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Posted

I start getting calls a few weeks before Christmas from local shop owners asking me what I am doing for the holidays, especially when Christmas and New Years day falls in the middle of the week.

 

Here's what we do. First, we close Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, open till 2pm on New Year's Eve and close New Year's Day. But, the week before Christmas we start expanding our hours, so that we can maximize the potential tech hours. We sit down with the techs and tell them what we are doing. We book longer days so we can minimize the impact on sales. This has worked out very good.

 

This is not to say that we have normal sales weeks, but it is better than if we did nothing.

 

What do other shops do?

Posted

That's a very interesting way to do things. Its kinda a give and take. You give your techs holidays and wanted days with family off but they give to the business by working extra hours up to the holiday. I like it! We currently are closed on Christmas and New Years but operate normal hours every other day. Might give what you are doing a try......

Posted

I start getting calls a few weeks before Christmas from local shop owners asking me what I am doing for the holidays, especially when Christmas and New Years day falls in the middle of the week.

 

Here's what we do. First, we close Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, open till 2pm on New Year's Eve and close New Year's Day. But, the week before Christmas we start expanding our hours, so that we can maximize the potential tech hours. We sit down with the techs and tell them what we are doing. We book longer days so we can minimize the impact on sales. This has worked out very good.

 

This is not to say that we have normal sales weeks, but it is better than if we did nothing.

 

What do other shops do?

 

We are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. We have normal hours on New Year's Eve. The week of Christmas no one has a day off other than Christmas Eve. That is everyone's day off for the week and Christmas Day is a paid holiday. My guys normally work a 5 day week so we will usually have one tech off each day. We have found the extra man power will produce more revenue than we would by being open one-half day on Christmas Eve. If 5 guys have one day off that is basically 40 man hours. If we had 1/2 day on Christmas Eve that is apporximately 20 man hours. This way we gain 20 man hours and it is more productive time than Christmas Eve usually is.

  • 1 year later...
Posted

 

We are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. We have normal hours on New Year's Eve. The week of Christmas no one has a day off other than Christmas Eve. That is everyone's day off for the week and Christmas Day is a paid holiday. My guys normally work a 5 day week so we will usually have one tech off each day. We have found the extra man power will produce more revenue than we would by being open one-half day on Christmas Eve. If 5 guys have one day off that is basically 40 man hours. If we had 1/2 day on Christmas Eve that is apporximately 20 man hours. This way we gain 20 man hours and it is more productive time than Christmas Eve usually is.

This year we will also be closed on Saturday after Christmas.

Posted

I'll shut down early on Christmas eve... if it's slow. Closed Christmas day and New years day. However, if it plays out like it has almost every year, the week between Christmas and New years day has always been one of the busiest weeks. Almost all the jobs are stereo related from good ol' dad or grandpa trying to install one.

 

Happens every year.

Posted

Depends on the work flow. I generally don't get a lot of biz the week tween CHRISTmas and New Years. Kickin around the idea of being "closed" that week. Got some plans for the office/waiting room. Have stacks of paper work to do to close the year. Also have a few project cars I would like to get wrapped up and out. After Christmas it will usually take off with the "snow birds" coming in. That will depend on the weather up north!

  • Like 1
Posted

I start getting calls a few weeks before Christmas from local shop owners asking me what I am doing for the holidays, especially when Christmas and New Years day falls in the middle of the week.

 

Here's what we do. First, we close Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, open till 2pm on New Year's Eve and close New Year's Day. But, the week before Christmas we start expanding our hours, so that we can maximize the potential tech hours. We sit down with the techs and tell them what we are doing. We book longer days so we can minimize the impact on sales. This has worked out very good.

 

This is not to say that we have normal sales weeks, but it is better than if we did nothing.

 

What do other shops do?

So what do you say to the tech that says " I have to work longer hours the week before to get a holiday off?".

I can see a mutiny in some shops!! If it works for you, great.

 

Dave

Posted

I have 1 tech that would definitely whine if I tried to implement such a plan. Mostly due to coming toward that extra hour opened he would probably start whining about how he doesnt want to stay and that there isnt much to do.

 

Certainly comes down to hiring the right people haha!

Posted

We're closed the 24th and 25th, and again the 31st and Jan 1. I'm not open Saturdays so its a nice break for my tech. This week we are working overtime to get everything done.

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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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