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Posted

I just opened my shop six weeks ago. Six bays, busy street. We were progressively doing more and more business every week and we even broke even last week! But then the well went dry this week. We've done two oil changes all week. That is all! Can someone please talk me back from the ledge here? I want to go puke.

Posted

LOL You should read my latest article. It says it all. Look under Gonzo's toolbox heading.

Posted

LOL You should read my latest article. It says it all. Look under Gonzo's toolbox heading.

Yup. I guess maybe the down's would not hurt so bad after we had a few ups. Drawing a pay check from this place is an all too distant dream but to pay off the over head this month would be the bee's knees. Thank you though, it is good to know that it is not just this shop. And that there is hope for next week.

Posted

I left Friday with just a few jobs for this week. School started down here 2 weeks ago, then the Labor day holiday just killed it, or so I thought. Came in Yesterday and have more now than I can get done. Of course next week will be a different story. And as some in here can tell ya, I been to that ledge, jumped and landed right back here! Like Harry said, get out and meet and greet, pass out cards, whatever. Just don't let it get ya down!

  • Like 2
Posted

It's always busy getting slow or slowly getting busy... ya just never know which it is from one day to the next. After 30 years of this... it's never changed. Hang in there...

Posted

when I get slow (or what I percieve as slow), take the time to evaluate your marketing. You'll come to see how poorly you are doing in that area and how much more you could be doing! If nothing else, there is always another person that doesn't have your card, go hand out some cards!

  • Like 1
Posted

Welcome to the world of business. Ups and downs are to be expected. As you grow your customer base, the downs won't be as bad.

 

Perhaps the best thing you can do is to make sure you take care of each customer. Speak with them about any future services. Make sure they are coming back to you. Every car in your shop will need a future service, the question is where will they be going? Do all you can to book the next appointment and follow up with any recommendations. Make sure you do a complete multipoint inspection on all cars. And one last thing, do not try to be everything to everyone. To build a solid business will take understanding your key profile customers. Take care of them, they will become loyal and bring more of the same customers.

 

Hang in there! We all go thru the same things. All of us had to pulled from the ledge more than once in our careers.

Posted

Thank you all for the encouragement :rolleyes: I am going to go around the neighbourhood this morning and pass out some cheap oil change flyers. I am still getting used to this being a business owner thing and having to talk with people. I am a total introvert who gets along with machines much easier than people so it is a big step for me, but it must be done. Cheers you guys and may your bays be full today!

Posted

Joe is right. It takes time to grow a customer base. Probably at least 5-7 years to start reaching your potential. Yesterday we had cars parked all the way around the curb because every parking spot was full. We billed out in excess of $5K with tons of work still in the shop. This is some of the effect of 14 1/2 years of growing a customer base.

  • Like 1
Posted

Thank you all for the encouragement :rolleyes: I am going to go around the neighbourhood this morning and pass out some cheap oil change flyers. I am still getting used to this being a business owner thing and having to talk with people. I am a total introvert who gets along with machines much easier than people so it is a big step for me, but it must be done. Cheers you guys and may your bays be full today!

I know it will be another judgment call, but... If you are an introvert as much as you think you are, maybe hiring a kid better yet a girl to distribute the fliers first, then stop buy and introduce yourself, so it does not seem like you are begging for business. Offer them the pickup/drop off - if you can. Coming from experience, it's a big benefit to a business owner :)

GL

Posted

I know it will be another judgment call, but... If you are an introvert as much as you think you are, maybe hiring a kid better yet a girl to distribute the fliers first, then stop buy and introduce yourself, so it does not seem like you are begging for business. Offer them the pickup/drop off - if you can. Coming from experience, it's a big benefit to a business owner :)

GL

I was thinking the exact same thing. For $60 you can have some passing out cards or flyers for a good 4 hours.

  • Like 1

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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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