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In this end-of-year update podcast episode, Coach Chris Cotton from Auto Fix Auto Shop Coaching, along with Coaches Mike, Brent, and Al, discuss the challenges and successes of running auto repair shops. The coaches highlight the importance of having a cohesive team, dealing with parts availability and cost increases, and the need for clear career paths for technicians. They also discuss the impact of high interest rates on the industry, the challenges of finding replacement parts, and the trend of shops closing due to lack of succession plans. The podcast ends on a positive note, with the coaches sharing success stories and expressing their excitement for the upcoming year.
- The impact of lockdown team on shop performance (00:01:44) Coach Mike discusses how establishing a strong team atmosphere and having the right technicians greatly impacted his shop's performance.
- Hiring an additional staff member (00:03:05) Coach Brent talks about the positive impact of hiring his son as an additional staff member, relieving him from various duties and reducing stress.
- Improving staffing and team dynamics (00:04:59) Coach Al shares how having a cohesive team and implementing employee rewards helped improve workflow and reduce turnover in his shop.
- Technicians struggling to find parts (00:10:29) Discussion about the challenges of finding parts and the need to raise labor rates to compensate for the time spent searching.
- Increasing cost of parts (00:11:51) Conversation about the rising costs of parts and the impact it has on the industry, including the need to update quotes more frequently.
- Dealerships marketing against independent shops (00:13:09) Discussion about a dealership specifically targeting an independent shop and the use of geofencing and advertising to compete.
- The technicians' perception of income (00:20:01) Discussion on how front-end guys buying new campers led to the perception that they were making more money, and how this perception changed after a hierarchy was shown.
- Providing a path forward for technicians (00:21:13) Importance of building a foundation and providing growth opportunities for technicians, including training, job experience, and addressing productivity levels.
- The cost of owning a shop and technician frustrations (00:23:21) Discussion on the financial aspects of owning a shop, including insurance costs, and how it can discourage technicians from wanting to start their own shop. Also, the importance of having a path forward for technicians and helping them reach their goals.
Note: Only three timestamps were provided in the given transcription segment.
- The average age of vehicles is increasing (00:30:17) Discussion on the shortage of used cars and the rising cost of repairs on newer vehicles.
- The increase in repairs on 18-20 model vehicles (00:31:08) Exploration of how the high cost of replacing vehicles is leading to more repairs on newer vehicles.
- Challenges faced by unsuccessful shop owners and the trend of shop closures (00:35:08) Conversation about the difficulties faced by shop owners who are not profitable and the increasing number of small shops closing their doors.
- Success Stories and Relief for a Mechanic's Wife (00:40:23) A coach shares a success story of a mechanic who implemented coaching recommendations,...
