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4 Powerful Tips to Save on Shop Expenses


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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      Got your attention? Good. The truth is, there is no such thing as the perfect technician pay plan. There are countless ways to create any pay plan. I’ve heard all the claims and opinions, and to be honest, it’s getting a little frustrating. Claims that an hourly paid pay plan cannot motivate. That flat rate is the only way to truly get the most production from your technicians. And then there’s the hybrid performance-based pay plan that many claim is the best.
      At a recent industry event, a shop owner from the Midwest boasted about his flat-rate techs and insisted that this pay plan should be adopted by all shops across the country. When I informed him that in states like New York, you cannot pay flat-rate, he was shocked. “Then how do you motivate your techs” he asked me.
      I remember the day in 1986 when I hired the best technician who ever worked for me in my 41 years as an automotive shop owner. We’ll call him Hal. When Hal reviewed my pay plan for him, and the incentive bonus document, he stared at it for a minute, looked up, and said, “Joe, this looks good, but here’s what I want.” He then wrote on top of the document the weekly salary he wanted. It was a BIG number. He went on to say, “Joe, I need to take home a certain amount of money. I have a home, a wife, two kids, and my Harly Davidson. I will work hard and produce for you. I don’t need an incentive bonus to do my work.” And he did, for the next 30 years, until the day he retired.
      Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, here’s mine. Money is a motivator, but not the only motivator, and not the best motivator either. We have all heard this scenario, “She quit ABC Auto Center, to get a job at XYZ Auto Repair, and she’s making less money now at XYZ!” We all know that people don’t leave companies, they leave the people they work for or work with.
      With all this said, I do believe that an incentive-based pay plan can work. However, I also believe that a technician must be paid a very good base wage that is commensurate with their ability, experience, and certifications. I also believe that in addition to money, there needs to be a great benefits package. But the icing on the cake in any pay plan is the culture, mission, and vision of the company, which takes strong leadership. And let’s not forget that motivation also comes from praise, recognition, respect, and when technicians know that their work matters.
      Rather than looking for that elusive perfect pay plan, sit down with your technician. Find out what motivates them. What their goals are. Why do they get out of bed in the morning? When you tie their goals with your goals, you will have one powerful pay plan.
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    • By Joe Marconi

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    • By carmcapriotto
      In this episode, Hunt sits down with Jay Huh, a down-to-earth auto repair shop owner from North Carolina who's also a skilled public speaker, coach at Shop Fix, and even a pilot. Jay spills the beans on how he landed a speaking gig at the VISION Hi-Tech Training Expo with just a month's notice and why he's all in on making the auto repair industry better for everyone. His real talk and practical advice are not just about fixing cars but fixing the business side of things too.
      Here's a quick rundown of what Jay shares:
      • Passion Over Profit: Jay opens up about his journey from the brink of personal and professional disaster to finding his purpose in the auto repair world. He's all about giving back, stressing that making a profit shouldn't be a taboo topic.
      • Work-Life Balance: He dives into how he restructured his business to not only be more profitable but to also have time for what matters most — family. Jay is proof that you can have your cake and eat it too, running a successful shop without sacrificing every waking moment at work.
      • Financial Savviness: With a straightforward chat about managing finances, from rebate checks to navigating economic uncertainty, Jay offers his two cents on keeping your shop afloat and thriving, no matter what the market throws at you.
      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
    • By tyrguy
      Hey all,
      Retired 5+ years ago and spend half my time down here in Florida. Haven't been on the forum in a few years. When I am up home in Ohio the tire dealer that bought my business and  rents my building from me takes good care of all my vehicle service needs. My Mini needs a few things and I'd like to hook up with someone from this forum close to me down here.
      Belt is squealing so probably needs a new belt, tensioner and idler pulley. Also need a new right side window motor.
      Anybody close to Fort Myers Beach?
      Mark Defer 330-603-5127
    • By carmcapriotto
      Culture, Leadership, and Growth: This episode isn't just about the nuts and bolts. It's about the heart and soul of business—people, leadership, and culture. Shari Pheasant and Kenny Wedow don't just share their successes; they get real about the struggles, too. They've both seen firsthand how the right climate can turbocharge a team's performance and drive success. Shari Pheasant, Horse Power Strategies. Shari’s previous episodes HERE  Kenny Wedow, Fine Tuned Auto, 4 locations, Colorado. Kenny’s other episodes HERE Show Notes: Watch Full Video Episode Kenny Wedow's Business Growth (00:02:17) Kenny Wedow shares his experience of growing his business from a single store to four locations. The Gift of Struggle (00:02:41) Discussion of the book "The Gift of Struggle" by Bobby Herrera and the definition of struggle. Kenny's Business Struggles (00:03:47) Kenny discusses the challenges he faced in the early stages of his business and his determination to overcome them. People First Philosophy (00:04:34) Shari emphasizes the importance of focusing on people and teamwork in overcoming challenges and driving business success. Leadership and Culture (00:05:43) Shari discusses the significance of leadership and culture in driving business growth and success. Reflecting on Mistakes (00:06:29) Shari emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and using scientific data to understand human behavior. Changing Company Culture (00:07:56) Kenny talks about making significant changes to the company culture and the impact it had on business growth. Leadership and Climate (00:09:49) Discussion about the difference between culture and climate in a business and the importance of aligning them. Hiring and Culture (00:11:45) Kenny shares the impact of hiring the right people on the business and the importance of cultural fit in interviews. Money and Energy (00:15:14) Shari discusses the concept of money as energy and its impact on financial situations and business decisions. Pivoting and Adapting to Change (00:17:21) The importance of being open to change and pivoting quickly in business. Leadership and Making Mistakes (00:19:55) Shari and Kenny share their experiences with making mistakes and the importance of admitting and learning from them. Employee Engagement and Company Growth (00:20:43) Kenny talks about engaging employees and investing in company-wide training to drive growth and success. Overcoming Struggles and Embracing Change (00:21:36) Overcoming struggles and the importance of embracing change to drive business success. Learning from Mistakes and Taking Risks (00:25:15) Kenny shares his experience of learning from mistakes and taking risks to drive business growth. Embracing Failure and Moving Forward (00:28:09) Shari shares a story of failure and how it ultimately led to greater success, emphasizing the importance of pivoting and moving forward.
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS 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 -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -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
    • By Transmission Repair

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