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Technician Productivity

mmotley
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mmotley Proficient

mmotley

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Curious how others are keeping track of technician productivity. Is it something built into your shop management software that you are able to run a report on? Do you have a simple equation you run at the end of the week or month? Are you having guys punch a time clock? Do you even track productivity? If you do, do you mind sharing what your productivity numbers are? And do the fluctuate much?

mmotley Proficient

mmotley

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Great! Thanks so much for the reply. Very helpful! I wish Mitchell had a time clock built into it, so techs could clock in and out of individual jobs on the computer.

mmotley Proficient

mmotley

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We use a product called Labor Profit Management. It tracks productivity and makes your techs aware of their performance. It also fulfills the requirement for a timekeeping system for wage and hour purposes.

 

Mark Anderton

First Landing Autocare

Virginia Beach

 

Thanks! I just briefly looked at their site, lots of great information to go back and review.

How easy is it to implement in your shop? Is it a hassle to get the techs to clock in and out? Do they tend to forget?

  • 1 month later...
mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

Posted
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We use a product called Labor Profit Management. It tracks productivity and makes your techs aware of their performance. It also fulfills the requirement for a timekeeping system for wage and hour purposes.

 

Mark Anderton

First Landing Autocare

Virginia Beach

 

 

This looks like exactly what I am looking for however it seems pricey for what it is. As an add on management tool they are asking for $129+ a month and a set up fee. Thats on top of a shop management software you may pay for monthly or buy out right AND possibly other such management/profitability tools such as a digital inspection sheet service.

 

Does anyone know of a similar service that has a more affordable price point.

mmotley Proficient

mmotley

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This looks like exactly what I am looking for however it seems pricey for what it is. As an add on management tool they are asking for $129+ a month and a set up fee. Thats on top of a shop management software you may pay for monthly or buy out right AND possibly other such management/profitability tools such as a digital inspection sheet service.

 

Does anyone know of a similar service that has a more affordable price point.

^^^^Agreed. I would love to hear if others are using another system or method to track time

Tires Too Collaborator

Tires Too

Posted
Posted

We are using Auto Vitals "Smart Flow" for digital inspections and technician tracking. I know many of you are looking for a less expensive option, but I think you are looking at this wrong. These tools make you money, the do not cost you. Since we've implemented Auto Vitals our ARO is up $55. This has been an increase of over $3500 per week, $14,000 per month. I think I can afford the $200 to $300 per month that Auto Vitals charges for their product.

flacvabeach Community Regular

flacvabeach

Posted
Posted

Exactly right, Tires Too. These are tools that are supposed to provide a return on investment. First, it has to be a good tool, second, you have to commit to use them as they were intended. Labor profit management requires that you have techs punch in and out of each job, each break, etc to effectively track where their time is going. Used to its fullest, both you and techs see the inefficiencies in their day. If you can measure it, you can manage it.

ncautoshop Proficient

ncautoshop

Posted
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But in smaller shops say 1 or 2 bays those expenses can quickly get to be too much. Great option for a bigger shop with more than 2 employee's.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

 

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mmotley Proficient

mmotley

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But in smaller shops say 1 or 2 bays those expenses can quickly get to be too much. Great option for a bigger shop with more than 2 employee's.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

Agreed. If me and the other mechanic are sitting around with no work to do, it's hard to justify spending a hundred or two a month on software to tell me the obvious. Or if he is always taking a smoke break and chatting on the cell phone...

mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

Posted
Posted

Matt, you might want to look into a paper time clock then. Those can bemore cost efficient for the time being.

 

You should track idle time just as much as you should track billable time. You want to know where your hours are going. If your tech or you are not working on a vehicle then what are you doing? building maintenance? equipment maintenance? smoking? cell phone?

flacvabeach Community Regular

flacvabeach

Posted
Posted

Whatever you do, keep accurate attendance records (a formal system that requires employees to sign off on their hours) and pay overtime. Don't kid yourself into thinking there is some workaround for overtime. One angry employee filing a wage/hour complaint can make your life miserable and you are guilty until you prove you are innocent. We have put an amazing amount of time (and our coach's time) developing tech pay matrices that let us determine if a tech can work overtime and keep us within our labor margin targets. Hope I didn't spin this off topic.

mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

Posted
Posted

I believe I will be trying this program out. I am 95% there on jumping ship to Mitchell TeamWorks5 and Bolt On Technologies Mobile Manager. Everything looks pretty good as far as the Mitchell side goes, I think the only gripe I have is with the scheduler, hes pretty sucky LOL. This little time clock is expensive but I think its definitely something I am sorely lacking.

  • 3 years later...
SmartAutomotive Apprentice

SmartAutomotive

Posted
Posted

Mitchell requires too much effort to reliably track tech efficiency.  I track weekly productivity using the old time stamp clock on the wall.  That works well but is a productivity killer when used to track job efficiency.  I plan on hopping on the autovitals bandwagon soon.

  • 6 months later...

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  • 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.

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