Robert Villanueba

The automotive repair industry is facing a severe shortage of qualified technicians. As vehicles become more complex and the demand for maintenance and repairs increases, dealerships and independent shops are struggling to find enough experienced technicians. Dealerships and independent auto repair shops need to get creative in how they recruit, attract, retain, and promote automotive technicians. Strategies to use include data and analytics, investing in continued training, pay increases, retention bonuses, tool allowance, footwear allowance, and team building events. Implementing even a few of these initiatives can help set your shop apart. Offering competitive compensation and benefits shows technicians they are valued. Ongoing training and growth opportunities demonstrate an investment in their careers. And regular team building promotes morale and collaboration. With thoughtful effort and some creativity, shops can deal with the technician shortage better prepared. Taking a data d...

As service managers, our mission is to cultivate an engaged, skilled team of automotive technicians who stay with us for the long haul. These techs drive productivity in the service department and help foster an exceptional repair experience for customers. But with the growing demand for auto techs nationwide, retaining these individuals takes a comprehensive strategy.  It starts with recruitment - making sure we attract promising entry level techs who we can then teach, mentor, and elevate within the company over time through an internal pipeline. Apprentice programs do just that, offering training and growth opportunities for new techs to progress their skills on the job. By demonstrating internal mobility and helping techs near their ASE certifications, we show technicians they can thrive here long term. This allows us to construct a service department interwoven with tenured technicians alongside newly onboarded talent, supporting continuity and knowledge transfer while driving...

Employee retention is critical in any industry, but especially so in the fast-paced and competitive automotive repair and maintenance field. Highly skilled technicians are in high demand, and shops that fail to retain their best employees risk losing business to competitors with more stability in their workforce. As an automotive service manager, what can you do to improve technician retention? Here are some key strategies: Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits One of the top reasons technicians leave a shop is to take a job that pays more. Do some research on pay rates in your area to ensure you are compensating technicians fairly based on experience and certifications. Regular pay raises and performance bonuses can also boost retention. Offering benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation time makes compensation even more attractive. Invest in Training and Development Technicians want to continuously expand their skills in order to take on more complex r...

I received a phone call from an employee who works for a company that does not have solid processes in place which creates the staff to be reactive in their decision making and the management team is worried about protecting their own ass and less worried about the long term effects this type of behavior will have on their employees and business.  As our conversation continued he expressed his concern about staying with the company because he felt his voice was not being heard and he felt in his capacity he could not effect change and felt as though his days are filled with feelings of working in a tornado and burning fire which changes by the hour.  Here is the conversation that took place: I've been working at my current company for about a year now, and I've noticed that the company is very reactive in its decision making. This means that they often make decisions based on what is happening in the moment, rather than planning ahead. This reactive approach to decision making...

Have you ever had a manager or leader that is younger than you and does not have a clue what they are doing but they use their "manager" title like a badge? One of the biggest challenges younger, less experienced managers face is not having the correct training to be in a leadership position. Most inexperienced leaders believe if they lead with a heavy hand that will scare employees into listening and resecting them, actually it is quite the contrary.   There are a number of reasons why younger inexperienced managers may not learn from experienced managers or feel management training is what they need to grow. Some of these reasons include: Pride: Younger managers may feel that they don't need to learn from more experienced managers because they think they already know everything. Fear of failure: Younger managers may be afraid to ask for help or advice from more experienced managers because they're afraid of being seen as incompetent. Lack of confidence: Younger man...

Step 1: Identify Your Values The first step to personal growth is to identify your values. What are the things that are most important to you? What do you believe in? Once you know your values, you can start to make decisions and take actions that are in alignment with them. Step 2: Set Goals Once you know your values, you can start to set goals. What do you want to achieve in your life? What kind of person do you want to be? Setting goals will give you something to strive for and help you stay motivated on your journey to personal growth. Step 3: Take Action The most important step in personal growth is to take action. It's easy to get caught up in planning and thinking about what you want to achieve, but it's important to actually take steps towards your goals. Even if you can only take small steps at first, every little bit counts. Step 4: Be Patient Personal growth is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort to make lasting changes. Don't get discouraged i...

How Can I Read More Books  1. Set a goal: Set a goal for yourself to read a certain number of books within a certain time frame. This could be anything from reading one book per month to reading one book per week. 2. Make it a habit: Set aside a regular time each day to read and make it a habit. This could be as simple as reading for 30 minutes before bed each night or dedicating an hour on the weekend to reading. 3. Join a book club: Joining a book club can be a great stay motivated to read. You can discuss the books other members and gain a new perspective on the book. 4. Reward yourself: Reward yourself for reaching your reading goals, such as buying yourself a new book or treating yourself to a relaxing activity. 5. Track your progress: Track your progress by recording the books you have read and how many pages you’ve read. This will help you to stay motivated and see how far you have come.