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Posted

Just read Joe's column on this months R+W. First of all, if you guys don't have a subscription to this, subscribe! So many good tips on there.

Anyway... I had a similar experience- friends and family have thought I was crazy every step of the way in my business and everytime I expanded. I am grateful for this forum bc I am surrounded by the right people going through similar experiences but how have you guys found the right people in your everyday life? Do you guys have someone like-minded that you share lunch/life with? I am lucky to have ONE person in the area but would like to have a group and maybe even a local mentor of some sort. 

Posted
13 hours ago, HarrytheCarGeek said:

What has worked for me has been to reach out to people that I have seen or read something positive about.

 

Likewise, that's how I came across this site.

were you able to find someone local?

Posted
10 hours ago, Jay Huh said:

were you able to find someone local?

Jay, yes, I am part of my local Junto group. The problem is that as most of us have gotten older we don't attennd as when we were younger. The irony being that the more successful you become, the more isolated you end up.

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  • 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.
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