Quantcast
Jump to content


How to keep your tech happy?

David S.
 Share

Recommended Posts

David S. Rookie

David S.

Posted
Posted

I have a 4 bay shop with 2 techs, stay very busy most of the time, I have a tech that has been with me for 20 years, He can pretty mutch fix anything i put in front of him, I pay by the hour 27$, Full medical with 2500$ deductable and 115 a month life ins, I have not given any raises i a few years, He is starting to question what more i can do, I do not want to loose him, but i do not know how i am paying compared to other shops, Anyone have any creative ideas? what are shops offering for benifits, retirement, Thanks David

Link to comment
Share on other sites
David S. Rookie

David S.

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It’s a little complicated, but I will do the best I can to explain.

 

When a tech is hired we track the techs labor hours sold and compare those hours against the hours worked. In other words if a tech books 20 hours in a 40 hour work week, that tech is 50% productive. If the tech books 40 hours in the same week, then that equates to 100%.

 

What we do for all new techs for the first 6 weeks is to find what their average potential is and after 6 weeks we will give them a bonus (based on the hourly rate) for every hour they book over their average. The average potential becomes their minimum level of performance expectation.

 

So, let say a new tech averaged 35 hours in a 40 hour week for the first 6 weeks of employment; the 35 hours becomes his goal to beat. Anything above that, he will receive a bonus. If he books 39 hours for a 40 hour week, he get 4 extra paid hours.

 

Now the goal is get that tech to 100% level. Each month we raise the bar and within 6 months the tech has to achieve 100% in order to get any bonus.

We feel that this is fair because it allows the tech to compete against himself and not other techs.

 

With that said, there is a lot that goes into maintaining high productivity levels: wasted time with comebacks, wasted time with waiting for parts, the wrong parts, defective parts, not selling enough labor hours, giving away diagnostic time, slow service advisors not selling the work quick enough, shop layout, tool truck time, cigarette breaks, late back from lunch…..you get the idea. The only way to truly get shop production up is to do a complete shop analysis of where the bottle necks are and track every minute of the tech’s time.

 

I hope this helps.

Thank you, Very helpfull, Wish i found this site sooner, Its nice to be able to see what other shops are doing, hopefully i can help also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Available Subscriptions

    See all Subscription Plans

  • 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.

  • Similar Topics

    • Joe Marconi
      How Do You Handle Techs Who Don't Want to Attend Training
      By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • carmcapriotto
      Sometimes You Just Have To Go To War [E110] - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast
      By carmcapriotto
      Welcome to the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Brian Walker. In this solo episode, Brian discusses the importance of taking massive action during slow business periods. 
      Drawing from a recent conversation with a shop owner, he shares strategies to combat slow times, including leveraging networking groups like BNI, using your CRM effectively, creating engaging video content, and offering incentives.
      Brian also highlights the importance of personal health and well-being, emphasizing that a healthy business owner is crucial for a thriving business. 
      Tune in for practical tips to help fill your bays and keep your business thriving.
      Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Greg Buckley at Buckley's Auto Center : https://www.youtube.com/@BuckleysAutoCare/featured
      Charlie's Foreign Car
      https://www.youtube.com/@fixingcars
      Royalty Auto Service
      https://www.youtube.com/@theroyaltyautoservice
      Dave’s Auto Center
      https://www.youtube.com/@DavesAutoCenterCenterville
      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
    • carmcapriotto
      Disruptive Insights from Other Industries for Auto Repair Shop Owners [E174] - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
      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, Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching emphasizes the importance of seeking inspiration and innovation outside the auto repair industry. He challenges shop owners to break out of their comfort zones and learn from disruptors in fields like hospitality, retail, healthcare, and fitness. Chris discusses how adopting customer-centric approaches and technologies from these industries can transform auto repair businesses.
       
      For instance, he highlights how the hospitality industry's focus on exceptional customer service and personalized experiences can be mirrored in auto repair shops to build stronger customer relationships and loyalty. Similarly, he points out how retail's use of data analytics and customer feedback can help auto shops better understand their clients' needs and preferences, leading to more tailored services and improved satisfaction.
       
      Chris also explores how the healthcare sector's emphasis on transparency and trust can be applied to auto repair, fostering a more open and honest communication channel between mechanics and customers. Additionally, he draws parallels with the fitness industry's use of subscription models and community-building strategies, suggesting that auto repair shops could benefit from implementing similar membership programs to ensure steady revenue and customer engagement.
       
      He encourages proactive learning, attending conferences, and networking with professionals from other sectors. By stepping outside the traditional boundaries of the auto repair industry, shop owners can gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can set them apart from competitors.
       
      The episode concludes with practical steps for implementing these innovative ideas to enhance customer experience and drive positive change in auto repair shops. Chris provides actionable advice on how to start small, such as introducing a customer feedback system or experimenting with new service packages, and gradually scale up these initiatives. He also stresses the importance of continuous improvement and staying adaptable to evolving customer expectations and industry trends. By embracing these strategies, auto repair shops can not only improve their operations but also create a more engaging and satisfying experience for their customers.
       
      The power of looking outside our industry (00:01:05)
      Exploring the importance of learning from disruptors in other fields to stay ahead of the curve.  
      Innovation at the edges (00:03:26)
       
      Discussing how innovation often occurs at the edges of industries and the benefits of looking beyond traditional practices.  
      Examples of disruptors in other industries (00:04:37)
       
      Exploring examples from healthcare, food and beverage, connected fitness apps, and education to draw insights for auto repair business.  
      Implementing ideas in auto repair shops (00:09:41)
       
      Strategies for implementing ideas from other industries, such as networking, adopting technology, experimenting with service models, focusing on customer experience, and empowering the team.  
       
       
      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
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • carmcapriotto
      Can't We All Just Get Along? With Tanner Brandt [E143] - Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      Matt Fanslow and guest Tanner Brandt discuss the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the state of the country, and the impact of political polarization. They explore how media influences public opinion and the role of political figures in shaping societal views. The conversation highlights the need for civil discourse, critical thinking, and seeking diverse perspectives to counteract the echo chamber effect of social media. understanding in political discussions.
      Show Notes
      The assassination attempt on Donald Trump (00:01:19)  Reactions and media influence (00:03:07)  Civil discourse and collaboration (00:06:14)  Impact of political polarization (00:09:24)  Media influence and party allegiance (00:13:15) The 24-hour news cycle and political leanings (00:17:31)  The influence of social media algorithms (00:21:19)  Creating echo chambers and misinformation (00:25:11)  Social media's impact on the youth and political divide (00:30:17)  The need for leadership and setting an example (00:33:24)  Raising Respectful Kids (00:34:24)  Generational Toughness (00:35:13)  Understanding Power Dynamics (00:36:09)  Real Life vs. Online Behavior (00:37:36)  Media Influence and Perception (00:41:16)  Seeking Positive News (00:42:50)  Finding a Hobby (00:45:18) Avoiding Politicization (00:49:05) NASTF (00:49:55)  Congress Behavior (00:51:15)  Congressional Discussions (00:52:32)  Ego in Politics (00:55:24)  Economic and Social Issues (00:59:02)  Interest Rates and Younger Generations (01:00:44)  Healthcare and Future Concerns (01:02:24)  Local Governance and Youth Leadership (01:05:26)  Caring for the Community (01:06:34)  Striving for Better (01:07:38)  Social Media Impact (01:08:46)  Forming Opinions (01:10:06)  Media Influence (01:11:14)   
      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
    • Joe Marconi
      Let me Repeat - Sell Maintenance, Stay in Business
      By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • nptrb

    Tax Season Preparation: A Comprehensive Guide

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 1,357 views
    nptrb

    Understanding S-Corp Distributions and Draws | Are They Taxable?

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 1,522 views
    nptrb

    Spring Clean Your Finances: 5 Steps Every Business Should Take

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 1,298 views

  • Our Sponsors



Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...