Quantcast
Jump to content

Hold a Clinic for your Customers

Joe Marconi
 Share

Recommended Posts










Mark Apprentice

Mark

Posted
Posted

Last week we held two consumer clinics for women. Both were a huge success. I spoke about the importance of car maintenance, safety, what to do if you have a break-down and gave them many more tips. I expected the clinic to last about an hour or so, but went on for over 2 hours.

 

The clinic was so successful that I am already planning another one in July for teen drivers and students going back to college.

 

How did you promote it and how far in advance?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
Posted

Last week we held two consumer clinics for women. Both were a huge success. I spoke about the importance of car maintenance, safety, what to do if you have a break-down and gave them many more tips. I expected the clinic to last about an hour or so, but went on for over 2 hours.

 

The clinic was so successful that I am already planning another one in July for teen drivers and students going back to college.

 

 

Questions:

Did you charge a fee to be at the class?

 

Was it entirely just women... or did some men come along?

 

Would this be something that might be incorporated into a drivers education class?

 

Could you see this as a monthly class, something that they could get more info each time they attend?

 

Did you have a lesson plan, and if so, could you share your class ideas?

 

I like the concept... great idea... Gonzo

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
Posted

Joe, I would like to have a copy of your plan. I also thought of new way to promote these clinics. One could put a clinic on for existing customers but make the price of admission that they have to bring along a friend who has never done business with your shop. That would guarantee an even mix of current and prospective new customers and would allow the customer to do the promoting. Just a though!

 

 

Now we're talkin business... send me a copy.

 

This is a great idea... and the fact that you tied the "needy families" into the mix... great effort!!!

 

You've proved to me again Joe,,, ya got it goin' on... Not bad for a fossil... (as my son would say...LOL)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mark Apprentice

Mark

Posted
Posted

I promoted it a number of ways. I made a generic TV commercial about consumer clinics what aired a month before the clinic date. I will use the commercial in the future, since I will be holding these on a regular basis, probably 4-6 times a year. I had 2 already. I also announced on the radio, it on my web site, a made a poster for the waiting area and I sent out an email newsletter a few time inviting people to come to all my customers and to all the local business groups in the area. We also asked the local papers to give us some free press. I also featured it my quarterly newsletter .

 

We started promoting it about 6 weeks prior to the first class and now it will be promoted on an on-going basis with classdates to be determined.

 

It was a women’s clinic only. We had one guy show up for the 2nd clinic (my daughter’s boyfriend).

 

There was no fee for the class but the clinics were actually fund raisers for local organizations that help needed families. Most women donated something.

 

We actually will be starting Defensive Driving courses at my shop also, but I would not incorporate the clinics with the driving course; two separate audiences and deferent massages. Plus the defensive course is a required 6 hours.

 

I do have a lesson plan: If anyone would like a copy let me know I could send you my notes.

Great Stuff!

 

I would love to see the lesson plan!

Thanks for the promo info as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mark Apprentice

Mark

Posted
Posted

Joe, I would like to have a copy of your plan. I also thought of new way to promote these clinics. One could put a clinic on for existing customers but make the price of admission that they have to bring along a friend who has never done business with your shop. That would guarantee an even mix of current and prospective new customers and would allow the customer to do the promoting. Just a though!

 

 

Great Idea!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      Want to End Your Technician Shortage? Focus on Retention!
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         5 comments
      I recently spoke with a friend of mine who owns a large general repair shop in the Midwest. His father founded the business in 1975. He was telling me that although he’s busy, he’s also very frustrated. When I probed him more about his frustrations, he said that it’s hard to find qualified technicians. My friend employs four technicians and is looking to hire two more. I then asked him, “How long does a technician last working for you.” He looked puzzled and replied, “I never really thought about that, but I can tell that except for one tech, most technicians don’t last working for me longer than a few years.”
      Judging from personal experience as a shop owner and from what I know about the auto repair industry, I can tell you that other than a few exceptions, the turnover rate for technicians in our industry is too high. This makes me think, do we have a technician shortage or a retention problem? Have we done the best we can over the decades to provide great pay plans, benefits packages, great work environments, and the right culture to ensure that the techs we have stay with us?
      Finding and hiring qualified automotive technicians is not a new phenomenon. This problem has been around for as long as I can remember. While we do need to attract people to our industry and provide the necessary training and mentorship, we also need to focus on retention. Having a revolving door and needing to hire techs every few years or so costs your company money. Big money! And that revolving door may be a sign of an even bigger issue: poor leadership, and poor employee management skills.
      Here’s one more thing to consider, for the most part, technicians don’t leave one job to start a new career, they leave one shop as a technician to become a technician at another shop. The reasons why they leave can be debated, but there is one fact that we cannot deny, people don’t quit the company they work for, they usually leave because of the boss or manager they work for.
      Put yourselves in the shoes of your employees. Do you have a workplace that communicates, “We appreciate you and want you to stay!”

  • Similar Topics

    • carmcapriotto
      A Better Road to Success: Navigating Your SMS and Customer Rapport [RR 945]
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX, NAPA TRACS, and Automotive Management Network By leveraging tools like digital vehicle inspections (DVI) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, businesses can significantly improve their operations and customer experience. These integrations allow for a more streamlined process, from diagnosing vehicle issues to maintaining consistent communication with clients. Ben Dexter, National Training Manager, NAPA TRACS Show Notes
      Ben's journey in the automotive industry (00:00:55) Ben's progression from service writer to National Training Manager and his experience in the automotive industry. Importance of shop management systems (00:02:04) The critical role of shop management systems in the automotive repair industry and the support provided by NAPA TRACS. Value of training (00:03:21) The significance of investing in training and the impact of leadership participation in training programs. Building customer rapport (00:11:22) Ben's approach to building customer rapport and the importance of effective communication and attention to customer needs. Significance of scheduling (00:13:12) The shift from reactive scheduling to a coordinated approach, addressing the issues of timely and accurate repairs through effective scheduling. The power of software integrations (00:15:37) The commitment to utilizing shop management software and the potential of integrations with other tools like DVI and CRM for business growth. Utilizing shop management systems (00:19:08) Encouraging the use of shop management systems and the availability of resources for business advancement. Role of technology in DVI (00:20:42) Discussion on the coordinated effort required for effective Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI) and the benefits of real-time communication. Challenges in utilizing software (00:22:32) Exploring the reasons behind the underutilization of software tools and the need for effective leadership and training. Importance of testing and measuring (00:25:13) Highlighting the significance of testing and measuring business performance for improvement and growth. Communication and customer service (00:28:27) Emphasizing the importance of effective communication with customers to prevent unexpected breakdowns and enhance customer satisfaction. Impact of scheduling on service advisors (00:30:07) Discussing the influence of scheduling on service advisors' decision-making and the need for consistent customer recommendations. Rethinking business analysis (00:32:47) Encouraging a reevaluation of business statistics and reports to identify missed opportunities and improve overall business strategies. Morning Meetings and Reporting (00:33:21) Discussion on the importance of morning meetings, sales reporting by service writer, and constructive performance discussions. Maximizing Existing Resources (00:34:55) Emphasizing the significance of making the most of existing resources before seeking more car count. Linear Quantity Opportunities (00:36:32) Exploration of the linear quantity opportunities in parts matrix, addressing traditional matrix problems and opportunities for improvement. Commitment to Lifelong Learning (00:38:54) Highlighting the importance of lifelong learning for success in shop management and overall strategy. Thanks to our Partners, AAPEX, NAPA TRACS, and Automotive Management Network Set your sights on Las Vegas in 2024. Mark your calendar now … November 5th-7th, 2024. AAPEX - Now more than ever. And don’t miss the next free AAPEX webinar. Register now at http://AAPEXSHOW.COM/WEBINAR NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections            
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Changing The Industry
      Today is the last day for registration - Send us a message on HOW to register for this show.
      By Changing The Industry
      Today is the last day for registration - Send us a message on HOW to register for this show.
    • carmcapriotto
      Top Ten Canva Tips from The Pros [E094] - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast
      By carmcapriotto
      Top tier shops want to have personalized marketing but often don’t know how to take the photo from their camera roll and convert it into a graphic for social media that’s pleasant and professional. In this episode, Kim Walker shares top tips from the pros on how to efficiently and effectively use the widely popular tool Canva for creating eye catching graphics.
      Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
      Show Notes
      Canva: what it is, why you need it, how to find it, who uses it
      April 2, 2024 at 12pm in our FB Group
      Keep it simple. Less is more. Be consistent! Maintain branding: company colors, fonts, logos, tone. Keep your posts personal! Use YOUR own photos.  Create the “brand kit” in Canva. A place to store your logo, select the fonts, colors.  Stay organized. Create folders.  Save your designs in calendar order to make scheduling more efficient. (Be sure to lock designs so moving things around is easier). Use grid-view to get a birds-eye view and ensure branding consistency and that your designs are pleasing to the eye Use moving elements and animations to help create eye-catching graphics. Use templates for things like birthdays, anniversaries, and hiring to save time. Create a few for each to keep them interesting. Explore and don’t be afraid of Canva’s AI like Magic Media to create fun new photos and videos Create a “Mood Board”  - a collection of images, textures, typography, color palettes and description words - or an ‘inspiration board’ to help when the ideas are just not there.  Canva Design School  
      How To Get In Touch
       
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
       
      How To Get In Touch
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected] 
       
      Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
      Canva - Mood Boards  
       
       
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • carmcapriotto
      Mastering Your Financials: The Pillars of Success in Your Auto Repair Shop [E157] - Chris Cotton Weekly Blitz
      By carmcapriotto
      The Weekly Blitz is brought to you by our friends over at Shop Marketing Pros. If you want to take your shop to the next level, you need great marketing. Shop Marketing Pros does top-tier marketing for top-tier shops.
      Click here to learn more about Top Tier Marketing by Shop Marketing Pros and schedule a demo:https://shopmarketingpros.com/chris/
      Check out their podcast here: https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      If you would like to join their private Facebook group go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/autorepairmarketingmastermind
      In this episode, auto shop coach Chris Cotton advises auto repair shop owners on financial management. He underscores the importance of maintaining an income statement and organizing a chart of accounts for business health assessment and decision-making. Chris explains how these tools help monitor profitability, manage expenses, and comply with regulations. He also reviews a real income statement, showing how to interpret financial data for improved business outcomes. Chris advocates for the diligent use of these financial instruments to drive growth and success in the auto repair industry.
      The importance of income statement (00:01:09) Emphasizing the necessity of an income statement and its role in understanding business health and performance.
      Understanding the income statement (00:02:22) Explanation of the components of an income statement and its significance in financial management.
      Purpose and benefits of income statement (00:04:24) Highlighting the importance of income statement in analyzing profitability, trend identification, and expense management.
       
      The significance of chart of accounts (00:06:42) Exploring the role of chart of accounts in financial reporting and decision-making.
       
      Integrating income statement and chart of accounts (00:08:58) Explaining how aligning income statement and chart of accounts streamlines financial management and supports decision-making.
       
      Analyzing an income statement (00:10:17) A detailed breakdown of an income statement, including identifying areas for improvement and understanding discrepancies.
       
      Connect with Chris:
       
      [email protected]
      Phone: 940.400.1008
      www.autoshopcoaching.com
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
      AutoFixAutoShopCoachingYoutube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
       
      #autofixautoshopcoaching #autofixbeautofixing #autoshopprofits #autoshopprofit #autoshopprofitsfirst #autoshopleadership #autoshopmanagement #autorepairshopcoaching #autorepairshopconsulting #autorepairshoptraining #autorepairshop #autorepair #serviceadvisor #serviceadvisorefficiency #autorepairshopmarketing #theweeklyblitz #autofix #shopmarketingpros #autofixautoshopcoachingbook
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Joe Marconi
      Inflation May Have Eased, But Increased Expenses Remain
      By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • nptrb

    Understanding S-Corp Distributions and Draws | Are They Taxable?

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    0 comments 573 views
    nptrb

    Tax Season Preparation: A Comprehensive Guide

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 453 views
    nptrb

    Spring Clean Your Finances: 5 Steps Every Business Should Take

    By nptrb, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 333 views

  • Our Sponsors



Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...