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By Joe Marconi in Joe's BlogI 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!”
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By Joe Marconi
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By carmcapriotto
Recorded Live at MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems) 2024 Training Event & Trade Show, Adam Kimmel discusses the refrigerant and thermal management industry. He highlights the significance of air conditioning technology in vehicles, the essential use of fluorine in refrigerants, and the evolution of refrigerants for environmental safety. Adam Kimmel, Koura, [email protected] Show Notes
The importance of air conditioning (00:00:01) Discussing the significance of air conditioning in vehicles and homes and the commitment of industry professionals. Understanding fluorine in refrigerants (00:01:53) Evolution of refrigerants (00:05:16) Future challenges and developments (00:10:19) Regulations and alternatives (00:14:18) Safety and handling precautions (00:16:10) Engineer training and transparency (00:17:11) Understanding refrigerant nomenclature (00:19:47) Efficiency and GWP (00:25:38) Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX and NAPA TRACS Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
Matt Fanslow and guest Justin Morgan tackle various issues within the automotive industry during a live "Ask Us Anything" session. They discuss the struggle for industry respect, the challenges small shops face, and the crucial role of specialization. The conversation highlights the importance of training for staff development and the difficulties in motivating technicians to attend. They also explore the impact of influential figures on training, the dynamics between shop owners and technicians, and the importance of mentorship for new technicians.
Show Notes
The barrier to elevating respect in the industry (00:01:18) Discussion on the challenges and factors affecting the level of respect in the automotive industry. The importance of specialization for small shops (00:09:26) The challenges faced by smaller shops and the importance of specializing in specific car lines or services. The impact of training on staff improvement (00:14:55) The significance of training and its role in enhancing the skills and knowledge of staff members in the automotive industry. The frustration of low training attendance (00:15:17) Discussion about the disappointment of low training attendance and the struggle to motivate technicians to take advantage of available training opportunities. The lack of awareness about available training (00:17:20) Exploration of the widespread lack of knowledge about the existence of various training resources and events within the automotive industry. Challenges of implementing online training (00:19:22) Discussion about the resistance and challenges in implementing online training, including the mental block towards online training and the lack of engagement with online resources. Differentiating job from career mindset (00:21:02) Exploration of the distinction between a job mindset and a career mindset and the difficulty in converting individuals from one mindset to the other. Discussion about specialized tools and training costs (00:25:21) Conversation about the cost and necessity of specialized tools and training, particularly focusing on the cost of entry and P-WAS tools for specific car lines. Challenges Faced by Small Shops (00:32:00) Challenges faced by small shops and the struggle for improvement and recognition. Perpetuating Positive Evolution (00:38:29) Addressing the negative attitudes towards the automotive industry and encouraging perseverance and growth. Delayed Gratification in the Automotive Industry (00:42:26) Comparison with other skilled trades and the potential for growth and success in the automotive industry. Investing in New Technicians (00:43:28) Discussion on investing in new technicians, advice for newcomers, and the challenges of starting out in the automotive industry. Discovering Your True Calling (00:45:11) Exploration of finding one's true calling, the expectations on young people, and the importance of giving opportunities without bias. Developing Mechanical Aptitude (00:46:21) The impact of changing environments, the lack of mechanical aptitude in younger generations, and the need for patience in skill development. Dealing with Frustrations in the Trade (00:50:01) Addressing the difference between frustration with vehicles and feeling stuck in the trade, and the importance of managing toxic work environments.
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
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By carmcapriotto
As tax season 2024 unfolds, many entrepreneurs find themselves grappling with previous years' unpaid taxes, alongside the looming obligations for the current year. This episode gets into practical solutions for managing tax debt, with real-life advice and expert insights to navigate this challenging aspect of business ownership.
• Understanding Your Options with the IRS: Setting up a payment plan with the IRS is the most common recourse for those unable to pay taxes in full. Learn about the prerequisites, process, and potential pitfalls. How does the IRS view income versus payroll tax debts? What are the crucial differences that could affect your business?
• The Truth About Offers in Compromise: Offers in Compromise (OIC) might seem like a silver bullet for tax woes, but they're often misunderstood and not as easily attainable as advertised. I I try to demystify OICs, outlining the qualifications, processes, and the reality behind settling tax debts for "pennies on the dollar." Why are these offers rarely the best solution for most taxpayers?
• Practical Tips and Real-World Strategies: Beyond understanding IRS mechanisms, this episode provides actionable advice for managing and potentially settling tax debts. From negotiating with state tax authorities to leveraging existing assets and income for a better outcome, learn strategies that could save your business significant amounts of money and stress.
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By carmcapriotto
In this week’s episode of Business by the Numbers, Hunt welcomes Mike Edge from Tread Partners, a fellow podcaster from the Gain Traction Podcast. The dialogue explores the symbiotic relationship between tire sales and auto repair services, emphasizing the strategic value of incorporating tire sales into auto repair shops' service offerings.
Why Sell Tires in Auto Repair Shops? Discover why even repair shops traditionally not focused on tire sales should consider offering tires to their customers. Mike Edge shares insights on how selling tires isn't just about the transaction; it's about fostering long-term, loyal customer relationships. This segment explores the concept that selling tires can be a gateway to securing a customer's business for all their vehicle maintenance needs over the next three to five years. Operational Insights and Strategies: Learn from the practical experiences and strategies of shop owners who have successfully integrated tire sales into their business model. This part of the discussion sheds light on operational considerations, such as space management, inventory selection based on local demand, and the logistics of tire delivery and installation. It also addresses the challenges and benefits of balancing tire sales with high-margin service work, ensuring shops can maintain profitability while enhancing customer satisfaction and retention. Navigating Equipment and Supplier Relationships: For shops considering entering the tire business, this section provides valuable advice on selecting the right equipment and building beneficial relationships with tire wholesalers and distributors. It emphasizes the importance of investing in high-quality, reliable equipment to streamline operations and enhance service quality. Mike also highlights the critical role of choosing a supportive wholesaler, one that not only offers competitive pricing but also provides exceptional service, ensuring shops can meet their customers' needs efficiently and effectively. Realities of the Tire Business With Hunt Demarest of Paar, Melis & Associates
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Great news, you don’t have to go it alone. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Get a copy of my Book: Download Here
Aftermarket Radio Network
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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