THE MOBILE MARINE MECHANIC

THE MOBILE MARINE MECHANIC

The boat business if a tough place. Everything that could possibly be against you being 100% accurate... is in the mobile marine engine repair business. Seasonal working hours, too much over-time during the hottest part of the season, hundreds of models of engines and configurations to learn and repair, special tool's lists that get bigger and more expensive to maintain, keeping up with service manual and service bulletins that are especially mandatory to most of the latest electronic controlled ignition and fuel delivery systems, and employers/customers who seem to take this all for granted.

So with this in mind, it is of utmost importance to do these simple things to keep your sanity...

* Develop self confidence. Everybody does some things well. Try to accept your strong points and weak ones. Don't forget that being dressed like a Marine Mechanic and not a beach bum is part of others perception.

* Concentrate your energy. Split up your day and assign a task to be done during the next hour, or half hour. Ask yourself what you do well and which tasks you hate. Try to delegate or get assistance with those tasks that give you trouble. Turn down jobs you're not comfortable with. Always get the manual first, if it's a new product or system you're asked to work on.

* Look for company problems that you can take on and solve. Be very slow to say, "that's not my job". Expand your capabilities by trying to solve problems that aren't currently in your experience or training level. (OK, so the first time you might not make flat rate, but next time you'll make time, because you'll have the experience under your belt.)

* Exhibit leadership by asking questions and taking action instead of waiting to be told.

* Deliver what you promise. Write down those promises you make each day, if you have to. Make sure you deliver what you promise. This is the surest way of building trust in you. When other employees and customers know they can trust you, your life as a technician will become easier.

* Be positive about yourself, your employees, the company and your boss. Showing loyalty towards others and confidence in their work will be apparent to customers. Showing loyalty to your company and your boss is key to building respect of others for the company. Either you're employed/subcontracting for a marina or you're not. Don't skim jobs.

And you have to do all this knowing, they usually don't do this themselves...