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2012 and Beyond: Opportunity or Uncertainty?

Joe Marconi

By Joe Marconi
in AutoShopOwner Articles

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Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
Posted

Ya got my attention Joe. There's no doubt the economy, consumer acceptance, and the technology are all issues as shop owners we need to deal with.

 

Getting the right tools, technical skills, and being more customer aware are all part of the way we will be doing business in the future.

 

I've been at this a long time and I've had to learn to adapt to the ever changing automotive world just like all of us have.

 

I read a post a few weeks ago that made me think of the changes. It went something like this:

 

The movie "Back to the Future" was about a scientist who developed a time machine that took Marty McFly 30 years into the past which put him back in the early 50's. If that movie would have been made today.... 30 years into the past would make the historical date .... 1982 .., the actual year the original movie was released.

 

How times have changed... from the 50's to the 80's and now the 80's to 2012....

Something to think about.

And... what will another 30 years bring??? :rolleyes:

FROGFINDER Rising Star

FROGFINDER

Posted
Posted

The Tech Bubble, Housing Bubble,The Middle Class Bubble, The Automobile Repair Bubble,The Gas Price Bubble Yikes. More and more people in America cannot afford our services or even a car if the truth be known. B)

  • 5 months later...
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    • 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.

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