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Posted

Just asking for any help on starting a new shop (about one year new) asking any advice on starting up a new shop.I do have a auto glass shop in the same building most of the clients come from the glass shop.I need more clients on the auto repair side.We are on a main hwy 4000 to6000 people drive bye.And I just put the auto repair in the phone book and Im getting my state inspection and emissions .Asking for any advice from anyone. Thanks Randy



Posted
  Joe Marconi said:
Let's start with a few questions. How many bays to you have and how many techs?

I have 1 tech and 1 csr and I do all the glass installation.Plus all the other bs.I am training csr to get more auto repair.At this time I am in the process of getting state inspection and emissions.I think it will really get alot of clients in the door.And I really need to get all the repairs I can.But we really need the advice of a seasoned biz repair owner to make it profitable.Thanks Randy

Posted
  Randy said:
I have 1 tech and 1 csr and I do all the glass installation.Plus all the other bs.I am training csr to get more auto repair.At this time I am in the process of getting state inspection and emissions.I think it will really get alot of clients in the door.And I really need to get all the repairs I can.But we really need the advice of a seasoned biz repair owner to make it profitable.Thanks Randy

I did not answer all of your question.Two bays and four more going on back of building.

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Posted
  Joe Marconi said:
So, you have a total of 6 bays? How many repair/service techs?

I have 1 tech and 2 bays.I have 1 auto repair tech and 1 glass tech and Iam the glass tech.The other 4 bays are going out back of my shop.I did all the work excavating,grade work,and I poured the 40 foot bey 60 foot foundation.It is ready for the slab.Just waiting for more money to come in (out of pocket).So I have 1 csr (Customer service rep).1 auto repair tech and me the auto glass tech.

Posted
  Randy said:
I have 1 tech and 2 bays.I have 1 auto repair tech and 1 glass tech and Iam the glass tech.The other 4 bays are going out back of my shop.I did all the work excavating,grade work,and I poured the 40 foot bey 60 foot foundation.It is ready for the slab.Just waiting for more money to come in (out of pocket).So I have 1 csr (Customer service rep).1 auto repair tech and me the auto glass tech.
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted
  Joe Marconi said:
I think your most important move right now is to get those other bays in operation. Maybe another helper in you shop might help productivity. This will increase car counts. You can't turn away work. With the added 4 bays, you will have the ability to do more service work.

I have not turned any work away.I am in the process of getting state inspection and emmissions.This will bring more clients. I need more cars to get this off the ground.

Posted
  Joe Marconi said:
Doing state inspections is a good idea. What type of emission program do you have in your state?

Here in Mo. we have GVIP ran by sys.My car count is low beings this is my first year in the automotive repair side.I will do a maintenance inspection as well and give a report on the condition of there car.And of course i will try to sell the repairs to the clients.The way I see it is we will do as many inspections as we can.This will bring up the car count and give us the chance to get much more repairs.

Posted
  Joe Marconi said:
Are you doing any advertising or marketing in your local area?

Yes phone book and I do need to get out and see the people.

Posted

Also make sure that you have added yourself to the google business directory. If people search for auto repair in your area in google, do you come up? Its easy and free to add your business.

Posted
  Randy said:
Yes phone book and I do need to get out and see the people.

Thats great advice.I went to google and I did not see were I get listed?Any help would be great.

Posted
  CARMandP said:
Also make sure that you have added yourself to the google business directory. If people search for auto repair in your area in google, do you come up? Its easy and free to add your business.

I was at a seminar last weekend and they said how is may web site.(he said the most important thing is the search optimization).I do have a web site for my glass shop and my automotive shop.www.automotivea2z.com I am building a really awesome site for automotive repair.So i am asking my web designer about search optimization.And i am going to put and referral program in a box of its own> What is your most powerful type of advertising.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

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      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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