In our business, we seem to have some strange phenomena that simply do not make sense. Like:
"High Performance SUV" - Stuffing some gigantic GASOLINE engine in a 5,000 to 6,000 pound mini school bus just so you can speed from light to light never made sense to me. I thought SUVs were for mass-transit not rapid-transit. "Porsche 911 Hybrid" - Coming to the U.S. soon, placating the "Greenies" who want to impress their fellow members at the yacht club that they got 50 miles to the gallon screaming their way down the interstate. "Equipped with LEATHER drink holders" - Believe it or not, the new Aston Martin Rapide now sports the finest cowhide for that special driving beverage. "$$ign-On bonuses ARE necessary in this broken economy even though we have 10 plus% unemployment" - What??? Yes, as confusing as the chaos of BP's Gulf oil clean-up, sign-on bonuses are becoming mandatory to capture the right person - or ANY person willing to work. Especially for Technicians. Here is why ... Since the financial meltdown (brought to you by Fanny, Freddie, AIG, and others) Americans have been told that all this turmoil is not their fault. The politicians lead Americans to believe they are just victims of greedy corporate elites or corrupt politicians. Can't pay your mortgage? Not your fault; the government wants you to believe it is going to reduce your payment. Credit card balance just keeps going higher? Not your responsibility! That is why the new Financial Reform bill was passed to stop those Buckin' Billy Bronco Bankers from overcharging interest and fees you should not have had to pay. Lost your job because the economy took a dive? No way that is your fault Joe the Worker. Let's extend that unemployment until things get better. See a pattern here? And it went right to most Americans' heads just like a strong dry martini on an empty stomach. So that's why at least a couple of times a week I get a call from employers telling me that they have contacted multiple "job seekers" and people who have actually sent an application, and when the employer called them, they get no response back. Quite frankly, in my 38 years of experience of being in and managing the workforce, I have never seen a more fickle, aggravating workforce than now. And Technicians are the worst because they can collect unemployment as well as fix cars at home for side money. Some Techs make as much this way as they do employed by your shop when you consider they pay no taxes. And don't forget that America now has the largest percentage of a two-member working household in its history. So Papa Wrench in many cases is not the only source to pay for essentials of the family. Why a $$ign-On? To entice the employed auto pros who are not currently happy with the pay, their hours, workdays, etc. And yes, $$ign-ons also are going to bring some of the wrenches out of their driveways and back to your shop. So what are the guidelines for $$ign-ons? I speak from years of experience myself recruiting Techs, and guiding my over 6,000 auto/truck/tire/collision clients across this great nation: Steps:
The time and amounts of payout can be different. The above sample was just using "Up To $2,500", negotiated to $1,000, and paid over 4 months. But you can use a different plan. In the mean time, may your business continue to GROW, and always be recruiting! - Joe Henry *Son of a former Mercedes and Studebaker dealer as well as an independent shop owner and fixed ops dealership manager, Joe Henry has had many successful years in the automotive, truck, tire and collision industries before founding ACT Auto/Truck/Tire Staffing in 1998. He can be reached at 1-800-489-0536 or visit www.ACTautostaffing.com |
![]() Joe Henry - Owner ACT Auto/Truck/Tire/Collision Staffing ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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