-
Available Subscriptions
-
Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
-
By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt 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
If you're ready to skyrocket your car count so that you can finally make the money you know you and your family deserves, you're in the right place, because it's never been easier to grow your repair shop, as long as you have the right offers and deals to attract customers.
But I will warn you if you make the same flimsy and lame offers that are just like your competitors, you’re actually making it harder to grow than it ever has been before.
Because I want to make this easy, you’re lucky. Right now I’m starting a brand new Private Case Study Group where I will help 3 repair shops deploy my “Perfect Offer Formula” that lets you generate car count immediately, and if you start today, you can do it before Mother’s Day (May 11, 2025) and continue to do that month after month.
The best part is, you’ll do it all without ever discounting your prices, adding free services, or tossing in Give-a-Ways that only attract the bottom feeders and car owners without money.
In this case study, I’m going to give you the exact formula that you need so you can grow quicker without wasting time trying to figure out how to get car count and what to do next or what offers you should run this month.
Look, there’s only three reasons you’re not getting the car count you want right now…
#1) Either you don’t have a compelling offer that focuses on value -not price
#2) Your offers are just plain terrible and they aren’t what people want or need.
Or
#3) You don’t have the correct packaging or (as we call them, wrappers) for your offer.
What I see a lot of repair shops do is they literally just use flimsy lame offers that look just like what your competitor is doing…
Or they try to duplicate offers the big box auto repair shops are making…
Or they continue to discount their prices… trying to come up with that secret formula that makes some phony illusion of a great deal.
But all of that is just a race to the bottom.
This private case study program's going to solve all of that for you because I'm not only going to literally take you by the hand and show you everything that you need to do, I’m actually going to do it for you!
And this doesn’t matter if you don’t think you can do it, or you’re not good with that math and calculating prices, or even if the last offer or ad you ran was a total big fat loss!
We're actually going to be working together. And I'm literally going to tell you everything you need to do, starting from you spending 20 minutes setting up your pricing profile,
Then I’ll build out your personalized plan,
I’ll be tweaking things and helping you decide exactly what offer to create, and then do all the heavy lifting to create the three Value Wrappers… that make your offer stand out in your market; get car owners to stop and see your offer; then book their job immediately…(not next week, next month, or when they get around to it!) and much, much more
And then after that, you're going to get 30 days of check-ins where you can ask me questions.
I'll ask you to share your sales statistics and analytics so that we can improve them.
I'll send you new ideas for the other 3 Perfect Power Offer Strategies that are proven to work, and even do so much more, and by the end of that, you’ll have the complete “Perfect Offer Program” that will let you stop chasing car count once and for all!
And since I'm going to be coaching you throughout this program for your specific account, know that it doesn't matter what market you’re in; it doesn’t matter if you don’t have one of those fancy main street locations; and it doesn't matter how much marketing experience you have because I'm literally going to be meeting you exactly where you are.
No matter what you need, I'm going to help you do that.
If you need better wrappers (to actually get people to see your offer), I'm going to help you do that. If you need help putting your perfect offer together, I'm going to tell you exactly how you should be doing that differently so that you can skyrocket your car count.
In just the past few months, the typical repair shop that's gone through this program has grown their car count within 15 days of starting, and nobody has ever gained less than 10 new jobs the first month if they implement everything that I show them to do continually. (Your results may vary, depending on how well you follow our directions)
Now, there is one catch.
Actually, there’s three catches.
#1- This is a nationally advertised program across United States and Canada, and it’s limited to only 3 qualified repair shops.
#2- This private case study group is limited to only one repair shop per market. In other words, I won’t compete against myself.
#3- This may be the last time I offer this Exclusive One-on-One Case Study Opportunity to grow your car count immediately - because I'm still only one person, so I can only work with so many shop owners.
The longer you wait to grow your car count, the harder it's going to get started.
Please do not make the mistake that I made, which I literally regret every single day. That is that I didn't start growing car count earlier when I was a shop owner. Car count is the solution to just about every auto shop problem.
So if you don't sign up right now, it could decrease the odds that we can actually work together, because once we get the three shops we’re looking for, I'm going to have to shut this opportunity down.
That just means it's going to be even harder to grow your car count.
Remember, nobody else can provide and guarantee you results before Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, so please stop procrastinating.
Go below, register right now. I cannot wait to help you hit your goals because at the end of the day, you actually have nothing to lose.
I'm literally going to tell you everything that you need to do. You are going to implement it, and you're going to get the results that you want, period.
And oh, in case you’re wondering, there’s no money back guarantee… because this is a totally FREE Case Study Group.
That means there's zero risk to you if you sign up right now while you still can.
https://thecarcountfixer.com/go
Hope this helps! See you in the case study group!
Matthew
"The Car Count Fixer"
-
By carmcapriotto
Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound
Watch Full Video Episode
Today’s guest is Darren Mclea - whom our host, Craig O’Neill has been friends with since meeting the Mcleas (virtually) in 2018. In those days, Darren and Craig were working together on projects for adopting technology - but today’s episode goes much farther back than that!
Both Darren and Craig were born in the early 80’s and as such - carry similar generational experiences. While sometimes referred to as “Xennials,” Craig prefers to introduce himself as an “Elder Millenial.” In this conversation - which was sparked by a post Darren shared in social media - listeners will enjoy some nostalgia for times past, while contemplating technology's role in communication in the near future.
Specifically, Craig invites Darren to discuss why their unique generation’s upbringing and relationship with technology helped to shape their perspectives and outlooks today.
You will hear several topics and enjoy many reflections including:
How the speed and pace of information has changed. How problems with communication in the recent past may not have been bad problems to have. What the technology was like on Sept 11, 2001. A delightful musical “Come from Away” based on 9/11 and why Canada is a great neighbor (and how it highlights what technology was like on Sept 11, 2001) Parenting today’s youth in a technological era What would happen if a crisis occurred today and suddenly we had no smart phones? The importance of shared experiences. Why commercial breaks aren't always a bad thing. Brain calories. Newspapers. The good and the bad of analog and digital.
Listeners will enjoy the lightheartedness and good humor in this chat and yet may feel properly challenged to consider some of the ways we can recapture the good times in our present times.
You will be encouraged to keep your minds clear of clutter, and cultivate shared experiences with those around you. The good ol’ days are still here - if we let them be.
The word of the day: Posterity. pos·ter·i·ty. noun: All future generations of people.
About our guest:
Darren McLea grew up in the tire business and now helps advance the business development of tire and auto repair companies just like yours. His mission is to help you create long term, loyal customer relationships through effective communication, not just sell more tires.
https://www.djmsolutions.net/
Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:
The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com. "Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night's sleep. The Institute’s coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.
AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.com
AutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto Repair Shop Management Software!
Shop Dog Marketing at Shop Dog Marketing.com. "Want to see your auto repair shop thrive? Let Shop Dog Marketing be your guide. Our customer-first approach, combined with AI-driven creative content, ensures top rankings.
In-Bound at CallInBound.com. Cover your communication needs and revolutionize your auto repair business with AI-driven call analytics from InBound.
Contact Information
Email Craig O'Neill: [email protected] Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters
The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
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. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
By Joe Marconi
We all know that a great customer experience leads to great online reviews.
But what other methods do you use to get more reviews?
-
By Joe Marconi
Isn’t It Time We Rethink What a Master Level Technician Is?
By Joe Marconi, an Elite Worldwide Blog -
My roots in the automotive industry go back to the 1970s working in a small 2-bay auto repair shop. As a young technician, my goal was to attain the status of master-level. That meant that I was expected to repair or service nearly anything that rolled into my work bay. However, “anything” really only meant vehicles made by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. The Big Three, as they were once known, dominated the roadways in those days. With a limited number of vehicle brands to learn, it didn’t take long to become proficient in all areas of automotive repair, from engine mechanical, drivetrain, electrical, steering, suspension, and all other systems. That was back then.
Let’s fast forward to today. Unless you specialize in certain areas and/or on specific vehicle brands, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to be proficient in a wide range of vehicle models and vehicle systems. The training, technical information, and equipment that is required today to be an all-around master-level technician is too overwhelming.
In this blog, I will explore a few ideas and push the envelope with a few controversial concepts. My goal is to help advance the automotive aftermarket and to improve the perception the typical consumer has of our industry. Everyone employed in the automotive industry should feel proud of the work they do.
The Reality of Modern-Day Automotive Repairs and Service
Is it reasonable these days to expect a technician to solve a complicated check engine light problem on Lexus, then jump to an electrical fault on a Volvo, and then analyze a transmission issue on a Dodge diesel pickup truck? Is it also reasonable to expect that technician to remain highly productive bouncing from problem to problem on different vehicle brands? The belief that the average technician can attain master-level status on a wide variety of vehicle brands and in all areas of auto repair has become unrealistic. We need to define different criteria.
Should There Be a Change to ASE Certifications?
We also need to consider the standards set by ASE (Automotive Service Excellence). Achieving ASE Master Level status requires passing a series of tests in a particular area of expertise. Most technicians consider ASE certifications to be a badge of honor, an achievement of accreditation. There is nothing wrong with this. However, in this modern world of sophisticated automotive technology among a vast array of vehicle brands and systems, does passing a series of tests accurately determine someone’s skill level and proficiency? There is no doubt that the ASE does a great job of creating standards for our industry, and their dedication to our industry cannot be ignored. However, I believe that the topic of what determines a Master Level Technician is something that the ASE needs to take a hard look at.
A Shift in Our Mindset is Needed
About eight years ago, I hired a technician that emigrated from Greece., we’ll call him Pete. When I reviewed his employment application, he noted that he was an Undercar Specialist. In his home country, Greece, he was trained in brakes, steering, suspension, wheel alignment, driveline issues, axles, tires, and wheel balance. I hired him, at first, as a B-level technician. What I found out in a short time was something I never considered before. Pete was so competent in his areas of expertise that I eventually promoted him to A-level technician and paid him accordingly. By focusing on certain vehicle systems, he was able to become highly proficient in those areas; to the point where he was the go-to tech in my shop for any undercar problem. Pete’s work was top-notch, with virtually no comebacks and the highest quality. The question is, why shouldn’t Pete be awarded the recognition of Master Level in his field of expertise?
Here’s another thing to consider. We often complain about finding competent technicians. Techs that can handle everything we throw at them. Again, is this realistic? That may have been a reasonable expectation in 1985, but is it today? We need to shift our mindset and help young technicians choose their area of expertise, based on their strengths and preferences. This will build a larger pool of qualified technicians. This strategy would also open up more jobs for more people to enter our industry.
With the proliferation of technology, diesel, hybrids, and electrical vehicles, doesn’t it make sense to have many areas of master-level status? Perhaps we need to take a page from the medical field. In the medical field, you have surgeons, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, gynecologists, dentists, and more designations. They are all specialists in their particular field, and they are all called Doctors.
The Economic Reality
I want to address the economic impact of running an auto repair shop these days. There isn’t a shop owner today who is not financially affected by the evolution of the modern automobile. The associated rising costs for tools, equipment, training, and information systems are heading into uncharted territories. Can the average repair shop afford to keep current on all makes and models? Buying expensive equipment, for example, has become a challenge. Shop owners often struggle, asking, “Why buy an expensive piece of equipment, only to be used once or twice a year? Where’s the return on investment?”
With respect to being profitable, again I go back to what I stated earlier, can an auto repair shop be productive in all areas and on all makes and models? High levels of production are needed to generate profit. However high levels of production rely on creating processes on a predictable set of operations. What this means is that when a repair shop narrows its focus on what they do best, and on the vehicle brands they train on, those shops become more productive. They also become more profitable than those shops trying to be all things to all people.
My Proposed Solution
The automotive aftermarket industry must adopt a new way of thinking. Just like the medical field, technicians should be able to, and encouraged, to specialize. This would allow someone to achieve master-level status technician in a specific area of automotive repair. Just as in the example above with my technician, Pete, we would have highly skilled technicians proficient in different areas. We would have under-car specialists, transmission specialists, drivability specialists, EV/Hybrid specialists, engine specialists, and other designations. And they would all be considered Master Level Technicians in their field of expertise. Productivity and efficiency would improve, more jobs would be made available, and more people would have pride in what they do, and in the industry they work in.
Conclusion
At Elite Worldwide, we are committed to helping our clients stay on the cutting edge of business strategies. We are also firmly committed to elevating the auto industry, raising the bar for all auto repair shops, and for those working in the automotive aftermarket. From our Top Shop Coaching programs, Pro Service peer groups, and our service advisor Master’s Program, Elite has the business solutions to help you take your company right to the top!
View full article
-
-
By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, Auto-Fix Auto Shop Coaching, and Today's Class Recorded at the 2024 ASTA Expo, Dewain DeGarmo from Black's Tire & Auto Service and David Boyes from Today's Class discuss the evolving landscape of training and education in the automotive repair industry. Dewain, overseeing training across 60 stores, shares the challenges of managing a large team while introducing innovative strategies to improve knowledge retention and performance. He also talks about his role as a "puzzle master," tackling complex technical problems and spearheading training programs, including a creative prize system to motivate teams. The discussion highlights how technology is driving improvements in training within the industry. Dewain DeGarmo from Black's Tire & Auto Service David Boyes, President of ‘Today’s Class” An online learning organization that has been supporting the automotive industry for more than 20 years. David’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode ASTA EXPO: https://astaexpo.com/ Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Managing a Large Team (00:02:37) Challenges of Change (00:03:28) Joy in Team Development (00:04:14) Dwayne's Journey in the Industry (00:04:31) Becoming the Puzzle Master (00:06:05) Training Evolution (00:08:14) Competitive Training Environment (00:09:29) Unique Prizes in Training (00:11:05) Wrestling Belt as a Prize (00:11:21) Measuring Team Performance (00:12:05) Daily Training Consistency (00:14:06) Dashboard Insights (00:15:10) Building a Training Portal (00:16:02) Aggregating Training Resources (00:16:48) Challenges of Local Training Attendance (00:19:12) Balancing Work and Training (00:20:23) TPMS Training Insights (00:21:06) Generational Work Ethic Discussion (00:22:05) Microlearning for Team Training (00:22:21) Identifying Training Gaps (00:23:01) Investment in Training (00:24:25) Balancing Training Opportunities (00:26:15) Cultural Integration of Training (00:29:00) Importance of Communication Tools (00:32:45) Team Engagement Challenges (00:35:01) Culture of Continuous Learning (00:35:08) Incremental Improvement (00:36:14) Personal Ownership of Knowledge (00:36:29) User Motivation for Training (00:36:47) Boosting Training Scores (00:37:11) Conferences and Learning Retention (00:37:35) Custom Training Requests (00:39:58)
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS 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/ Thanks to our Partner, Auto-Fix Auto Shop Coaching Proven Auto Shop Coaching with Results. Over 61 Million in ROI with an Average ROI of 9x. Find Coach Chris Cotton at AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching on the Web at https://autoshopcoaching.com/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -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 X: 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 -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections 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