Quantcast
Jump to content

Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels - - - - A Dad, a squirrel, and the son's car.

Gonzo

By Gonzo
in AutoShopOwner Articles

 Share

Recommended Posts

Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
Posted

Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels

tp.gifMy son Mitchell just turned 16 and I promised him I'd get him a small economical car to drive if his grades were good. Good??? I never did that great in school compared to this kid. Straight A's for this kid. I'm really proud of the little guy. He's on the debating team, the Quiz bowl team and several others. He even played tournament chess for a couple of summers and did really well. In fact made it to 3rd in the state for his division until he… well, as he put it… retired. Now he's into some sort of tournament card game that I have no idea what it's all about. (Smart kid to say the least.)

 

One thing he's never taken an interest in is cars or anything mechanical. I've been tinkering on engines and anything that rolled, slid, or moved for as long as I remember. But, not this kid. He's more into computer programming and science stuff. I'd like him to learn a little bit about what his father does for a living, however, when the subject comes up he's more than likely to avoid anything to do with anything mechanical. But, I might find a way he can't avoid. I'll just have to wait until it's absolutely necessary for him to take a look under the hood.

 

His little car is a 06 Ford Focus, with 5 speed manual transmission with no power locks or windows. A perfect first time car and an added bonus… he'll have to learn how to drive a stick shift. The first step in learning to drive was of course how to work the clutch. I found along flat stretch of a road that was perfect for teaching the basic fundamentals of operating a stick shift car. He picked up on it in no time. Even his mom was impressed with his driving. (Makes a dad proud when mom is impressed.)

 

A few months went by and with all the other activities going on the car was left to sit in the driveway for about a month. As the time grew closer to taking his actual driving test he was eager to get back to practicing his driving skills. I got a text from mom that the car wouldn't start. She assumed it was just a dead battery from leaving it sit so long. Mom sent me a text that the car wouldn't start. She assumed it was just a dead battery from leaving it sit so long. I came home from the shop in time to see them both sitting patiently waiting on the front steps for me to show up. I hopped into the driver's seat of the boy's car and turned the key. (Oh yea, it was dead alright… dead to the point that I couldn't even get the slightest of response from the electrical system.) When I popped the hood I was in for a big surprise. Sitting on top of the engine was a huge mound of insulation, various nuts from the trees around the house, and pieces of the wiring harness. It's a (&X!$) squirrel… this long tailed rat has made a nest out of the boys engine compartment.

 

I just got home from a long day of diagnosing cars, wiring up damaged vehicles and changing parts only to come home and stare at the very same thing I do everyday. You can imagine my response. It wasn't shock, it wasn't surprise… it was more of the ticked off dad that knew exactly who's going to be working late…ME!

 

 

As I started to gather the necessary tools and drag out an airline to the car both the wife and the boy had already grabbed their cell phones and were busy snapping pictures. The two of them had big smiles on their faces as if the whole thing was some comical natural sculpture under the hood. Comical??? I'm a little jacked up over the whole thing. The first repeatable sentence I said that didn't have some sort of derogatory remark about a squirrel or the occasional triple X word in it was, "Son, you're going to be helping on this, so put down that cell phone and go get those tools I laid out on the work bench." After removing all the debris from the engine bay (Boy's job) I could see I had quite a few wires to repair. Some were chewed clean down to the connectors as well as completely missing. This was a perfect time to show the boy just what his dad does every day at the shop. I'll have to admit he did seem somewhat interested, but I don't think it was the actual methods of separating the terminals from the connector, or howto properly splice the wires back together. It was more of that typical teenager mentality. He asked me several times, "Dad, are you going to be able to fix this, or will we have to find a repair shop to do it?" Honestly, for such a smart kid he still doesn't understand what his dad does every day.

 

I had to remember how it was when I got my first car and how anxious I was to get out on the road by myself. So I kept my thoughts to finishing the job, because I knew the most important thing to him wasn't the father son bonding… but, how quickly can I have my car back.

 

A few hours later and a little help from my internet subscription to the wiring diagrams I had the whole thing finished.

 

"Mitch hop in there and start it up," I told him.

 

The car came to life and ran just as it did. I told him to check the dash for any service lights or warnings that were on. He didn't see anything on the dash so we let it sit there to warm up. After the engine got up to temperature we took it around the block a few times to check the rest of the car out. Everything was back to normal.

 

I think he learned a few things about cars during the conversations we had while repairing all the wiring. Maybe not enough to think about going into the business, but enough to know that old dad does know his stuff about what makes these mechanical beasts run down the road.

 

He's still driving the same car, and still holding those straight A's in school. I guess I have to change my opinion about that squirrel though. He may have caused me a bunch of extra work, but he also gave me a great opportunity to spend some quality time with my son.

 

"Hey, squirrel... thank you... but that doesn't mean you're welcomed under the hood of the car again. But thanks for the father/son bonding ... that was well worth the time. Time...it's that one thing you can't get back."

 

(More photos on my website.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

tp.gif


View full article

Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have two older daughters, one worked for me for about 4 years in the office answering phones. She was really had a knack for the job. Then the two of my girls got together and decided to switch jobs. So now I have my other daughter with me while the other one finished her master degree in advertising.

 

My son... well... If there is dirt, grease, or loud noises involved he's not interested. I tried one year to bring him down to the shop, didn't work out well. He would rather stay in the office.

 

Oh well... to each his own.

 

But I agree Joe... the bonding time is priceless. Ya just can't get the time back... use it wisely.

We see a lot of that type of damage in my area. What's nice, is that a situation like that makes a connection with your son, things happen for a purpose.

 

I have two sons and both of them worked with me starting around 12 years old. I would bring them down to the shop and make them sweep the floors, clean the office and I introduced them to My World. They also got paid, which they really liked.

 

As they got older I had them changing oil, do brake jobs, tire rotations and other minor repairs. Both of them worked until they went off the college. My youger son worked as my service advisor durning the summers while in college. That was real special, working side by side. Both of my sons went into different careers. They had to follow their own dreams, which I understand.

 

My younger son Anthony works for company in California that buys, sells and invests in commercial real estate. It's a high presure job. He has told me on many occasions that he often thinks back about when he worked in the shop with me with fond memories. That's really special and for that I am truly grateful.

 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Available Subscriptions

    See all Subscription Plans

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

  • Similar Topics



  •
    Joe Marconi

    Every shop owner tracks gross sales. But is that really the number you should be focused on?

    By Joe Marconi, in Joe Marconi's Tips and Articles,

    0 comments 1 37 views
    nptrb

    Mid-Year Reset: What Your Auto Shop’s Numbers Are Telling You

    By nptrb, in Automotive Management,

    0 comments 9 views
    Joe Marconi

    Marketing Strategies To Attract and Retain Your Ideal Customers

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Marketing,

    1 comment 7,925 views

  • Our Sponsors

Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...