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Joe Marconi

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Everything posted by Joe Marconi

  1. Joe Marconi
    As a business coach, I am often asked, "What's the best ratio of Service Advisors to Technicians?" The answer, in my opinion, is not straight forward as you think. It depends on the type of work you do, your weekly car counts, and how your team is structured. My shop was general repair, with car counts of about 120 per week. We did a good mix of service work. We had six techs and three service advisors. I found that this was the perfect ratio for me. One of the Advisors was also the manager but was involved in writing service. You need to look at your particular operation. Do you have support staff that helps at the counter and on the phone? Are the bulk of the jobs you do heavy repair, such as heavy trucks? Are your car counts low with a high ARO, such as EURO specialists? And, do you have a parts person helping to procure parts? All these factor into the equation. With that said, What is your perfect ratio for your shop?
  2. Joe Marconi
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  3. Joe Marconi
    Marty Long from Hills and Dales Auto in Ohio hosts an annual car show each year. He gets over 200 cars to sign up for it. A great community event and great marketing to promote your shop. Of course, you need to have room in your parking lot. But maybe smaller events can achieve the same thing? Have any other shops held community events?
  4. Joe Marconi
    With run-away inflation and the never-ending increase in gas pricing, auto repair shops in the Northeast are cautious. While 2022 so far has been very good for most, the fear is that the forces that eat away at the consumer's discretionary spending will also affect their ability to pay for recommended services and repairs. How are you dealing with this? What strategies could we share?
  5. Joe Marconi
    A recent survey from The Muse found that 72% of people that left their jobs are not happy, and nearly 50% would consider getting their old job back. So the question is, would you rehire someone who left you recently, and is now not happy? Source:
  6. Joe Marconi
    I know, a lot to consider. And makes you wonder what other technology will be coming in the future years. My biggest worry was learning fuel injection and electronic ignition. Boy, thinking back when we had points, condensers, carburetors, 4-wheel manual drum brakes, no power steering.....the good old days???? Not really sure.
  7. Joe Marconi
    Frank, I think just about everyone is thinking about how to save in so many areas. Going out to eat is more, gas is more, groceries are more, Etc. To fill up a tank these days for most is about $100. That is insane. With that said, shop owners need to remain the voice of reason and come up with sound positive solutions. I know it's hard, but getting sucked into the consumer's drama will only make things worse. Thoughts?
  8. Joe Marconi
    As of today, May 18, 2022, the price of gas is over $4.00 per gallon in every state of the U.S., with prices in states like New York and California way over $5.00. Are you seeing a decrease in consumer driving? Do you think this will hurt the summer season when so many people plan road trips, that help auto repair shops with all the related services and repairs? Lastly, what's your plan to help your customers, and also help you to maintain sales during the road trip, and vacation season?
  9. Joe Marconi
    May 17, 2022—Drivers of Mercedes ML-, GL-. and R-class SUVs from 2006 through 2012 are being asked by the automaker to stop driving them immediately, according to a WQOW report. Corrosion within power brake systems could weaken the brakes causing more drives to have to use more force when braking which could lead to accidents when vehicles aren’t stopped at a considerably safe distance. Mercedes has asked vehicle owners to have their brakes inspected for brake booster corrosion. If the brakes are performing normally, the automaker will require owners to have the brakes re-inspection within two years. If the brakes need repair, the booster will be replaced at no charge. Mercedes will provide free inspections and towing of vehicles for inspections and repairs, as well as help with setting drivers up with alternate modes of transportation while their SUVs are being repaired.
  10. Joe Marconi
    All great points! There is a lot of training available these days. The ones I have used are the following: World Pac training CTI (CARQUEST Technical Institute) NAPA ATTS - Automotive Technician's Training Services In addition, speak to companies such as Hunter and Snap-On to see what they are developing. Good luck!
  11. Joe Marconi
    Thank you for your post. This should hit home with every shop owner. It's not always about money, as we think too often. It's about the workplace and having an effective leader. People want to have a purpose, be respected, and feel that their hard work and contributions are recognized by management. Let's hope, and work hard, that we continue to understand the business from the employee's view and also work to become better leaders.
  12. Joe Marconi
    You bring up great points! And to your point, that's why I believe shop owners need to sit down with each employee and review their ENTIRE pay package. A shop paying $35 per hour, plus all the benefits, retirement plan, etc., may add up to another flat-rate paying $40 per hour that has little to no benefits.
  13. Joe Marconi
    One of the things that came out of COVID was the expansion of virtual training. Before I sold my business we started a monthly virtual training session. We held it in the middle of the day from one hour to an hour and a half. There is so much available to us these days, like CTI Training, World Pac, NAPA, and a lot more. There are pros and cons to virtual training, but with the amount of information that is needed today, I feel virtual has a place in today's repair shops. Thoughts and comments?
  14. Joe Marconi
    The traditional vacation season is almost here. It's also when many repair shops are the busiest. How do you balance employee vacation time with the need to have a full staff during the busiest time?
  15. Joe Marconi
    The life of a shop owner is often filled with a never-ending list of tasks and responsibilities. This can lead to burnout if we are not careful. What do you do, or should do, in order to have the right balance between business and life?
  16. Joe Marconi
    Larry, this is a well-done video. And a great tip for everyone! I didn't know that a TV station would do this. Video is a great way to promote a business. Was the video available to you to use on your website, or social media, etc.?
  17. Joe Marconi
    HA! This is the power of Auto Shop Owner. We all share and exchange ideas, opinions, and knowledge. Everyone has something to contribute. I respect your honesty! Keep posting!
  18. Joe Marconi
    ADAS will be incorporated within the safety systems in every car. I don't know where we are headed, but right now on many cars, you have to recalibrate ADAS for bumper cover replacements, rearview mirrors, alignments, and a lot more. Technically, wherever ADAS has sensors, you need to check to see if an ADAS recalibrate needs to be done if the sensors were affected by a particular repair. So, I don't think it's the same if your cruise control fails or your CD player fails, and you opted not to repair it.
  19. Joe Marconi
    This has happened to nearly everyone and has happened to me. Contact Google ASAP. If that person was truly not in your shop, Google knows. And always reply, as you did, in a professional manner. People understand, don't go nuts about this. Start asking some of your great customers to post good reviews, and get that pushed down the list. And contact Google. Good luck! And relax! I have been there too.
  20. Joe Marconi
    That is a tough question to answer without being too general in nature. However, here's my opinion. I am in New York, and it's not uncommon for top techs to ask for 40 to 50 an hour. BUT, the bigger question is how to pay that salary. A lot goes into it: Production, the type of work you sell, your labor rate, are you charging more for labor with jobs that don't include parts; such as complicated computer-related problems? I am going to state a disclaimer before I continue: THE FOLLOWING IS GENERIC IN NATURE, AND YOU MUST DO YOUR OWN MATH TO DETERMINE YOUR LABOR RATE. Now with that said, to pay a tech $45.00 your labor rate for that tech (at 100% productive) needs to be around $180.00 per hour.
  21. Joe Marconi
    The liability issue is a big one. Training and the right equipment are key.
  22. Joe Marconi
    I should have asked that question, and wanted to. And, I agree. Most of the time, the heart is gone long before the toolbox is. Shop owners need to become more engaging, sit down with their employees, find out what's important to them, are there any issues, and do all they can to retain the people they have now.
  23. Joe Marconi
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  24. Joe Marconi
  25. Joe Marconi
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