Full Moon - - - Is it just me, or does the moon make the crazy's come out??
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By Joe Marconi
I will never forget the day when a customer, who didn't like the price, took cash out of his pocket, crumbled up the cash, and threw the money at me.
This customer clearly crossed the line, in my opinion.
Before I tell the rest of this "true" story, I would like to hear from you: How would you have handled this situation?
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By Mike DelaCruz
A topic that I’ve become more and more interested in is the future of our industry, specifically when it comes to Technicians. I returned from the Spring Leadership Days in Orlando by Auto Care Association with an entirely new outlook, continuously reminding myself: What can I do to help strengthen our future?
As I scroll through my Facebook feed, reading through various forums and private group comments, I constantly hear about the Technician shortage and have been over the past few years.
Does that raise any concern that we’re still talking about this after several years?
As I read through the comments in hopes to find solutions, regrettably the majority of the comments are not solutions to the problem. So, my hope is to find a solution and identify what action I can personally take to help strengthen our future and do my part. I don’t want to spend anymore time talking about what we already know (tech shortage), and watch our industry reduce to rubble in the years ahead. Not on my watch… and I know a lot of you are with me! Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months and months turn into years. Let’s not wait!
As I visit shops around the country, which is my favorite thing to do, I notice a common pattern in the workflow. Nearly 70% of the shops that I have visited in the past year have empty bays. For example, a shop in the Bay Area I visited recently had 8 bays, but 4 were empty. They had 2 Technicians, who both told me they’re extremely busy and this has become the “norm” until they hire more Technicians.
Of course, the owners have “tried everything”, but what does that mean? Have they really tried “everything”, or are they looking for a band-aid to fix the short-term problem and not thinking about a long-term solution and preparing for the future?
Shops are busy right now and business is booming for most. So even though they have the Tech shortage issue on their minds, it’s less of a priority right now because they’re busy! It reminds me of what one of my favorite industry coaches (and friend) told me one time about “Panic Marketing”. Business slows down, then we expect our marketing company to step up some SEO or Ads and get cars in today, when in reality you have to plan out your marketing 6-months or a year in advance.
So what do we do when we have empty bays and a Tech shortage? Many will simply place an Ad on Indeed, cross their fingers and hope for immediate applicants! That quick-fix strategy will never work. But what will?
There are shops out there with effective strategies that actually work well. Look at what they’re doing and get some ideas. Joe Marconi has some awesome tips on hiring great people. Having worked directly with Joe, I’ve seen the success firsthand.
But for me personally, I’m more interested in the long-term and getting the “younger generation” interested in our trade. I think this will help shape our future. But how do we do this? Someone once told me, if every shop ran an Apprenticeship program, this would help solve the problem.
Is that the silver bullet? If not, what is?
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By carmcapriotto
Guest host and shop tour with Jae Malinowski, Faithfull Tirecraft, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Jae's shop has 5 shipping containers of customer tires. Find out why tires are an important part of his business.
Jae Malinowski, Faithfull Tirecraft, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Listen to Jae’s previous episodes HERE
Key Talking Points
Rebranding business, knowing who your customer is, and having a customer avatar Moving during COVID-19, leasing the current building Book recommendation Stolen Focus by Johann Hari- learn how to listen better, focus on the task at hand Tire storage- appointments twice a year 8k for a shipping container, Jae will cap at 6 containers on location.
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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
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By Transmission Repair
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By Joe Marconi
The only time I have done an exit interview is when a really good employee gave me his/her two-week notice. If I fired someone, I didn't bother to sit down with that employee, it was too uncomfortable for me. Maybe that was wrong?
People quit for a number of reasons. All of us quit our jobs to further our personal careers as shop owners. Some people quit to pursue other careers. Some quit because they believe they are working in a toxic work environment.
I do think there are lessons to learn with every employee that is leaving your company, for whatever reason.
Do you perform exit interviews? Are there lessons to learn?
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