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[Podcast] The Difference: Dealership Tech Now Works for an Independent. Why? [RR 588]


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Jim Fleischman and his wife Shelly own Automotive Alley in Arcade, NY. Jim attended Alfred State College for Automotive Tech. He went to work for a Ford Dealership as a shop foreman. Jim’s racing and organizational experience came by being part of a race team that ran Busch and NASCAR. He was recruited from his alma mater, Alfred State College, and became an instructor. Jim always wanted to teach and it was fate. He spent fourteen years as an instructor. He loved building relationships with his students.

He was balancing his teaching job and owning a shop while Shelly ran the business for him. Jim ultimately left his teaching job and went to work full-time in the business. Shelly’s background was accounting which was good for the business overall.

Jim believes in a strong process-driven company. He is all about improving efficiency. Saving steps for productivity gains. Anyone can study their inefficiencies and make changes to improve productivity. He templated his systems against NASCAR. Immaculate, organized and tools quickly reached and found. Jim perpetually works on streamlining to increase his productivity.

Automotive Alley also specialized in street rod, hot rods, upgrades, and restorations. For Jim, the word “can’t” is not in his vocabulary. Listen to Jim’s previous episodes HERE.

Matt Manzone graduated from Wyotech trade school in Blairsville, Pa. Shortly after graduation, Matt started at a local Japanese import brand dealership. Eventually becoming Expert level brand certified and achieving ASE certified Master automotive technician status. After 14 years at the dealership, Matt left to take a position at an independent repair shop called Automotive Alley in Arcade, NY as a technician and service writer in the vintage/restoration shop. Listen to Matt’s episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points:

  • Technicians at dealerships vs independent shopsDealerships have a specific type of vehicles and is flat rate- 70% of students from tech schools go directly to work in dealerships
  • Most technicians that leave the dealerships leave the industry completely  
  • Independent shops have a broader spectrum 
  • Hiring more techniciansJim used Facebook Ads and Indeed for hiring 
  • Matt posted his resume on Indeed to see what other opportunities were available- was open-minded and wanted a challenge
  • Matt researched the shop prior to the interview- Facebook posts, reviews, and podcast interview 
  • “Working interview”-Spent half a day interviewing and then worked with other technicians in the shop and with Jim
  • Culture of businessClean, sterile work environment instead of stereotypical “greasy fingerprints”
  • Take time to invest in the environment and properly working equipment   
  • Everyone at Jim’s shop says “goodbye” to one another, something Matt was not used to at first- creates positive attitudes and cohesive culture 
  • Leaving after 14 years for the same but new jobEveryone is afraid of the unknown and what could happen
  • Matt didn’t leave because of money, left because it was time and unhappy with the culture of the dealership- the dealership had a counter offer for him when he put in his 2 week notice which was more money. More money didn't change the issues of why he wanted to leave.
  • Be careful making choices based on money- often times it will not make you happier
  • If you are burned out from your job always remember there are other opportunities available 

Resources:

  • Thanks to Matt Manzone and Jim Fleischman for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
  • Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
  • Find every podcast episode HERE.
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This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve.  The Virtual AAPEX Experience 2020 is in the record books. Virtual AAPEX lived up to presenting leading-technical and business management training from some of the industry’s best and brightest. Now set your sights on the homecoming in Las Vegas in 2021. Mark your calendar now … November 2-4, 2021, AAPEX // Now more than ever.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         5 comments
      I 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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