Why Technicians and Advisors Don't Work Well Together and What Should Change | Jeff Compton - Episode 2
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About this episode
In this episode, Tonnika Haynes and Ash Kaplan welcome Jeff Compton from The Jaded Mechanic Podcast. Jeff Compton shares his frustration with old, ineffective shop…
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The Technicians Who Get Ahead Do THIS | Bruce Bolen - Ep 40
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Young Technicians Aren’t the Problem. Bad Mentorship Is. | Phil Ubinger & Hunter Jackson - Ep 39
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Shop Owners: Maybe YOU'RE the Problem | Tristin Sweeney - 38
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