Shop Operations Archives - Page 63 of 73 -
Bring In More First-Time Callers

With vehicles being built better than ever before, and with service intervals continually being extended, you are going to see your customers less often. This means that your service advisors have to be razor sharp when that phone rings. Although there is no silver bullet that will allow you to bring in every first-time caller, there are a number of things you can do to get more appointments. In this article, I would like to share some of the best practices your advisors can use that will bring immediate results.

Waiting Room Tips For Shop Owners

If you want to build a more profitable auto repair business, here are six proven tips for your waiting room that can help you do just that.

Accountability Raises The Performance Bar And Helps Achieve Goals And Objectives

Accountability is a big word. We see examples every day around us where we can safely surmise that “that person” is not being held accountable for their actions. We are surrounded by people every day – customers, employees, family members and even strangers in the stores and restaurants we frequent – doing or saying something that causes pause.

Three Powerful Words

I was confused, worried and somewhat embarrassed. He did his job well, and took his time explaining everything. I trust my doctor and his findings; I just did not know how to answer. Then he said to me three powerful words, “What I recommend.”

Are You A Shop Owner Suffering From Burnout?

Over the years I have met hundreds, if not thousands, of shop owners who are suffering from burnout. They either tell me they have it, or it clearly shows in their behavior. Ironically, dealing with burnout is no different than fixing cars, in that in order to accurately solve the problem, we have to first identify the cause.

Want Techs Lining Up At Your Door?

If you are looking to hire star employees, the first thing you’ll need to do is meet them, and there’s no better way to do so than by hosting technical seminars at your shop. Let’s look at the extraordinary benefits.

What Image Does Your Business Project? Tactics To Improve Customer Satisfaction

There are more than 175,000 automotive repair shops in the U.S., so how can shop owners differentiate themselves and stand out from the competition? While having the most up-to-date technology and talked-about customer service is always beneficial, sometimes a more simple solution can help to improve the customer experience and your shop’s bottom line.

Transparency In Pricing: It’s Now A Mandate, Not An Option

There was a time in our industry when shop owners were the only ones who knew the cost of their parts. Additionally, the amount they charged for their repairs and services was typically not public knowledge. If customers wanted to know how much it would cost to perform a specific repair, they had limited options; they would have to either call for an estimate, or visit a repair facility.

Web University: Part 2

And here we are again. With all the Google changes, small businesses are scrambling to avoid being relegated to the Internet’s junk bin. Let’s stay on top of it. Whether it’s Google search, social media or what to do with Google+, you’ll find answers to the most challenging questions, in both a “Go Deep” and “Quick Bites” format. Questions submitted by shop owners at www.ShopOwnerMag.com will be answered by Uwe Kleinschmidt, CEO of AutoVitals, a leading supplier of web-based marketing and service advisor productivity tools.

Don’t Let Discounts Kill Your Business

The effects of the recent Great Recession have left many people with a sense of uncertainty over the economy. Perceived consumer attitude is pressuring some companies into lowering prices or offering discounts in order to attract new consumers or to maintain their customer base. I would urge all businesses to seriously consider and examine the effects of price reductions and discounting.

Let’s Clean Up

Let’s talk about cleanliness. I mean really clean, not just on the surface. Ever walk into a business that looked clean initially, but really wasn’t? You could just tell. The next thing you know you’re looking closer at the places under tables and chairs, and then it’s pretty obvious it’s not very clean at all.

25% Of Your Labor Rate

How much in monthly sales should you be able to generate per square foot of your auto repair shop? We’ve found that a good rule of thumb is 25% of your labor rate.