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Joe Marconi

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Everything posted by Joe Marconi

  1. Joe Marconi
    Back in the 1990s, some shop owner's feared that fuel injection, 100 mile spark plugs, the elimination of the Distributor cap, rotor and extended fluid services would be our demise. But, that didn't happen. Now I hear many in our industry state that "There is no needed work on an electric vehicle, they are problem free." My opinion, let's not fall into thinking that the EV car will run forever of even for years without needed service. The EV still has tires, suspension, brakes, and a whole new area of opportunities. It will be different, but there will be a need for the Automotive Technicians and for repair shops. Your thoughts?
  2. Joe Marconi
    I think to increase labor rates incrementally is a solid strategy. It gives time for your employees to get adjusted, and won't make a big immediate impact on your customers. The main thing is to do the math, and charge accordingly.
  3. Joe Marconi
    Oh Boy! There are some things that transcend business, and that human decency. Why can't people just respect each other? I tip my hat to your service manager. It's not about the mask at this point, it's about respect for others. Let's get back to values, morals and ethics. Please.
  4. Joe Marconi
    I think we know more now about this virus, and ways to deal with it. One thing is for sure, the lessons with regard to the economy and incentives not to work, will be looked out for years to come. I too believe that it is a choice, not to be mandated. Especially now. I am all for safety, but not to a point where common sense no longer exists.
  5. Joe Marconi
    Are you going to be at VISION in Kansas City, March 3-6? Then come stop by the Elite booth and say hello to Bob Cooper and Mike DelaCruz! And you won't want to miss Bob's presentation, titled "The Leader Within You ", which will be Saturday, 8:45-11:45 AM. Join us at this powerful event and Bob will help you realize just how easy it is to discover and bring out the leader within you, and in a way that will provide you with a skill-set that will be with you for the rest of your life. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of you, so join us and discover: - The most common characteristics of every great leader - How to develop the mindset of a leader - How to set breathtaking goals, and then reach them - How to manage your time, delegate and inspire others in life-changing ways If you haven't registered yet, it's not too late to do so! Just click the link: visionkc.com/register
  6. Joe Marconi
    In order to grow your business and maximize your selling price, you will need to remove yourself from the day to day operations. That does not mean you need to be an absentee owner, that's your choice. What I am referring to is this; if you are too invloved with the daily operations, you are too deep in the trenches. You will not be able to work on all the things you need to in order to grow a more profitable business, and anyone looking to buy your business will have resistance. Why? No one wants to buy your job. Empower others to perform all the duties of running your company. Have clearly defined processes and procedures. You, the owner, will monitor and hold others accountable. Trust me, by removing yourself from the day to day, you will find out that you will still be invloved in your business, but will have a more profitable business with a lot less stress too. And one that will be more attractive to a potential buyer. Stayed tuned for more posts on Exit Strategies.
  7. Joe Marconi
    Nice to see! $153.00. And I agree with you, it is great to se that rates are trending in the right direction. Long over due.
  8. Joe Marconi
    Many shops have adopted that same strategy; small raises throughout the year. It's a great way to keep pace without a huge impact.
  9. Joe Marconi
    From my experience, used car companies want to do minimal repairs and want deep discounts. Too many short cuts are taken. I stopped working for most because I did not want to compromise the quality of my work.
  10. Joe Marconi
    Wow, you did the math! Nice, great job!
  11. Joe Marconi
    You bring up good points. All too often, if not all the time, the labor guides a not even close when it comes to big jobs.
  12. Joe Marconi
    This is a great topic, and one that every shop owner must understand. We do not work for the insurance companies, we did not sell the policy to the customer, and we will not undermine our work and submit to the insurance company sub-standard policies. Let's be totally transparent with our customers, and let them know upfront what to expect. And that most likely THIER insurance policy will probably not pay for the entire repair. Let's all stick together when it comes to insurance companies.
  13. Joe Marconi
    It is amazing to see that so many shop owners are increasing their labor rates,. Long time overdue. One thing I want to bring out: When it comes to the customer, we need to focus on value, not price. We need to bring the attention to what we are doing in terms of value the customer receives. In my experience, whenever a customer questioned the labor price or price on parts, it was due to either it was the wrong customer, or I did not do a good enough job a conveying the value for what I was doing. One last thing, in the sales presentation, promote the benefits, warranty, and value. Price is the last thing the customer hears. And don't break up parts and labor, one total price.
  14. Joe Marconi
    Best of luck to you, there is great opportunity in the Auto Repair business today. Perform your due diligence and take your time. Make the best choice for you. Happy Holidays!
  15. Joe Marconi
    Do you have an insurance broker?
  16. Joe Marconi
    There is no system that has all the features that all your needs, however, there are newer companies that are making an effort to bring newer technology to the modern repair shop. My advise is to create a list of all the companies and then ask for a demo, and see if you can actually use the system hands on. This is a big step for many shops that have been in business for a while.
  17. Joe Marconi
    Wise words.
  18. Joe Marconi
    This is great to see. One point I want to make; we are seeing more multi-tier labor rates with shops across the country. For many aftermarket independents, they do a variety of different makes and models and skill levels. As you can see in this post, EURO and pre-1971 cars command a different labor rate. Shop owners, you need to look at your business model, do the math and ensure that your labor is in line with what YOU NEED to earn a profit. Amazing posts! Let's keep this going!
  19. Joe Marconi
    Great points, great post! I agree with you. Let's hope more and more shop owners change their mindset.
  20. Joe Marconi
    Let's all keep in mind that the average age of car in the US is 12.8 years old. And the majority of cars being built today are traditional internal combustion engine cars, so we will have plenty of work well into the 2030s and beyond. The shift to EVs and more hybrids will happen, so prepare and train. But, the world is not going to shift overnight.
  21. Joe Marconi
    Fear of raising prices and labor rates are real. This is a great suggestion. For those that hesitate, go up slow, a few bucks at a time, each month. Test the waters. You will find that no one will notice. Here is a real life story. A good friend of mine on New York was fearful of raising his labor rate because of push back from his manager and service advisors. They said that in these times we would lose customers. I suggested he raise his labor rate $4.00, but not tell anyone. They didn't notice the increase! Point here, it's a mindset.
  22. Joe Marconi
    First, let me state that you need to treat every customer as if they are royalty. However, your existing customers have a relationship with you. They trust you and return to you for a number of reasons. The key to growing a business is to get NEW customers to return. Survey after survey shows that customer retention greatly improves with each vehicle visit. So, you need to give your new customers a compelling reason to return. Plus, you need a marketing plan that reaches out to your customers to keep your business top of mind. What marketing strategies to you have that makes a great impression on new customers and makes them wanting to return?
  23. Joe Marconi
    I really do believe all this conversation on this topic shows the importance. Hiring qualified people, and charging what we need and deserve are two hot issues today. Now, more than ever in my 45 year career have I seen such a issue have more relevance. Lets keep this up, work together, think together and share together, and I know we will raise the bar.
  24. Joe Marconi
    $169.00. Proud of you. You have obviously done the math and willing to charge what YOU need to make a living, invest in your future and pay your employees the wages they deserve too. I tip my hat to you too. Let us all have the will and courage to charge what we need to, and not worry about those that are not willing. YOU will be profitable and in business, the others will not.
  25. Joe Marconi
    Expenses are going up all around us. To be honest, it's a matter of survival. However, for too long too many shops have merely survived. It's time we thrive.


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