Management Training?

[Joe Marconi]

Most shops understand the importance of technical training, but what about management training?

 

I would like to know what shops do as far as business management training.

[xrac]

Most shops understand the importance of technical training, but what about management training?

 

I would like to know what shops do as far as business management training.

 

Not much. Our franchisor provides some training. I usually spend 1-2 days in Chicago each year. We always have a nationally know speaker. Sometimes it is good and sometimes otherwise. The best thing about that meeting is the exchange with other owners. I have attend a few classes locally put on by vendors. I try to read as much as I can.

[Curt Hogan]

My first management training experience was many years ago, I would guess 20 years ago in Omaha Nebraska. I attended a 2 day training event by two upstart trainers whose names you may be familiar with. Mike Lee and Terry Greenhut. That was a 2 day training event to introduce us to another longer training event held in California that I decided against attending.

The best training I have attended was put on by a company called Horizon Training. Horizon had a rather unique arraignment where you took classes in 2 day modules and then went back to your shop to institute the things you learned. A month later, you attended another module and so on for 5 months. This training is undoubtedly the reason I am still in the biz today. I sometimes wonder if I should be glad or angry about that!

The trainer I had was named Kelly Bennett and I learned more from Kelly, that I use every day, than I would have ever imagined at the time.

By the way, There is a Hi-Tech expo and training opportunity in Kansas City in March each year that offers training in Management, Technical and even the Collision categories that I guarantee will compare to any you have ever attended. Ironically, Kelly Bennett is one of the trainers at this years event. I have added a link to the info to this post. Anyone interested should take a look. The course costs are very reasonable. Anyone interested in attending, let me know and I will gladly arrange a get together for AutoShopOwner members one evening.

 

http://www.visionkc.com/default.aspx

[Joe Marconi]

It appears we have been to many of the same seminars, but in different parts of the country. I know Terry Greenhut very well. He is from my area. He has also written articles for AutoShopOwner.

 

I also did the Horizon Training with my service advisors. I found it very benificial.

 

Do you know Jerry Holcom from S&S Service? He is also from Kansas City.

 

I will try to arrange to get out their for the Expo in March. It sounds like a wise investment.

[Curt Hogan]

I do not know Jerry personally but I have just started attending the ASA Kansas/Missouri ASA group , of which Jerry is an officer, the last two months. I attended the Oct meeting with speaker George Witt who I really enjoy and the result of the November meeting should be my new website launched in the next few weeks. I already have found value in the group and yet I have not become a member. Hmmmmmm,that needs to be corrected.

[Joe Marconi]

Jerry and I go way back to the early 90's. We were both CARQUEST Excellence Award Winners and members of the CARQUEST National Technicians Advisory councils for years. He is a good person. I have also attended George Witt’s seminars and home study courses.

 

Can you send me details of the EXPO? I want to post it on AutoShopOwner.

[Curt Hogan]

Joe,

The link that I posted at the bottom of post in #3 & #4 of this thread will take you to the Vision site.

[Joe Marconi]

Thanks!