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Joe Marconi

Management
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Everything posted by Joe Marconi

  1. Joe Marconi
    Years back it was common to perform oil changes every 3 to 5,000 miles, and we would see customers 4 to 5 times a year. Today, you are lucky if you see customers once a year for an oil change service. So, what are you doing to maintain customers on a more consistent basis?
  2. Joe Marconi
    Great information, and great tip!
  3. Joe Marconi
    There seems to be a lot of mixed reactions since COVID on customers waiting for service. For many shops across the country, most customers drop off their cars for service these days. What's your strategy? Does it depend on your business model?
  4. Joe Marconi
    At the Elite Invitational this past June, held in San Diego, we invited a customer panel to discuss a variety of issues with the auto industry. One of the things we discovered was that consumers don't know the term "Technician" and still refer to us as "Mechanics" This is important to understand, especially with our internet marketing. For example, a consumer may Google, Auto mechanic near me. Thoughts? Opinions?
  5. Joe Marconi
    I can see your point, but you did nothing wrong. Just provide an exceptional workplace. While not every shop can afford to showcase itself with the newest and the greatest, they can provide a great workplace environment. Plus, isn't having shops that set a certain standard help raise the bar?
  6. Joe Marconi
    Labor rates are not only affecting the auto repair industry. This past week, I spoke to a good friend of my who owns a heating repair business. He says his labor rate now is $175.00 and that will go up the first of the year, 2023. His reason, in order to keep and attract quality people, I need be able to pay them, and still earn a profit. I have been in the auto repair business since 1974. We have been too cheap for too long. However, we need a balance between being profitable and competitive. And we need to pay our employees the wage they deserve.
  7. Joe Marconi
    1965-ford-mustang-somers-new-york.jpg
  8. Joe Marconi
    Wow, now that is an issue that is worth discussing: How do you set up a process that keeps track of your mobile employees?
  9. Joe Marconi
    From my perspective, the key point in your strategy is in the last few sentences when you state that you will be selective about what you do. It will be interesting to see how your plan progresses. Keep us posted.
  10. Joe Marconi
    If you think about all that goes into servicing and repairing cars these days, it's hard to imagine being efficient at it. It has to be limited to basic and simple tasks.
  11. Joe Marconi
    No doubt, a great service for your customers.
  12. Joe Marconi
    According to Lang Marketing Aftermarket Consulting, Mobile repair and service is on the rise. I have mixed feelings about this, since repairing and servicing cars today is so complex. BUT, can mobile service be used to attract new customers, or used as a strategy to check the car out at someone's home or work, with the ultimate purpose to get the car to your shop? From Lang Marketing "Mobile Repair currently represents only a small portion of the Do-It-For-Me (DIFM) market, but it is growing at an explosive rate. As the DIFM light vehicle market plunged during 2020 and rebounded in 2021, Mobile Repair grew many times faster than the overall DIFM market, unhindered by the onslaught of COVID-19." Sources: Lang Marketing Resources, Automotive Aftermarket Consulting, Research and Analysis
  13. Joe Marconi
    I have heard from a few shop owners, that they are afraid to send their techs to a training event because they fear that they will be recruited by another shop. How do you feel about this? Perhaps it's time to sit down with your techs and see if all is ok? People quit for a number of reasons. Should we get ahead of this, if this is a real problem these days?
  14. Joe Marconi
    Wishing everyone a Happy Labor Day! I hope you take the time to spend with family and friends. You deserve a little R&R.
  15. Joe Marconi
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  16. Joe Marconi
    "In Search of Excellence" was a book that changed my way of thinking, way back in the 80s. One of the best strategies I gained from the book was MBWA (Management By Walking Around). To think that a simple process of walking through your shop and talking to your employees about all different topics, not just business either, would become a key part of employee management, boost business, and improve morale. Great book. Recommend reading, even though is nearly 40 years old.
  17. Joe Marconi
    Agree, that's the problem; we don't always know what potential violations we may have.
  18. Joe Marconi
    The last two years have been emotional times for workers in general, and priorities are all over the place. Personally, I think it is due to too many entitlements, or the perception of entitlements. It use to be, "Let me work hard, show my boss and/or manager what I am worth, and then we can sit and discuss my future." Build the best pay package you can. Include all the benefits you can offer. Look for quality people and don't give up. Also, consider growing your own through apprenticeships. As a business coach, I have given this advice through the years, with success. I know this may not meet your immediate needs, but it will pay off in the long term. Look for techs leaving dealerships too. Stay positive. I know it's a tough road, but mindset is everything. Good luck!
  19. Joe Marconi
    Yes, I agree. We tend not to see all potential violations and can get complacent over time. It's always good to get a pro's eyes to look at our shops. And not just to protect the shop owner, but also to maintain a safe workplace for your employees.
  20. Joe Marconi
    Thanks Larry, yes, we took content from the Elite Fly with the Eagles course. These tips will help shop owners avoid employees looking to leave. It's not all about money either. Surveys from Gallup and Glassdoor reveal that the company workplace culture is perhaps the number one reason why employees quit.
  21. Joe Marconi
    Words of wisdom, Frank! I need to admit, that I would be devastated when I got a bad review but learned the reality you speak about.
  22. Joe Marconi
    All great points. While we need to strive to please all, and provide the very best in customer service, the customer experience and quality repairs, the fact is that people are people and we cannot be everything to everyone.
  23. Joe Marconi
    It appears that the economy is not out of the woods yet, with inflation and the Feds looking to raise interest rates more. While gas prices are down (at least for now), there are other economic factors in play here that may affect your customer's wallet. So, is it time to tighten your belt a bit and squirrel away cash for a rainy day?
  24. Joe Marconi
    The word OSHA makes many shop owners cringe. I was lucky enough years back to have my insurance agent suggest I perform a voluntary OSHA inspection. A private company did it at the time. They found tons of violations; some we knew would be flagged, but most we did not. Have you ever had an OSHA inspection? And what can shop owners do to protect themselves?
  25. Joe Marconi
    While there are many different business models among all the automotive independent repair shops, what types of services or repairs give your auto repair shop the best ROI? Preventive Maintenance Services? General Repairs, steering, suspension, brakes, etc. Diagnostic/Electrical, etc. Or other?

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