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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 Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
A Journey of Collaboration, Family, and Philanthropy Recorded Live at ASTE 2023, Kristin and Paul Danner discuss the next chapter of Scanner Danner: the birth of their nonprofit organization. Their mission? To help fulfill the needs of others by supporting the automotive community and beyond. As they embark on this new chapter as soon to be empty nesters, they're choosing a path of service and giving back. They also discuss the challenges within their marriage during the rise of 'Scanner Danner' and Paul's perspective on elevating shop owners as an industry movement. Paul Danner, ScannerDanner. Listen to Paul’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
A trip to the machine shop (00:00:28) Discussion about driving to Colorado to drop off the power wagon engine for an overhaul and filming the process. Starting a nonprofit organization (00:04:49) Paul and Kristin discussing their plans to start a nonprofit organization focused on giving and accepting donations. The path of worldly success and business (00:08:29) Discussion about the two paths Paul sees in front of him: one focused on worldly success and business, and the other focused on doing good with their nonprofit alongside his wife. Changing roles and bringing in other creators (00:09:23) Conversation about the changing roles within their marriage and the opportunity to bring in other creators and elevate their content through their nonprofit. Supporting the automotive community and beyond (00:11:44) Discussion about their nonprofit's mission to support the automotive community and beyond, and their belief that they've been given resources to be given away to those in need. Investing in the Future (00:18:13) Exploration of the idea of offering scholarships to technicians based on their commitment and dedication to their craft. The evolution of Scanner Danner's YouTube channel (00:27:10) The story of how Paul's YouTube channel started as a way to improve Paul's teaching and grew into something bigger, with people from all over the world accessing their content. The socks story (00:30:14) Want to know more about Paul's socks? Don't miss this segment! Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS 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 http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR 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 http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -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
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
This week on Business by the Numbers, Hunt explores if EVs are transport's future or a subsidized industry.
Manufacturers' stance: e.g., Toyota's hybrid focus and a breakdown of the 2023 credit rules: Differences in dates, base vs max credits, and the significance of kilowatt hours, as well as insight into the business strategies of major players like Rivian and Tesla. Shift from kWh focus to U.S. sourced minerals & battery components, with clarifications on "Made in America" vs. "Final Assembly in America.” Hunt also explores vehicle eligibility criteria, credit restrictions, income & MSRP limits, and unique rules for used vehicles. Hunt talks about 2024 changes, such as the immediate benefits and strategic considerations if you’re thinking of buying EV. He also talks about the importance of doing your own research & where go to do it!
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Recorded Live at ASTE 2023, Lester Kovacs, Director of Ideation at Dorman Products, explains Dorman's unique approach to product development, including working closely with technicians, searching through junkyards for challenges, and conducting extensive testing. He also discusses supply chain issues, reaching out to their network for feedback, and upcoming products at Dorman.
Lester Kovacs, Director of Ideation, Dorman Products
Show Notes:
Uncovering Technician Challenges (00:04:02) Discussion on how Dorman works with technicians to uncover their challenges and develop solutions. Part Availability and Supply Chain Issues (00:05:31) Conversation about supply chain issues and challenges with part availability for older vehicles. The discovery of a new product category (00:08:31) Discussion about finding a new product category and the process of developing that particular product. The challenge of developing new products (00:11:00) Exploration of the challenges faced in developing new products and the need to work against the clock. Testing and validation of new products (00:12:58) Explanation of the testing and validation process for new products, including material testing, dimensional testing, and trial and test on actual vehicles. The incubator analogy (00:15:54) Discusses the role of the incubator in finding and developing ideas, identifying bottlenecks, and resource decisions. Percentage of ideas that make it (00:16:58) Discusses the percentage of ideas that make it through the validation process and the importance of a tight funnel to meet customer expectations. Lester's career journey (00:18:04) Explores Lester's background, starting from his love for cars as a kid. Changing Habits and Customer Perception (00:23:01) Discussion on the challenge of changing habits in the aftermarket industry and the need to shift customer perception of certain parts. Improving Marketing Strategy and Relaunching Products (00:23:25) Exploration of the relaunch of a product line after initial poor sales, including collaboration with customers and counter professionals to improve marketing and sales strategies. Suggestion for Website Enhancement (00:24:32) A suggestion to add a tab on the website to address why customers are not buying certain products, with testimonials and repair pictures to encourage sales. Thanks to our Partner, Dorman Products.
Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
Connect with the Podcast:
-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
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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