rhopp
Forum Replies Created
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Hi Kieth,
I’d like to get some more info into this conversation.
Sq ft of bays, how many bays, how many AB&C Techs?
Average car count per week/month?
How many Subaru, how many Saab?
Average invoice?
I ask for example because if you have too many Subaru head jobs,
you’re probably significantly too low on price. Shoppers may be
taking advantage of you. Something as simple as a much better
warranty may make you stand above the crowd even with a much higher
profit.
Rust factor is something we take seriously too (as mentioned in
another reply). It’s not too hard to predict once you’ve seen the
car.
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Hi Candy,
e-mail me your ad used on Craigslist, I may have some insight. Ours
have gotten decent response while weeding out the dead wood. We’ve
hired five new people in the last two months, four have made it
through the first few weeks. Service manager, Master tech and lube
tire tech at our new location and one office assistant at the original
store.
I hope you are keeping your eyes peeled for your next job. It sounds
to me like your boss is a good-to-great mechanic, with little ability
or interest in managing a business.
Many of us learned to work ON our business, not IN our business.
Attracting mechanics that are worth their salt takes a strong
business, they can sense one that’s struggling/dying pretty readily.
Good luck.
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Reminds me of the Steve Martin song; ‘Uh Oh, I Think My Masseuse Is Too
Chatty’
If this person is over the age of about thirteen, good luck changing
them. If they’re willing, it could happen, just not likely. Refer them to
the hair styling industry.
Sorry, cynic in full bloom today.
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Osama = Dreamed of it
Obama = Doing it
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Not sure who’s the bigger idiot in this situation.
At least he just voluntarily resigned (at least in Michigan as I
understand it).
The labor board is not worth worry, I’d worry more that your “boss” will
hire & keep another one of these.
Thanks for sharing, made my struggles in search of good people seem a
little less frustrating.
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Harder
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We’ve changed several times over the years & been able to keep previous
versions running till we didn’t use them any more. As long as you have
the database (assuming it can be opened with MS Access) a decent
programmer should be able to setup a report allowing you a spreadsheet
type view.
Hope this helps. We’re in the final stages of testing to run Protractor
Enterprise (two locations).
What system(s) are you considering? Care to share insights?
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Below is from our handbook. Written back before you could watch
streaming video, balance your checkbook & manage
your portfolio in the palm of your hand.
“Business phones are part of our workplace as an essential part of
maintaining good communications with our customers, vendors and
service providers.
It is expected that all employees will keep their personal telephone
calls to a minimum. There may be times, of course, when it will
become necessary for you to make or receive personal calls,but you
should request your family and friends to call you at home
instead of work, whenever possible. We do not object to your making a
personal call, but we do request you exercise discretion in
the use of the telephone. No long distance phone calls are to be made
from Company phones, unless you have received prior approval
from your supervisor.”
Consistent enforcement / Buy-in is the key IMHO. Verbal warning, two
written warnings & termination. The above is
vague for a reason, if they want to argue it, its a pretty clear
signal that its time for change.
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>The DOT tells me his suspension wont start until he turns his licence
in and he hasnt done so.<
My understanding here is that it IS suspended, just that the two
years don’t begin until he turns it in (Admits it).
Hi David,
Many of us have been there… More than a few have been there many
times.
I doubt many, if any at all regret having rid themselves and their
business of such a parasite.
I started 20+ years ago as a good mechanic that thought “Hey, if my
boss can pull all that crap & make money, I can be a better boss &
make even more”.
After five + years, at the end of my rope, I sought help.
Mentors and friends were surprisingly willing and able to let me
bounce things off of them, guide me through rough patches and putting
systems in place to manage the issues that
all businesses face. I Tried several consultants, with mixed success
and tens of thousands of dollars.
Tom Ham has been a friend and mentor for most of this time and I
cannot recommend him highly enough.
The high dollar consultants I’ve tried had nothing on Tom’s ability to
tell it like it is and truly care about our success.
Your technician problem is just a symptom. If you want to build a
team, they need a leader. That takes education, dedication
and talent.
Best wishes and good luck.
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Joseph Kessel wrote:
> Is anyone currently using this service. Any positive or negetive
feedback.
We started a couple of weeks ago. Too soon for definitive response.
Getting quite a few good reviews, plenty of “buy in” from our clients so
far. Takes a bit of training & experiencing.
I could see frustration without it.
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GREAT Reply Tom!
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Re-link. Good stuff.
leadershipdevelopment.iiwiki.edu.au/file/view/Management+Time-
Who’s+Got+the+Monkey.pdf
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Hi Steve,
I think I was in the same GR class…
We have a “No Wrench” labor op used for quick free looks. Beyond that we
use mostly a “Level 3” testing (Implying its higher than the non-existent
level 1 & 2)
For the most part they are separate, though can be combined if we think
perception problem is likely.
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“Become my closest friend” was my red flag. You need to get out more.
Your business is much different than mine, however people aren’t.
Release this friend to be his best. Who are you to hold him back? (Tongue
in cheek, but only slightly).
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Ditto’s Tom,
If we can’t have a dedicated LOF/tire bay, we at least need dedicated
staff that understand the shops flow and are willing to help make sure
a bay is available or close to available at all times.
Many in our industry have worked long & hard to reduce the impact that
the Quick Oil Change “model” had on independent shops 20-30 years ago.
In my area, the Quick lubes are fading out. We’re doing our best to
help them fade.
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Up 2 %
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Better.
Always more expenses to clean up. One day at a time, Some plans that may
help make it massively better (hope to know more this week).
While the balancing act gets easier with practice, the temptation to work
without a net and move the wire higher is always lurking. That sudden
deceleration trauma is always down there waiting.
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Hello Haim,
While the service writer can contribute to car count by proper follow
up
and sales procedures, making the phone ring and getting new walk in
clients in the door is, for the most part, beyond their control.
Advertising and marketing programs managed by someone that has control
over the plan and budget is where the responsibility lies.
Of course there are plenty of factors to argue.
BTW, thanks for losing the ALL CAPS
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Side note: Marjorie just introduced me to Tweetdeck.com
A free program for managing and scheduling Facebook and twitter updates.
Pretty cool.
Thanks to Marjorie at http://www.creativewebbusiness.com/
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5-10, many of those multiple times per month according to
Marjorie, our SEO whiz.
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_X__ 15-20%
19% Avg for 2010
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In my opinion, the first thing you need is your Lawyer. Don’t have one
yet?
Much like Mario Andretti saying “If everything seems under control,
you’re just not going fast enough”.
If you have no need for an attorney (or CPA for that matter) you’re
most likely just a worker that happens to own a job.
By the way, due to debt built up over the first ten years or so
(feeling MUCH better now thank you), we COULD NOT incorporate. So we
went LLC. State laws vary too.
Good luck.
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X Less competitor shops in your area.
Three less that I know of.
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Little difference. Decent, though still spotty. Still plenty of tension
with those economically/politically aware. 2011 should be interesting.
