Accelerating Efficiency in the Mechanic's World: focusing on what you can control, the value of small contributions, and daily habits
Mark Fowler
Market Manager ll Stellantis Master Technician || Personal Coach - helping technician's live their dream life || Corporate Trainer and Keynote Speaker(2) ||
The most wisdom for technicians of any other newsletter on the web
Happy Countdown to Friday!!!
Here are 3 ideas, 2 quotes, 1 lesson and 1 question to consider this week...
3 Ideas (10sec read)
I
"The more time you spend complaining about what you deserve, the less time you have to focus on creating hours. Focus on what you can control."
II
"If you never question things or processes, your life ends up being limited by other people's imaginations.
Take the time to think and dream, to question and reconsider, find a better process. It is better to be limited by what you can dream for yourself than by where you fit in someone else's dream."
III
"The edge is in the inputs.
The person who consumes from better sources, gets better thoughts. The person who asks better questions, gets better answers. The person who builds better habits, gets better results. Period
It's not the outcomes. It's the inputs."
2 Quotes from others (10sec read)
I
"May I be the tiniest nail in the house of the universe, tiny but useful."
Mary Oliver - Upstream
II
Author and poet Maya Angelou on how libraries changed her life:
"All information belongs to everybody all the time. It should be available. It should be accessible to the child, to the woman, to the man, to the old person, to the semiliterate, to the presidents of universities, to everyone. It should be open...
Information helps you to see that you’re not alone. That there’s somebody in Mississippi and somebody in Tokyo who all have wept, who’ve all longed and lost, who’ve all been happy. So the library helps you to see, not only that you are not alone, but that you’re not really any different from everyone else. There may be details that are different, but a human being is a human being."
Maya Angelou - Interview: Maya Angelou with The New York Public Library
1 lesson I needed to relearn this week (2 min read)
Welcome back to another edition of Flat Rate Chronicles - The countdown to Friday where we dive deep into the world of wrenches, engines, and all things automotive. This time, let's rev our engines and talk about navigating the flat rate world with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.
领英推荐
In today's digital age, technology isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity, especially for flat rate mechanics like us. We know all too well that time is money, and leveraging technology can be the key to unlocking greater efficiency, not a hindrance. From advanced diagnostic software to digital service manuals, DVI’s, DMS servers, and specialized tools, integrating technology into our work simplifies tasks and supercharges our workflow, transforming it into what we can aptly call the "Accelerate & Elevate Program"
Just imagine effortlessly diagnosing engine issues with pinpoint accuracy using cutting-edge diagnostic software or accessing digital service manuals directly from your tablet, freeing yourself from the burden of lugging around hefty physical copies. These technological marvels not only streamline our processes but also guarantee precision and accuracy in our work, resulting in happier customers and skyrocketing productivity levels.
So let's not hesitate to fully embrace technology and harness its power to turbocharge our efficiency in the flat rate world.
Continuous Improvement:
In the lightning-fast world of flat rate mechanics, standing still is akin to moving backward. That's why embracing a mindset of continuous improvement is absolutely vital. We must consistently scrutinize our methods, pinpoint areas for optimization, and implement changes to refine our workflow and amplify productivity.
Take a moment to scrutinize your current processes. Are there any steps that feel redundant or overly time-consuming? Is there a new tool or technique you've been itching to try out? Now is the time to dive in and innovate.
For me, the process starts the day before, during what I call "workday power down." I meticulously review all upcoming Repair Orders (ROs), categorize them into warranty and regular pay jobs, check parts availability, and meticulously plan out my day using Google Calendar. By allocating reasonable time slots for each task, I ensure a streamlined and efficient workflow. And don't forget to schedule in time for chatting or mentoring colleagues if that's your thing.
Whether it's investing in additional training, conducting research to master a new skill, or exploring alternative approaches to common repair challenges, there's always room for improvement. Flat rate mechanics are renowned for their knack for discovering faster, more efficient ways to tackle tasks. By embracing a culture of continuous improvement, we not only stay ahead of the curve but also elevate the quality of our work and bolster customer satisfaction.
Let's pledge to push the boundaries of our skills and knowledge 15%, one wrench turn at a time, as we relentlessly pursue excellence in the flat rate world.
As we conclude this edition, remember that we're all in this together. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, there's a wealth of knowledge waiting to be uncovered and explored. So keep tinkering, keep learning, and keep steering towards greatness.
For more information email me directly or join the chat markf@flatraterevolution
P.S. Some tech to check out
Tekion - best DMS is have ever seen or used
https://tekion.com/
Calendar - google, outlook, notion what ever you like
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r?pli=1
Notion - The most amazing note taking, second brain, workflow organizer I have ever used, also works great to take notes about you diagnostic and journal
https://www.notion.so/
Google forms - I use this for tracking my flat rate hours
https://www.google.com/forms/about/
1 Question for you
Are the results I am expecting aligned with the habits I am following each day?
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