Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Ever had an employee that spreads doom and gloom throughout the shop? You know the one; the employee that damages morale, complains about everything, comes in late, and is miserable all the time. And, after trying to fix him, you realize that you can’t. But, “He’s a great producer”, you tell yourself. Well, is he?

 

The fact is, if you have a poison employee, ask yourself this, “What damage is he doing to the rest of the shop?” Also, how is he damaging the morale of the shop? What production loss is occurring that is due to his attitude?

 

Consider this; you, as the leader of the company must have the support and respect of everyone. If you allow the bad apple to stay, others in the shop will not feel you are a leader that cares about everyone. They will think you only care about the bad apple’s production. They will think you value money first, and people last. When this happens, the rest of your team will begin to shut down, morale will continue to suffer, and so will production.

 

Here’s another scenario you are familiar with too. When you do finally get rid of the bad apple, the others will rejoice and tell you, “Well, it’s about time boss!”

  • Like 2
Posted

So true, I was hired into a dealership as the Service Mgr and had a wiz kid tech, really was an all around great mechanic, just a terrible person. Threw tools, swore, unhappy at most of what life tossed his way. He would come in and the whole mood of the shop would turn glum. I tried the normal things you would to to cheer him up, gave all the kudo's trying to inspire him to enjoy life. Talk and listen to what he was 'upset' about. After at least 6 months of this, pulled him into the office and said I Quit! He looked at me funny and I said your out of here, I quit trying to get you to work as a team mate and your unhappy attitude to the other guys and office staff. No notice, no lets try something else, I quit YOU. Load your stuff and I will have Sally cut your last check right now. As he was making his exit, the rest of the guys all came and said Thank You! Many said they were in the process of trying to find other employment, but now would stay and not feel threatened by the bad guy. Hard to believe but the work output went up with that one guy gone. Don't put up with a toxic employee.

  • Like 3
Posted

About a year ago we had to fire our bad apple. He was constantly complaining about working on rusty cars (Uh, its Minnesota dude.) and was just never happy about anything, to include how the owner ran the shop. There was no real reason to fire him, and the owner was looking for someone else. The bad apple did us the favor by taking a customer's 1969 convertible Mustang for a joy ride, I mean test drive, to check out if the fuse he replaced was the problem. 30 minutes of joy ride later, I mean test drive, and he returned, flying over the railroad tracks and a big grin on his face. When the owner asked if he brought a spare fuse with him in case the new one failed, the answer was no. He knew he was done and there was cause to let him go.

 

The change in atmosphere and attitude was like a fog was lifted overnight. The owner took his time finding a replacement and used a working interview to select the final hire.

Posted

About a year ago we had to fire our bad apple. He was constantly complaining about working on rusty cars (Uh, its Minnesota dude.) and was just never happy about anything, to include how the owner ran the shop. There was no real reason to fire him, and the owner was looking for someone else. The bad apple did us the favor by taking a customer's 1969 convertible Mustang for a joy ride, I mean test drive, to check out if the fuse he replaced was the problem. 30 minutes of joy ride later, I mean test drive, and he returned, flying over the railroad tracks and a big grin on his face. When the owner asked if he brought a spare fuse with him in case the new one failed, the answer was no. He knew he was done and there was cause to let him go.

 

The change in atmosphere and attitude was like a fog was lifted overnight. The owner took his time finding a replacement and used a working interview to select the final hire.

Posted

My bad apple quit last month. He had 9.5 unpaid days off in the first 3 months of this year, when asked if he could put in some nights or weekends to make up for the loss in revenue he did not think he owed me anything. Sorry to say I have had other 24 year olds say the same thing to me in the past.

This one gave me notice then texted me the next day to say he was getting his tools!! Of course the shop & schedule was more than full but we survived without him.

Looking for his replacement still.

Dave

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By nptrb
      Running an auto repair shop comes with a unique set of challenges, and managing your finances is a big one. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, understanding cash flow management for auto repair shops is crucial to your long-term success.
      In this post, we’re sharing practical, actionable strategies to help you take control of your shop’s finances and boost your auto repair business profitability—without sacrificing service quality or customer trust.
      What Is Cash Flow and Why Is It Important?
      Cash flow refers to the money moving in and out of your business. 
      For small businesses like yours, positive cash flow ensures that you can pay your team, keep parts in stock, handle operating costs, and still have something left to reinvest in growth.
      When cash flow gets tight, it affects everything—from your ability to take on more jobs to your peace of mind. That’s why improving cash flow in small businesses, especially in the auto repair industry, is one of the smartest moves you can make.
      Common Financial Challenges Auto Repair Shops Face
      Auto repair shops often experience:
      Slow payments from customers or insurance companies High up-front costs for tools, equipment, and parts Seasonal dips in customer volume Discounting services too frequently Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward smarter cash flow management in your business.
      5 Financial Tips to Improve Cash Flow
      Here are some real-world auto repair shop financial tips you can start implementing today:
      Streamline Your Invoicing and Payments
      Make it easy for customers to pay by offering digital invoicing and online payment options. Send invoices quickly, and set up automated reminders. 
      The faster you get paid, the better your cash flow.
      Review Your Pricing Structure
      If your rates haven’t changed in a while, it might be time for a tune-up. 
      Make sure your pricing reflects the value you provide while also supporting your auto repair business’s profitability.
      Manage Inventory and Ordering
      Don’t let cash get stuck on your shelves. Track what parts you actually use and only stock what’s necessary. Consider just-in-time ordering to reduce overhead.
      Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
      Look closely at your subscriptions, software, utilities, and vendor costs. Managing expenses in auto repair shops doesn’t have to mean cutting corners—just being more intentional with your spending.
      Create Consistent Revenue Streams
      Prepaid service packages, maintenance memberships, or seasonal promotions can help bring in predictable income, smoothing out your cash flow during slow periods. 
      With summer coming, now is a great time to offer deals on tune-ups for people who will be traveling!
      Forecasting = Fewer Surprises
      Cash flow forecasting allows you to plan for upcoming expenses and income. This helps you avoid financial surprises and confidently make big decisions—like hiring another tech or investing in new equipment.
      Even small adjustments in how you manage your shop’s finances can have a big impact over time. Staying proactive and strategic helps ensure your shop is profitable, sustainable, and ready to grow.
      Taking control of your finances starts with understanding your numbers and making small, consistent changes. By focusing on cash flow management for auto repair shops and applying smart financial tips tailored to your industry, you’ll be in a much stronger position to weather the ups and downs of your business.
    • By stevefry
      I have a client looking to sell their Auto Body Shop in Monteagle TN called Lakeside Collision. He is asking $1,500,000 and the property did a little over $1,200,000 last year. Profitable business with lots of equipment and inventory, newer paint booth and includes 2 lots and 2 buildings with 8 bay doors.
      Also have another client looking for an Auto Body business to purchase in Davidson County (Nashville) TN. Looking for a shop with the business and the real estate. 
    • By Joe Marconi
      Over the weekend I met a 67 year old shop owner who has been in business for 41 years, and still involved in the day to day operations. He added that he has done nothing to plan for his future and his exit. 
      Life can throw us a curve ball at any age, are your properly prepared.
      I know it sounds a little crazy, but the right time to get you business ready to sell, is when you first go into business.
      What are you doing to prepare for your exit, sale or if life throws you a curve ball?
       
       
    • By MikesPlaceAuto
      Hello from Montana. Longtime mechanic/technician, first-time shop owner. Reaching out to many sources for information and advice. Small shop in rural setting, specializing in electrical and electronics. Thanks for any good words. Mike
    • By Joe Marconi
      Take if someone who has lived through many uncertain times, this is the best time to bump up your customer experience. Show confidence and and show that you appreciate your customers. This also means showing appreciation for your employees - Happy employees create happy customers.
      While there is a lot of uncertainty these days, there is one thing you can take to the bank: With the right positive mindset, staying strong and driving forward, you will be better off in the good times. 
       


  • Similar Tagged Content

  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...