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True story of a shop owner, Retires after 28 years


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I can't imagine working that many hours... the guy deserves a medal...

that's dedication...

Below is a link to a true story about a shop owner who is retiring after 28 years, working 7 days a week. He is 64 years old. Read it and let me know what you think...

 

http://dailyrecordne...1cc4c03286.html

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Below is a link to a true story about a shop owner who is retiring after 28 years, working 7 days a week. He is 64 years old. Read it and let me know what you think...

http://dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_af756d10-c5a2-11df-be2c-001cc4c03286.html


My business partner started our shop in 1972, thats 38 years ago. In that time, he built an empire and lost it all, and had to start all over again from scratch. It was nearing his 28th year, just like Ken Volland, that everything changed. It was the year he figured out how to finally run his shop profitably, and the year we started our huge leap in sales -- from under $1 million gross to $3.5 million gross three years later.

What I'm trying to say is, there's no reason to have to get out of the game after 28 years. It's one thing if guys like Ken Volland are ready to retire, but it certainly doesn't read that way. It seems like he's too tired of turning wrenches and has been hit too hard by the sour economy. How long would he keep going if he was managing remotely and making good money? It seems like he genuinely cares about his community and would go on if he wasn't there turning wrenches by himself.

Joe, you said tomorrow's shop owner may be different, but Terry (my business partner) isn't part of the next generation. He just didn't want to have to turn wrenches or struggle anymore so he decided to find a way to run his shop from home so he could spend more time with his grandchildren.

Ultimately, I'm trying to say that even if it's been a hard 28 years or working 7 days a week like Ken, it's still not too late to turn things around. You can spend time with your grandchildren, pursue your hobbies, AND run a successful shop at the same time. I've seen it happen in Terry's life.

-David

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      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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