What’s your Repair Shop's “Slow Day” process?

[Joe Marconi]

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[mspecperformance]

So funny because this is something I was just thinking about. We were a bit light on appointments going into the end of this week and our next week looks a bit thin on appointments. "Slow Days" should most certainly be a procedure that is strategic and ready to be implemented. Morale can most certainly be affected when cars are not coming through the doors. Along with what Joe had mentioned on his list, it is also a great time to knock out the things that you haven't gotten around to doing. Cleaning, maintenance of equipment, painting, team meetings, filing paper work, putting together marketing plans, going over your budget and see where you can cut the fat, training, etc. The list goes on and on. I am going to personally put together a Slow Days list and also a Slow days procedure that is written on paper. I urge you guys to do the same!

[totalautocare]

  On 2/6/2016 at 5:23 PM, Joe Marconi said:

A common discussion this time of the year is how business slows down in the mid-winter months. Not that you can always predict it. I have experienced some winters that were banner sales months. But in general, business does slow down for a number of reasons, especially in the colder climates: Credit Card bills from holiday spending, home heating bills, tax season, lost days due to storms and more.

 

So, the question is, how does a shop prepare?

 

Here's a few things that I do. Perhaps you add your owner strategies, which would benefit all ASO members:

 

* Prepare in advance and flood your customer base with service reminders, winter promotions and other recommended services during the slower months. Try to increase traffic to your shop during the months that are typically slower

 

* Review the history on all vehicles the day before the appointment. Look for previous notes and recommended service and repairs. Be prepared to discuss at write-up.

 

* Make sure all cars get a multi-point inspection - identify needed service and repairs

 

* Review the service history for all vehicles. Check for services due, services due soon and services never done. Again, this can be done prior to the appointment date and discussed at the write-up

 

* At write-up, don't forget to ask, Is there anything else we can do for you today? Wipers? Tire Rotation? An oil change?

 

* If you use email promotions, create email blasts around winter events, for example:

"Its Valentines Day! Show your car some love!" Include a few winter tips and links back to your website and to book appointments

OR...

"Winter Driving Advisory: Is your car prepared for the upcoming storm?"

Include a few tips; wipers, tires, washer fluid top off, heater working right, antifreeze, battery. And of course, links back to your website and appointments.

 

* Check your CRM for customers that did not show up for their recommended service or repair. CALL THESE CUSTOMERS. Here's a tip; start calling your best customers, those are the ones most likely to come in.

 

* Go back and review all invoices for the past 4 weeks. Look over the work orders and check service history too. You will find work that was missed, not sold and services that are due. Call these customers too.

 

As you can see, a proactive approach is better than hoping people will come in.

 

What strategies to you have?

*occaisional Downtime is the best time for a creative mind.

  On 2/6/2016 at 5:31 PM, mspecperformance said:

So funny because this is something I was just thinking about. We were a bit light on appointments going into the end of this week and our next week looks a bit thin on appointments. "Slow Days" should most certainly be a procedure that is strategic and ready to be implemented. Morale can most certainly be affected when cars are not coming through the doors. Along with what Joe had mentioned on his list, it is also a great time to knock out the things that you haven't gotten around to doing. Cleaning, maintenance of equipment, painting, team meetings, filing paper work, putting together marketing plans, going over your budget and see where you can cut the fat, training, etc. The list goes on and on. I am going to personally put together a Slow Days list and also a Slow days procedure that is written on paper. I urge you guys to do the same!

 

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[alfredauto]

Super slow here the last few weeks. I got my toolboxes organized, reviewed procedures with the guys, greased all the equipment, put up some new pos material. I also restocked all odds and ends like drain plugs cotter pins you name it. Down time is good for getting everything in order. I'm going to update my business plan next, maybe take a short vacation. The lack of work is widespread, around here everybody is quiet.