Green Grass of Home

“The grass isn't always greener on the other side. It's just the sun is shining at a different angle, and it's the same shade once you get over there.”

So says Jerald Petterson, service manger at Prestige Ford in Garland, TX. He should know. Having upwards of 50 service technicians working for him, he periodically deals with someone leaving for perceived greener pastures.

Not to say that every time an employee leaves, it's worse off for that person. However many times techs can be swayed to a different store for only a buck or so more an hour. Many employees find in the end that it wasn't really worth it.

Many service managers face the unpleasant situation of technicians announcing their intentions to work elsewhere. That can be bad news, indeed, considering today's industry shortage of technicians.

Nowadays, techs know theirs is a profession that's not attracting new recruits in massive numbers. Techs feel they may be in demand, and therefore able to make more money somewhere else.

Everyone is replaceable. If they think they're not, it's time for them to wake up. Prima donna electrical or transmissions techs are replaceable, especially if they're not keen on staying in the first place.

It's the service manager's job to create harmony. If a couple of non-team players are looking to move on, they might need a reality check. Let them go elsewhere. Otherwise good people are worth keeping.

Losing people in the back end is certainly different than losing people in the front. Sales people turn over is one thing. A salesperson might move for a variety of reasons:

Technicians, on the other hand, usually leave for jobs that pay a couple of dollars more an hour. That's often it. What they fail to realize is that there are so many other factors, not just money (although that's not an unimportant one).

These are some other things that a service manager must educate the staff on, rather than just commenting on perceived hues of grass:

If a dealership has a good team and offers a homey feel, people won't usually leave unless it's a darn good reason.

To foster that goodwill, sponsor outside activities for employees. Barbecues, picnics and ballgames are great activities for company togetherness.

They create a bond among the staff. If people feel they belong, they're more likely to stay for the right reasons.

Dave Skrobot ([email protected]/ 1-888-681-7355) is vice president of fixed operations training for the Automotive Sales College.