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We often speak of the "Customer Experience," which is crucial to the success of your auto repair shop. But equally important is the "Employee Experience." I don't have to remind anyone that happy employees make happy customers, but this concept goes even further. If you want to attract superstar candidates and hold on to the superstars you employ right now, you must do all you can to ensure that your employees have a healthy workplace where they are appreciated and can grow and enrich their careers. I know we have a lot of great shop owners on this forum. What do you do to create a great workplace environment that both attracts and retains top talent?

This topic has been discussed before, but I think it's more relative today than ever. Smart auto shop owners understand they need to constantly recruit, but what about keeping the employees we have now? Let's revisit this topic and discuss your retention strategies and other comments on keeping your valued employees.

Yesterday, I spoke to a fellow shop owner, who wants to remain anonymous, but wants to share this story. In the past few months, he lost two top techs to a local dealership. This shop owner runs a EURO shop, and these two techs are highly trained and well-known for their expertise. The dealer was willing to pay them each $10.00 more per hour than they were earning, around $40.00 per hour. NOW, there are many factors with why employees leave, and it's not only for money. HOWEVER, we need to be very careful and stay engaged with our employees now more than ever. It's hard enough finding good people these days, we don't want to lose the ones we have! Thoughts? Comments?

With all the talk these days about finding and hiring employees, it's so important that you hold on to the employees you have right now. You may not know it, but there are probably dealers and other repair shops recruiting your employees right now as your read this post! Set up time to sit down with all your employees, as a group and one-on-one. Find out more about them, their needs, their goals and what's important to them. Make sure you pay program is in line with their needs and provides for their family. It's not all about money, but we need to take care of the basic needs of life first. It's hard enough to find employees these days, make sure you keep the ones you have now! Your thoughts?