Chrysler seeks 2% discount for ad campaign
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog5 commentsI 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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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 podcast episode, Chris Cotton, an auto repair business coach, talks with Mark, owner of an independent European auto repair shop in Rochester, New York, that also does sales and bodywork. They discuss Mark's family history, including his father's move from Germany to the U.S. and his transition from diamond cutting to car sales. Mark recounts his own path in the family business, from washing cars to his current role, and the lessons learned along the way. They also delve into succession planning, with Mark's son Hunter potentially taking over in the future. Mark highlights the benefits of working with Chris implementation of a new service management system, and the positive changes in business performance and staff engagement. The episode touches on the importance of regular staff meetings, understanding daily business metrics, and the joy of family involvement in the business. It concludes with personal anecdotes about family meals and the cultural heritage that enriches their lives.
The background of Mark's family (00:00:05) Mark talks about his father's journey from Germany to the United States and their family background. Mark's family's journey in the auto repair business (00:02:05) Mark shares the story of his family's involvement in the auto repair business, including their transition from sales to service. Mark's father's journey in the auto industry (00:04:08) Mark details his father's experiences in the car industry, from working at a BMW dealership to starting his own car sales business. Mark's connection to European cars (00:10:52) Mark discusses his family's deep connection to European cars, particularly Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen. Mark's journey in the auto repair business (00:14:48) Mark reflects on his journey in the auto repair business, from washing cars to becoming a service advisor and learning to buy cars at auctions. Car Sales and Sunroof Surprise (00:19:22) Mark recalls a car sales experience and his father's tough love and succession plan. Auto Auction and Nostalgia (00:21:29) Chris shares his experience working at an auto auction, and both speakers reminisce about the excitement of auctions. Transition and Succession Plan (00:23:16) Mark discusses his role in the business and the prolonged transition plan from his father. Family Involvement and Future Plans (00:25:43) Mark talks about family members' roles in the business and his son's potential as a service manager. Succession Planning and Family Dynamics (00:29:31) Mark emphasizes the importance of communication and close relationships in succession planning. Future of the Business and Retirement (00:34:14) Mark discusses his long-term plans for the business and his reluctance to fully retire. Family Living Arrangements (00:36:40) Mark shares that his mother still lives in the family home, and he and his wife live next door. Each timestamp is followed by a short description of the topics covered in the corresponding segment of the podcast episode. Family and Business History (00:37:29) Discussion about family's daily routine and plans for creating a slideshow of old pictures for the website. Transition to New Location and Succession Plan (00:38:19) Mark mentions the upcoming 40th anniversary at the new location and transitions to discussing their decision to change service management systems. Transition to Auto Leap Service Management System (00:39:13) Mark's decision to switch to Auto Leap, initial challenges, and his encounter with Chris Cotton's podcast. Initial Meeting and Decision to Work with Chris (00:43:40) Mark's initial meeting with Chris at a convention, initial reluctance to work with a coach, and the decision to start working with Chris. Impact of Coaching on Business (00:45:48) Positive impact of coaching on business performance, particularly in December and January, and how it has improved their outlook for the year. Benefits of Coaching and 20 Groups (00:50:40) Discussion about the value of coaching, 20 groups, and the supportive industry landscape in Rochester. Shop Renovation and Growth (00:54:30) Description of the shop's renovation and growth, including the increase in employees and the focus on cleanliness. Future Plans and Idea Sharing (00:55:20) The anticipation of a productive year with many ideas yet to be explored and nurtured during the coaching sessions. Accountability and Responsibility (00:55:34) Discussion on the importance of accountability and responsibility in business ownership. Meetings and Regimen (00:56:37) The significance of regular meetings and a structured approach to managing the business. Future Plans and Succession (00:58:36) Mark's future plans for the business, including the involvement of his son and the transition of responsibilities. Family Traditions and Gratitude (00:59:22) Mark's family traditions, including meals prepared by his mother, and expressions of gratitude. Closing Remarks and Sponsorship (01:01:00) The conclusion of the episode, including acknowledgments and sponsorship mentions.
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 #autofixautoshopcoachingbook #riseandgrind
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By Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
Radio advertising can be very successful for marketing an auto repair shop, but we have a specific strategy we like to employ.
Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
How To Get In Touch
Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
Website - shopmarketingpros.com
Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros
Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
Instagram - @shopmarketingpros
Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Joe Marconi
Premium Member Content
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By carmcapriotto
Can a break-up be the catalyst for an entrepreneurial leap? Find out during Shawn Gilfillan's 20 questions in 30 minutes episode! Shawn also discusses the importance of a strong business culture, mentorship, and the joy of hobbies like aviation. Shawn shares strategies for managing gross margins and the significance of client experience. Shawn Gilfillan, Automotive Magic, Kenvil and Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Shawn’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes
Automotive Magic (00:00:17) Shawn Gilfillan discusses the founding of Automotive Magic on April Fool's Day in 2003. Life Calibration (00:00:41) Shawn talks about his work with Chris Lawson and the high-performance team coaching program at Life Calibration. Life Calibration: From Burnout to Balance [THA 348]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/a348/ Mentorship and Self-Development (00:04:54) Shawn discusses the impact of mentors and self-development in his journey as a shop owner. Hobbies (00:06:10) Shawn talks about his hobbies, including aviation. Motivation and Business Culture (00:07:46) Shawn shares his motivation for getting up in the morning and discusses how he creates opportunities for others to thrive and elevates their performance. Advice and Fear (00:11:49) Shawn shares advice on overcoming fear and empowering employees as an owner/CEO. Book Recommendation (00:13:13) Shawn recommends "Hero on a Mission" by Donald Miller and discusses its impact on his perspective as a business owner. Building Business Culture (00:14:50) Shawn discusses the challenges and importance of building a strong business culture from the top down. Culture and Team Dynamics (00:15:40) Discussion on creating a positive work culture and building a cohesive team. Leadership and Vision (00:16:29) The importance of establishing a vision and values from the start, and involving the team in maintaining the culture. Client Experience and Relationship Building (00:19:36) Strategies for understanding and meeting client needs, and building strong client relationships. Adaptability and Change (00:20:47) The significance of embracing change and adapting to business challenges. Leadership Crisis and Team Support (00:21:00) Dealing with unexpected managerial crises and the importance of team support. Personal Development and Skills (00:23:14) The desire for new skills and personal development, such as learning magic tricks. Business Management and Gross Margin (00:24:14) Strategies for managing gross margin and keeping front-end operations efficient. Car Count and Scheduling (00:25:35) Strategies for managing car count, scheduling, and maintaining workflow in the shop. Future Reservations and Client Commitment (00:27:21) The importance of setting future reservations and ensuring client commitment to scheduled appointments. Leadership Communication (00:29:17) Encouraging a shift in language and communication to emphasize the importance of future reservations. Hiring and Relationships (00:30:12) Discussion on hiring and relationships in the workplace, including the impact of personal relationships on work performance. Dream Car (00:31:37) Shawn's dream car and the enjoyment he derives from it. Opening a New Shop (00:32:11) The three important needs for opening a new shop: location, good people, and effective marketing. Marketing Strategy (00:32:33) The success of giving away the first hundred oil changes for free as a marketing strategy. Firing a Customer (00:33:52) A recent incident of firing a customer due to their attitude and behavior at the shop.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -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
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