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[Podcast] RR 419: Bringing Technician Proficiency to the Next Level Through Mentoring Programs

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Scott Shotton has over 25 years of technical experience in automotive repair shops. As the owner of The Driveability Guys, Scott performs mobile diagnostics and reprogramming for local repair shops in the DeKalb Illinois area as well as industry training around the United States and Canada. He was also one of the four trainers for the Illinois EPA’s vehicle emissions testing program.

Scott has been an automotive instructor at Kishwaukee College since 2009. Prior to Kishwaukee College, Scott was adjunct faculty at the College of DuPage for 7 years. He has a degree in Automotive Service Technology as well as many hours of training by manufacturers and independent training entities.

Scott is also recognized as an Illinois state emissions repair technician. He was also a technical trainer during his 8 year Army career. Scott has written many technical articles for MotorAge and Gears magazines. Scott became an ASE Subject Matter Expert (SME) in 2017.

Scott currently maintains 21 ASE certifications including Master Automotive Technician, Master Truck Technician, A9, L1, L2, L3, Alternate Fuels and more. Look for Scott’s other episodes HERE.

Eric Ziegler owns and operates EZ Diagnostic Solutions Inc in Peoria, IL. Eric specializes in module programming, driveability, electrical and network systems diagnostics. Eric has over 30 years of experience as a technician with an extensive diagnostics background.

Eric supports collision centers and auto repair shops and has one tech in his mobile diagnostic business.

Eric Ziegler is an ASE Certified Master Tech • L1 Advanced Level Diagnostic Specialist • L2 Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnostic Specialist • L3 Light-Duty Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Specialist • ASE Certified Medium Duty Truck Technician.

Eric is an ASE Recertified Advance Level L1 Master Technician who has spent a great deal of his career focusing on automotive electronics, engine management diagnostics, module programming, and network communication.

In addition to owning and operating EZDS, Eric is an accomplished automotive trainer working for Automotive Seminars and the Driveability Guys training technicians in the latest diagnostic techniques and technologies throughout the Midwest and US.  He regularly attends and trains at some of the automotive industries top training events like Vision KC, ASA ATE, Automechanika, NESSARA, AV Tech Expos, KOI, Indiana ASA and the CAN Conference. Eric’s previous episodes are HERE.

Dave Denmon founded Dave’s Car Care (formerly known as Dave’s Tire and Auto Corral) in 1980. He has been very active in the community, sponsoring Food for the Hungry, the Phoenix Women’s Shelter, Little League, girls’ softball teams, and established Sunnyslope Ministers of Hope to feed local homeless.

Gerson Carcache is an ASE Certified Tech at Dave’s Car Care.

EZ Tech Mentors

We would like to assist shops in developing exceptional technicians, improving shop culture, increasing the effectiveness of communication and improving the bottom line for everyone involved. The technicians we train will become better technicians and improve their self-confidence. This higher level of skill will contribute to the bottom line of your business. At the same time, we will promote effective communication between technicians, service writers and shop owners. All of these aspects contribute to a positive shop environment, or culture, which will allow all of the parties involved to be happier and more profitable. Through hands-on technical training, technician assessments, business assessments and meetings with all of the individuals involved we will change your way of thinking and facilitate the advancement of our industry.

What is technician mentoring? Technician mentoring is a training program that is focused on technical proficiency. However, it goes beyond technical training. Technician mentoring promotes effective communication, positive attitudes, effective teamwork, positive shop culture and a higher bottom line for everyone. Passionate technicians, in the appropriate environment, produce quality work and contribute to the business as a whole. As a result, everyone involved in your business team is happy and enjoys the spoils. The key word in the last sentence was “Team.” Although technician mentoring strives toward making technicians better at their jobs, we also encourage the team aspect to benefit everyone involved.   EZ Tech Mentors website HERE.

Key Talking Points:

  • EZtechmentors.com  
    • Came out of a conversation with Craig O’Neil
    • Need technicians to fix cars- need technician mentoring
    • Assessment of shop and level each technician is at- hands-on corrections
    • Logical based training- common sense approach
    • Web meetings to stay in touch and reinforce training  
    • Create a culture of learning
    • Help with communication between techs and service advisors
  • Mentor program from technician perspective
    • Sense of camaraderie
    • Appreciate mentor taking time out of the day to teach and train
    • Mentor passing along knowledge step by step
  • Mechanic to technician transition
    • A mechanic can do anything, the technician finesses the job
  • Future of industry is technology
    • Train for and present to the consumer
    • Impact of repaired cars

 

Resources:

  • Thanks to Scott Shotton, Eric Ziegler, Dave Denmon and Gerson Carcache for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
  • EZ Tech Mentors website HERE.
  • 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.

Subscribe-to-the-INSIDER-Newsletter-6.pn

 

Be socially involved and in touch with the show:
Facebook   Twitter   Linked In    Email    Events    Speaking

 

Subscribe to a mobile listening app HERE.

App-Rendering-16.png

 

The auto care industry is revving up.  New technologies are changing cars and the way people use them. To stay in the driver’s seat of all these advancements, you need to take charge of your learning, your business, and your legacy. That’s where the 2020 NAPA AutoCare-Logo-Color-Horizontal-1440x525.EXPO comes in. With help from industry experts and the best suppliers and manufacturers, the 2020 NAPA EXPO will provide the innovations and answers you need to charge forward into the future.

This is your chance to network with experts in the industry. Discover the latest innovations that will help you stay market competitive. Learn more about new products, services, and equipment. You will be using them every day.

Join us in Las Vegas, April 6-9, 2020!  Contact your NAPA AUTO PARTS store today to reserve your package for this can’t miss event. Enrollment is going on now.

To learn more about NAPA AutoCare and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio



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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It 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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