Out of the Crisis.Org

[Louis Altazan]

Looking at the current state of the auto repair trade, I feel there is much room for improvement. I am sure that many agree, at least in principle. Problems seem to arise with specifics and how to best implement improvement. For example, some state that they feel a Government sponsored license would help. Others feel banding together as trade associations might help promote more favorable agendas.

There may be no one-correct answer, but I think there are more correct directions. Expecting the Government to help, by mandating a license is simplistic. Past examples of Government involvement have not produced favorable outcomes, in my experience. Countless laws are broken daily, even as more laws are passed.

Licensing also has a “passing the buck” smell to it, in my opinion. Rather than attempt the hard work of changing what is wrong, it is far easier to have elected officials pass laws. Shrewd operators still skirt by, using the letter of the law. Everyone else is penalized with endless regulations, paper work and covering the cost of it all.

I feel the members of this forum represent a very elite group, the top of the trade; Technically excellent and totally trustworthy. Why then do so many other shops not follow their example? I feel partly it’s a matter of money. Shlock shops simply have always made a lot more money than honest shops. This should not be. A properly run and honest shop should be far more profitable than the opposite. The key is management.

Being technical excellence and honesty may make a great shop. It is insufficient to make a profitable shop. Loving our work is great, but if we are to set the example of how shops should be, we must also be profitable. Profit is not a dirty word. It should be a main reason a business exist. A change of management is imperative.

I see a second problem as failure of quality businesses to promote themselves. It seems, in a mistaken attempt at modesty, honest and high quality businesses do very little to toot their own horns. This is unfortunate, few will follow until someone leads.

It may be unlikely that one person will be able to change the state of our trade. It is far more likely that one person might build a glowing example of a profitable, honest and quality service facility. These people might also promote what they have done, providing examples to others, who might do the same. In the end, not only will things be far better for that owner, they may also be better for the trade as a whole.

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Louis Altazan
Owner/Manager AGCO Automotive Corporation
Baton Rouge, LA