Quantcast
Jump to content

What are Your Predications For 2023?

Joe Marconi
 Share

Recommended Posts

bantar Community Regular

bantar

Posted
Posted
29 minutes ago, DUFRESNES said:

Hiring employees has become brutal..    I have a B tech stole away for a guarantee of $35.00 not depending on work.  Also A tech being promising $50 guarantee. What do  you guys think?

Indeed it is brutal.   I'm swinging hard for good candidates.   I was looking for an A Tech and one came in that we liked.    We hired him at $130K.  My other A tech is over $50/hr too.  We're in the Dallas area, with an overall medium cost of living, so these guys are doing well.  They are our revenue producers, so we need them.   The opportunity cost of going without someone for 2 months is higher than paying someone more.   I have an offer out to a B tech for $30/hr + $7/flag hour.  He should make $35 or more.   My previous A tech quit and says he's going to buy, fix and sell cars from his house.  My B tech moved to NC to be with his family.    So, hiring became critical all of a sudden.

I just raised my labor rate to $170/hr (from $150/hr), but I may need to bump it again soon.   My main focus for improvement this year is correctly billing for labor hours.   We are slowly getting better, but still not great.   

We're definitely going to see a downturn in the economy.   With the rising prices of rent, groceries, gas and everything, it's tapping people out.    I don't know how it will play out, but we'll likely see more cars get fixed than traded in.

  • Like 1
Ambrose You Newbie

Ambrose You

Posted
Posted

Long time no see! I wish everyone a smooth and successful year in 2023!
As a manufacturer of replacement switches, I also want to share my thoughts on this topic.
From my perspective, 2023 is a challenging year for both the manufacturing and service industries. The shortage of labor caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the escalating tensions between the United States and China and the war between Ukraine and Russia, have directly caused a rise in costs by impacting the supply chain. The downturn of the stock and housing markets has also indirectly led to a reduction in consumer spending.
As Asia is currently the main manufacturing center, we are facing a severe round of layoffs, with the exception of Vietnam and India which have benefited from supply chain shift.
Our factory is facing a situation where customer orders are expected to decrease by 20%, and our production capacity has already been reduced by 40% in 2022. I feel that, as an Asian manufacturing center, we are facing a severe round of layoffs. I also have the idea of moving the factory to Mexico.
Anyway, we have to move forward bravely in the future. This year may be a difficult one, but let's cheer up together!
And, since a large part of our products are classic car parts, if you have spare time, fix up an old car! Think about the road trips of the past, and make your classic car great again!
I am currently studying AI-related applications, this article is basically translated by openai, and the picture below is generated by Midjourney by inputting text.
image.png.2e2de205f5d7846e596d0d1b70ea643d.png

  • Like 1
bantar Community Regular

bantar

Posted
Posted
On 1/12/2023 at 9:58 PM, Joe Marconi said:

And sad to admit I worked on those cars

Bah-humbug.  Those cars were great money makers for your shop, but maybe before you truly figured out that 4-letter word:  Profit.   We all work on piles of junk from time to time.  Like that hunk-o-junk in my shop right now:  2015 Range Rover with a blown head-gasket.  Customer says that we blew her head gasket, not here driving it while overheating!  LOL   Besides, all the folks in that picture are happy with their cars.  Now, don't call their babies ugly!  😁

  • 4 weeks later...

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

    • carmcapriotto
      Selling Your Auto Repair Business [THA 416]
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, and Today's Class Join Carm Capriotto and a panel of experts—Joe Marconi, Dan Buss, and Nick Salas—as they delve into the intricacies of selling your automotive repair business. This insightful episode covers everything from preparing your business for sale and understanding valuations to structuring deals and ensuring clean financials. Learn from seasoned shop owners about succession planning, transparent communication with employees, and navigating the emotional and professional challenges of ownership transitions. Whether it's asset vs. stock sales, working with valuation experts, or addressing staff concerns, this discussion equips you with the knowledge to maximize your business's value and ensure a smooth sale. Joe Marconi, Executive Council Member, Elite Worldwide. Auto Shop Owner. Joe’s Episodes HERE. Dan Buss, Elite Worldwide. Nick Sallas, Sallas Auto Repair, Kansas City Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode Importance of Transparency (00:02:18) Joe Marconi on Readiness (00:03:13) Succession Planning (00:05:16) Successor Challenges (00:06:40) Selling Experience (00:08:11) Valuation Discussion (00:09:51) Multiple Valuation Explanation (00:10:37) Advice on Business Preparation (00:12:18) Challenges of Selling a Business (00:13:23) Cultural Implications of Cash Transactions (00:14:43) Building Generational Wealth (00:16:25) Understanding Succession Planning (00:17:03) Emergency Plans in Business (00:20:37) Importance of Professional Advisors (00:22:34) Emotional Impact of Selling a Business (00:28:43) Contracts for Key Employees (00:32:05) Transparency in Hiring (00:33:07) Interview Questions for Potential Hires (00:34:15) Structuring Business Sales (00:35:38) Maintaining a Business Plan (00:37:12) Dealing with Tire Kickers (00:38:04) Evaluating Business Offers (00:39:19) Importance of Clean Financials (00:40:22) Value of Independence in Business (00:41:21) Goals for Business Sellability (00:42:32) Preparation for Selling (00:43:08) Maximizing Business Value (00:43:54) Purpose and Succession Planning (00:45:26)
      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/ Thanks to our Partner, Today's Class Optimize training with Today's Class: In just 5 minutes daily, boost knowledge retention and improve team performance. Find Today's Class on the web at https://www.todaysclass.com/ Connect with the Podcast: -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -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 X: 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
    • Zenoo
      I am new in business. Need advice to increase profits.
      By Zenoo
      Hi my name is Zenas and I am 26 years old from Alberta, Canada. I started my own automotive repair shop in December 2023. After running it for 1 year I made a little bit of profit. I needed some advice on how I could increase it. Its a 3 bay shop with two 2 post hoists and one 4 post hoist with alignment. I am the only mechanic in the shop as I can't afford to hire anyone at this point. I am charging about $120 per hour for the labor and very minimal mark up on parts. The shop had no customer base when I got it so it took me sometime to build returning customers. If I try to increase the prices on parts the customers run away. Seems like they are calling around the city and going to the cheapest person. My monthly over head cost is about $7000. Whatever I make in a month goes back into next month's rent. Any advices on how to manage this properly from other shop owners?
    • JustTheBest
      It’s 2025 and this will be your best “Happy News Gift” ever!
      By JustTheBest

      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
      Why CPAs Aren't Doing Enough for Your Auto Shop
      By Changing The Industry
      Why CPAs Aren't Doing Enough for Your Auto Shop
    • Joe Marconi
      Low Productivity! Is the Tech or Your Systems?
      By Joe Marconi

      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.



  • Joe Marconi

    Five Proven Tips to Improve Your Bottom Line

    By Joe Marconi, in Selling Automotive Repair,

    0 comments 625 views
    Joe Marconi

    Money Isn’t The Motivator We Think It Is

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Management,

    0 comments 415 views
    Joe Marconi

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

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 640 views

  • Our Sponsors

Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...