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Are we our worse enemies?


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Last week I attended a dinner meeting that was sponsored by one of our biggest part suppliers.

 

There was there an opportunity to collectively discuss the local status of the industry. Many were complaining that customers are not maintaining their cars, that they don't replace worn parts even when they are presenting a safety issue, etc. etc., etc.

 

For some background and context, New Jersey discontinued doing safety inspections back in August of 2010. They only do emission inspections now. Back then, the state inspectors would check brakes, suspension, lights, wipers, glazing, etc. This created a tremendous demand for auto maintenance and repair, it was the regulatory actions that assured the demand for our industry.

 

When the point came up to lobby the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, there was tremendous opposition from the majority of the crowd. From the " I don't get involved in politics" to the "I am a Libertarian and hate government regulation."

 

Funny enough, the ultra rich owners and controllers of Insurance companies are not against government regulations when they know the regulations the legislature pass is in their favor and benefit their pockets.

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I can only speak for myself, I believe as government expands, freedom diminishes. Add that to the fact that anything the government gets involved in slows down, becomes bloated, and becomes many times more expensive. Remember " The ACA will save families up to $2500.00 ?", Well my health care is much different now, I had to give up may old coverage, my doctor and the cost has doubled. Now Florida is bracing for a 20% rate hike in 2017. Providers are dropping like flies, so the less government the better.

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so the less government the better.

 

I agree with you.

 

But that is not the problem. Imagine someone trying to fix an emission related problem without knowing the difference between a combustion issue or a hydrocarbon evaporative malfunction?

 

And that's what we have with government, 99.9% of the people are completely ignorant as to the fundamentals of government!

 

Just witness a simple process at a municipal court. People do not know how to protect themselves from corrupt government people, not how to achieve their will.

 

Look at the marijuana issue, it's through sheer mass will that they will repeal those laws, the majority of the people do not agree with what has happened with government and pot. Just like with alcohol and prohibition.

 

You want less regulation? You want less government? Get educated in civics, law, ethics, etc. then get involved and push back.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      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.
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