| Unless your collision shop personnel are up on the | | | | "A" techs to the estimators to customer service to |
| latest knowledge and repair technology and are | | | | detailers, if you want to have a successful and |
| constantly learning more, your business is probably | | | | strong business that puts out high-quality work, you |
| falling behind the competition. Yes, training can be | | | | must invest in continuing education.One reason many |
| expensive sometimes. But by not devoting part of | | | | shop owners give for not investing more in training is |
| your budget to this important aspect of your | | | | they feel that newly trained personnel will just go to |
| business could cost your shop more in the long | | | | the competition - so why pay to train some other |
| run.The collision repair industry is changing faster and | | | | shop's personnel? This is a very bad philosophy to |
| faster every year and so are the vehicles. Just when | | | | have. It is demotivating, shows a lack of trust, and |
| you think everyone is up to speed, changes are | | | | can breed contempt amongst employees. If you |
| made. Your techs need to know about any and all | | | | don't trust your techs and staff, they won't trust |
| changes - all the time. Think about all the computers | | | | you either and you probably shouldn't be working |
| and wiring on today's vehicles. Hook up a wire | | | | together anyway. This is not to say that every new |
| backwards and you might burn up a car. Or take | | | | employee should immediately be sent to specialized |
| aluminum. It is being used in more and more newer | | | | and advanced training. It may be a good idea to have |
| cars and this metal requires completely different | | | | a stated policy that employees must work for the |
| procedures, techniques, and even special tools to | | | | company for 90 days before they may attend any |
| repair it properly.And don't forget about your | | | | training. Some companies even have employees sign |
| non-tech staff. Everyone in the shop - from the | | | | an agreement that states if the employee leaves the |
| front end to the back end - needs to participate in | | | | company within 12 to 24 months of any paid training, |
| continuing education. Think about your front office | | | | the training fees must be repaid. This is fair and may |
| and customer service staff. Could they benefit from | | | | work for your business.Actually, training builds loyalty. |
| going through a conflict resolution training course? | | | | Research has shown that most employees who |
| Could the estimator produce better estimates if he | | | | consistently participate in continuing education are |
| understood how to use the P-Pages better? And, | | | | more loyal to their employer. They know that training |
| since the estimator is really the front-line sales | | | | helps separate the good shops from the bad ones. It |
| representative, would advanced sales technique | | | | also helps to build camaraderie within the entire shop. |
| training make this person a more valuable asset to | | | | Whether personnel should participate in training should |
| your business by closing more jobs? And don't forget | | | | not be a question. It is something that just needs to |
| the detailing department. They can be taught new | | | | be budgeted for on an annual basis. |
| tips and tricks, too.The bottom line is this: From your | | | | |