L isten, there’s a reason you applied for and accepted the position you’re at right now. But perhaps, some of the luster has worn off. So, I’ll ask the question “Are you really trying hard to ignore the things you cannot change and focusing on the ones you can like the serenity prayer suggests? If not, then I suggest you step way back away from the forest and take a look at this from a broader picture honestly analyzing what’s stuck in your craw. You may just find the problem can be worked out with better communication and forgiveness. Yes, I said forgiveness. Co-workers are going to tick you off from time to time and won’t even realize that you’re brooding. Stuff your feelings away for a few minutes and have a chat with them and use it as a training opportunity. I’ll wager things will change faster than you thought possible because people want to get along and do a good job. Help them help you and renew your interest in the store you now work in. You may just find out that grass isn’t so green after all. Famed F&I trainer and menu pioneer-George Angus of Team One Research & Training in Scottsdale Arizona-was once having a conversation with a top producer he had known for years. This fellow ran great numbers and checked all the boxes of a pro. He was looking for another job recommendation as he had done in the past. Angus refused and told him why. Seems this gent had a problem after several months on the job of criticizing everything wrong with the store including other managers and even the GM. Strife would soon follow, and he would move on to another job expecting near perfection because he was so good at his job. Angus offered up perhaps the best advice anyone could get in this situation. He said, “Find yourself a home and build on it.” Translation: No house is perfect and the longer you live in it, the more you’ll have in maintenance and repairs. Moral of this is to stay put and be content where you are because you can’t possibly understand other dealership issues with just an interview. You already know what you have where you are so learn how to work with it. So, is there a good answer to the problem? Dupaquier believes so. “Invest in your people with training on a regular basis. Never cut corners where their development is concerned”. His answer got me thinking about all the money spent on automotive tech training on an annual basis. Now, I realize OEM’s require tech certifications before the factory warranty will pay but there’s a darn good reason they do. It’s because they know well-trained technicians are way more efficient and reduce the likelihood of a customer returning because the job wasn’t done right the first time. Now, what if dealers spent that kind of money in F&I training yearly, how much better would their managers be? And in that same vein, making certain their people have sufficient time off to meet the needs of their families. While there are some great dealers out there concerned for their employees and get it, we know there are others who don’t and may never will. Developing and maintaining a great work culture will attract the right people and retain them long term thereby reducing turnover. 9
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