New Car Sales are up. Good or Bad News for Repair Shops?
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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 champtires
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By carmcapriotto
Mo Ali from Lock Labs discusses the challenges facing the automotive locksmith industry due to new credential requirements for accessing the immobilizer functions on aftermarket tools. Mo also discusses the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) and the Vehicle Security Professional credentials. It's not just about cutting keys; it's about navigating a maze of electronics, modules, and regulations.
Show Notes
NASTF and Vehicle Security Professional credentials (00:02:32) Impact of the credential requirement (00:03:54) Role of NASTF and implications of the new requirements (00:09:14) Debate on key programming (00:11:44) Potential consequences of the new credential requirements (00:14:28) VSP Credentials and Key Cutting (00:18:54) Implications of Key Making Outside Locksmiths (00:22:21) Predictions for the Locksmith Industry (00:24:20) Challenges and Opportunities for Locksmiths (00:29:40) Perception of Locksmiths and Technicians (00:32:41) Forced Collaboration and Industry Changes (00:33:27) Complexities of Key Making (00:37:01) EPA Regulation and Emissions-Related Information (00:39:23) Acquiring Immobilizer Data (00:50:55) The learning process and lack of knowledge (00:51:50) Security measures and protecting investments (00:52:45) Government intervention and industry governance (00:56:58) Advocacy and industry collaboration (00:57:59) Engagement with NASTF and advocating for changes (01:00:01) Progress and understanding in industry changes (01:02:48)
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech napaautotech.com
Email Matt: [email protected]
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Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Minute-Efficiency: Becky Witt's philosophy on minute-efficiency is not just a practice but a way of life. She's fine-tuned her operations to ensure every minute counts, leading to optimized customer service and a thriving business. Becky Witt, George Witt Service in Lincoln, NE. Show Notes
Becky's Unique Business Model (00:00:35) Becky discusses her efficient business model, working only two and a half days a week and enjoying her personal time. The Evolution of Efficiency (00:01:51) Becky shares her journey towards minute efficiency, realizing the need for rethinking her business to optimize operations and customer satisfaction. Understanding and Serving the Market (00:05:52) Becky emphasizes the importance of understanding her market, focusing on reliability and safety for her female clientele. Appointment-Based Operations (00:08:14) Becky explains the significance of appointment-based operations and the efficiency it brings to her business model. Transition to Calculated Customer Control (00:10:31) Becky discusses the transition to a calculated business model, cultivating and letting go of clientele to optimize operations and customer service. Analyzing and Implementing Efficiency (00:14:08) Becky highlights the importance of analyzing numbers and implementing efficient practices, such as saving time through proactive part management. Struggling to find technicians (00:17:14) Becky's challenges in finding skilled technicians and her innovative approach to hiring and retaining talent. Efficiency and precision in service (00:19:34) Emphasis on minute-efficient work, attention to detail, and precision in service to ensure customer satisfaction. Evolution of business model (00:22:13) Becky's evolution in understanding customer needs, optimizing operations, and focusing on serving the right clientele. Annual maintenance packages and scheduling (00:24:07) Discussion about the concierge model for scheduling appointments and offering annual maintenance packages. Building relationships with customers (00:21:56) Becky's focus on building strong customer relationships and providing exceptional service to retain loyal clients. Effective technician management (00:27:10) Becky's approach to managing technicians and minimizing interruptions to ensure efficient and high-quality work. Adapting business model to market (00:30:16) The importance of adapting the business model to the specific market and location to achieve success. Becky's Business Strategy (00:32:07) Becky's approach to customer satisfaction and business purpose, emphasizing the importance of keeping customers happy with their cars. Understanding Female Customers (00:32:47) The unique perspective on car issues from a female customer's point of view and the potential life-threatening situations they may encounter. Work-Life Balance and Business Commitment (00:35:10) Becky's perspective on work-life balance, the commitment required for business success, and her specialization in servicing specific car makes.
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 Changing The Industry
Chris Craig on Creating Positive Automotive Work Environments Even At A Dealership
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