Each January we set out to make some new goals or reflect on the previous year or just think about a few changes and improvements we’d like to work toward. Some are personal and some are related to our businesses. And like most people, I do the same thing: lots of reflection, an assessment of mistakes, things to do better and new plans to add a little excitement (and maybe even vacation ideas).
When I think about the 40 years I’ve been in this industry I can recall the New Years with thoughts of improving on what I was doing or what was going on in the industry. For so much of that time, the basis of the industry remained the same, or very similar. That is, the challenge was fixing the new transmissions arriving to the industry and learning the new technologies. Rebuilding transmissions, fixing cars and providing service to customers was the name of the game. Same game under new constraints and technologies.
When remans hit the scene in the late 90s and early 2000s it was still just a matter of adjusting to the latest change in our industry. They were seen as a threat that was destine to bring down the independently-owned transmission shops. Today, we see them as just another a part of doing business. Through all of this busywork and the changes that were impacting our industry it got it a bit harder to get through our day.
Through all of this, there was something we simply forgot to consider. It’s not technology or some business strategy for providing better customer service or reaching new customers. It’s not improving our social media reach or finding a faster way to get technical information or learning the latest scan tool features. It has absolutely nothing to do with running our business today. It has to do with running our businesses tomorrow!
As an industry, we have failed at reaching the next generation of technician and finding a way to turn them into gearheads. So let’s face it, as an industry we get an “F”. That’s all of us, ATRA included. In fact, it’s to the point where people retiring from this industry simply close their doors because there’s no one interested in purchasing a transmission shop, even though it’s been in business for over 40 years.
This reality isn’t particularly new; we realized the problem a few years ago and began working on a method of training that would attract young people and that’s the Virtual Training Solutions (VTS) that ATRA rolled out earlier this year. It’s a great platform and is loaded with valuable training modules. But it’s not enough. It’s nothing if it’s not in the hands of the target audience… the new people that might consider the transmission industry as a profession.
Tech schools are part of the solution but they have limitations too. Last year ATRA introduced VTS to dozens of schools including their students and we’ve been able to generate interest in those students for working in our industry. But that may fall short too. Then it occurred to me: the answer is right in front of our face; the ATRA Chapters!
ATRA chapters have been around for years and back in the day they were the best way for shop owners to get together for discussing business ideas. Some would hold special tech classes for local shops or even invite business trainers to conduct workshops. But with the advent of the internet and social media the need for face-to-face chats has become practically obsolete. ATRA chapters continue to sponsor local seminars but we can do better. For example, the local effect of a chapter can bring the resources of VTS, local tech schools and our target audience together. Now we’re getting into an area that impacts the local shops personally by helping them tap into the pool of technicians just entering the field of automotive repair.
But there’s so much more that becomes possible once we frame the chapter as a resource for Business Owners and managers. Now, we not only focus on the technical side of the business but the business side of the business. If you’re interested in other ideas related to ATRA chapters go to the article on page 40.
It’s a new decade and a fresh look at an important part of every trade association: their local chapters.
