IMAGE I've worn my shirt (and blouse in the military) untucked for 25 years. I haven't polished my shoes since college (they had done away with polished boots by the time I joined the military and the class A shoes already came shined). Since I left the military, my hair often grows to the point of frumpy and my beard is left untrimmed. I figured, "I'm in the shop, it doesn't matter what I look like." Two weeks ago I visited a former employer and was shocked at what I saw. This was a new car dealership in Tennessee. The lot was grown over with weeds. Two vehicles were sitting outside attached to very expensive battery chargers, but the shop doors were closed and no one monitored the equipment. The building itself looked run down and ratty. There was no order to the cars parked outside. I found the service manager and his frumpy and disheveled looking techs gathered in the smoke area. I know we've had inventory issues, but if there's ever a time to double down on our image, it's when times are tough. Cleaning our workspace and ourselves goes a long way toward improving our image. I already wrote about the other dealership I visited and how dirty and disorganized the shop area was. First thing I did when I got home was order a mechanic's belt (no buckle to scratch the cars) and started tucking in my shirt. I cut my hair and trimmed my beard. I wiped my boots off. I started cleaning up my work space. Yeah, it isn't perfect, but it's a whole lot better than it was because I realized: image matters. Is this going to pay off in a flat rate environment? Who knows. But I can tell you, taking pride in my appearance has changed my attitude toward my customer's vehicles. We are professionals, and we want to be treated as such, but if we want to be perceived as professionals, we have to start acting like one. Clean up your work space, clean up your appearance, clean up your mouth, and clean up your act. And yes, I'm preaching at myself because I've been the second dirtiest mother chicken in this place for a while now. Just because I hate flat rate and have a bone to pick with working for free doesn't mean I ought to act like an unprofessional slob. So, here's to turning over a new leaf and trying to act like the professional I want to be perceived as. And here's to all of you professional technicians who do what it takes to not only be the best but be perceived as the best as well. May your camp increase. #technicianshortage #image #perception #professional
You wore a Blouse in the military? 🤐 Don't Ask Don't Tell.
I see a lot of shops and can’t understand how techs operate in a continuously messy shop. It’s not only unprofessional but unsafe. Dress for success or the job you want… if you look sloppy, many folks take that as a reflection of how you do your job. Good message. Doesn’t take much effort to tidy up the shop but techs will always be a work in progress/moving target.
Ryan May
1y
P.S. you look good brother
Dondy Adams
1y
I keep my shirt tucked. Keep my area clean. Tools organized. I see other techs totally disheveled and still making the same or more than me. It doesn’t seem to matter. I just can’t live or work like that. As far as flat rate goes, I started as percentage and “ They “ switched us over to flat rate. Does anyone know where flat rate originated from? I’d love to have a conversation with that person.
"Is this going to pay off in a flat rate environment? Who knows. But I can tell you, taking pride in my appearance has changed my attitude toward my customer's vehicles." Pride, it's incredibly powerful. Keep crushing it, my brother.
Ken Lichty
1y
Russell Wickman: I'm a trainer with PBY, I train techs as well as front desk personal. My shoes are ALWAYS polished to a "mirror" like Image (from when I was an MP in the ARMY) my shirts are pressed and starched my pants are also creased. I'm cleaned shaved everyday and I get a hair cut (although there isn't as much these days) every 3 weeks. This is about image, if I'm going to be taken seriously when I present then I need to look professional. We only get one chance to make a good first impression both in our personal and professional lives. Image is everything from your personal to the area you work in. Asking a customer to trust us with their second most valuable investment when we don't look like we take care of our own things is a big stretch. Very well written Russell and hopefully it will have a positive impact on our up-coming techs.
Aaron McCoy
1y
As a technician I always stayed clean shaven and would wash up before going out in public while working or if I needed to interact directly with a customer. Flat rate of course made this standard more challenging to achieve but I also personally refused to interact with customers looking like a dirt bag if I could at all avoid it. It's a challenge to keep clean as a technician but looking the part of a professional to a customer and having that help build that trust with them is far more important than the flag sheet for that week when looking at the big picture and trying to build a customer base as a technician.
We were asked recently to tuck our shirts in and i did not have an issue with looking more professional. I have a great work area and it is my responsibility to keep it clean . Taking pride in what you do says alot about your character. Taking good care of the customers and there cars is part of that . I have never liked the sterotype of the mechanic and always wanted to rise above that.
Automotive Technician
1yModern technician clothing is not designed to be tucked in. When around machinery tucking in your shirt will cause it to puff out and be more likely to get caught in the works. Plus you are adding a extra bit of chances to get and interior dirty or blemished. Working with hand sewn, single hide, white leather seats will really demonstrate that.