Quantcast
Jump to content


Have A Great Day --- Yea, there really are great days in the business, we just tend to dwell on the bad sometimes.


Gonzo

Recommended Posts

Have a Great Day

 

 

I've seen mechanics, service writers, (and me) get upset over the stupidest things. Everything from each other, customers, the wrong parts showing up, stubborn bolts that won't turn,to "Who used the A/C recovery machine last and didn't bother to fill it backup?!" Things happen, and sometimes we should just let it go, and not let it raise our blood pressure to the boiling point.

 

 

 

Sometimes it's best to remember those days when every repair and every customer situation went off without a hitch, and to remind ourselves there is a lot more of days like this than we care to admit. But, like a lot of hardened veterans of the wrench world we tend to see nothing but the gloomy side of the repair business. It's the car problems,or a few goofy explanations about those problems, and then we have to sort the mall out with logical explanations. This usually puts us (mechanics) in a mood where we tend to believe everyone around us must either be incompetent or lacks trust in our abilities. I wouldn't doubt that police officers,paramedics, or firemen develop a certain attitude when confronting the next traffic situation, drug dealer, or burning building. It's part of the make-up of the job. Not that anyone ever started out in their profession that way; it's something we all developed after years of experiences from countless situations.

 

 

 

Sometimes, it's a good idea to just take a step back, no matter what's going on, and just have a great day. Put a smile on that old mug and say thank you and good morning to everyone you meet. Take the time to say, "Hi, how are ya?" to the mail person, the guy in the next bay and so on. Maybe it's the little extra time you take to say, "And, how are you?" back to the teller at the bank drive up window when they greet you with their customary introduction.

 

 

 

Maybe spreading some of that old fashion common courtesy would be in order too. Opening the car door for the Mrs. or rushing to the restaurant door only to hold it open for the couple behind you. Some of us do all that and more without even thinking about it. But, there are many of us who need to be reminded about it. I fall in that category of; "needs to be reminded" more often than I'd care to admit. At times I do, and other times, I wish I would have thought to be more courteous before going on my own thoughtless way.

 

 

 

There are days at the shop when all the money in the world doesn't add up to the joy of doing a good job and the admiration from the customer. If I had to put it in other terms, it would be like an actor on stage. They do their craft for the applause at the end of their performance. That simple act of acknowledging a job well done makes all the difference in the world to them. Similar acknowledgments do happen at the automotive service counter as well just not in the same way. At least I haven't had a customer stand there and applaud over an oil change… yet, but they do show their appreciation in other ways, and quite often.

 

 

 

Over the years I've witnessed some of the generosity people have for their automotive repair person firsthand. From cookies and cakes brought in by an appreciative customer, to showing up announced just to say Hi. Once in a while it's tickets to a ball game,and others it's something they know I would probably would be interested in. I've even had a customer come in and present me with a handmade ball point pen. (Really cool pen by the way) and I've had an older gentleman bring my wife's flowers on her birthday. (Thanks for the reminder... I almost forgot that year.)

 

 

 

Ya just never know, obviously, we do touch our customer's personal lives with our efforts. And for that we should all be grateful. It's not the kind of thing you think of when you make the decision to go into the automotive repair business. It's something that happens because you are doing a good job in business and touching so many lives. Great customers are like my extended family,and I'm glad to call them a part of it. Maybe as the shop owner, the technician, or the service writer, maybe,we should all stop what we're doing and applaud our customers. They're the real stars of our world.

 

 

 

So, no matter the faults or misconceptions of car care, it's a good thing to be a part of it. Because, like a lot of us in the business of fixing cars even though we may not outwardly show it, we really do care. Yes, we need your business and your support;we appreciate it even though we may forget to say so. Sometimes we all need to be reminded of not what we do, but how much what we do effects everyone around us. So if you haven't already, now is a good time to start... mechanics, technicians, and everyone else out there.... Have A Great Day.


View full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gonzo,

THANKS

I really needed a little perspective today. Been having some personality conflicts in the shop, everyone is in a little bit of a mood, a couple of jobs not going to smoothly. I'm sharing this with everyone to hopefully change our moods a little bit.

Thanks again,

Russ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         4 comments
      A recent study, done by Harvard Business School, concluded that the real problem with attracting and retaining employees has more to do with the workplace environment, not pay or benefits. While the study did find that an adequate pay plan and offering an attractive benefits package did help with recruiting and retention, it’s not enough to satisfy the needs of employees, especially those of front-line workers.
      The study also stated that in 2021, many companies were convinced that giving raises, sign-on bonuses, and other perks would solve the worker shortage problem and prevent people from quitting. However, this strategy did not work. So, what does work regarding attracting quality people and keeping them employed?
      Essentially, it all comes down to the culture of your company.  Management: do all it can to consider the individual needs of your employees. Your employees want to feel that they have a voice, that their opinion counts, and that their role in your company is both respected and recognized. Yes, pay and a great benefits package will go a long way toward making your employees feel secure, but that’s only financial security. People want more than money.
      To attract and keep top talent requires creating a company that people feel proud to work for. You need to reach the hearts and minds of your employees. Become a leader that people are enthusiastic about working for. You want your employees bragging to their friends and family that your shop is a great place to work!
      Step one to attracting and retaining quality employees: Create an amazing workplace environment for your employees!  Trust me, happy employees make happy shop owners too!
  • Similar Topics

    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By ASOG Podcast
      How Her First Job Went Wrong
    • By carmcapriotto
      One of our listeners emailed in with the following question.
      I Always wondered why, when we have another marketing company review and grade our website, it always come out pretty crappy on the scorecard? From loading speed, to keywords, SEO, overall performance etc. I have used Lighthouse and some other things to gauge the performance, but the numbers never seem to match what the other party produces. I feel like some marketing companies use smoke and mirrors for selling their websites that really may not be any better than what we already have. I’m sure this is an issue for others too.
      We answer that question in this episode.
      Talking Points
      There’s a big difference between a solicited audit and an unsolicited audit There are no standards in place Much of what is done in marketing is based on opinion or an internal belief system Trust your “BS meter”  
      How To Get In Touch with Cinch CRM
       
      Website - https://cinch.io/ 
      LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cinchplatform/ 
      Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CinchPlatform/ 
      YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CinchPlatform 
      How To Get In Touch with Shop Marketing Pros
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      "The service advisor is the face of the brand and the first point of contact for customers." Join our round table discussion as our panel shares their experiences and strategies of successful service advisors, highlighting the importance of communication skills, creating a positive customer experience, and building customer trust and rapport. It's also essential to be an educator rather than a salesman and help customers understand how to maintain their vehicles to avoid breakdowns. The discussion also emphasizes the need for investment in service advisor training and development. Courtney Archer, Service Advisor, Global Car Care, Wenatchee, Washington.
      Mike Elceser, Service Advisor, D&K Automotive Repair.
      Rena Rennebohm, CEO Empowered Advisor. Listen to Rena’s previous episodes HERE.
      Show Notes:
      Watch Video Episode HERE (00:03:11) The importance of tonality and creating a positive first impression when answering the phone to potential customers. (00:05:31) Mike and Courtney discuss their different backgrounds and how they became service advisors. (00:07:31) The important traits of a service advisor include listening, customer service, and technical knowledge. (00:08:48) Mike and Rena discuss the importance of listening to customer concerns and solving their problems, rather than just focusing on the car repair. (00:12:14) Courtney and Rena discuss the benefits of listening to calls with a coach, who can provide positive feedback and help advisors improve rather than just pointing out mistakes. (00:17:40) The importance of phone communication in building trust and making sales, and how it is still the primary source of communication in most shops. (00:19:15) Mike and Rena discuss the process they created for determining if a car needs more than just an oil change before the customer arrives, in order to set reasonable expectations and provide better service. (00:20:41) Mike explains how asking simple questions like license plate and mileage can improve customer service by allowing them to schedule the car for necessary maintenance and speed up the process at the counter. (00:21:49) Building relationships with customers and selling maintenance services to prolong the life of their vehicles. (00:23:37) Being an educator rather than a salesperson as a service advisor. (00:26:22) The use of inspections as a sales tool and the importance of guiding customers through the findings rather than just sending a text with pricing. (00:28:51) Serving customers rather than just selling to them, and how to educate customers about their vehicle needs. (00:31:50) Building trust with customers through empathy, rapport building, and being an educator rather than just a salesperson. (00:33:22) Being honest with customers and admitting when you don't know something, and how this can actually build trust and confidence with customers. (00:35:50) Service advisors need to be the person that customers trust and can ask for advice. They need to be a confidant and a friend to walk them through car repair. (00:39:41) Investing in training creates a coaching and training environment that helps service advisors improve. It also creates an open-minded environment where everyone can share information and improve together. (00:45:17) The importance of investing in service advisors through training, networking, and masterminding to improve the industry. Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies
      Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management getshopware.com
      Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. DelphiAftermarket.com
      Connect with the Podcast
      -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
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...