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Taking a step back from the bench to handle scheduling was the best career move I've made
There's a persistent belief in our shop that if you're not physically assembling engines, you're not a real mechanic. I respectfully disagree, as shifting to a hybrid role where I manage the service calendar and diagnose complex issues remotely has actually improved our shop's efficiency and my own job satisfaction. For instance, by pre-assessing customer concerns via detailed phone consultations, I can streamline parts ordering and prepare the bays, which cuts down on downtime for everyone. This approach has allowed me to focus on the puzzle-solving aspect of diagnostics while still keeping my hands dirty on the tougher jobs that truly need it.
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oliviam108h ago
Honestly, I've seen this exact shift work wonders in smaller shops too. In my experience, the mentality that you have to be covered in grease to contribute is outdated and limits growth. Your mileage may vary, but leveraging tech for diagnostics and planning often uncovers issues that get missed in the rush of a busy bay. It allows mechanics to focus on complex repairs instead of getting bogged down in administrative tasks that eat into productive time. Take this with a grain of salt, but shops that adapt these hybrid roles tend to retain talent better by playing to individual strengths. Streamlining the workflow like you described isn't stepping away from being a mechanic, it's evolving the role to meet modern demands.
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the_fiona6h ago
Actually, a buddy of mine switched to a similar setup last year and his shop's productivity shot up. He used to be all about wrenching but now he handles the intake calls and diagnostics, which let him spot a recurring issue with a specific model that was eating up hours in the bay. @christopher943 mentioned improved turnaround, and isn't that exactly what we're after here? Why cling to the idea that grease under the nails is the only measure of worth when the whole shop runs smoother? My friend says he actually gets to dig into the real head-scratchers now instead of being buried in routine checks.
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rubyrodriguez4h ago
According to ASE, hybrid roles boost first-time fixes by 25%, proving mechanics can excel beyond the bay.
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kaih366h ago
Not to dismiss the idea, but calling it the best career move seems a bit dramatic. @christopher943 noted improved turnaround, which is good, but isn't that just basic shop management? Feels like we're overthinking what's essentially streamlining workflow.
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