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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
Raising labor rates is not just about increasing prices. It's about finding more value in the industry and positioning ourselves as professionals. Join our panel as they highlight the need for understanding the concept of effective labor rate, ensuring services are charged appropriately, viewing the business as a professional entity, providing a positive customer experience and addressing core business problems before raising labor rates. Our panelists encourage shop owners to take a comprehensive approach to their business strategy, considering all factors and not just focusing on raising labor rates. Aaron Woods, X-tra Mile Auto Care, Stillwater, OK. Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Listen to Aaron’s previous episodes HERE Brent Fleischman, Yocum Automotive, Republic, MO. AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching. Listen to Brent's previous episodes HERE Jennifer Hulbert, Service Plus Automotive, Calcium, NY. Institute for Automotive Business Excellence. Listen to Jennifer's previous episodes HERE Show Notes:
Raising Labor Rates: Importance and Impact (00:00:01) Discussion on the reasons to raise labor rates, the impact it can have on a business, and the need for a long-term strategy. Factors to Consider Besides Labor Rate (00:04:14) Exploration of other factors that contribute to a business's success, such as overall business strategy and addressing pain points. Calculating Effective Labor Rate (00:07:34) Importance of understanding and calculating effective labor rate, including the need to charge appropriately for all services provided. The mindset shift and the need to raise labor rates (00:08:33) Discussion on the importance of raising labor rates and positioning the industry as valuable and professional. The impact of undervaluing the industry (00:09:52) The negative effects of undervaluing the automotive industry, including difficulty in attracting technicians and obtaining loans. The bottom line and approaching the business as a business (00:12:10) The importance of considering the bottom line and treating the automotive business as a professional enterprise rather than a hobby. The importance of customer experience (00:17:59) Discussion on how people buy feelings and the need to focus on providing a positive experience in the automotive industry. Sharing new labor rates with the team (00:18:39) Importance of communicating labor rate changes to the team and how it helps maintain profit structure and make investments. Effective labor rate and its impact (00:19:03) Exploration of effective labor rate, its calculation, and the need to consider menu jobs and their effect on gross profit dollars per hour. The importance of personnel and procedural issues (00:27:40) Discussion on identifying whether the problem lies with personnel or procedural issues in a shop and the need to align the shop's mission and vision statements with its culture. Addressing cultural issues and offering training (00:28:50) Exploration of the top-down approach in addressing cultural issues, identifying personalities, offering training, and monitoring staff to create long-term relationships with customers. Considerations before raising labor rates (00:30:07) Importance of analyzing gross profit percentages, solving core problems, and focusing on profitability and core processes before considering raising labor rates.
Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management https://getshopware.com/ Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. http://DelphiAftermarket.com Connect with the Podcast -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -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
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By carmcapriotto
Matt Fanslow shares his frustrating experience with Facebook and its lack of customer support. On October 2nd he encountered issues with his account being hacked, password resets, and chaning email accounts. Matt expresses disappointment in Facebook's lack of support and contrasts it with other platforms like Google and Amazon. He also emphasizes the importance of two-factor authentication and shares his surprise at discovering vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Show Notes with Timestamps:
The background of the Facebook account (00:00:12) The usefulness of Facebook groups (00:03:18) Issues with Facebook account security (00:04:25) Facebook account being hacked multiple times and the challenges faced in trying to regain access to account. Loss of Facebook account and data (00:09:51) The complete loss of their Facebook account and all the posts, comments, and valuable information associated with it. Facebook's lack of support (00:10:51) The frustration with the lack of effective support from Facebook, despite the platform making money off its users. The dangers of accidental downloads and email vulnerabilities (00:16:51) How hackers can gain access to your computer through accidental downloads and vulnerable email settings. Tips for protecting your computer and multiple device usage (00:19:56) Advice on being cautious with downloads, using antivirus programs, and having separate devices for different purposes to enhance security.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech napaautotech.com
Email Matt: [email protected]
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel HERE
Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Today on Business by the Numbers, Hunt talks about potential government shutdowns. He discusses why we're here, including the Ukraine funding and the political spending tug-of-war.
• How can the wobbly government budget mess with our day-to-day? The ups and downs of the fiscal year and why getting those 12 funding bills passed is like herding cats.
• Real Talk: If things go south, how bad can it get for our government workers and contractors? And what does it mean for the rest of us – not just in the U.S. but globally too?
• Hunt also talks about projections regarding federal debt. He’ll break down some of the numbers, chat about the "now or never" vibes, and why October can be a financially volatile month.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
How do you know when to use Google Ads vs. when to use Facebook ads? The answer is rather simple but not always obvious. Join Kim and Brian as they explore the various situations when you would use each very effective digital advertising type!
Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
Talking Points
The difference between Google ads and Facebook ads (00:00:52) The speakers discuss the surface-level differences between Google ads and Facebook ads, with Google being used for search and Facebook for brand awareness. Using Google ads for retargeting (00:01:41) The guest shares a pro tip on using Google to search for products and then getting retargeted ads on Facebook from other potential companies. Using Facebook to find things (00:03:28) The speakers discuss using Facebook to find products or services by searching on Facebook Marketplace and getting targeted ads. The importance of Google ads (00:06:56) Google ads are effective for reaching people who are actively searching for auto repair services. The minimum budget for Google ads (00:07:34) A minimum budget of $1200 per month is recommended for Google ads to compete with other sponsored shops. The need for brand awareness advertising (00:10:47) Brand awareness advertising is necessary to replace lost customers and stay in front of potential customers. Staying in front of people and educating them (00:14:08) The importance of educating your audience about the services you offer and staying in front of them to retain clients. Facebook and Google ads for brand awareness (00:15:29) The differences between Facebook and Google ads for brand awareness and staying in front of people who are not necessarily looking for auto repair services. Targeting and geographic parameters for Facebook ads (00:19:00) The importance of setting geographic parameters and targeting correctly when running Facebook ads to avoid wasting money and getting poor results. Housekeeping and Engagement Opportunities (00:21:16) Housekeeping matters such as sending marketing questions, joining the Facebook group, and leaving podcast reviews.
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 carmcapriotto
How secure is your computer and internal network? Could it survive malware or a virus? For most of us, our system just runs and is out of sight, out of mind…until something happens. I’m with Tom Sciortino, a good friend and local shop owner in my hometown, and his business computer got hacked. Tom’s personal accounts were also hacked. He bought a couple of laptops he didn’t know about. Don’t let this happen to you; keep listening to find out how he discovered the hack and the changes he made to protect his network.
Tom Sciortino, Total Automotive, Buffalo, NY. Tom's previous episodes HERE
Key Talking Points
One of his 6 terminals was hacked in the shop. Hacker also had access to his home computer and Amazon account. Police traced recent order for 2 laptops to a home in Rochester, NY, about 80 miles away. Retrieved the laptops but couldn’t prove it was purchased by a hacker, no case can be created. Passwords had to be locked down, and lock computer system with password protection. Google activity is monitored weekly Have a system in place for checks and balances- when Tom first started his business he had an employee skim cash from check deposits and steal 8K in 5 weeks. Advice- have a good relationship with your IT and bankers. Evaluate your credit card chargeback policies and fraud alerts
Connect with the Podcast:
Aftermarket Radio Network
Subscribe on YouTube
Visit us on the Web
Follow on Facebook
Become an Insider
Buy me a coffee
Important Books
Check out today's partners:
Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2022. Mark your calendar now … November 1-3, 2022, AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR.
More Time. More Profit. Transform your shop at getshopware.com/carm
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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