5 Tips For Being A Better PDR Tech In 2020
Image – Marco Verch
Whether you’ve been working in PDR for a few months, just a little over a year, or are a seasoned technician with several hail seasons under your belt, aiming to be a better technician is always a good idea. Not only will it improve the workplace for you and set you up for greater success come hail season, but you’ll have an overall happier life.
Although January is almost over, you can still make the next 11 months they can be for you, your team, and any repairs you do. Here are five tips on how you can be a better PDR tech this year:
- Invest in good tools: Buy the tools that will make you a better technician and aren’t just flashy additions to your kit. Cheap tools will bend with the first job you work on and end up being a waste of money. Higher quality PDR tools are made from sprung steel, and although they cost more, they will last significantly longer than the cheaper, mild steel alternative.
- Learn to be ambidextrous: We’ve all been there, working out a dent, and we can’t seem to get to the back because it’s not angled for our dominant hand. Train yourself to be ambidextrous, as it will help you get those hard-to-reach areas and increase how many jobs you can do successfully. Imagine the competitive edge you’d have during hail season because you can work as a lefty and a righty!
- Keep challenging yourself: No matter how much or how little experience you have in PDR, always challenge yourself. The trick is to work yourself up to the next size dent or repair and not do a drastic jump. This is especially for the techs who have years of experience who are trying to work on repairs that might be impossible to get out. Always challenge yourself, but never get to the point where you’re trying to accomplish something that may not be possible to do.
- Be a problem solver, not a problem starter: Problems will inevitably arise, and you will be faced with a decision: let your boss handle it or figure out how to solve it. You don’t need to have the perfect solution. Offering ways to solve the problem shows you’re a team player and your passion for what you do. Be proactive about it too. Otherwise, the problem could turn into something bigger than it needs to be.
- Be adaptable to change: the automobile industry is constantly under change, which is why you must maintain an adaptable personality eager to learn the latest trends in SMART repair. No matter how much experience you have, there’s no such thing as knowing everything. The most successful PDR techs know there’s always something new to learn. You must be adaptable, as this will allow you to learn any new tricks of the trade, including knowing how to repair any vehicle. Not to mention, you’ll stay ahead of your competitors because you’re continually learning.
No two repairs are ever the same, so enjoy each job you work on. If you apply these tips to your work, you’re guaranteed to have 2020 be a notably rewarding year. And don’t forget to have fun! If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.
