Motor Age: How have you seen your business change over the years?
Marquardt
Marquardt:: Technology in cars has changed so much in 30 years. But there's advancement that a shop has to make not only in
training and equipment, but in management training. Thirty years ago, anybody with a set of tools probably could have opened
up a shop and been very successful at it. But today with having to have the proper scan tools for vehicles and having the
proper tooling and equipment, the proper equipment for doing preventive maintenance, having information databases, subscribing
to NAPAFix, having a subscription to iATN, these things were never really available 30 years ago, but we really need it now.
Thirty years ago you wouldn't have had to do any marketing. You could be successful on just a word-of-mouth business and reputation.
But now you've got to be out there and be marketing yourself, selling yourself and your services. I don't care how big or
small the shop is, you're not only selling services, but I think you're really selling yourself.
Motor Age: You're the 2010 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. Why is that honor important to you?
Marquardt: When I look at some of the previous years' winners, some of the guys that I've followed through the years and I've
grown to respect as being leaders of our industry, and to be directly put in the same league as them is just phenomenal. I
just don't see me as qualified as some of these guys are in the past. It's a pretty elite group of technicians that have been
selected over the years. To be part of that is humbling.
Motor Age: What is something you do at your shop that you feel is unique?
Marquardt:: I think one of the things that I do that is really unique is I give my technicians the freedom to do what they
need to be successful in my shop. The other thing is we really make that strong effort to spend time with each customer one
on one when they're dropping off the vehicle and picking up the vehicle. I think that line of communication, that frontline
is so important. I hear it from customers time and time again that they're so grateful that we took a minute or 15 minutes
going over what we did to the vehicle and explained it to them so they really understand the value of service that they got
from us...I think in today's society that everybody is in such a rush. Nothing against McDonald's, but it's kind of like the
McDonald's attitude. Everybody wants it quick and fast and in and out. And sometimes we get caught up in that rush, hurry
get the car in, get it done, get it out and get the next one in, instead of doing those little extras to make the customer
happy, to make them feel that when they bring in their vehicle that they're the only person we're working on that day.
Got something to say about it? Post it here!
NormLandis / Gregory, MI, UNITED STATES
Posted 2009-12-07 06:26:27.0
Congrats to Mr. Marquardt. also, your comments are very well put and accruate. without customers, what do we have? I achieved the NAPA ASE for Detroit area for 2010, 1991 and 1993. I feel the economy has stressed the market that we servcie. In my area, we are down 30% since 2004. to keep gong, we need to stay ahead of the curve. god luck to every one and remember to put customers first. Sincerly, Norm
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