We’re Hiring a Service Manager—What Pitfalls Should We Avoid?

  Hi Sara, We’re ready to bring on a service manager for our dealership, but I keep hearing about common pitfalls. What should we not do when hiring for this role? ----------------------------------------------------- Oh, I love this question! Hiring a service manager is a big deal and can make a world of difference for your dealership — but only if you’re strategic about it. I’ve seen all kinds of moves in this area, and let me tell you, [...]

By |2024-11-06T09:24:36-06:00November 6th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Hiring, Service|

How can we find reliable, long-term technicians?

  Hi Sara, We’re struggling to find reliable technicians for our dealership, and when we do, it’s hit-or-miss on whether they stick around! What’s your best advice for finding skilled techs and making sure they’re the right fit? ----------------------------------------------------- Hey there! Great question — and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way! Dealerships everywhere are facing similar challenges, and finding (and keeping) top-notch technicians is like winning the hiring lottery these days. But the [...]

By |2024-10-30T12:23:04-05:00October 30th, 2024|Ask Sara Hey, Hiring, Service|

Q&A Series: Do we really need an Employee Handbook?

You didn’t start your dealership because you love HR, but my guess is that as your Parts, Service, and Sales departments grow, so do your headaches with the people in your dealership. One of the most powerful tools you have, as you work with people, is an Employee Handbook because it creates clarity for every single person at your dealership (yes, that includes you!) There is no need to reinvent the wheel; we [...]

By |2023-11-13T17:26:01-06:00November 13th, 2023|Hiring, Management, Video Blog|

Q&A Series: “How do we keep a positive culture in the Service Department?”

Culture issues in the Service department almost always start with the *gasp* Service Manager! The first step to getting a positive culture in the Service Department is to have a trained and excited Service Manager leading your team. BCI's Service Manager Certification is the perfect way to train your Service Manager! You can get started here.

By |2024-01-03T12:17:29-06:00November 8th, 2023|Hiring, Management, Service, Video Blog|

Q&A Series: “I know my gross profit- now how much can I pay my employees?”

You have done the work. You know your gross profit and you're ready to determine each employees pay rate. Check out the video above for our simple process that keeps cash in your pocket while also paying your employees fairly. If you need to calculate your gross profit, our calculator is in the Dealer Toolbox, under the Management tab.

By |2023-11-02T11:39:50-05:00November 2nd, 2023|Hiring, Management, Service, Video Blog|

The Three Interview Questions that You Need to Ask

In the midst of our current hiring environment, it's more challenging than ever to not rush through the interview process. Just because someone has a pulse and can fog a mirror does not mean they are the right person for our team.Sara Hey, with Bob Clements International, shares the three questions that her team uses as they help find and hire, technicians, parts people, and dealership salespeople for the members of their Dealer Success [...]

By |2022-08-24T12:13:02-05:00October 20th, 2021|Hiring, Video Blog|

Where Can I Find Technicians?

The search for qualified Service Technicians is not for the faint of heart. Dealership owners and managers struggle with the issue of finding, compensating, and keeping service technicians in their dealership. Sara Hey, of Bob Clements International shares how to determine how much you can pay technicians, how you can partner with the local VA and Military recruiters as well as maximizing your job postings to bring you the best candidates. [...]

By |2022-08-10T09:51:09-05:00October 12th, 2021|Hiring, Service, Video Blog|

3 Common Pitfalls in Hiring

It’s probably no surprise to most owners and managers, but typically, the biggest expense in a dealership are the people you employ. In the heat of the battle, when you feel the pain of needing another set of hands, it can be easy to justify adding another body to the dealership and another person to payroll. However, as you approach slow season, you may find yourself questioning the decisions you have made around adding the [...]

By |2020-05-05T11:06:19-05:00September 25th, 2019|Hiring, Uncategorized|

The Nuts and Bolts of Technician Pay

In the compensation programs we recommend, the tech is paid an hourly rate based on their level of experience and the dealership location. For example, in the Midwest, a C-level tech might make $8-$10 dollars an hour. A tech in the Boston area, however, might need to be paid $14-$16 per hour. You know your area and what you have to pay to get a technician at the various levels, so adjust accordingly. In the [...]

By |2020-05-05T11:12:50-05:00January 17th, 2018|Hiring, Management, Service|
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