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The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart

By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
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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.

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Empower Your Employees: Implementing the 131 Rule for Better Problem Solving in Auto Repair Shops [E176] - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
By carmcapriotto

The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind
In this episode of "The Weekly Blitz," Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching introduces the "131 Rule," a strategic framework designed to empower auto repair shop employees to become proactive problem solvers. The rule encourages staff to identify one challenge, propose three potential solutions, and recommend the best option among them. This approach not only fosters a culture of critical thinking and independence but also significantly enhances decision-making and customer service within the shop. By implementing the "131 Rule," employees are trained to take ownership of issues, analyze various solutions, and make informed decisions that benefit both the business and its customers.
Additionally, the episode delves into the broader implications of adopting such a strategy, including increased employee engagement, improved operational efficiency, and a more collaborative work environment. Coach Chris Cotton shares real-life examples and success stories from shops that have successfully integrated the "131 Rule" into their daily operations, illustrating the tangible benefits of this approach.
The episode also highlights other insightful podcasts available on the Aftermarket Radio Network, providing listeners with a wealth of resources to further enhance their knowledge and skills in the automotive repair industry. Furthermore, it promotes Shop Marketing Pros, the episode's sponsor, emphasizing their role in helping auto repair shops grow their businesses through effective marketing strategies.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to "The Weekly Blitz" for more expert advice and practical tips from industry leaders like Coach Chris Cotton, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of auto repair.

Introduction to Supercharging Your Auto Repair Business (00:00:03)
Coach Chris Cotton introduces the podcast and its purpose for auto repair shop owners.
Promotion of Other Podcasts (00:00:45)

Encouragement to check out other podcasts on the Aftermarket Radio Network, including a new podcaster, Craig O'Neill.
Sponsor Acknowledgment (00:01:02)

Coach Cotton thanks Shop Marketing Pros for sponsoring the episode and highlights their unique marketing strategies.
Introduction to the 131 Rule (00:01:32)

Discussion on the need for employees to become problem solvers, introducing the concept of the 131 Rule.
Explanation of the 131 Rule (00:02:13)

Details on how the 131 Rule encourages critical thinking and solution development among employees.
Importance of the 131 Rule (00:03:32)

Explains how the 131 Rule shifts problem-solving responsibility to the team, fostering innovation and efficiency.
Implementation Steps for the 131 Rule (00:04:38)

Practical steps on how to communicate and train the team on applying the 131 Rule effectively.
Creating a Supportive Environment (00:05:49)

Emphasizes the importance of cultivating a culture that values independent thinking and celebrates successes.
Benefits of the 131 Rule for Owners (00:06:38)

Discusses how the 131 Rule reduces stress for owners and enhances decision-making efficiency.
Benefits for Employees and Business (00:06:49)

Improved employee skills and customer service through the implementation of the 131 Rule.
Real-World Application of the 131 Rule (00:07:13)

Encourages sharing real-life examples and role-playing scenarios to teach the 131 Rule effectively.
Overcoming Challenges (00:07:49)

Identifies common obstacles to implementing the 131 Rule and strategies to overcome them.
Final Encouragement to Implement the 131 Rule (00:08:23)

A call to action for shop owners to start using the 131 Rule to empower their teams.

Introduction of the "131 Rule" for auto repair shop employees.
Components of the 131 Rule: identifying challenges, outlining solutions, and making recommendations.
Importance of empowering employees to take initiative in problem-solving.
Benefits of the 131 Rule for owners, employees, and overall business efficiency.
Steps for implementing the 131 Rule in an auto repair shop.
Creating a supportive environment that encourages independent thinking.
Strategies for celebrating successes and providing constructive feedback.
Real-world applications and training methods for the 131 Rule.
Challenges in implementing the 131 Rule, including resistance to change.
Overall impact of the 131 Rule on customer service and satisfaction in the auto repair industry.

Connect with Chris:
[email protected]
Phone: 940.400.1008
www.autoshopcoaching.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae

#autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook
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"Individuals who have made outstanding career contributions to the mobile A/C and heat transfer industry are recognized for their work with the Mobile Air Climate Systems Pioneer Award." Recorded Live at the 2024 MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems) Training Event & Trade Show, Carm Capriotto discusses the automotive air conditioning industry with Peter Coll and Pioneer Award Winners Larry Hays, and Tom Massey. They explore the evolution of air conditioning systems, the importance of collaboration, and the role of MACS in advancing the industry. Larry Hays' career in automotive service began in high school when his shop teacher got him a job at an independent garage. Shortly thereafter, and while still in high school, Larry took a work/study job starting at 80 cent an hour and stayed there for 5 years before moving to Dallas Smith Transport. 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Thanks to our Partner, NAPA TRACS NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -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 (X): https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -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
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