either. We have all heard this scenario, “She quit ABC Auto Center, to get a job at XYZ Auto Repair, and she’s making less money now at XYZ!” We all know that people don’t leave companies, they leave the people they work for or work with.
With all this said, I do believe that an incentive-based pay plan can work. However, I also believe that a technician must be paid a very good base wage that is commensurate with their ability, experience, and certifications. I also believe that in addition to money, there needs to be a great benefits package. But the icing on the cake in any pay plan is the culture, mission, and vision of the company, which takes strong leadership. And let’s not forget that motivation also comes from praise, recognition, respect, and when technicians know that their work matters.
Rather than looking for that elusive perfect pay plan, sit down with your technician. Find out what motivates them. What their goals are. Why do they get out of bed in the morning? When you tie their goals with your goals, you will have one powerful pay plan.
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By Changing The Industry
Episode 156 - David Macholz on Rethinking Technician Certification and Training
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Greg Buckley discusses the importance of using analytics and performance metrics in the automotive industry. He draws parallels between managing a sports team and running an auto repair shop, emphasizing the need for owners to understand their team's strengths and weaknesses. Greg explores the idea of incentivizing performance and accountability, similar to professional athletes. Greg shares his experience with nurturing technicians and the concept of having a "farm team" to develop skills. The conversation also touches on the need for better career pathing, training, and compensation methods to retain talent and improve the industry's professionalism. Greg Buckley, owner of Buckley’s Auto Care in Wilmington, and Millsboro DE. Greg’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
Introduction to the concept of scorecards (00:02:07) Greg introduces the concept of using scorecards and analytics to measure technician performance. Technician performance metrics (00:03:03) Discussion about technicians having access to their performance data and using it for career decisions. Contract-based employment (00:04:18) Exploring the idea of creating contracts and incentives based on performance metrics. Redefining technician compensation (00:05:20) Discussing the concept of incentives and redefining technician compensation based on performance. Building a career path (00:06:20) Exploring the idea of building a career path for technicians based on performance metrics. The role of analytics in decision-making (00:09:56) Drawing parallels between sports analytics and using analytics in the automotive industry. Training and certifications (00:11:58) Discussion about using shop management systems to track technician performance and productivity. Redefining technician levels (00:15:55) Proposing the idea of redefining technician levels and career pathing within the industry. Baseball analogies (00:16:38) Using baseball analogies to explain the concept of developing technicians through different levels. Understanding team strengths and weaknesses (00:18:16) Exploring the concept of knowing individual strengths and weaknesses to improve performance and success. Grooming technicians and creating career paths (00:19:09) The importance of grooming technicians and creating a career path for their growth and development. Enhancing compensation methods (00:25:05) Exploring the need for different methods of compensation to foster team growth and development. Agreement and rewards system (00:25:58) Discussing the concept of creating agreements and rewards systems based on performance metrics for technicians. Reflecting on baseball and strategic thinking (00:26:52) Reflecting on the strategic thinking involved in baseball and its relevance to business concepts.
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
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Transmission Repair
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By carmcapriotto
This week on the ARM Podcast Brian talks about why stock website content doesn’t work. In this episode you’ll learn what he means by stock content, why it doesn’t work, whether or not it hurts you to have stock content on your website, and how to tell if you have it on your website.
Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
Show Notes with Timestamps
What is stock content? Stock content is duplicate content Stock content is generic content Does stock content help? How do you know if your website has stock content?
How To Get In Touch
Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
Website - shopmarketingpros.com
Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros
Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
Instagram - @shopmarketingpros
Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By tyrguy
Hey all,
Retired 5+ years ago and spend half my time down here in Florida. Haven't been on the forum in a few years. When I am up home in Ohio the tire dealer that bought my business and rents my building from me takes good care of all my vehicle service needs. My Mini needs a few things and I'd like to hook up with someone from this forum close to me down here.
Belt is squealing so probably needs a new belt, tensioner and idler pulley. Also need a new right side window motor.
Anybody close to Fort Myers Beach?
Mark Defer 330-603-5127
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