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Hight Performance Shop Owner?


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Tim, welcome to the forum. It is good to have you! If you can give Geez some help I am sure it would be appreciated. I know quite a bit about General Liability insurance but have no exposure to how that shakes out in the performance end of this business.

 

I have owned my shop since 1998 and have done everything from classic Mopar and GM stuff to the "Fast and Furious" trends and now into the SVT Fords (lots of Cobras, Lightnings and GT500s). I've been a long time reader of the forum. I really like seeing topics pertinent to our business and seeing what everyone else is doing/ going through across the country....it makes me feel not quite so alone, lol.

 

The problem with my industry is the amount of animosity between shops. This just means that you can't exchange information with those around you. Thank god we have the internet, hehe.

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I couldn't agree more that is why myself I don't ever talk down my competition even if I think they did something stupid or are crooks. All you do when you say stuff like that is cause the people you are talking to wonder if that is how you talk about them...

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Unfortunately that is true. Shops love to down each other. However, in the long run that makes us all look worse. It is nice to be able to be on a forum like this and try to help each other, learn from each other, vent our frustration, and laugh at Gonzo's crazy stories.

 

 

Somehow, I think I'm out there reaching into everyones thoughts... to take life a little easier... one crazy customer at a time.

We all have to fix cars... we all have to learn new stuff that manufacturers develop. And, if in some little way we can help to bridge the gap between shops... I think it will make a better work place for all.

Thanks for the thoughts... I've got lots more stories... lots... Gonzo

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Thanks for your reply. You are right about animosity amongst the high perf. shops. We have a couple that really don't like us. We won't respond to them. This happens mostly on the car forums. I learned in the health business not to bad mouth the competition.

 

I PM'ed you.

 

Thanks.

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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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