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What to do when times are slow?


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Hello all,

 

How do you handle your shop when work is slow? We have guys that sit around, talk and play on their phones, surf the internet, etc and to be honest, it frustrates me cause i am essentially paying them while they are doing it (we pay by the hour).

 

Should i send some guys home early?

 

Thanks in advance.

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I have worked in shops (and owned) that had slow weeks and we approached it in a few different ways.

1) slow times are good for shop equipment maintence and cleaning.

2) Shop cleaning and organizing

3) Good time for training (i.e. sending Techs to training sessions, classes etc...or even providing in house training)

 

After the above three items are done and things are so slow ask for volunteers to work some shorter shifts and make up for it later on when business picks up (i.e. overtime).

 

Good time for a shop picnic/party too :)

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This may sound silly, but the trick is to avoid the highs and lows in your business. While every shop has slow days, you need to build your future business with what is in the bays today. Look at all cars in your shop as future services and repairs. Every car in your shop today will need work in the future. Plan out the customer's future needed services: tire rotations, service interval and other repairs.

 

Create a system where all cars get fully inspected and spend time with each customer to educate them on preventive maintenance. There is a ton of service work that goes ignored from coast to coast.

 

Also, set up a system where you will call a customer to remind them of a recommendation, in addition to service reminders. Build your future clientele base one customer at a time.

 

Lastly, review all past invoices to make sure you or your techs are not missing opportunity with regard to services and repairs.

 

I hope this helps. Being slow is no fun...as I said, we all go thru it.

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