Quantcast
Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

Posted

I guess I fall under the category of "Old Timer" now... My shop radio has never been shut off since I opened my shop some 28 years ago. Several years ago the one channel went out so I wired all the speakers to the same channel. But, it's on all the time in the background.

 

Why? I don't know, it's just is........... :)

 

 

 

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

Posted

I guess I fall under the category of "Old Timer" now... My shop radio has never been shut off since I opened my shop some 28 years ago. Several years ago the one channel went out so I wired all the speakers to the same channel. But, it's on all the time in the background.

 

Why? I don't know, it's just is........... :)

Posted

I don't know if it is right or not. Our Techs have their radios going all the time. They don't talk to customers, usually. If we have to take a customer back to see something on their car, the techs are really good about turning down or off their radios. If it makes them happy and work better, I don't care. The cell phones, texting, craigs list, facebook etc do drive me crazy. We try to control it, but I don't see how you can control it 100%.

Posted

I don't know if it is right or not. Our Techs have their radios going all the time. They don't talk to customers, usually. If we have to take a customer back to see something on their car, the techs are really good about turning down or off their radios. If it makes them happy and work better, I don't care. The cell phones, texting, craigs list, facebook etc do drive me crazy. We try to control it, but I don't see how you can control it 100%.

 

As long as they are not playing rap or worse "gansta" rap, it is ok with me.

Posted

Mine is on a mix station, that way nobody complains.... but, after a while I gotta change the station... they keep playing the same songs over and over and over..... LOL

 

We have country on the radio here (which I don't really care for but don't mind) It could be worse like was mentioned.

Posted

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

 

I'm a one man shop right now and usually have the radio on. On occasion I'll turn it off just for the peace and quiet, or so I can inspect for a noise or something similar. When I worked at other shops some had NO RADIO policies, others had, "It's OK if nobody complains," policies. The no radio shops were strictly because the foreman didn't like that, "Junk you kids listen too." I guess since it wasn't a wax cylinder Victrola it was too new-fangled. One shop was no radio in the new shop, a fire destroyed the first building and everything in it including a '73 Jensen Intercerptor), although the owner's kid could have his radio. This guy was a joke, I called him "master mechanic" because he could do only brakes and then only on cars for a used car lot because he had no certifications. Enough of the rant though, I've only ever heard one good excuse for no radios, and that's when the techs in the shop get into "radio wars" where each one tries to outdo each other with volume. Then it's a destructive environment.

  • 7 years later...
Posted

I allow the radio to be on but it has to be a music station. Music, when played at a respectable volume does not hinder productivity as far as I can tell. Talk radio on the other hand reduces productivity since a tech or worse yet multiple techs will pause and limit noisy activity to be able to hear the discussion on the talk show. Additional time is then wasted when the techs render their opinion on the subject at hand, all work stops for a verbal review, not good. Another problem is that some talk radio station topics or hosts can be rather questionable and often step over the line considering anyone could be listening. On nice days with all of the doors open this questionable content can be a problem since customers, in particular women and young children, are within ear shot. Everyone in the shop is similar in age so the music station selected is never an issue. My one tech started changing the station to classical music after all the jobs are done and the shop is shut down and quiet. I have never liked classical music but when played in the background at the end of a busy day it seems to have a subtle calming effect. I never thought I would say that.

Posted

An "old timer" told me he leaves it on to scare away potential break ins when the shop is closed. The thought process is the would be thief would here the radio and think someone is still inside. 

  • Like 1
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
On 3/4/2011 at 6:56 AM, CARMandP said:

I was talking a few months ago to an old-timer who has been building race engines for 50 plus years and he mentioned something about never turning his radio off in the shop. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard the significance or reason behind this? You could bearly hear the radio was on but thought it was interesting.

Way back then the believe was that the radio internals get hot, when switched off it will form condensation and eventually blew the caps & resistors leaving the radio useless.

My radio in the shop has been on for the past 24 years non stop.

 

  • 5 years later...
Posted

Change of direction on this topic... EARBUDS! What are the thoughts on this? I have techs that you can walk up behind and scare because they are so focused in on the earbuds especially with noise cancelling. I can understand new technology and now we wont have radio station battles but its hitting a point I see lack of focus and am concerned on safety. How are you all dealing with this or have you even started to see the negative trends I'm noticing?

  • Like 1
Posted
5 hours ago, Silver Star said:

Change of direction on this topic... EARBUDS! What are the thoughts on this? I have techs that you can walk up behind and scare because they are so focused in on the earbuds especially with noise cancelling. I can understand new technology and now we wont have radio station battles but its hitting a point I see lack of focus and am concerned on safety. How are you all dealing with this or have you even started to see the negative trends I'm noticing?

Not a fan of earbuds. Too many hazards in the shop, you need all your senses. Plus once those earbuds are in, the person is in their own world. The wrong message in my opinion. 

If employees are overconcerned about background music, and the shop cannot come up with a compromise, that alone is an issue. 

Posted

Ear buds should never be allowed. The customer and in turn the shop owner is paying techs for their undivided attention. Music that everyone in the shop can agree on or no radio and definitely no ear buds. 

Posted

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

  • Like 2
Posted
12 hours ago, Transmission Repair said:

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

You make a lot of sense, and I agree!

  • Like 1
Posted

Thanks for the response guys, my thoughts are the safety issue alone is a problem. I had not thought of the undivided attention is what I'm paying for but that's very true, I want all senses working at solving issues with customers cars. Thanks again for the input I appreciate the insight!

Posted
13 hours ago, Transmission Repair said:

My first time the topic of a radio/music came up was over 30 years ago and I was an employee.  Most transmission shops have a "building room" and transmissions aren't built in the open shop.  I have always preferred to NOT HAVE any radio/music when building transmissions.  To me, it's too distracting.  I prefer total silence.  The only noise I would hear when building transmissions was only the sound of blowing parts dry or the parts washer running.  I've always been that way.

Ever since I became self-employed, I let the employees work it out between themselves.  It has never been a problem that I'm aware of.  I've never seen the use of earbuds or headphones by any employee.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  What HAS been a problem is when an employee performs a road test, they sometimes change the customer's radio station to their own and/or turn the volume up so loud, it blasts the customer's eardrums.  I had to institute a "don't mess with the customer's radio" policy.  It's bad enough when they change all the customers' mirrors.

Over the years, I finally got smart and included my radio/mirrors policy in the employee manual.

I was taught when I was first starting out in this business, DO NOT adjust the mirrors, the seat or the radio/climate control unless you absolutely have to. Such as, me being 6 foot tall and having customers whose seat is so close to the dashboard that my leg simply does not fit between the seat and dash. Or, if you have to turn off the radio/fan in order to hear a noise. And, of course if it is imperative for you to adjust the mirrors so you can see in the mirrors wile driving. I would impose and enforce the same with employees. I've gotten pretty good at driving and moving to see out of the mirrors when driving customers' vehicles.

Posted

A radio on in the background can be "tuned out" and isn't front and center in the techs' minds. But the earbuds are specifically for their attention and will interfere with their doing their jobs safely. Your techs may complain and resist, but at the end of the day, you are the one who pays for any injuries or damage (including through your insurance) because their attention was not fully on the job you are paying them for.

 

Regarding cellphones and facebook/ebay/craigslist/etc. NO! Just simply NO! If they need to make a phone call or take a phone call for an emergency or an urgency then it should be on the shop phone. Too many distractions or opportunities for malfeasance if they are allowed to "play on their phones."  Some of those emergencies or urgencies they have may be personal matters they have to attend to, such as doctor's appointments or a plumber for the leaking drain pipe or a roofer, kids' schools or daycare, etc. that can only be handled during business hours and not during their lunch. Oh, and ABSOLUTELY NO CELLPHONES ON TEST DRIVES unless it's been approved first (you know those situations when there is a possibility that they may need to call for a tow).

  • Like 1
Posted
33 minutes ago, TheTrustedMechanic said:

A radio on in the background can be "tuned out" and isn't front and center in the techs' minds. But the earbuds are specifically for their attention and will interfere with their doing their jobs safely. Your techs may complain and resist, but at the end of the day, you are the one who pays for any injuries or damage (including through your insurance) because their attention was not fully on the job you are paying them for.

 

Regarding cellphones and facebook/ebay/craigslist/etc. NO! Just simply NO! If they need to make a phone call or take a phone call for an emergency or an urgency then it should be on the shop phone. Too many distractions or opportunities for malfeasance if they are allowed to "play on their phones."  Some of those emergencies or urgencies they have may be personal matters they have to attend to, such as doctor's appointments or a plumber for the leaking drain pipe or a roofer, kids' schools or daycare, etc. that can only be handled during business hours and not during their lunch. Oh, and ABSOLUTELY NO CELLPHONES ON TEST DRIVES unless it's been approved first (you know those situations when there is a possibility that they may need to call for a tow).

Great points, and I agree. Too many things can go wrong in our business. We need to protect everyone involved. 

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
  • Available Subscriptions

  • 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.
  • Similar Topics

    • By JustTheBest
      Do you find your shop doesn’t even come up on Google search like the big shops or chains and delivering great customer service is hard, especially when you’re busy or short staffed?
      Do you find it hard to keep customers coming back? Is retaining customers a real struggle, never mind getting them to leave you a review on Google or begging them for new customer referrals. 
      If you’re tired of the car count rollercoaster, I’ve got a short (5 minute) loom video that shows you exactly how I can help you in less than 15 days… and it’s FREE! No, really!

      Check it out here!

      Matthew
      "The Car Count Fixer"


    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 212 - The Role of Technology in Modernizing Auto Shops with Monique from Shop-Ware
    • 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
      SHOW NOTES
      Connect with Chris: chris autofixsos.com
       Phone: 940.400.1008
       www.autoshopcoaching.com
       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ 
      AutoFixAutoShopCo
       Connect with Chris: chris autofixsos.com Phone: 940.400.1008 www.autoshopcoaching.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae 
      www.autoshopcoaching.com 
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ AutoFixAutoShopCoaching
      Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
      The Aftermarket Radio Network
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      To listen to more episodes, make sure and go over to iTunes and or Spotify.
      Don't forget to rate and review us!
      Connect with Chris:
      AutoFix-Auto Shop Coaching
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      www.aftermarketradionetwork.com
      #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
    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 211 - Trust, Ownership, and Ethical Sales with Kim and Brian Walker of Shop Marketing Pros
    • By nptrb
      It’s no secret that time is limited as an auto repair shop owner.
      Between diagnosing complex engine issues to managing your mechanics and creating a five-star customer experience, there’s often little time left to focus on your financials.
      But what happens when tax season rolls around, and you’re forced to buckle down on organizing your records and preparing your returns?
      At Three Rivers Bookkeeping, we know the needs of your auto repair business from the inside out. You’re dealing with parts inventory, labor costs, shop equipment, and fluctuating busyness. Navigating the intricacies of tax filing on top of all that can be a real headache.
      That’s why we’ve put together these practical tax tips to help you simplify the filing process! Follow these steps to get your financial house in order before the tax deadline on April 15th!
       
      Tax Tip #1: Organized Record-Keeping (From Day One!)
      This might sound obvious, but organized records are the foundation of stress-free tax filing. 
      Don’t wait until January to start sifting through a shoebox full of receipts. And if you’re reading this in April, remember to start getting organized now for next year!
      Implement a consistent system for tracking all your income and expenses throughout the year.
      Here’s a framework to follow to keep your records organized in your auto repair shop.
      Separate Business and Personal Finances: This is crucial. Keep your business bank accounts and credit cards strictly for business transactions. This makes it significantly easier to track income and deductible expenses.
      Categorize Everything: Establish clear categories for your income (e.g., labor, parts sales, diagnostics) and expenses (e.g., parts purchases, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, shop supplies). Use accounting software or even well-organized spreadsheets to do this consistently.
      Document Everything: Your records should be kept to the same standards as your shop schedule and organized and clear! Track your invoices, parts receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, and payroll records — no matter how small the cost! Every bit matters.
      Track Mileage: If you or your employees use personal vehicles for business purposes (e.g., picking up parts, making service calls), keep a detailed mileage log. This should include the date, purpose of the trip, starting and ending mileage.
      Organized records make it easier to identify deductible expenses, accurately calculate your income, and prepare your tax forms. This will save you tons of time and effort during filing season.
       
      Tax Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Leverage Technology
      Technology is your best friend when it comes to efficiently managing the finances in your auto repair business. If you’re still relying on manual spreadsheets and a spare notebook, it’s time to swap them out for accounting software that is designed specifically for small businesses.
      We recommend QuickBooks Online because it streamlines all of the important areas in business, including:
      Your financial tracking process Automated reports Invoicing Payments Payroll You can even connect it to your bank accounts and credit cards to make importing transactions and categorization a hands-free task. 
       
      Tax Tip #3: Know Your Deductions
      Your deductions can make or break you during tax season, which is why it’s critical for you to understand them! As an auto repair shop, your needs are very different from other service-based businesses.
      Knowing what you can deduct is key to minimizing your tax liability.
      Here is a checklist of common deductions specifically for the auto repair industry:
      Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Labor Costs Rent and Utilities Insurance Vehicle and Equipment Expenses Shop and Office Supplies Marketing and Advertising Professional Fees  
      Tax Tip #4: Plan Ahead and Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
      If you find yourself frantically scrambling at tax season, planning ahead WILL help! Make tax season simple by staying organized, having financial systems in place, and relying on automated software.
      Navigating your bookkeeping and tax filing on your own can be time-consuming and lead to costly errors.
      If you want to leave your tax filing to the professionals, we’d love to help!
      Three Rivers Bookkeeping specializes in working with auto repair shops, so you can rest assured during tax season. 


  • Our Sponsors

×
×
  • Create New...