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Thanksgiving is around the corner, and that means that the winter months are not far behind. For many shops, this means a slow down due to weather and the usual bills that come with winter. Combine that we the fact that consumers are usually less willing to spend during the winter, adds up to a potential slow down in sales.

 

But, you can be proactive and maximize your efforts. Here's quick list of things you can do below, and please feel free to add any of your own ideas:

  1. Be proactive at car delivery and make sure you identify at least two future services per vehicle
  2. Perform the multipoint inspection on all vehicles and maximize sales for today and make those recommendations for the near future.
  3. Make sure that the customer experience was nothing short of world class - give your customers reasons to return to you
  4. Consider a mid-winter promo, such as an oil service with a tire rotation, 21 point inspection, winter safety check, perhaps a fuel and oil additive. NOTE: while I am not a fan of a discount Oil Change, I do like promotions. They convey value and pre-qualify those people only looking for a cheap oil change
  5. You could sent the promo to your existing customers and/or obtain a mailing list
  6. Create a slow day process your team steps up their game
  7. Don't get tunnel vision and only focus on what the customer brought the car in for, look for opportunity

Remember, every car in your shop today needs future services and repairs. The question is; will they be returning to you?

 

Please feel free to add your suggestions. I know we would all appreciate it!

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted

You could sent the promo to your existing customers and/or obtain a mailing list

 

 

Great info Joe. But I think the one that most miss right off the start is to go direct to your existing customers. I don't get it.. because those people are the ones that already know, trust and like you. They are the easiest to serve and sell to. They don't look at you like you've got 2 heads when you tell them the truth about what their car needs.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Matthew Lee

"The Car Count Fixer"

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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