Quantcast
Jump to content


It's Feb, Business is slow, but that's ok

Joe Marconi
 Share

Recommended Posts



Jerrys Auto Center Apprentice

Jerrys Auto Center

Posted
Posted

And I thought my February was bad!…

I HAD 2 1/2 technicians ( 1 was really, really short!😂)

My part time man works nights for the City of New York and worked for me M-Th 8-12… He got transferred to days 2 weeks ago… So I lost him. 
One techs cat had puppies for the last time on my watch… He’s gone!

The last tech unfortunately lost his mom in El Salvador and needed the week off to fly home. 
I literally went to work with ZERO employees this past week!!

I made appointments for next week, did end of year stuff, caught up on planning and changes for this year. 
After being in business since 1979… You learn to accept what you can’t change, You change what you can and with QUALITY customers it all works out. Every customer scheduled for this week got rescheduled for next week.
The comment from EVERY customer… “Is everything OK?”

I love my customers!

  • Like 2
Jerrys Auto Center Apprentice

Jerrys Auto Center

Posted
Posted

I’m in Long Island and grew up in Brooklyn/ Queens, I also grew up in the gas station (Esso) and race car (Island Porting Service) sector of this industry. I’m just waiting on my son to determine where he’s going to settle down, he graduates The Ohio State U this year and then I’ll work on getting out. I would love to find a medical tenant for my property and do a land lease. We’ll see, all in the works, all in time. 

  • Like 1
Obsidian Motors Apprentice

Obsidian Motors

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Joe Marconi said:

Yes, I do go in about once a week to pick up mail and I am still cleaning out old files and personal items. But, for the most part, I am out.

Emotionally, it was and is hard.  I grew up in this business and in my own business for 41 years. I do miss the employees the most, and strangely, when I look back, it was the toughest times that brought the team together. For example, during a bad winter with many snow falls, when we spent hours in the cold and snow cleaning up. We would take a break from the cold and would huddle in the shop over coffee and egg sandwiches, and shoot the breeze.  That's what I miss the most.

Sounds like you've practically seen it all Joe. So I have a question; the landlord owns a small shop in front of mine that primarily does oil changes and smaller maintenance jobs. But he just recently added brakes. There is language in my lease that stipulates a clause that prevents me from advertising oil changes and I adhere to it. So I recently started advertising brake specials. So the landlord comes to me and says that I can't mention price. I believe he is way out of line here. I left the sidewalk sign up but wondering if going to "war" with him over this issue is worth it in the long run....although truthfully I want to since he appears to be a bit of a bully and the only way to beat a bully is to stand up to him.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Available Subscriptions

    See all Subscription Plans

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

  • Similar Topics

    • nptrb
      A Year Of Bookkeeping Gratitude: Client Wins In 2024
      By nptrb

      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.

    • carmcapriotto
      How Did A Mother-Daughter Duo Overcome Staffing Struggles? [RR 1006]
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Katy and Victoria Carl, a mother-daughter duo, share their unique journey of taking over the business five years ago, discussing their challenges, particularly in staffing and recruitment. They emphasize the importance of coaching and mentorship, innovative hiring practices, and creating a family-oriented work culture. Their story highlights the power of resilience, community involvement, and supporting women in the automotive industry, offering valuable insights and inspiration to listeners. Katy and Victoria Carl, Carl’s Advanced Automotive & Truck Repair Center, Voorheesville, NY 12186 Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode Location Overview (00:00:32) Business Acquisition Opportunity (00:01:39) Family Values in Business (00:02:32) Importance of Coaching (00:04:15) Takeaways from Coaching Program (00:07:12) Staffing Challenges (00:08:56) Changing Recruitment Strategies (00:12:07) Texting as a Recruitment Tool (00:13:24) Interviewing Process Evolution (00:15:47) Compensation Plans as Recruitment Tools (00:19:47) Family Involvement in Business (00:22:24) Importance of Team Culture (00:23:40) Adoption of a Four-Day Work Week (00:25:10) Community Engagement Initiatives (00:26:58) Empowering Future Generations (00:29:14) Women in Trades Advocacy (00:31:36) Transitioning to New Systems (00:33:31) Realizing 'Okay' Isn't Enough (00:35:06) Focus on Financial Metrics (00:35:29) Long-Term Goals and Planning (00:36:37) Pride in Achievements (00:37:18) Encouragement to Pursue Passions (00:38:06) Building a Support Network (00:39:42) Embracing Change (00:40:42)
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -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 -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/         Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Changing The Industry
      Achieve Your Shop Goals With The Power of Intentional Planning #podcast #autorepairbusiness
      By Changing The Industry
      Achieve Your Shop Goals With The Power of Intentional Planning #podcast #autorepairbusiness
    • Transmission Repair
      Overcoming Sales Objections
      By Transmission Repair

      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.

    • Changing The Industry
      Coping with Business Stress After Opening a Shop
      By Changing The Industry
      Coping with Business Stress After Opening a Shop


  • Similar Tagged Content

  •
    Joe Marconi

    Five Proven Tips to Improve Your Bottom Line

    By Joe Marconi, in Selling Automotive Repair,

    0 comments 105 views
    Joe Marconi

    Isn’t It Time We Rethink What a Master Level Technician Is?

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 118 views
    Joe Marconi

    Money Isn’t The Motivator We Think It Is

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Management,

    0 comments 83 views

  • Our Sponsors

Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...