Quantcast
Jump to content


[Podcast] Erik Mortensen – Former Technician Now Automotive Educator [RR 497]


Recommended Posts

Erik Mortensen, an Automotive Instructor at Watauga High School, transforms his classroom into an automotive service shop.

Key Talking Points:

  • A former technician that runs an automotive
  • An automotive service shop in the classroomFive bays
  • Parts room
  • Toolroom 
  • Alignment rack
  • All the equipment you would need
  • He took an existing program and made it his own with an open book
  • The program is growing and his classes are full
  • A goal of his is to get the students to find their self-worth and a skill they may be good at
  • Watauga High School has a large CTE program (Career and Technical Education)
  • Students are assigned roles within the ‘shop’
  • He believes that working on ‘live’ teacher vehicles vs doner cars brings a greater responsibility of importance and safety.
  • Start the students off with a ‘mechanic’ mentality and understand the learning never stops and ‘diagnostician’ is in their future
  • If being an educator is your passion, then do it

Resources:

  • Thanks to Eric Mortensen 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.
  • Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.
  • Love what we do, buy a cup of coffee HERE.

Newsletter-Subscribe-1200x75.png

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:

Facebook  Twitter  Linked In   Email   Events   Speaking

Subscribe to a mobile listening app HERE.

Listening-APP-Logos-16.png

 

 

Buy-a-Coffee-v1-A.png

Since 1989 TRACS has been the industry’s leading shop management system. And in the last 30 years it’s gotten better and better. Today TRACS Enterprise offers even more of the features AutoCare Center owners want—things like a NAPA-AutoCare-Logo-Vert-A.gifpowerful interactive scheduling calendar, faster and streamlined workflow, plus streamlined parts ordering and purchasing options. And there’s more—Punch-out to Mitchell ProDemand, mobile VIN capture, and multi-shop capabilities. That means you can count on TRACS Enterprise to help drive your success today and well into the future.

Learn more about TRACS Enterprise and the hundreds of other benefits the NAPA family has to offer. Talk with your servicing NAPA store or visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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
  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         3 comments
      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.
  • Similar Topics

    • By Changing The Industry
      Enhancing Shop Operations with John Heller of PartsTech
    • By carmcapriotto
      NAPA trainers Curt Eigenberger, Bill Weaver, and Randy Cohen, discuss the critical role of training in the automotive industry's shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). The conversation underscores the industry's evolution, the need for technicians to update their skills continuously, and the overarching theme of safety and ongoing education in response to technological advancements. The role of mechanical and technology specialists is changing faster than a pit stop at the Indy 500. Always know that training is a key pillar to your strategic success. We're not just talking about keeping up with the latest tech but about staying ahead of the curve. Show Notes:
      Link to NAPA Auto Tech Training Technology Skills and Mindset (00:02:06) The conversation delves into the mindset and skills required for today's technology specialists, emphasizing the blend of engineering knowledge and artisan skills. Evolving Training with Technology (00:04:57) The evolution of training in response to technological advancements, including the need to adapt to industry trends and technician needs. Youth in the Automotive Industry (00:06:53) Insights on the changing demographics in the automotive industry, including the increasing interest in technology and electronics among young technicians. Preparing Future Specialists (00:09:47) Identifying and grooming individuals for technology specialist roles, emphasizing the importance of motivation, desire, and forward-thinking. Traits of Successful Specialists (00:13:26) Key traits of successful technology specialists, including problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and the ability to anticipate future industry developments. Recruiting and Identifying Talent (00:14:44) The recruitment of potential technology specialists, with an emphasis on identifying talent within the existing workforce and beyond. The need for a different mindset (00:16:16) The need for individuals to adapt to new technologies and change their mindset. Adapting to high-voltage electricity (00:17:12) The importance of understanding and respecting high voltage electricity and the need for proper training and safety measures. Safety and training for electric vehicles (00:19:12) The necessity of safety and proper training for working on electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for awareness and respect rather than fear. Changing approach to working on vehicles (00:21:31) The need to rethink traditional practices and prioritize safety when working on vehicles, especially in the context of electric vehicles. Pre-qualifications and assessments for EV training (00:24:30) The importance of pre-qualifications and assessments for individuals attending EV training, emphasizing the need for certification and safety awareness. The future of automotive technology (00:27:02) The future of automotive technology, including trends in alternative fuels and propulsion systems, and the evolving nature of the industry. Embracing change and technology in the industry (00:28:55) The excitement and opportunities in embracing new technologies and changes in the automotive industry, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Adapting to new roles in the industry (00:29:14) The shift away from traditional stereotypes in the automotive industry, focusing on the evolving roles and opportunities for individuals interested in technology. The importance of conversational learning (00:32:53) The value of conversational and interactive learning, allowing for open discussions and addressing individual struggles and concerns during training. The importance of class engagement (00:33:22) Encouraging conversational learning and active participation in training classes. The value of asking questions (00:34:55) The importance of asking questions, even if they seem basic, to enhance learning for everyone.  
      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: 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 -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 Changing The Industry
      The Basics of Owning An Auto Repair Shop - Part 5
    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 156 - David Macholz on Rethinking Technician Certification and Training
    • By carmcapriotto
      The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
      Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
      Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind
      In this episode, Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching explores the issue of transition leaks in auto repair shops. He explains how frequent task-switching hampers productivity and energy levels for shop owners, service advisors, and technicians. Chris advocates for batch processing to consolidate similar tasks, thereby reducing transition leaks and increasing efficiency. He advises reorganizing work schedules to minimize cognitive load and suggests that while flexibility is necessary, intentional planning can greatly enhance productivity. The episode wraps up with Chris encouraging listeners to embrace growth and efficiency, thanking the sponsor, and promoting a positive work ethic.
       
      Transition Leaks (00:00:06) Explanation of the concept and its impact on auto repair shop owners, service advisors, and technicians.
       
      Impact on Efficiency (00:02:27) Discussion on how transition leaks lead to lost efficiency and diminished capacity for delivering high-quality service.
       
      Batch Processing Strategy (00:04:48) Explanation of the batch processing strategy to combat transition leaks and improve productivity.
       
      Applying the Concept (00:07:03) Guidance on analyzing and reorganizing schedules to minimize transition leaks and increase efficiency.
       
      Embracing Change (00:09:11) Encouragement to prioritize efficiency and quality by embracing a new way of organizing work schedules.
       
      Connect with Chris:
       
      [email protected]
      Phone: 940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
      AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
       
      #autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...