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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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Are You the Biggest Constraint to Your Business Growth? [FTR 101]
By carmcapriotto

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss, and 360 Payments AJ Nealey shares his journey from technician to business owner, highlighting key constraints to business growth in the auto repair industry. AJ emphasizes the importance of recognizing personal limitations, building a strong team, and implementing effective processes. He advocates for working "on" the business rather than "in" it and stresses personal development and accountability. This episode provides valuable strategies for overcoming challenges and creating a scalable business model, ultimately fostering long-term success. AJ Nealey, Nealey Auto Service, 5 locations, Edgewater, MD. AJ’s previous episodes HERE Show Notes
Identifying Constraints (00:00:28) AJ discusses the primary constraint to business growth, drawing from his journey as a technician turned owner. Personal Experience and Growth (00:01:50) He shares insights on overcoming growth ceilings and emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his journey. The Biggest Constraint: Self (00:02:31) AJ identifies the self as the main constraint, urging owners to recognize personal limitations. Understanding Business Constraints (00:03:16) He explains the need to identify specific constraints like marketing or process issues for effective growth. Building a Strong Team (00:04:10) AJ stresses the importance of hiring the right people and developing a capable team for business scalability. Developing Middle Management (00:05:52) He discusses the necessity of creating a middle management layer as businesses grow from multiple locations. Hiring and Training Challenges (00:06:40) AJ highlights the significance of effective hiring and training processes in the automotive repair industry. Sales Process and Customer Retention (00:08:31) He emphasizes improving the sales process to retain existing customers and identify growth constraints. Working "On" vs "In" the Business (00:09:31) AJ reflects on the need to focus on strategic tasks rather than day-to-day operations for business growth. Identifying and Prioritizing Constraints (00:10:23) He encourages creating a power list of tasks that contribute to business growth and overcoming constraints. Creating Processes for Growth (00:11:26) AJ stresses the importance of documenting processes to ensure scalability and operational efficiency. Coaching and Accountability (00:12:56) He discusses using processes as tools for coaching and holding team members accountable for their performance. Personal Development and Business Growth (00:14:10) AJ emphasizes the importance of personal development for business owners and how it reflects on their business. Reflecting on Personal Constraints (00:15:04) Discussion on identifying personal limitations and the impact of self-awareness on business success. Embracing Challenges and Growth (00:15:48) AJ highlights the necessity of facing challenges and learning from failures on the path to success. Value of Time and Opportunity (00:17:30) The importance of recognizing time as a valuable commodity and serving the community with gratitude. Closing Thoughts on Constraints (00:18:09) AJ concludes by reiterating that personal constraints affect business growth and encourages proactive change.
Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and 360 Payments Shop Boss – Shop Management Software built by shop owners for shop owners. It works the way you need it to, right out of the box. Find on the web at https://shopboss.net 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 -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. 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. The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
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