Parts Mgr moving to Service and Parts Director

[PARTS1]

I have been a PM for the last 10 years and I have an oppurtunity to become Parts and Service Director. I don't have a lot of experience in Service but I feel like I have the right drive and management skills to succeed. I am wandering what are some of the important things I need to watch as a Service Manager?

[Richard]

Talk to your techs. Be very aware of how many hours they need to make a week. Don't let them bully you though. Watch your advisors and don't let them favor techs. Find out who has the strongest skills in a disipline (ie, electrical, or water leaks) and let them become the "Go-to" person on them, but don't saddle them with every single crap job. Have them help another tech who might struggle in that same area until the other tech is at least more comfortable trying to do those jobs. Always be upfront about why you do things.

[This message has been edited by Richard (edited 08-27-2008).]