If it’s correct to refer to cyberspace as a place, the internet is a wonderful place. It’s filled with information, funny videos with cats jumping on aluminum foil, and bizarre ways to cook hamburger meat. I search for everything on the web. Do I have a pinched nerve in my neck? Problem solved. Who is that blond guy in that old movie about aliens? Oh, that’s right, that actor. How do I get rid of a Woodchuck that’s decided that under my deck is a great place to live and breed? In case you didn’t know, fox urine is highly recommended. Goodbye Chuck. Don’t ask me where I got fox urine, though.
As swift as I am to look up useless or common, albeit uncommon to me, knowledge, I seem to forget that the internet and its infinite wisdom exists when I’m attempting to take on a project. Something that I’m highly unqualified for and lack the proper tools to get the job done – and done right.
Chuck was not the last of my uninvited squatters. My rural, hillside home attracts an abundance of wildlife from within the immediate area. The Woodpeckers seem to think that my cedar siding is more appetizing than the bricks of suet I put out for them. I knew there were a few holes, but I didn’t realize there were seven. I also didn’t notice that a Chickadee family decided to nest in one of the holes until I heard the flutter of wings and chirping at six in the morning. It was time to act. Number one, they refused to pay rent, and two, I am more than slightly terrified of birds. And three, it was a weekend and too early to wake up.
I headed to the local big box home improvement store with no specific plan or supply list. I didn’t search how to repair cedar siding. I didn’t read up on what I could do to send my feathered friends packing. Instead, I strolled through the aisles, dumbfounded about what I should do. Eventually, I ended up in the lumber department, where I crossed paths with a man who looked like he’d have more answers than the Google search I’d abandoned before setting out on this journey. He patiently walked me through how to repair the holes and, with a smile, said, “Just make sure the birds are out of the siding before sealing off their exits.” I listened carefully, took mental notes, and thanked the man profusely.
I don’t own the recommended circular hole cutter, nor do I have a ladder that can level itself on my steep and uneven hillside. As helpful as the man in the lumber aisle was, I lacked the required tools and the knowledge on how to use them. I left the store armed with expanding foam, wood putty, and determination to get the job done my way.
Luckily, no one depends on me, except for myself, to complete the project with efficiency, accuracy, and beauty. It is my house, my problem, and I’m the one that must deal with the consequences if the results are subpar.
I’m positive most of us have been in similar situations that required us to wing it, whether a home repair, a landscaping project, or fixing our own vehicle. Missing a jack stand; use a couple bricks. The connector clip broke on the cam sensor; zip tie it. Have a stuck bolt and can’t find your breaker bar; a long rusty pipe will do. “MacGyvering” a solution is fine when you’re your own customer, but paid jobs require the right tools to get the best results.
Failing to arm your employees with the required equipment is detrimental to the business. Jobs take longer than needed. Quality is not at its peak. Frustrations arise from having to work harder rather than smarter. This will likely drive down morale, devastate culture, and cost you money. Investing in the right tools, providing training, and requiring their usage creates an environment that will ensure high quality and profitable results. Warranty rates will decrease, promising happy customers and happy workers. I have never met a tech that jumps for joy at the opportunity to perform warranty work.
Of course, there are some barriers to having all the proper devices for every job. I am not delusional enough to believe that machinery and equipment can magically appear in the blink of an eye and actually be used and used correctly.
What are the obstacles we face when choosing between splurging for the new tool or saving a few bucks on the front end? How do we overcome the hurdles that discourage our teams from utilization?
- Cost: Sure, that hot flush machine has a price tag of $6903.00. Rather than choke on the cost of the equipment, focus on the ROI (Return on Investment). We know that hot flushing the cooler is the only way to remove 99.9% of contaminants from the system, preventing premature transmission failure. A few improperly flushed units and denied warranties will cost the shop untold dollars and customers as well. Make sure that you’re using your funds to supply the tools that will provide the most benefit, rather than purchasing everything and anything that comes down the pipe. Ten pounds of wood putty might have been a bit excessive.
- Training/Job Knowledge: As the shop owner, you invested in a brand-new, top-of-the-line scan tool. You want your technicians to be able to read real drive time data and diagnose accurately – no guessing, no throwing parts at a problem. The techs will be more efficient and profitable if they know how to use the new tool. Don’t just assume that everyone knows how to use a new tool and use it to its fullest potential. Provide training and demonstrations. At the very least, make sure the user manual is available. Not everyone will ask for help. Some would rather let the tool sit idle than admit they don’t know something. Others will ask for help and still slap wood putty on their house.
- Implementation: You bought it. You trained your teams on it. Yet even your best builder refuses to use it. You forgot to create buyin. Show the value of what you’re requesting to be used. How will this make the job easier? Faster? More reliable? Whether it be a new piece of equipment, newly released technology, or a new way to do something, your people will possibly resist change. Explain the why and the benefits they’ll experience by employing the new process or device.
- Accessibility: Out of sight means out of mind. Organization and proper placement in the workplace are imperative to successful implementation. If something is too hard to get to, too difficult to use, or never in the right spot, it’s virtually guaranteed to sit idle and collect dust. I remember when I was five years old; if my play shoes weren’t out in the open, I was going barefoot or wearing the good ones. However, I did make sure I knew where my tennis shoes were before tackling the crooked ladder. Three-inch heels would have surely led to disastrous results.
It’s impossible to always have the exact tool at your fingertips. There’s probably not enough room in your toolbox or shop to be prepared for every rare repair. A couple of solutions include sharing and borrowing. Also, knowing what your vendors and partners have available can help keep your costs down and your shelves tidy.
I still don’t have a circular hole cutter or a self-leveling ladder. But I do have nine pounds of wood putty taking up space on a shelf. With a bit of help and some teamwork, the Chickadees have successfully moved on. I am sure they’re busy bargaining with the woodpeckers to make some more holes. Until then, they’re customers that I’d prefer to not have back. In the meantime, I suppose I’ll order that hole cutter, so I’m prepared to tackle the next flock. It’s an investment worth tweeting about.
About the Author
Sari Rivera is a transmission industry veteran. You might recognize Sari as the “Siren of Support” for ETE’s Reman U where her cleverly creative writing style makes her articles both fun and helpful.
We welcome Sari’s insightful creativity and look forward to future articles. Let us know how much you enjoyed Sari’s article by sending an email to rbland@atra.com.
You can also reach out to Sari by emailing to srivera@etereman.com.
