Episode Description

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Wrench, we are joined by Robert Blaes, Owner, Stang Auto Tech. Robert shares with us how shops can find their mission and implement new ideas. We also discuss the importance of hiring the right person, building a strong process, and much more!

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Finding Your Mission

  • Your mission needs to be more than just a plaque on your wall.
  • Your mission has to embody the goal of your operation: What we do and how we do it.
  • Define your core values first, then build your mission statement around those core values.
  • It’s not a one and done thing. It’s making a mental change in your philosophy about being a leader, and providing guidance and direction.
  • Let your team know they have input, and their ideas can be implemented.

Implementing New Ideas

  • Everybody is an important team member. You need to collaborate and work together.
  • When implementing new ideas, make sure they align with your goals.
  • Have a written out plan when implementing new ideas, instead of trying to switch gears everyday.
  • You have to be able to rely on your team to identify your weaknesses.
  • As a leader, it is your responsibility to have a vision, come up with a plan, and communicate how everybody is going to get there.

The Importance of Hiring the Right Person

  • Find out their needs, goals, and what’s important to them. It says a lot about their personality and the type of worker they are.
  • Understand what people’s strengths and weaknesses are. If they can’t fit in with the team and work as a team member, it’s not the right fit.
  • Sometimes it takes wrong decisions and failures to know the right decision and path.
  • Everyone in the team has to be on the same page and rowing the same boat to achieve company goals.

Building a Strong Process

  • Process is one of the most important things in making a shop effective.
  • Everyone needs to agree on the process for it to benefit the operation.
  • Know your role in the shop, and what everyone’s role is in the process.
  • If the customers don’t feel we’re taking care of them, then they are not going to come back.

Overcoming Problems within a Process

  • People see good things happening and don’t want to be a complainer.
  • People do business with people they know and trust.
  • You have to have a relationship with your technicians and ensure they know the leaders have their best interest in mind.
  • People micromanage because they feel responsible for the decisions their employees make.

Setting Goals as a Shop Owner

Show Notes

Resources:

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About Our Host:

Jay Goninen
Co- Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:

Robert Blaes
Owner, Stang Auto Tech
robertblaes@stangautotech.com

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