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Joe Marconi

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Everything posted by Joe Marconi

  1. Joe Marconi
    I understand the position you are in. Whether you rent or own the property, you can still plan for your financial future. I am not a financial advisor, but I do know many shop owners that have rented their entire career but invested their money, and some have actually purchased other properties, which will pay off in the future. Speak to a financial advisor or business coach. And continue to keep your eyes open for opportunities.
  2. Joe Marconi
    Wow! You have a lot going on. But, all good....moving forward. Question: When you say your business is not compatible with tires, why? To play devil's advocate; won't tires and related repairs become an important part of our business with the increase in EVs?
  3. Joe Marconi
    You make good points. And having a manager present is a good protocol. With regard to customers walking into the shop or standing behind the bays, I was adamant about getting that customer back to the customer service office. I remember way back when I was a tech, before a business owner, if a customer stood over me, or behind the bay, I was bold enough to tell the boss, "Get that guy away from me."
  4. Joe Marconi
    First, great news about the 5-star review that Carl generated! As far as the situation with the Subaru oil drain plug, I have been down the road all too often. Hate it. Stand your ground, and always protect yourself with photos, videos, and documentation. A lesson for all.
  5. Joe Marconi
    We all know that techs and service advisors have two distinctly different roles. And both get different training. Service advisors are on the front lines every day taking care of customers, selling work, organizing work, and a lot more. While most customers don't engage with the technician, is there a time when we should allow the customer to speak to the technician?
  6. Joe Marconi
    According to Kelly Blue Book, new car prices hit an average of $48,000. Will auto repair shops see a surge in business, as consumers choose to keep their old cars, rather than purchase a new car?
  7. Joe Marconi
    With technology dominating our industry and all the new tools and equipment now available, what new tools and equipment are on your wish list this year and next year?
  8. Joe Marconi
    Many repair shops are experiencing an uptick in business this year. This may also increase your tax liability on your next tax return. Obviously, waiting until the start of 2023 to begin thinking about planning for taxes is not a wise move. So how often do you meet with your accountant to discuss tax planning?
  9. Joe Marconi
    Mike, your words resonate with me, and they should with everyone. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments. You are right on target, and the balance between work and life is such an important topic. We need to discuss more. We also need to prioritize: Family, ourselves, and business.
  10. Joe Marconi
    Wow! Amazing accomplishment!
  11. Joe Marconi
    Even with the taxes, you are investing in YOUR future. Great move!
  12. Joe Marconi
    It's no surprise to anyone that today's workforce is looking over the fence for greener grass. The fact is we need to KEEP and ATTRACT employees. We need to also keep in mind that shops need to be more profitable today and in the future in order to compete with other companies and industries. Let's put our heads together and discuss ways we can create pay plans and benefits packages that will keep our employees and also attract quality people to our shops.
  13. Joe Marconi
    Great post! And right on point here! You bring up two very important points: One, how do create a workplace environment and provide benefits that help with employee retention, and two; how can we offer a pay plan and benefits package that attracts quality people? You are right, it's not just about the employee, it's about their family too. I made a post in the Health Insurance and Benefits, under the Human Resources forum.
  14. Joe Marconi
    Words of wisdom, and words to live by. Great comments, my friend.
  15. Joe Marconi
    Now that math adds up in your favor! Nice!
  16. Joe Marconi
    I too have a breaking point. However, the older I got, the harder it was to remain calm when a customer crossed the line. I always tried to maintain my composure and my professionalism, but I have to admit, after decades of dealing with the public, it wasn't easy. I always told myself and my staff, that the bad apples are rare, and that the overwhelming majority of our customers were amazing.
  17. Joe Marconi
    The summer is in full swing, which means your shop is probably at its busiest. Summer also means it’s vacation season. You’ve probably done a great job scheduling your employee’s vacations, but what about yourself? Are you planning time off too? Shop owners are among the hardest-working people on the planet. This is a quality to be admired. However, everyone needs time away from their businesses to spend with friends and family. Balancing work with life is your responsibility to yourself and your family. Your business must never consume your life; it must enrich it. Time goes by too quickly; trust me on this. There are also significant advantages to spending time away from your business. You clear your mind of the clutter that occurs from the day-to-day grind, you give your body a chance to recuperate, and most importantly, you’ll build memories with your loved ones. When you return to work, you will be more energized, with a fresh outlook on how to move your business forward. Essentially, the right balance between life and work will help you become more effective, making you more successful. I’ll leave you with this quote: “No one on their deathbed ever said, I wish I spent more time at work.”
  18. Joe Marconi
    Well, first of all, I really don't like the insults to you as a woman. Unfortunately, there are a lot of stupid people, and they are stupid to everyone! Now, I never did admit this before in public, BUT I would do the same thing you did. When someone was insulting and hard to deal with, I would intentionally raise the estimate, the more he talked trash, the higher the estimate. This "stupid tax" can add up. You are right, you cannot change him, so apply the "stupid tax" when needed. Great post! Enjoyed reading it!
  19. Joe Marconi
    Another great consideration. In most cases, especially over time, buying property is a better financial decision than renting.
  20. Joe Marconi
    Great information! Thank you for sharing! This is the power of Auto Shop Owner; sharing and exchanging ideas and strategies, and knowledge.
  21. Joe Marconi
    That is a great point. So, when they rehire a tech, it hurts the workplace morale?
  22. Joe Marconi
    All great points. Hard to argue with those facts!
  23. Joe Marconi
    Charlie, great to hear from you. Wow! You stole my thunder for my follow-up question: How do feel about cobranding! I was part of the CARQUEST Advisory Council way back in the mid-1990s when we were discussing the idea of launching a national program. One of the biggest debates was co-branding and the name, TECHNET. All the shop owner members agreed that they wanted to remain independent, and promote their own brand. I agree with you. While I do believe there is great value in being part of a national program like TECHNET, your brand in your community must be strong and should speak volumes. Great points Charlie!
  24. Joe Marconi
    Over the last few decades, we have seen part companies create alliances with auto repair shops. Perhaps the most well-known are NAPA Car Care and TECHNET. Are you affiliated with a group like this, and what benefits do you see as a member?
  25. Joe Marconi
    Years ago, I had a "No rehire rule." My thinking back then: If someone quits and I rehire them, does that send the right message to the other employees? That they can leave and I would take them back? However, we are in different times. Employees, especially techs, have left their jobs in recent years, lured away by better pay, in many cases. But, these employees soon realized that a job (a career) is not all about the paycheck. What would you do if an employee came back to you, asking for re-employment?

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