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Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog5 commentsI 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 carmcapriotto
Recorded Live at Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo, Greg Bunch discusses the critical role of education, delegation, and elevation in the automotive industry. Greg shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from technician to shop owner and the necessity of adopting a mindset conducive to business growth. He emphasizes the importance of professional development and the dangers of becoming addicted to problem-solving and the impact on business growth. Greg Bunch, Aspen Auto Clinic, Transformers Institute. Listen to Greg’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes
The importance of education (00:00:01) Discusses the significance of education and professional development in the automotive industry. The impact of comfort (00:02:38) Explores the negative impact of seeking comfort and avoiding discomfort on professional development and business growth. The challenge of delegation (00:03:12) Discusses the difficulty of delegating responsibilities and the need for education and training in the process. The need for professional development (00:07:36) Emphasizes the importance of professional development and the lack of formal training in the automotive industry. Elevating and continuing education (00:12:44) Stresses the importance of ongoing education and elevation of employees, even after delegating responsibilities. Educate, Delegate, Elevate (00:16:44) Discussion on the importance of education, delegation, and elevation in business growth and leadership. Control Freaks and Coaching (00:18:03) Exploring the challenges of control freaks in business and the potential impact of coaching on their mindset. The Addiction to Problem Solving (00:19:35) The dangers of becoming addicted to problem-solving and the impact on business growth. The Challenges of Coaching (00:22:14) The stress and challenges coaches face in carrying the success or failures of their clients' businesses. Benefits to Retain Technicians (00:28:20) The importance of creating a positive culture and vision to retain talented technicians in the automotive industry. 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 tyrguy
Hey all,
Retired 5+ years ago and spend half my time down here in Florida. Haven't been on the forum in a few years. When I am up home in Ohio the tire dealer that bought my business and rents my building from me takes good care of all my vehicle service needs. My Mini needs a few things and I'd like to hook up with someone from this forum close to me down here.
Belt is squealing so probably needs a new belt, tensioner and idler pulley. Also need a new right side window motor.
Anybody close to Fort Myers Beach?
Mark Defer 330-603-5127
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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
In this podcast episode, Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching highlights the significance of always saying yes to customers in the auto repair industry. He recounts two examples where service advisors faced challenges in agreeing to customer requests. Cotton stresses the importance of customer satisfaction and the delicate balance of agreeing to customer demands without making unrealistic promises.
Saying Yes to Customers (00:02:36) Importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction and finding ways to say yes instead of no.
Handling Customer Requests (00:03:45) Addressing an instance where a service advisor struggled to manage customer expectations and deliver on promises.
Customer Service Skills (00:05:54) Emphasizing the need to take care of the customer, manage expectations, and avoid overpromising while saying yes.
Saying Yes and Managing Expectations (00:10:11) Discussing the importance of saying yes to customers while managing expectations and not overpromising.
1. Importance of not saying no to customers in the auto repair business
2. Instances of a service advisor struggling to say yes to customers
3. Emphasizing the need to prioritize customer satisfaction
4.Managing expectations while saying yes to customers
5.Not overpromising to customers
Quotes:
Coach Chris Cotton', '00:06:54', "How would you like it if you were leaving town in 24 hours and somebody said, 'Oh, you can't take your car because we can't finish it up'? It's just not the right place to be in."
'Coach Chris Cotton', '00:09:14', "The customer doesn't care about any of that; the customer just wants to know if you can help them or not."
'Coach Chris Cotton', '00:12:16', "If they're in front of you unexpectedly, say yes, smile, and be like, 'Oh, I'm so glad, Mrs. Johnson, that you're here today. I haven't seen you in a while. Absolutely, we'll take care of your crisis for you.'"
Connect with Chris:
[email protected]
Phone: 940.400.1008
www.autoshopcoaching.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
#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
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By carmcapriotto
"40 plus years in business and we had zero money in the bank." Bret shares his journey from struggling to successful business owner, emphasizing the importance of seeking outside help and continuous learning. He discusses the transformation of his business into a profitable venture with the help of a coaching company and the implementation of key profit indicators. Brett also highlights the significance of team training and understanding generational differences in the workplace. Bret Fadley, Fadley's Auto Masters & Tires, York, PA. Show Notes:
The rule of holes (00:03:00) Bret discusses the rule of holes and knowing when to stop digging. Struggling to save the business (00:03:29) Bret talks about the challenges his family's business faced after his mom passed away and left zero money in the bank. Turning the business around (00:06:08) Bret shares his resolve to turn the business around, pay off debts, and seek outside help through coaching to achieve profitability. Learning to run a business (00:12:04) The importance of getting outside help to learn how to run a business. The importance of team building through training events (00:16:48) Discussing the investment and decision to take the whole team to major training events for team building and a happier work environment. Understanding and adapting to the younger generation (00:17:52) Sharing the experience of attending a seminar with Sara Fraser on getting to know Gen Z and millennials and the importance of adapting to their work style and slang. The need to attract and encourage younger people in the automotive industry (00:20:28) Highlighting the importance of changing and adapting the industry to attract the next generation and addressing the tech shortage. Thanks to our Partner, Dorman Training. Training technicians today for the challenges of tomorrow! https://www.dormantraininglive.com/
Connect with the Podcast:
-Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Follow 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
-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
"Do you have the strength to be honest with yourself?" Michael Smith discusses the importance of personal and company-wide SWOT analysis. He explores the need for continuous learning, development and the role of collaborative feedback in identifying blind spots. He emphasizes the importance of going beyond the initial analysis to consider future goals and potential obstacles. Michael Smith, Herzberg Smith and Co, Michael Smith’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes
The concept of doing a personal SWOT analysis (00:01:57) Exploration of the idea of doing a personal SWOT analysis and the importance of getting feedback from others. Starting a personal SWOT analysis with a company SWOT analysis (00:06:23) Suggestion to start the personal SWOT analysis by first conducting a company SWOT analysis and using the insights to inform the individual analysis. The SWOT Analysis and Leadership (00:08:03) Discussion on the importance of doing a SWOT analysis for businesses and the role of leaders in driving the future of the organization. The Importance of Self-Development for Leaders (00:09:31) Exploration of the need for leaders to participate in their own self-development and identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The Path to Mastery for Individuals and Organizations (00:14:54) Emphasis on the ongoing and evolving nature of the path to mastery for individuals and organizations, and the importance of continuous improvement. The importance of individualized learning and development (00:15:03) Discusses the concept of individualized learning and development programs, focusing on strengths and weaknesses. The need for continuous learning and development (00:16:25) Emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and development, including attending conferences and reading books. The importance of accountability and institutionalizing development (00:18:10) Highlights the need for leadership to walk the talk, institutionalize development, and hold people accountable for continuous learning and improvement. The SWOT Afternoon (00:22:08) Discussing the concept of doing a personal SWOT analysis with the team and the benefits of fostering a collaborative culture. Facilitating the Conversation (00:23:14) Exploring the art of facilitating a conversation and the importance of listening and not interrupting during discussions. 360 Reviews and Mentoring (00:25:11) Explaining the use of 360 reviews and the importance of selecting trusted individuals for feedback, as well as the benefits of mentoring relationships within the organization. Inviting Industry Guests (00:29:56) Carm and Michael express their interest in inviting industry professionals to share their experiences and discuss the effectiveness of implementing the discussed strategies.
Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -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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