UNLEASHING THE UNHEARD

Amplify Your Voice In The Industry

BY DARRYL SIMMONS

Once upon a time, in the bustling world of automotive craftsmanship, there existed a group of individuals who worked diligently behind the scenes. These often unsung heroes, the automotive painters, technicians, and other dedicated staff members, poured their heart and soul into perfecting every detail that graced the sleek surfaces of the vehicles we all admire.

But amid the clattering of tools and the hum of engines, there was a growing sense of frustration. It seemed as though their voices were never truly heard, their concerns left unaddressed.

In hushed whispers, on production floors, a prevailing fear had taken root—a fear that speaking up would invite retribution; that a vision for a better industry, a stronger community. They understood that respectful complaint held the power to transform their work environment and culture, nurturing an atmosphere of inclusion, growth, and unparalleled excellence.

Now, in this optimistic tale of empowerment, the heroes are not institutions or largerthan-life entities. It’s you and the people you work alongside; the automotive artisans themselves. You are the ones at ground zero of our industry, the folks on the front lines of industry changes that we at this magazine write about. If you’re on the front lines, wouldn’t you agree you have a pretty good perspective of the challenges (and potential solutions!) in this industry? If

PUBLISHER

Darryl Simmons publisher@collisionrepairmag.com

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William Simmons | william@mediamatters.ca voicing concerns would lead to punishment. It was a belief held by many, rooted in experiences of oppressive work environments that stifled dissent.

Yet, as the artisans and technicians discovered their collective strength, they realized that their perception was not always the reality. In supportive work environments, where the seeds of respect and collaboration were sown, their voices were not met with scorn, but with open ears and receptive minds.

It wasn’t long before a ripple effect ensued; the teams of tradespeople began realizing they were not alone in their common frustrations. The walls that once confined their voices crumbled, giving rise to a symphony of shared experiences and aspirations for their industry. They discovered that their concerns were not isolated, but echoed by their peers, creating a chorus of unity and purpose.

No longer content with the shadows, these artisans and technicians dared to step up in front of the entire collision sector, not in discontentment, but with yes—why wouldn’t you collaborate with likeminded people to achieve a joint mission, especially if you truly believe it’s for the greater good of our industry.

At Bodyworx Professional and across all of our brands, we strive to celebrate you—the hardworking folks that have their hands on the cars. I’m not suggesting you yourself hold all of the answers to the skills shortage, staff retention, production floor optimization and so on; but you have ideas. And every solution starts as a tiny idea.

As you embark on your own journey within the automotive industry, remember the power that lies within your voice. Embrace the realization that you are an integral part of this intricate ecosystem, worthy of respect, recognition and the opportunity to shape the future. Never let anyone take that from you.

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Bodyworx Professional ™ is published quarterly, and is dedicated to serving the professionals of the collision repair industry. It is published by Media Matters Inc. Material in BodyworxProfessional™ may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions, statements appearing in this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by the publisher.

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