Best tips and practices

Just about every business owner in the Bedford PA area will tell you that one of the greatest frustrations and challenges that are faced in day-to-day operations is hiring quality personnel. Trying to find someone that has a specific skill set for this type of business is difficult; being that it takes years of training, unquestionable work ethics and a follow-through attitude to excel.

Nowadays, as business owners, it seems like we would be just happy if we could find a few applicants that would simply follow instructions.

It’s no secret in the auto repair service industry, and other service related industries in the Bedford PA area, that young people today lack many of the “work hard” traits that we reflect on as a core principle. Finding a young person that exhibits a work ethic is literally a diamond in the rough.

As business owners, and parents, I would like to take this article to reflect on some core values and more specifically: the importance of chores.

Are you Setting the best Ensample?

Do as I say, not as I do. For years I have heard this expression and disliked it. It might sound good when you’re talking to a six-year-old child; but, in reality it avoids our personal responsibility to teach our children based upon our words AND our actions. Often times a young person’s solid work ethic comes from watching the work ethic of their parents. By showing them what hard work looks like our children will see hard work as “normal” rather than the exception.

An old English term that best describes this is called the ensample. The difference between an example and ensample is this:

• An example is telling them how to do something
• An ensample is showing them how to do something

By setting the ensample for our children we can help produce in them a strong work ethic that will lay the foundation of success for many years to come.

Really… Nobody Likes Chores (but everybody needs chores)

Household chores are simply a way to help children become acclimated with work. However, if used properly, chores can also teach children responsibility and accountability. Simply doing chores to get them done, without accountability, is just a way to get free labor; we should rather use chores as a teaching tool.

Just as an employer in the Bedford PA area would challenge their employees to complete the task as stated, chores should be handled with the same responsibility and accountability.

As stated: Completing a task the way that you were told or shown how to do. Not how you think or perceive the task should be completed.

Example:

If the chore is to take out the trash, was it done exactly as stated? Was it taken out on time? Did the trashcan get cleaned? Did a new trash bag get placed in the trashcan? By following through and making sure that the chore was completed as stated you identified to the child your expectation. By holding the child accountable for the proper completion of the chore you help teach them the same accountability that they should have when working for their Bedford PA area employer or for their customer!

Holding the child accountable for the completion of the task to be done exactly as stated requires as much work for the parent as it does for the child. The child should know that our most important goal is that they learn how to complete a task as stated. (Not how they think it should be done).

If we, as parents, do not check that the task was completed as stated (to our complete satisfaction) we show them that they can get away with slacking on the task; thus identifying our work ethic towards their learning. Remember we should never consider chores as free labor, it should always be utilized as an opportunity to teach a solid work ethic.

Reflecting on a Real World Example

A few years ago, I listened to the frustration of one of my clients who owned a Sonic drive-thru. He expressed his frustration that it seems like, to him, that he had to teach young people how to work as much as he had to teach the responsibilities of the job.

He had to teach young people that had graduated high school how to properly wash their hands, how to count back change, how to speak to others with respect and how to properly complete a task, completely, as stated.

Basically, he was frustrated because he had to become their parent rather than their employer. Those young people that were taught a solid work ethic generally found themselves in a management position inside of three months.

A Final Thought

This article was not meant to point out the problems with anyone in the Bedford PA area’s parenting abilities. Nor was it meant to identify that somehow my capabilities to parent were better than anyone else’s. However, I think we all, as citizens of this diverse community; can agree that there has been a decline of a strong work ethic in our young people. As a business owner and as a parent, I am always evaluating my role and willingness to share the lessons that I have learned.

If there’s ever room to improve, I want my children to seek those improvements; to go further, better and achieve higher levels of success. I also know that in order for them to go beyond my means they will need a foundation that is as strong as that will to achieve.

We WORK hard for You!

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford PA. running its best.

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As the temperature begins to get colder here in Bedford PA. it is time to start thinking about making sure that your vehicle is ready for the colder weather. Cold weather seems to effect everything a little differently, your car is no different. Liquids such as antifreeze and oil behave differently as the temperatures begin to drop it is important to note a few useful tips to make sure that your car is ready for the harsh Bedford, PA. winters that we sometimes experience.

It’s cool to be warm

The cooling system for your car, especially during the cold weather, is a very important component to make sure is working properly. As water circulates through your engine it helps regulate the temperature by removing heat that is created from the internal friction of your engine. Antifreeze is added to the water to help manipulate the boiling and freezing temperatures to aid in the regulation of the temperature of the water. If the mixture is not correct, or the level is too low, this delicate balance of temperature will not be correct and can cause mechanical failure.

NOTE: Be sure to get your antifreeze level checked and changed regularly.

Using a hydrometer, a certified master technician at Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. can determine if your cooling system has the proper amount of antifreeze for the temperature. Changing the antifreeze regularly is also important as antifreeze, over a period of time, will begin to congeal (like a thick slime) and clog the small water passages within your radiator, heater core, thermostat, water pump and heater control valve. If performed on a regular basis (every three years or 36,000 miles) simply replacing the coolant in your vehicle is sufficient to help keep everything clean and circulating properly; however, if a lapse in the services exists, or you don’t know when it was last done, we recommend to have the system flushed, cleaned and properly filled to help make sure that your cooling system is working properly.

The heater is part of the system

Because the heater core is furthest away from the water pump it is susceptible to cooling systems that have not been properly maintained (because of the decrease in water flow). When your heater control valve or heater core is not functioning properly, it cannot circulate the warm water from your engine into the cabin of your vehicle. Because antifreeze also contains a rust inhibitor, vehicles running with insufficient amounts of antifreeze or straight water will find themselves with rusted and leaking components. Now you begin to see how important it is to help keep your vehicle maintained for cooler weather, it’s not just of the cooling performance of the engine but the fact that your heating system is an integral part of the engine cooling system; and on cold Bedford PA. day… that could mean a lot.

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Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your one stop facility to keep your car performing at its best year around. Call Today to see the Difference Experience makes – 814-310-2221

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Oil changes

Because oil viscosity is effected by ambient temperature (see article on oil change info) it is important to make sure that you were vehicle oil changes are up-to-date during the winter months. (actually, all the time) In extreme cold situations it may be recommended for certain vehicles to run a thinner weight of oil to help offset extreme cold situations. Make sure to check with your automotive maintenance expert at Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. to see if you need to change the viscosity of your oil for the operating conditions of your vehicle.

You need to get a grip

When road surfaces change it may be necessary to utilize different types of tires to make sure that your vehicle can get you where you need to go. All season radial tires will work for most of the driving conditions that we find here in the Bedford PA. area; however, many areas and homes do not have paved roads that have been cleared by state operated snowplows requiring vehicles and tires that have been built for these types of road conditions. We highly recommend speaking with the automotive professionals here at Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. to see if a more aggressive tire (mud and snow tire) may be necessary to help get you where you need to go.

Wipe that smile ON your face

Windshield wipers are one of those things that we never think about until we need them. Even if you have brand-new windshield wipers they can, and probably will, stick to your windshield during extreme cold or snowy conditions. There are quite a few things that you can do to help prevent damaging your wipers:

• The night before, hinge your wiper arms up so that the wipers are not touching the windshield
• For vehicles that do not have that capability (because the wipers are recessed) slide a piece of cardboard between the wiper and the windshield.
• Install snow wipers. This type of windshield wiper uses a thicker, wider rubber contact patch that is less likely to tear if they stick to your windshield. They are also better at moving wet snow off the windshield.
• Avoid de-icing chemicals. Use these only in an emergency. These chemicals can damage the paint finish of your vehicle if used excessively.
• Avoid Using Hot Water. While this might seem practical it can crack the windshield on older vehicles. (sometimes newer ones too) Not to mention the melted ice and snow will immediately refreeze if the temperatures are below freezing, creating a thin layer that may be more difficult to remove.

Thinking ahead: Always try to clear your windshield using a scraper tool or brush. Never use your windshield wipers to move heavy amounts of snow from your windshield. Most modern wiper motors use plastic gears that were not designed to do much more than wipe water from your windshield. By placing wiper motors under such a heavy load it can easily create an expensive repair, not to mention not being able to see where you’re going when it breaks.

When Experience Counts

Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. is your main source for vehicle maintenance and repairs for your vehicle. Our ASE Master certified, dealer trained technicians can help you keep your vehicle ready for the road year around. Because we are a Napa certified repair facility, you can have peace of mind knowing that the repairs performed by Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. are backed with quality Napa parts and our nationwide warranty. Be sure to check with our automotive experts on best tips and practices to keep your car in Bedford PA. running its best.

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Learn more about the services provided at Town Hill Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA. – Click Here

Read more on the importance of oil changes for your Bedford PA. vehicle – Click Here