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Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 7
Q: How many years have you been MECP certified?
A: 6
Q: How long did it take you to become a MECP Master Installation Technician?
A: Less than 1 Year
Q: How has becoming an MECP Master Installation Technician impacted your career?
A: I think it is well known in the industry that customers, especially new ones, find it easier to trust installation technicians with dirty hands covered in saw dust over our nicely-dressed counterparts on the sales floor (not to discount the role that professional sales people, I think they are just as important and vital as the technicians, the managers, and the ICC's). I think customers are more comfortable hearing from the technicians because they know we are the ones they are going to trust with their vehicle. When we tell them “Oh yeah, I've done quite a few of these and they always turn out beautiful,” they are then put at ease and it becomes easier for them to make an informed purchase. It also makes it easier for the salesperson to close the sale. When I add in the fact that there are less that 80 MECP Master Installation Technicians in the entire country, and I am one of them, it instantly becomes clear to the customer that they came to the right place.
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges facing the industry?
A: I would say one of the biggest challenges is that the auto manufacturers are building their vehicles with a lot of technology that, up until a few years ago, was almost exclusively aftermarket. In-dash navigation, multimedia systems, Bluetooth, and iPod are all very important product categories at the store level and every year more and more cars are coming with or connect to them.
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges technicians face while working in the install bay?
A: I think time is a very important issue that can easily become a challenge if not addressed promptly and correctly. Over-promising and under-delivering can ruin rapport and quickly turn into a bad situation for everyone involved. If you tell someone their car is likely to take 2-3 hours and you are done in an hour and a half, you become a hero and reassure them they made a good buying decision. On the flip side, if you tell them 2-3 hours, then call them on hour three and ask for more time, they start to wonder if something has gone wrong or if you are unsure about what you are doing. In many cases, it goes downhill from there. I am not saying that every time you run into a challenge and need a little extra time it becomes a problem, but it can if be if not explained correctly. I like to use phrases like, “Typically this takes about an hour to an hour and a half (which is always rounded up a bit), so I'd like to have your vehicle for 2 hours, if possible, just in case.” More often than not, people are willing to leave their car for a little longer than expected if they know your are going to take the time to do the job right the first time. I think the majority of challenges can be overcome by good communication, common sense, and not being afraid to ask questions. I was given a piece of advice by a seasoned installation technician when I first started in this industry back in 2000, he told me “The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.”
Q: What are your comments about other installers who feel like the certification does not apply to them?
A: I know quite a few installers that are very good at what they do, but are not certified and have no intention to become certified. Out of the installers that I know personally, the ones who are certified make more money in most cases, have greater job security, and have held their positions longer than those who are not certified. Anyone can say they have been installing for a number of years, but when you show someone that certification it tells them you take what you do seriously and have been tested to prove it. I feel that if you take your job seriously, you should let the people who are paying you know.
Q: In what areas of your current position do you feel like you excel? What are your strengths or skill-sets?
A: I feel and have been told that I am a very well-rounded technician. I am very good with security and remote starts, in car theatre, custom enclosure design and construction, and very proficient at disassembly/reassembly. I think one of my biggest strengths is not being afraid of any vehicle. I tell the guys I work with when they seem apprehensive about working on an unfamiliar vehicle to just take it slow, think logically about the order of assembly, use the right tool for the job, and remember that if it is put together, it can be taken apart.
Q: As a Master Installation Technician, have you benefited financially in regard to salary, incentives or growth at your current employer?
A: Absolutely. The company I work for pays me 50 percent commission from dollar one, which equates to nearly $5,000 each year more than an installer with an Advanced Installation Technician Certification doing the same amount of labor.
Q: As a result of your certification, do you feel you have job security or better job prospects?
A: Certainly. I have no intention of leaving my job, but I know with my certification and abilities I could work at almost any shop in the country. That in no way is meant to sound boastful, I am just confident in my abilities.
Q: Do you actively promote your Master Installation Technician Certification to your customers or retail audience
A: Almost every time I interact with customers. I find it helps breakdown barriers that are sometimes put up due to both of my arms being sleeved in tattoos. Granted, this day and age it is rare for people to be intimidated or put off by tattoos but it does still happen from time to time. When I sense someone is a bit uncomfortable or apprehensive with me working on what is likely the second largest purchase of their life, I just let them know I take what I do very seriously and have been through rigorous testing and hold the highest level of certification possible. In the full span of my career, there has never been a single time I could not overcome this obstacle. My Master certification just makes it that much easier to do so.
Q: What is your favorite tool and why?
A: At the risk of sounding conceited, I have to say my mind. I could list many of the tools that I use everyday, all of which are invaluable to my job, but what good is a tool if you don't know how to use it correctly. In many cases certain tools can end up doing more harm that good if used incorrectly. However, if I was forced to pick one tool that I use every day I would say my Makita 9.6v right angle drill. I think a lot of installers out there would agree, and to those who don't have one - get one! You'll thank me for it, I promise.
Q: What is the most challenging car that you’ve worked on and why? (Include year, make, model and why was it difficult?)
A: I just recently finished an installed job on a pair of 2005 Hummer H1 Alpha's. Both have In-dash DVD Nav, Bluetooth, iPod, satellite radio, and back up camera. They were a bit of a challenge mainly because the H1's are still built to military specs, so running wires is a bit more difficult. Finding a spot for the GPS and satellite radio antennas was kind of a pain, as was finding spots for the Bluetooth mic and brain, iPod brain, and the satellite brain. Throw in the fact that they were for a very demanding billionaire who wants things a specific way and you've got yourself a good challenge. I think almost any car can become a challenge, but if you approach the job in the right way, and take the necessary amount of time to do the job right, you can overcome that challenge and the next time, it's a snap.
Q: What do you think of our terminology change from “Installer” to “Installation Technician”?
A: I like it. I think it more accurately represents what we do in an ever changing and evolving automotive world. I think the term “installer” carries with it a more blue collar, bottom of the totem pole connotation. Installation Technician has a much more professional ring to it. And, as far as I can tell, today's consumer is obsessed with technology, and who better to install their new technology than a Technician?
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