Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Murray Voth is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable experts on the automotive industry, especially as it relates to business development of the independent automotive service and repair sector. He focuses on improving profitability, best practices in management, financial management, systems implementation, human resources and leadership. He spends significant time researching the issues facing the industry from a macro and micro level and brings training and coaching solutions to his clients. He is the owner and principal trainer of RPM Training which provides services to clients such as Napa Auto Parts, Napa AutoPro, Napa AutoCare, Fountain Tire, Integra Tire, OK Tire, TireCraft Canada, Group Touchette, APD Auto Parts, and AutoServe1. Murray is also involved in the Automotive Retailers Association of BC, the Canadian Independent Automotive Association, and the Automotive Industries Association.

From 2006 to 2018 Murray was on contract as the senior trainer and training material consultant for Total Automotive Consulting and Training. He has also done training and material development for RLO Training and Consulting in the United States. As an automotive management trainer and facilitator for the past 15 years traveling to every corner of Canada, his sole focus has been researching, developing and implementing strategies that improve business results for his clients.

He is intimately familiar with the issues and challenges faced by the business owners on a day-to-day basis and exactly what it takes to help them to make the changes necessary to succeed as a business owner. As a trainer and consultant, he has worked all across North America and has firsthand knowledge of what is and is not working in each jurisdiction. His thorough understanding of the automotive business started when he owned and operated automotive maintenance and repair facilities for 20 years. During the time he owned his shops he took all the training that was available. He continuously strives to improve his understanding of what it takes to be successful in this industry. He has firsthand experience of how to successfully implement the various skills, knowledge, tools and processes that he now teaches.

In addition to his facilitation work, Murray has written extensively for industry magazines as a regular business columnist, these include CARS Magazine, Car Care Business, ARA News and Indie Garage. He also writes curriculum for automotive, as well as non-automotive management training. His passion for organizational leadership and development has led him to work with a leading researcher discovering new dynamics that lead to highly effective organizations and leaders.

Murray has a passion for the automotive industry and considers it a privilege and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to bring information and training that reduces stress, and improves the economic circumstances of small business owners, their staff, and their families. Some of his clients have grown from being the only employee in their shop to 6 employees, and in some cases going from one shop to owning multiple locations, and more than doubling the size of their workforce. Listen to Murray’s previous episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

  • Being genuine, be yourself- don’t fake it 
  • Can’t assume customers know how an automotive repair shops run- think about what it feels like to be a customer that walks in. Customers don’t know what to ask or automotive terminology language. They have blind trust.   
  • Honesty and quality is the baseline for any automotive shop in a customer’s eyes- they are calling you for a reason.
  • More than a smile and handshake- do customers feel like they are home and cared for? 
  • Ask questions they know answers to so they feel comfortable - what brings you here, have you had this issue before etc.?
  • Is your advisor rushing? Do you have enough advisors so they don’t feel like they’re feeling processed
  • Touchless business- removing the “friction”Pre-booking appointments and sending reminders
  • What is the customer expecting? What do they need? What do they want?
  • But during COVID restrictions people tended to want human interaction- there needs to be a split 50/50 
  • “Qualifying the customer’s expectations ”- of service experience and of their car (what are your plans with your car for the future?)

Resources:

  • Thanks to Murray Voth for his contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
  • Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
  • Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Podchaser, and many more. Mobile Listening APP's HERE
  • Find every podcast episode HERE.
  • Every episode is segmented by Series HERE.
  • Key Word Search HERE.

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook   Twitter   Linked In   Email

Join the Ecosystem - Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE.

Buy me a coffee

As a member of the NAPA family, AutoCare Center owners can take advantage of the NAPA National Health Program from the NAPA Insurance Center. This “NAPA only” program gives you and your employees access to national “large group” rates on medical insurance with premiums discounted up to 30 percent. These rates are based on the collective purchasing potential of 22,500 NAPA locations including both NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and NAPA AutoCare Centers.

The NAPA Insurance Center can help you with a variety of other insurance benefits too. For more information about The NAPA National Health Benefits program as well as all of the insurance benefits available to your AutoCare Center and your employees, visit the NAPA Benefits Center, at www.napabenefitscenter.com or call the NAPA Benefits Center at 844-627-2123.

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.
  • Similar Topics



  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...