Relationship-Driven Culture
Tim Winkeler, President & CEO of VIP Tires & Service, joins us to discuss how they prioritize relationships in building their shop culture. VIP Tires & Service has used staff feedback to drive improvements, learning valuable lessons along the way. These include the power of feedback, the importance of closing
The Story of Big Brand Tire & Service
Matt Eckman, COO, and Sara Presutto, HR Director of Big Brand Tire & Service, discuss how the company has grown to 230 locations while prioritizing customer service and employee care. Big Brand promotes from within, as seen in Matt’s journey from tire tech to COO. Learn about their referral program,
The Cost of Technician Turnover and How to Prevent It
Technician turnover is costly and disruptive—especially in the automotive and diesel industries where skilled labor is in high demand. The cost of replacing an employee is estimated to be one-half to two times the worker’s annual compensation… That’s a lot of cash. In this article, we will dive into the
Social Media Post Ideas & Tips to Attract Young Technicians
With the average age of technicians exceeding 40 years old, the aging technician population poses a significant challenge for shops and hiring managers who are already struggling with the technician shortage. It is more important than ever for shops to make a concerted effort to recruit young technicians before even
Career Advice for Aspiring Technicians
As a former technician, Larry Hourcle is now an Academy Instructor at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and a valuable voice for dealerships seeking growth. This episode explores Larry’s career transition, the importance of technician development, setting the right tone at the shop, and key career advice for technicians.
You Know You’re a Technician When…
1. You take offense at being called a mechanic. 2. You mistake grease for mold on your sandwich. 3. You tell a random stranger to stop clicking the gas pump or they will damage their evap system. 4. You wash your hands BEFORE using the restroom. 5. You are walking
Engaging Young Minds in Diesel
Ray Clark, Director of Training and Development for Truck Country and Stoops Freightliner, shares insights on the industry's need to collaborate with schools. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students starting in middle school, discusses challenges in getting counselors to advocate for the trades, and highlights key elements
How to Improve Your Shop’s Hiring Process Today
Over half of job seekers believe they have the upper hand in the job market, and this number is even higher in the automotive and diesel industries. Shops and dealerships can’t afford to make mistakes when it comes to hiring. Whether you're actively hiring or not, now is the time
Bridging the Auto & Truck Skills Gap
Brent Kindred, Vice President of The Wisconsin Automobile & Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) Foundation, addresses the status of the technician shortage and stresses the importance of industry involvement with schools to help fill the gap. He shares how the WATDA Foundation provides scholarships and summer camps for middle school students
ASE & WrenchWay Join Forces to Reduce Technician Shortage
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the ASE Education Foundation and WrenchWay, have partnered to promote School Assist as the industry solution connecting vehicle service employers and schools in finding classroom resources and creating the workforce pipeline of the future for the transportation industry. WrenchWay, an online community