Is the Future Scary Or Exciting? | Mickey Leech with Schumacher Electric
About this episode
Mickey Leech, CEO of Schumacher Electric, shares insights on the automotive industry's evolution and the challenges of adapting to new technologies. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the need for leadership development, and the impact of generational shifts in the workforce. The conversation highlights the balance between traditional automotive practices and the rise of electric vehicles, emphasizing the significance of maintaining quality and performance in a changing market. Leech also reflects on his personal journey in the industry and the future of Schumacher Electric.
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Mickey Leech is the CEO of Schumacher Electric. Today, he and Jeff talk about the EV battery charging market, other industry technological advancements, and how to grow within today's industry. They also discuss how to support and equip young technicians with tools, training, and care, to help the industry over the next few decades.
05:50 Tech Evolution: Overcoming Information Barriers
13:23 Innovative Wireless Charging Solution
18:26 Shift in Appreciation for Loud Cars
25:39 Vintage Schumacher Battery Charger Nostalgia
30:51 Tech Life: Untold Stories
32:45 Embrace New Technology in Business
37:04 "Dealership vs. Independent Shop Dynamics"
46:11 Flexible Work Schedules for Technicians
47:46 Collaborative Workplace Success Strategies
57:05 Seniority Doesn't Equal Leadership
01:01:53 Seniority vs. Skill in Trades
01:04:11 Investing in Employee Tool Development
01:09:29 Excited to Connect at Future SEMA
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Chevrolet Corvair
"...es. So I grew up around a couple versions of a 64 Corvair, which wasn't. Everyone knows what it is, but it ..."
Chevrolet Corvette
"..., you know, Zorcus Duntov that was famous for the Corvette, had a soft spot for European technology obviousl..."
Pontiac Fiero
"...re. God, I'm dating myself, Mickey. Think about a Fiero before a Fiero was a Fiero. That's kind of the, y..."
Dodge Charger
"...rent thing. You know, you can't just crank an old charger onto an AGM and not expect some complications. I ..."
Toyota A90
"We're, we're trusting, we're trusting everybody to do a good job. We should trust them with those kinds of things. Yeah, they're not, they're not kids. I mean they don't need to be told. And again, you know, a lot of technicians are known for like we, we punch in in the morning and we work through all day. You know, we might have a, I'm not advocating for smokes but like they go and have a cigarette break. But a lot of us, we don't, we don't take lunch or some days we're gone like a 90 minute lunch instead of a 60 minute lunch. If you have people that are kind of like, and I don't know the personality types, but they're like, they're not regimented to a certain schedule, but they can get the job done. Let them flow, man. Because they're, I can tell you that their brain works at a different thing where it's like some days they need 80 minutes to recover right from lunch to get back at it. Some days they don't want to take lunch and they just want to go right through."
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