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Journaling – Your Personal Case Study with Matt Fanslow [RR 648]


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Matt Fanslow is the diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, MN. His primary responsibilities are to diagnose driveability and electrical/electronic issues, and perform most all programming, coding, initializing, adoptions, etc. Basically, if it needs to be figured out or has wires, it goes to Matt. He’s been a tech since 1996. Matt is also a subject matter expert for ASE and has instructed at Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo. Matt has participated on 18 ASE technical committees for the ASE Practice Test, A6, A7, A8, and L1 tests. He’s also done case studies for Standard Motor Products. Fanslow’s goal is to do everything in his power to improve the overall level of professionalism within the automotive and light truck repair trade and also raise the level of its public image. Matt Fanslow’s Previous Episodes HERE.

Key Talking Points

  • Competent technician shortage
  • Biggest issues within shops- communication and remembering everything as things change
  • Commute back and forth to work- have time to think about your day. Be honest and critical. When you’re entry-level there may be more negatives than positives, don’t beat yourself up about it. Unpack it step by step. Were you on your phone too much? Did you have unnecessary motions?  
  • Keeping journal/diary/google docs- while at work jot down some bullet points and when you’re at home expand each one. Helps with great with memory and learning. If using an electronic journal you can search it as time goes on. As you accumulate entries over time, go back and read what you wrote and see firsthand the progress you’ve made. Brings value to yourself and employer. Confidence through competency. Steer the direction of feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed with new information. Use anxiety to push yourself forward.  
  • Future journal/diary you write in every month or every few months. Where do you want to be? How will you get there? Be a specialty tech or diagnostic tech etc. Build a path and map out weak areas to focus on. 
  • Everyone learns differently- write down your take on processes that helps you learn and remember 
  • The way your brain works is malleable- rewire it with how you learn best
  • What is memory? To learn from mistakes and not doing them again. Our memory has changed as technology has advanced. We no longer memorize information like we used to with the ease of the internet search engines. Remembering phone numbers is a skill of the past. 
  • Scientific proof and studies- Journal of Applied Psychology and National Academy of Sciences. 
  • Jorge Menchu- Episodes 180 and 241

 

 

  • Thanks to Matt Fanslow 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.
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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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This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com/carm

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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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