-
Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
-
.thumb.jpg.2b345efc275b9df0af2bbb306a10a78a.jpg)
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!”
-
-
Similar Topics
-
By carmcapriotto
Guest host and shop tour with Niko Sougias, Charlie's Foreign Car, Encinitas, CA. Niko says customers want explanations about their car repair and he has found a way to connect with them on his YouTube Channel. Find out how he does it.
Niko Sougias, Charlie's Foreign Car, Encinitas, CA
Show Notes:
Building was built in 1988- waterless car wash on every car, 17 bays, 16,000 square feet in total (with showroom) People want explanations- make videos; technical education should have a time limit (60 seconds) Most watched video of 2023- control arm bushings Full-time employee (Jax) is the editor of videos Audio- quality is important with wireless mics Pre-Covid work- maintenance Post Covid work- boom of work, customers are authorizing more work to be done, almost doubled ARO Challenges- keeping loyal customers happy while being booked 2 weeks out Future think for 2023- monitoring new car sales with interest rates rising Lead technician is moving to the foreman position
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 partner:
Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
-
By carmcapriotto
Key Talking Points
“Top Internet Marketing Trends for your Repair Shop” OMNI channel marketing- be everywhere at all times Producing video content- It’s easier than you think, everyone has a cell phone to use, you don’t need a high budget. Contact hack for blogs- start typing in google and google will show what people are searching for. The goal is to get someone in the local market to find the blog. Grassroots marketing- birthdays, customers, Four pillars of marketing: website (70% of searches are mobile), SEO, paid search, social media Call to action on a website- click to call, click to schedule, click to ready google reviews, live chat How are people interacting? How do your customers want to interact? Are you future thinking? Update your website every 18-24 months to keep it fresh- research other websites in and outside of the industry. Ask others for their opinion Connect with the show:
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 partner:
NAPA AutoCare’s PROimage program makes it easy for you to make the most of the NAPA brand. A PROimage upgrade lets you maintain your shop’s identity as a reliable, locally-owned business while letting your customers and potential customers know you’re partnering with NAPA, the most recognized and trusted name in the automotive aftermarket. AutoCare Centers that have completed a PROimage exterior upgrade enjoy an average 23 percent sales increase during the first year. You can also choose to go PROimage on the interior and transform your customer waiting area from merely utilitarian to warm and welcoming. You can even get a free look by visting www.NAPAAutoCare.com and clicking on the NAPA PROimage link under the NAPA PROimage tab. Of course, the AutoCare site is also the place to go to find out about all the advantages being part of the NAPA family has to offer. www.napaautocare.com
Tony Mercury is the Vice President of Revenue for Autoshop Solutions. He's been helping shop owners market their businesses since 2015.
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
By carmcapriotto
Key Talking Points
Ad from craigslist- felt the culture and environment AAPEX attendees- impressed with the material and training, meet people from the industry, stay ahead of curve, energizing Breaking stereotypes of the automotive industry- surrounded by knowledge and opportunity Gaining interest if have no interest in cars- requires an interest in wanting to do better, higher purpose, “today I helped a single mom whose car broke down.” Providing perspective Passion vs purpose- passion can distract you, the purpose is a mental change and having an action Customer service/community service- how can we pay it forward? Business- like-minded individuals, excited to go to work, motivating each other Education and training- don’t fall behind, stay current Guidance- years of experience Goals- shop owner, the industry needs to encourage young shop owners to grow and create a youth movement “Dealership is an alternative to us” Communication- vital in day to day operations, crucial for the success of yourself (be open and communicate to the owner and managers), meet the goals you set What industry do you want to be a part of? What industry changes? “Most of the time people don’t want to tell you what they want, they wait for you to tell them what you expect.” Ego is the Enemy Book Connect with the show:
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:
This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com
Are you seeing auto shops in your area get hundreds of 5-star Google reviews and are you feeling left behind because your shop only has a few?
Hey look, Broadly is your answer to getting more online reviews. With more reviews, your business will rank higher in search results — and that means more customers coming into your shop every day. Broadly helps you automatically request reviews so that your customers can promote your business with just one click. When you immediately ask for a review after service, when the experience is still fresh in their mind, you’re more likely to get a 5-star positive review. Plus, asking for feedback makes your customer feel valued and more connected to your business. Isn’t that what you want a connected customer? See how Broadly can help grow your auto shop. Visit www.getbroadly.com/chat to learn more.
The Panel
Ethan Smith, Service Advisor, Casey Automotive, Chantilly and Sterling, VA, 20 years old. Listen to Ethan's other episodes HERE
Edgar Reyes, Service Director, Schertz Auto Service, Schertz, TX, 26 years old.
Nate Fink, Technician, Dynamic Automotive, Frederick, MD, 23 years old
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
By carmcapriotto
Carl Hutchinson, Complete Automotive, Springfield, MO has been in the car industry since 1982, but has worked on vehicles long before that time. He has a passion for engineering, for understanding how vehicles operate, and how to repair a customer’s concern. Earlier in his career, Carl started working at a GM Dealership, then went to work at independent repair facilities as a technician and eventually became a service advisor. Carl’s experience in the automotive industry led him to his current position as co-owner with Maureen Hutchinson of Complete Automotive in Springfield MO., where he works every day to provide high-quality, valuable service to all customers. Carl is an Alumni with Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield MO Campus. He currently sits on the Automotive Advisory Board with Ozark Technical Community College, a member of South East Rotary, and a member of the Springfield Midwest Auto Care Alliance chapter. Carl has his Master ASE Certification, L1 and Service Advisor certification and is an AMI Graduate.
Listen to Carl’s previous episodes HERE
Justin Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Automotive, Cornelia, GA. He is excited about the future of this industry with autonomous vehicles and the role the independent repair shop will play in that arena, and with the changing landscape how we are going to have to be nimble and adapt to stay relevant. Leadership is something that is extremely challenging to him but rewarding when done right. He had some leadership failures and wins which are adding to his growth in that area. His biggest challenge right now is the same thing that he is working on and that is building a great team. In the last 18 months, he had gone from leading himself and one other to leading 6 and still adding to keep up with growth.
Listen to Justin’s previous episodes HERE
AJ Nealey got the mechanical bug at a young age playing with Legos. The bug quickly escalated to wrenching on his own car in high school, to his first full-time job as a technician and also to a racing career. He started Nealey Auto Service, Edgewater, MD, out of his one bay garage in 2011 after his racing career came to an end. After he married his wife, Stephanie, in 2014. AJ and Stephanie decided to focus all energy and resources to grow Nealey Auto Service. It all started with taking RLO Training’s Guerilla Shop Management course. Since then, they have grown to a 9 bay facility with 8 employees and have increased sales a total of 1172% since then.
Listen to AJ’s previous episodes HERE.
Jeff Walter, Zimmerman’s Automotive Tire Pro, Auto Sales and Service, Mechanicsburg, PA
Barry Barrett, a Certified EOS Implementer. As an EOS Implementor in his company, Business With Purpose, brings dedicated support to Leadership and Sales teams in all types of organizations, helping them structure the six key components of their business to make it operate with the best processes for their specific industry, using the EOS Model. Barry’s energy is contagious no matter if he is in a session with a client, giving a keynote address, or rolling up his sleeves in a workshop. Barry is a business coach with his positive mental attitude, incredible work ethic, and determination for excellence, his results-oriented approach is matchless. Barry is driven, caring, and passionate; traits that he uses to help his clients grow their businesses in a positive way.
Find Barry’s other episodes HERE.
Barry Barrett Contact info HERE
Key Talking Points
EOS Life- Getting time back and living the life you want to live. Do what you love, with the people you love, make an impact on the world, be appropriately compensated, and have time for other passions. “Get stuff done system with a cohesive leadership team that executes.” Being involved in every aspect of the business to getting systems in place and building a team- what are your strengths to move your business forward? Having an Integrator to help free the Visionary to cast the vision and grow the business- unload some of the duties and questions that filter to you as an owner, the Integrator holds the other employees accountable Your leadership team trumps your ideas as an owner- they often have a bigger vision than you Expanding seats- growing to a second location The leadership team solves its own issues without input from owners Building a cohesive leadership team changes the game for scalability Self-implementing at first- start with traction first instead of vision, have buy-in with your leadership team at the beginning. Then bring in a certified implementer Do your employees know where they stand in the business and how their actions affect the big picture. Being more efficient, not adding more cars- a small investment for a huge internal return 20 Groups is an industry-specific software, EOS runs that software. You should have 20 groups/coaches for a long time and be able to graduate from the EOS process within 2 years. Favorite EOS tools- structured format of L10 Meeting, right people right seat, VTO (vision, traction, organizer), to-do lists Connect with the show:
Subscribe on YouTube
Visit us on the Web
Follow on Facebook
Become an Insider
Buy me a coffee
Important Books
Aftermarket Radio Network
Check out today's partners:
This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. The Virtual AAPEX Experience 2020 is in the record books. Virtual AAPEX lived up to presenting leading-technical and business management training from some of the industry’s best and brightest. Now set your sights on the homecoming in Las Vegas in 2021. Mark your calendar now … November 2-4, 2021, AAPEX // Now more than ever.
This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com/carm
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
-
-
Our Sponsors
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now