How Do You Handle Down Time w/ Your Technicians?
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's BlogTypically, when productivity suffers, the shop owner or manager directs their attention to the technicians. Are they doing all they can do to maintain high billable hours? Are they as efficient as they can be? Is there time being wasted throughout the technician’s day?
All these reasons factor into production problems, but before we point fingers at the technicians, let’s consider a few other factors.
Are estimates being written properly? Are labor testing and inspections being billed out correctly? Are you charging enough for testing and inspecting, especially for highly specialized electrical, on-board computer issues, and other complex drivability work? Is there a clear workflow process everyone follows that details every step from the write-up to vehicle delivery? Do you track comebacks, and is that affecting production? Is the shop layout not conducive to high production? For example, is it unorganized, where shop tools, technical information, and equipment are not easily accessible to every technician? Are you charging the correct labor rate and allowing for variables such as rust, vehicle age, and the fact that most labor guides are wrong? Also, is there effective communication between the tech and the service advisor to ensure that extra labor time is accounted for and billed to the customer? These are a few of the top reasons for low productivity problems. There are others, but the main point is to look at the entire operation. Productivity is a team effort. Blaming the techs or other staff members does not get to the root cause in most cases.
Maintaining adequate production levels is the responsibility of management to create the processes that will lead to high production while holding everyone accountable.
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By Joe Marconi
Let's face it, no one or no entity will help us with the Tech shortage. The truth is, this is not new. This shortage has been created largely from decades of steering young people to college, and not the trades. I believe we need to get involved with apprenticeship programs. Below is an article in Motor Magazine.
Your thoughts? Comments?
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By carmcapriotto
Chris Lawson is back for Part 2 of our discussion about finding technicians in our industry. This episode focuses on the advanced strategies for finding technicians on Indeed and Facebook. Do you require a resume on Indeed? Find out why you shouldn't! Chris Lawson, TechnicianFind.Com. Chris' previous episodes HERE Show Notes
If you’re looking to hire an experienced technician with a job, throwing more money at job boards is a losing strategy. You need to go where techs hang out online, and that’s social media. Building a connection- ask questions, find out what they are trying to accomplish in their career 2 weeks notice- it’s a dangerous time, follow up with value (shorten the time period, putting in a touch point with communication, remind them why they said yes to the offer). Consider creating a 2 week orientation to keep them engaged. Always be recruiting- ask for referrals. Respond to comments and questions on ads Spend time on good headlines and good ads Why you shouldn’t require a resume on Indeed- do technicians have an updated resume to apply? Get them on the phone! Hiring Insights on Indeed- free tool, the automotive technicians are extremely competitive,
Connect with the Podcast: Aftermarket Radio Network Subscribe on YouTube Visit us on the Web Follow on Facebook Become an Insider Buy me a coffee Important Books Check out today's partners: Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2023. Mark your calendar now … October 31 - Nov 2, 2023, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at AAPEXSHOW.COM 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 NAPATRACS.com
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
If you're thinking about transitioning from employee to shop owner, this episode is for you. Instead of guessing your way through the transition, let the Aftermarket Radio Network be your free library of industry peers across the country help you get started the right way.
Maylan Newton, ESI- Educational Seminars Institute, is a business coach, trainer and industry speaker. Maylan's previous Episodes HERE Vic Tarasik, CEO of Shop Owner Coach. Vic’s previous episodes HERE.
Show Notes:
A good technician only makes a good business owner with proper training, guidance, and accountability. You need these 5 professionals- business coach, accountant, financial planner, insurance advisor, attorney Build the business that survives you and provides a legacy to your family the business is not about you is about all the people that depend on the business for their survival, family employees vendors Most importantly, do not treat your business as a hobby you not fixing cars running a business The business owner is the leader, not to fix cars/writing service “People are so afraid of success, that when they reach success they self-destruct.” Not paying yourself opens the door to resenting the business. What is YOUR cost of doing business? Don’t let the high level of confidence in fixing cars create a false sense of security in solving all things in business. Ask questions of the right individuals- someone with experience who’ve successfully overcome what you have in front of you “Implementation of knowledge is power.” Focus on the fundamentals from the beginning “Begin with the end in mind” (Covey)- Now that your journey has begun, what is your endgame? “Life begins and ends at the edge of your comfort zone” Pay your taxes- set up a system where deductions from
Connect with the Podcast
Aftermarket Radio Network
Subscribe on YouTube
Visit us on the Web
Follow on Facebook
Become an Insider
Buy me a coffee
Important Books
Check out today's partners:
Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com
Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By cooterdavenport1
Looking to get off of pen and paper for ROs and estimates but unsure what tools to take a look at. Can some people tell me what they use, what they like about it, and what they don't like?
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