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Mixed Reports: Auto Repair Shops Doing Great, But Some are not.

Joe Marconi
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JamisonAutoGroup Explorer

JamisonAutoGroup

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Thank you for bringing this up, Joe!  I agree with both of you that it does seem to be an ongoing thing.  As the previous comment suggested, " Some shops are better run than others".  This is in my opinion, the leading factor in a business's success or demise.  Some shop owners are more geared toward marketing and branding (like me), others are geared more to the technical side of the diagnostics and repairs.  In any case, I feel it is critical to be well educated in these areas of the business, among others. The most important thing a business owner should be focused on though, is the KPIs.  This tells you the pulse of the business, and how to steer the business in the right direction.  An owner who doesn't know their numbers, does not know their business!

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juanpablo4219 Contributor

juanpablo4219

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Posted

Here's where we are.

We had a great first half of the year. We grew 15% compared to last year. I do considered the Summer, a change of season and consumer habits. When June arrives the consumer behavior/spending habit change to  the vacation period. Kids are out schools and  families travel, life is good for shops. This year has been the exception, the heat wave that we're going through does not help in south Texas or any place in Texas.

Texas has a hot summer, but the 100 plus temperature does not help at all. It just does not invite people  to go outside. 

I do advertise on Google and I have been checking everyday, and my conclusion is that not many people are looking for services, since I am paying less than the usual budget. 

August is a different month, a lot of the parents who have kids in college come to services their kid's Car, get them ready for their kids to go back to school, I am hoping things will turn around, even thou" August is the hottest part of the summer🤞😁
...and this is my mid year report

Regards and stay cool😎

JP

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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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