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Joe Marconi

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Everything posted by Joe Marconi

  1. Joe Marconi
    I think that a performance-based program works well. It gives the tech a good base pay, plus the opportunity to earn more. Very good!
  2. Joe Marconi
    That is great news! And the strategy to move slowly is a good stratgey. Catch up to the dealers...have faith....you are worth it!
  3. Joe Marconi
    Lead the way! Many shops fear raising prices, but the truth is we are still way behind. We need to build for the future, attract new people to our industry and keep the ones we have right now. All this means we need to raise our labor rate. Great job leading the way. I hope more shops take your lead!
  4. Joe Marconi
    From what I am hearing around the country, some shops are doing away with flat rate and paying an hourly wage plus some sort of performance-based bonus after the tech hits a certain amount of efficiency or productivity.
  5. Joe Marconi
    I hear this a lot. I think it's time that we all look at our pay plans and our labor rates, and do what is needed to keep our current employees. I know that's it's not all about money, but it is a factor. Get your workplace and your culture in place, and make sure your pay plans are competitive. By the way, employee pay is going up in many other industries too.
  6. Joe Marconi
    We need to avoid thinking about pricing ourselves out of the market. Why? Because if we are not profitable we will "underprice" ourselves out of business. I know it's not easy, but more and more shops are raising their labor rates for the same reasons you are. As an industry we have been too cheap too long. Believe in yourself and what you are doing. I have done the same exact thing and not looking back. Don't hold yourself back either worrying about the other shops around you. Be the market leader!
  7. Joe Marconi
    Entry level, and apprenticeship techs, 15 to 18 per hour, depending on ability, tech school, etc.
  8. Joe Marconi
    Wow! Go for you! I hear this more and more across the country as an Elite business coach.
  9. Joe Marconi
    It's no secret that prices are going up around us. From food, gas, insurance, taxes, etc. This is another reason to sit down and crunch your numbers. Review your expenses line by line and see what increases you have had in the past few months, and the past year or so. Then, make price increases in labor and other areas to ensure you are profitable. The long-term success of your business depends on it. What have you seen in your area with regard to increase in expenses?
  10. Joe Marconi
    Frank, $10.00 is a great start! Just do the math to make sure, and if it is too low, raise slowly. There are shops that are adding a few dollars per month until they reach their desired labor rate goal. By the way, it's different around the country. In areas of New York, we I am from, we are seeing labor rates above $150 and higher, because of how much they are paying their techs. Good luck!
  11. Joe Marconi
    With any increase in prices, move slow and incrementally. This gives your customers and employees time to adjust. And of course, where possible be competitive, but I totally agree with you, we cannot keep absorbing price increases on our end. More and more shop owners are thinking like you, and it's time for a change among our industry. And I applaud your increase of $20 per hour! We need to see more of this around the country.
  12. Joe Marconi
    Think you're too young to start planning for retirement? Think again! How many times have we heard about a shop owner that had an unfortunate accident, serious illness or even worse, death? Make it one of your goals to starting planning for your exit, and for life after auto repair, no matter how young you are. Create your exit strategy. Speak with an attorney, a financial advisor, a business coach. Make sure that not only you, but your family, will be taken care of should something catastrophic happens. Life sometimes throughs us a curve ball. Be prepared!
  13. Joe Marconi
    One of the thing that has been brought to the forefront during this employee-shortage era, is the fact that we need to increase the pay salaries of the average technician and service advisor. In my opinion, we need to increase the pay for entry level people also. Other industries have done, we must also. If we are to attract quality people and retain who we have employed, we need to address this issue now.
  14. Joe Marconi
    For the first time in a VERY LONG time, I see a lot of positive news with regard to labor rates. More and more shop owners and managers are crunching their numbers and increasing their labor rates to better ensure their companies achieves a profit and also to be able to pay their employees what they deserve. Profit is needed in order to build for the future and to be able to attract quality people. I really think that this is perhaps the best time in our recent history to revisit your labor rates and bottom line and adjust your rates accordingly. Have you adjusted your labor rates recently, or plan on it?
  15. Joe Marconi
    This topic has been addressed before, but it's timeless in its importance. Doctors, dentists, nail spas, hair dressers, pet groomers, boiler service companies, and chimney cleaning service companies all have one thing in common. They all book the next visit or service. Want to increase future sales and smooth out the highs and lows in your schedule? Then remind each customer at care delivery of their next Oil Service and any other services that are coming due soon. Put the customer's visit in your calendar and have a process that reaches out to them when their visit is due. REMEMBER: Every vehicle in your shop TODAY will need future services. The question is: Are they returning to you?
  16. Joe Marconi
    With all the talk these days about finding and hiring employees, it's so important that you hold on to the employees you have right now. You may not know it, but there are probably dealers and other repair shops recruiting your employees right now as your read this post! Set up time to sit down with all your employees, as a group and one-on-one. Find out more about them, their needs, their goals and what's important to them. Make sure you pay program is in line with their needs and provides for their family. It's not all about money, but we need to take care of the basic needs of life first. It's hard enough to find employees these days, make sure you keep the ones you have now! Your thoughts?
  17. Joe Marconi
    Labor rates are going up across many industries, not just automotive repair. Most shop owners and managers realize that being profitable and being able to afford to pay employees decent salary is key to the long-term health of the business. In my opinion, we still need to move the needle up with regard to labor rates, but we are finally seeing a move in the right direction. With that said, a business is strongest and has the greatest potential when it's foundation is built with the right people, the right leadership and the right culture. Great comments everyone!
  18. Joe Marconi
    Have you contacted lift companies such as Hunter, Rotary, to see if they have any options? Alignments should be done on a drive-on rack. I don't think a drive on scissor lift takes up more space than a conventional above ground. Good luck, and I like your thinking. In house alignments are more productive, reduces over-head costs and keeps the quality under your control.
  19. Joe Marconi
    Great point and great perspective!
  20. Joe Marconi
    Do customers really have clear expectations when they arrive at your shop? Think about it. Who is responsible for setting clear expectations? Consumers may have a preconceived idea about what to expect, but when it comes down to what or who sets the expectation, it's the shop's responsibility. Great customer service is created by the shop and its people. The consumer will judge that experience, but they don't create it, you do. We may think that the consumer will tell us what they expect from us. I think it's the opposite. Henry Ford once said: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
  21. Joe Marconi
    I agree. All too often diag testing fees are not adequate enough for the time, the training and the equipment needed in today's world.
  22. Joe Marconi
    Me too! It's time. We really need to get back to normal. The mental health of the country is important too.
  23. Joe Marconi
    Great question! I asked about that, and my rep is finding out about nitrogen testing. It was illegal, but that may have changed. I have a call out to him. But, I did not buy the nitrogen set up, yet.
  24. Joe Marconi
    Robinare, and the price is 7k, plus there is a warranty through Robinare that my rep strongly advises to purchase.
  25. Joe Marconi
    I am a big supporter of technology, but technology will never take the place of good old fashion customer service, that one-on-one relationship what we build with our customers.

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