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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt 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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By Changing The Industry
Bonus Episode - The Impact of Returns, Inventory, & Technology on Auto Parts Pricing with WorldPac
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Recorded at the Institute Summit, Mike Simard dives into the challenges of recruiting and developing talent, especially in a unique setting like Alaska. He shares his innovative strategy of acquiring lube centers as entry points for new team members and highlights the critical role of strong company culture and leadership. Mike also emphasizes the importance of building the right team, balancing the visionary and integrator roles, and the need to continuously adapt in the ever-evolving automotive industry.
Mike Simard, Simard Automotive, Alaska
Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode The Institute of Automotive Business Excellence: https://www.wearetheinstitute.com/ Mike Simard's Background (00:00:00) Acquisition of Lube Centers (00:02:10) Energy and Problem-Solving (00:02:43) Vision for Training Talent (00:03:41) Geographic Logistics (00:05:12) Talent Development and Apprenticeship (00:05:41) Industry Comparison (00:06:32) Recruitment Challenges (00:09:04) Relocation and Recruitment Process (00:12:31) Motivation for Policy Writing (00:16:03) Understanding Unique Selling Points (00:18:05) Building a Strong Team (00:19:20) Learning from Coaches (00:21:52) Delegating Responsibilities (00:22:30) Building Company Culture (00:25:47) Understanding the 'Why' (00:27:09) Finding the Right People (00:28:34) Balancing Inner Voices (00:30:04) Breaking Barriers in the Industry (00:30:35)
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care 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/ Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -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: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -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 -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Want to create marketing that actually excites your customers and keeps them coming back for more? In this episode, host Brian Walker and co-host Kim Walker sit down with Robert Morton from Panhandle Eurotech to uncover how a simple treasure hunt turned into a marketing powerhouse, boosting website traffic, improving SEO rankings, and creating a stronger connection with their community.
Robert shares how his shop designed a treasure hunt that got people actively searching for clues, engaging with their website, and following their business more closely than ever before. From increasing customer interaction to enhancing their shop’s online visibility, this strategy has proven to be a game-changer.
You'll hear wild stories from past treasure hunts, how people got hooked, and why this strategy keeps working time and time again. Plus, we dive into the impact of gamification, creative ways to engage your audience, and how to build a marketing strategy that actually works for your shop.
Don't miss this episode, tune in now and start thinking outside the box with your marketing! 🚀
Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal’s Certified
Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at
RepairPal.com/shops.
Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for professional auto repair businesses. Visit Appfueled.com to get started today. Keep your shop top of mind on the mobile device they love.
Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
Panhandle Eurotech
Show Notes with Timestamps
How To Get In Touch
Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
Meet The Pros
Follow SMP on Facebook
Follow SMP on Instagram
Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book
Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics
The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By nptrb
It’s no secret that time is limited as an auto repair shop owner.
Between diagnosing complex engine issues to managing your mechanics and creating a five-star customer experience, there’s often little time left to focus on your financials.
But what happens when tax season rolls around, and you’re forced to buckle down on organizing your records and preparing your returns?
At Three Rivers Bookkeeping, we know the needs of your auto repair business from the inside out. You’re dealing with parts inventory, labor costs, shop equipment, and fluctuating busyness. Navigating the intricacies of tax filing on top of all that can be a real headache.
That’s why we’ve put together these practical tax tips to help you simplify the filing process! Follow these steps to get your financial house in order before the tax deadline on April 15th!
Tax Tip #1: Organized Record-Keeping (From Day One!)
This might sound obvious, but organized records are the foundation of stress-free tax filing.
Don’t wait until January to start sifting through a shoebox full of receipts. And if you’re reading this in April, remember to start getting organized now for next year!
Implement a consistent system for tracking all your income and expenses throughout the year.
Here’s a framework to follow to keep your records organized in your auto repair shop.
Separate Business and Personal Finances: This is crucial. Keep your business bank accounts and credit cards strictly for business transactions. This makes it significantly easier to track income and deductible expenses.
Categorize Everything: Establish clear categories for your income (e.g., labor, parts sales, diagnostics) and expenses (e.g., parts purchases, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, shop supplies). Use accounting software or even well-organized spreadsheets to do this consistently.
Document Everything: Your records should be kept to the same standards as your shop schedule and organized and clear! Track your invoices, parts receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, and payroll records — no matter how small the cost! Every bit matters.
Track Mileage: If you or your employees use personal vehicles for business purposes (e.g., picking up parts, making service calls), keep a detailed mileage log. This should include the date, purpose of the trip, starting and ending mileage.
Organized records make it easier to identify deductible expenses, accurately calculate your income, and prepare your tax forms. This will save you tons of time and effort during filing season.
Tax Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Leverage Technology
Technology is your best friend when it comes to efficiently managing the finances in your auto repair business. If you’re still relying on manual spreadsheets and a spare notebook, it’s time to swap them out for accounting software that is designed specifically for small businesses.
We recommend QuickBooks Online because it streamlines all of the important areas in business, including:
Your financial tracking process Automated reports Invoicing Payments Payroll You can even connect it to your bank accounts and credit cards to make importing transactions and categorization a hands-free task.
Tax Tip #3: Know Your Deductions
Your deductions can make or break you during tax season, which is why it’s critical for you to understand them! As an auto repair shop, your needs are very different from other service-based businesses.
Knowing what you can deduct is key to minimizing your tax liability.
Here is a checklist of common deductions specifically for the auto repair industry:
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Labor Costs Rent and Utilities Insurance Vehicle and Equipment Expenses Shop and Office Supplies Marketing and Advertising Professional Fees
Tax Tip #4: Plan Ahead and Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
If you find yourself frantically scrambling at tax season, planning ahead WILL help! Make tax season simple by staying organized, having financial systems in place, and relying on automated software.
Navigating your bookkeeping and tax filing on your own can be time-consuming and lead to costly errors.
If you want to leave your tax filing to the professionals, we’d love to help!
Three Rivers Bookkeeping specializes in working with auto repair shops, so you can rest assured during tax season.
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By Joe Marconi
From what I see, from shop owner friends and clients, 2025 is starting off as a better year than 2024.
What are you seeing in your neck of the woods?
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