Joe Marconi

Yes, but not soon. I will keep everyone posted. Thanks for asking!

Thanks, looking forward to it!

Below is a link to an article in Body Shop Business. If you are a shop owner, you need to read it. As a business coach, and a shop owner, I know first hand the financial hardships many of us go thru. This business is not easy and we need to come to terms that we all in this together and collectively discuss ways to improve of business, our profit margin and our lives in general. http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/auto-repair-study-reveals-financial-hardships/?eid=284835314&bid=1188052

Great insight! It's a recurring theme....no matter where you go and how long you have been around this business...the consumer will continue to shock us with what they say and think.

One of the best way to promote morale and a feeling of belonging is to issue business cards to all employees. I do suggest a probation period, and that's up to you; perhaps 30 to 60 days. But after that, get them business cards.

Source: You have goals…but what about your employee’s goals?

As a shop owner, you have both business goals and personal goals. Goals are critical to your success. Setting goals is like planning out a trip. Each step is carefully outlined and mapped out. You know where you want to ultimately end up, and you know how you will get there. But what about your employees? Don’t they have goals? Employees may not have sat down and wrote out a detailed plan, but let me assure you, they have goals too. Employees care about their future, their kid’s future and also have wants and desires. My advice is to find out what those goals are, and here’s why. When employees know that you care about their well-being as a person, they will begin to align their goals with your goals. They see the bigger picture; that in order to achieve what they want out of life, they must help you achieve what you want also. But the key here is to make sure you as the shop owner make the first move. Sit down with employees, ask them about their future desires and dreams. Then begin to build your business around not just what you want, but what everyone wants. This also means that you must become profitable enough to be able to continue to compensate your employees at a level that they feel secure in their position. But, it’s never all about the numbers and the dollars. As shop owner, you are also a mentor. And the most important employee-related job you have is understanding your employees and helping them achieve their wants and desires. Motivational Speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “You can get anything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want”

Yes, I know. I saw his name on the list. That is great!

Amazing! Very funny!

I will be presenting the Fly with the Eagles course next week from September 23-26, in San Diego. I will be checking in on the ASO and all the posts. Looking forward to the seminar; I am always amazed by the all the great shop owners I meet.

Let’s look at sports for a minute. Take for example two premier quarterbacks. Both equally talented and both equally successful. While they play the position according to the rules of football, neither quarterback plays the position exactly the same. The inherent differences between them allows them to bring out their personal best. They draw upon their uniqueness, which translates into their individual strengths. In essence, this is what makes them great, but different. It’s the same for your technicians, and in fact, for all your employees. Years back I tried to mold my employees to follow a strict set of rules and guidelines. I soon realized that although we need policies and procedures, being different is ok, and doing things differently is ok. With regard to employee management: Set the parameters of your business, establish each job role and clearly describe each position, set the goals for each position, and then let the employee flourish by allowing the employee to bring their uniqueness to their role. Oh, one more thing. Not doing things your way is not the end of the world either. Thoughts?

Same here...keep us posted.

In my senior year of high school, my guidance counsel told me my grades were too good not to go to college. Well, after 2 semesters, I quit to pump gas at min wage in the Bronx. THE BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. The world is slowly changing. I am involved with the local high schools and trade school, and I can tell you there are a lot of parents who followed the College route, only to end up in a job they hate. I think this article is so important, not just for our profession, but for all the trades. If there is going to a turnaround it must come those still in the trades. Thanks Gonzo for bringing this to the forefront. It's something wonder if ASO can get invoked with.

This is seems to be a new theme among many shops, and businesses everywhere. We too had a lot of employee issues the past few years. Employee issues today are quite different from years back. We need to rethink who we are and how we interact with our employees. I can tell you one thing; that's not easy for someone like me who was brought up with the mindset, "My way or the highway." But, today it's different and we need to realize that. People today are different, we were different. It's not about being wrong or right. We need to all find a way to get along and move forward.

As we head into the fall, many of are looking back on the year to determine the state of our business. While looking back and learning from the past is a good thing, we need to look forward and continue to push to reach our goals. For most shop across the nation, this year has been a wild roller-coaster ride. To be honest, business has always been challenging. You know the old saying, "If were easy, everyone would be doing it." What ever happened yesterday is gone. All you have is today and tomorrow. So, set your goals, adopt the philosophy of continuous improvement and work hard to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today.

I want to take this time to thank all the members of AutoShopOwner.com, for their contributions and making ASO the go-to auto business site on the planet! Have a great Labor Day weekend. I hope everyone gets some much needed R&R. Joe Marconi ASO Co-Founder

For me it is pricing. I think as an industry we are too cheap for what we do, what we need to know and how we service our customers. Labor charges has to be more in line with today's demands on overhead, tool expense and training. Plus, we will always battle the tech issue until we can attract quality people. I am not saying it's all about money....but it does factor into it. Collectively we need to convey to the customer value, not price. We need to deliver world class service and not lead with price or market our business by price alone.

Here's a short article in Body Shop Business about introducing your child to the Auto Body Business as a career. What are your thoughts? http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/editors-notes/?eid=284835314&bid=1165152

With to regard to flat rate, or book time (from any source), shops take into account that many jobs will take longer and the time is adjusted accordingly. The customer is made aware of the rust issue. It's just a way of life up north.

Welcome to AutoShopOwner.com. Don't be a stranger to the forums. The member have so much to share and are always willing to help their fellow shop owner. Welcome again and best of luck!

Source: Will Minimum Wage Hikes Affect Auto Repair Shop’s Technician’s Pay?

Gonzo, I am from the Rust Belt. Work in it every day. When I was young and didn't know any better, it wasn't a big deal. I learned early on how to use a "heat wrench." The oxy/acetylene torch bailed me out every single day. Then, when I got married, we spent our honeymoon in Florida. This was the first time getting out of New York. I could not believe my eyes. All the old cars still on the road....and no rust! Every part of the country deals with it's own set of anomalies. For us in the North, it could be worse.

Any tip from a customer to the tech or employee is their's to keep. I do the same thing with regard to many good will gestures at no charge. That is good business, and that will help grow your business. You will win by your customer relationship building.