Automotive Recruiters Explains Why Retention is Critical for Fixed Operations Success In Your Dealership

In an automotive dealership as a Fixed Operations Manager or General Manager, you know how challenging it can be to find skilled automotive technicians and experienced service advisors. The labor shortage in these roles has hit crisis levels, making each hire absolutely crucial. But it's not enough just to get these professionals in the door the real key to maintaining a strong fixed operations team is retaining your top talent over the long haul. 

High turnover rates among techs and advisors can cripple a dealership's ability to operate efficiently and provide an excellent customer experience. Every time someone leaves, you lose invaluable knowledge, experience, a credible relationship with their customers and a substantial investment in training. The constant cycle of hiring and retraining new people is not only incredibly costly, but it can seriously undermine quality, productivity and morale as well. Your customers want to see familiar faces not a different face every time they visit the dealership. 

On the other hand, when you focus on retaining your tenured techs and advisors, you reap substantial rewards:

1. Increased Efficiency & Productivity

Experienced technicians who have been with you for years can diagnose and repair vehicles much faster than a brand new hire. The same goes for veteran service advisors who know all the ins and outs of your processes and policies. This boosts billable hours and throughput dramatically.  

2. Deeper Product Knowledge

Tenured staff simply know your products better, from the nuances of different vehicle models to recommended maintenance schedules. Customers get better service from techs and advisors who have an authoritative command of your brand.

3. Trusted Customer Relationships  

It takes time to build rapport and trust with customers. When you have advisors who have worked with the same clients for years, you create stronger customer bonds and encourage more repeat business and word of mouth referrals.

4. Mentorship for New Hires

Seasoned vets in most cases make ideal mentors to help newly hired techs and advisors get ramped up on your systems and standards more quickly. This increases their productivity and effectiveness in a shorter timeframe.

5. Stable, Consistent Team and Management

Low turnover fosters a cohesive, experienced team that communicates well and operates like a well oiled machine. This creates a positive, productive environment which in turn improves retention even further.

While a certain level of turnover is inevitable, stemming a tidal wave of departures in your fixed ops department should be one of your top priorities as a dealership owner or a corporation. By focusing your efforts on retaining skilled technicians and advisors for the long haul, you'll ensure your dealership can maintain a level of service, productivity and efficiency that keeps your operations running smoothly and customers coming back.

Automotive Recruiters has a large network of Brand Certified Automotive Technicians and Experienced Service Advisors looking for placement, visit us online at
theautorecruiter.com for information about redeveloping or expanding your team