Dave Bass, service manager at Scott’s U-Save Tire & Auto Repair, has been with the Chicago, Ill.-area tire dealership for 40-plus years.
In that time, Bass — who works at the company’s store in Steiger, Ill. — says he has picked up on two main secrets to being an effective manager: treating employees with respect and being a good listener.
Respect is king
Bass says he learned this first lesson from Scott Templin, the late founder of Scott’s U-Save Tire & Auto Repair.
His first job at the dealership, which was founded in 1981, was pumping gas.
In 1993, Scott’s U-Save Tire & Auto Repair expanded into a five-bay facility and turned into a full service auto repair and tire location. Bass then saw an opportunity to do more.
“I bugged (Templin) enough until he let me start selling tires,” says Bass. “And that’s how it all started.”
Bass says Scott showed a lot of confidence in him. “I really appreciated that confidence he had in me because he was like a mentor to me.
“I've always been treated with respect” by the Templin clan. “The family has always taken care of me and allowed me to do things with my sons as they grew up” and took on bigger roles at the dealership.
“They worked with me if I had to come in late in order to get the kids off to school or leave a few minutes early to take the kids to soccer practice. They have always taken really good care of me and that goes a long way.”
A good listener
“My biggest challenge as a service manager has been making sure I hire the right people and retain them once we get them,” says Bass. “The key to keeping good employees is listening to them and not thinking you have the perfect answer.”
When you listen, he explains, you can find out what’s working or not working and come together as a team to tackle the challenge together.
“Dave has inspired everyone on our team to focus on customer service,” says Brad Templin. “Dave (also) has lifelong customers because of the trust he builds with them and the respect he gives. Everyone sees this and knows it makes him successful.
“On top of this, Dave has an incredibly strong work ethic. This is infectious to anyone within the building. Outstanding customer service with a tenacious work ethic has helped us when times are slow — through recessions, world pandemics and so much more over the past 40 years.”
To celebrate Bass’s longevity, U-Save Tire & Auto Repair recently hosted a week-long celebration at its Steiger location.
