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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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Smart Advice to New Shop Owners [THA 393]
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Thanks to our Partners, NAPA TRACS, AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching, and Today's Class This episode is packed full of practical advice and personal stories that will resonate with new and aspiring shop owners. From leadership and financial management to team development and continuous learning, there's something for everyone. Key insights include the significance of self-awareness, the balance between assertiveness and approachability, the value of mentorship, and the necessity of understanding financial health. Show Notes
Leadership Challenges for New Owners (00:03:39) Discussion on the courage and mindset required for new shop owners transitioning from technicians. Matt's Personal Story (00:04:46) Matt shares his journey of overcoming a catastrophic injury and learning to run his business. Developing Leadership Skills (00:05:10) The importance of recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses in leadership. Balancing Assertiveness and Approachability (00:06:22) The challenge of being both assertive and approachable as a leader. The Value of Delegation (00:06:54) Panelists discuss the difficulties of delegating tasks and trusting team members. Peer Support in the Industry (00:08:01) Carm highlights the importance of seeking help and support from peers in the automotive industry. The Role of Coaching (00:10:04) Tom emphasizes the benefits of leveraging coaching services for business success. Understanding Finances (00:12:19) Discussion on the significance of financial awareness and making informed business decisions. Building a Strong Foundation (00:13:28) Tom draws parallels between scouting and building a successful automotive business. Finding Purpose and Alignment (00:15:02) The importance of aligning with team members who share the business vision. Letting Go and Empowering Employees (00:15:52) Insights on the challenge of stepping back and empowering employees to grow. Creating a Team of Heroes (00:16:32) Discusses the importance of guiding younger technicians and the balance between letting them learn through struggle. Controlled Failure as a Learning Tool (00:17:22) Explores the concept of controlled failure in learning and its parallels to youth-led scouting. Understanding Financial Margins (00:18:33) Emphasizes the significance of understanding profit margins and financial health for shop owners. The Importance of a Shop Management System (00:19:14) Highlights the necessity of having a solid shop management system for operational efficiency. Facing Business Uncertainties (00:22:02) Matt shares his initial fears and the value of a comprehensive business plan before opening his shop. The Courage to Hire (00:23:10) Discusses the fear of hiring an advisor and the eventual realization of their value in the business. Hiring the Right People (00:25:35) Focuses on viewing employees as assets and the importance of making informed hiring decisions. Customer Loyalty and Shop Culture (00:27:28) Stresses the need for a strong shop culture to maintain customer loyalty and service quality. The Value of Training (00:28:17) Discusses the importance of investing in training for employees and the long-term benefits it brings. Being a Perpetual Student (00:29:50) Carm talks about the importance of continuous education and learning for shop owners. Leadership and Culture Connection (00:32:00) Explores the intertwined nature of leadership and culture in building a successful shop environment. Understanding Leadership (00:32:22) Discussion on personal leadership, personality traits, and the importance of self-assessment tools. Developing Team Leaders (00:32:47) Emphasis on nurturing leadership within the team and the impact of leadership coaching. Financial Support for Training (00:33:49) Overview of reimbursement programs that support leadership training costs for staff. Team Collaboration Growth (00:34:37) Insights into improved team collaboration and resolving conflicts independently. Self-Reflection for Shop Owners (00:35:25) Advice on understanding personal strengths and weaknesses for effective leadership. Peer Support in Leadership (00:36:14) The value of peer discussions and support in personal and professional growth. Self-Evaluation Importance (00:36:45) Highlighting the need for self-evaluation, especially for new and younger shop owners. Transformation Through Assessment (00:37:03) Personal growth and transformation through repeated strengths assessment tests. Right People in Right Roles (00:38:17) Importance of aligning team members with their strengths for optimal performance. Continuous Learning and Adaptation (00:40:17) Encouragement to embrace challenges and continuously learn in business management. Risk Management in Business (00:41:34) Discussion on understanding and managing risks as an essential part of business. Time Management for Business Growth (00:42:08) Advice on documenting time wasters and focusing on business development. The Pull of Passion (00:43:08) Reflection on the challenges of balancing passion for work with business responsibilities. 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, Auto-Fix Auto Shop Coaching Proven Auto Shop Coaching with Results. Over 61 Million in ROI with an Average ROI of 9x. Find Coach Chris Cotton at AutoFix Auto Shop Coaching on the Web at https://autoshopcoaching.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: -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 X (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
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