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Posted

Hello, all!

Just wanted to say hi..

It's been a long road... Been in this business 24 years.. Owned my own shop (5 bay) for 13 years.. Realized going from an driveability auto mechanic/tech to a business man took some business education courses (Passion doesn't always cut it!)

Hired both ATI and Management Success over the years (Edit this, please, if we aren't supoosed to name drop) so I believe I have a handle on the ever-changing marketing aspects of the business.. Love to share my ideas and receive new ones from others..

Posted

Welcome to the site. I look forward to learning from you and hopefully having something that I can contribute to you. Make sure you are not a stranger.

Posted
  On 4/13/2010 at 12:23 AM, xrac said:

John, it is great to have you join us. You have a nice website. Do you belong to Angie's List?

 

Thanks, guys!

I appreciate the compliment!!

Yes, we do belong to Angie's List..

Posted

Welcome, glad to have you here. Stop back often... there is always something going on here.

Check out everyones website when you have time, browse the posted messages and stories...

Any and all input is welcomed. Gonzo

Posted
  On 4/15/2010 at 10:16 PM, xrac said:

Gonzo how big is that bass in your avatar?

That I'm afraid to say is a small one... I think it was about 4 lbs. It came out of my pond in front of my house. I've got a 4 acre pond on my property. I've caught two bigger than that. Both close to 9 or 10 pounders... I'll have to post some pictures of the pond. You can link to my wifes website, I think she has a few photos there.

 

I'll post some here this weekend. It's the best part of living out in the country... (out of town that is) private fishing anytime I want. 5 minutes from a golf course...5 minutes from resturaunts, and a billion miles from the shop.... ah... the serenity...

Posted
  On 4/15/2010 at 10:25 PM, Gonzo said:

That I'm afraid to say is a small one... I think it was about 4 lbs. It came out of my pond in front of my house. I've got a 4 acre pond on my property. I've caught two bigger than that. Both close to 9 or 10 pounders... I'll have to post some pictures of the pond. You can link to my wifes website, I think she has a few photos there.

 

I'll post some here this weekend. It's the best part of living out in the country... (out of town that is) private fishing anytime I want. 5 minutes from a golf course...5 minutes from resturaunts, and a billion miles from the shop.... ah... the serenity...

 

We have a listing on Angie's List but we're not a full- fledged member.. But we are considering... I'll let you know..

 

Gonzo, Where did you catch that bad-boy??

I live in Minnesota so fishing is always a favorite passtime...

Posted
  On 4/19/2010 at 7:10 PM, John Klarkowski said:

We have a listing on Angie's List but we're not a full- fledged member.. But we are considering... I'll let you know..

 

Gonzo, Where did you catch that bad-boy??

I live in Minnesota so fishing is always a favorite passtime...

About 300 yards from my front door... I've got a big pond on my property

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest 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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