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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog13 commentsMost shop owners would agree that the independent auto repair industry has been too cheap for too long regarding its pricing and labor rates. However, can we keep raising our labor rates and prices until we achieve the profit we desire and need? Is it that simple?
The first step in achieving your required gross and net profit is understanding your numbers and establishing the correct labor and part margins. The next step is to find your business's inefficiencies that impact high production levels.
Here are a few things to consider. First, do you have the workflow processes in place that is conducive to high production? What about your shop layout? Do you have all the right tools and equipment? Do you have a continuous training program in place? Are technicians waiting to use a particular scanner or waiting to access information from the shop's workstation computer?
And lastly, are all the estimates written correctly? Is the labor correct for each job? Are you allowing extra time for rust, older vehicles, labor jobs with no parts included, and the fact that many published labor times are wrong? Let's not forget that perhaps the most significant labor loss is not charging enough labor time for testing, electrical work, and other complicated repairs.
Once you have determined the correct labor rate and pricing, review your entire operation. Then, tighten up on all those labor leaks and inefficiencies. Improving production and paying close attention to the labor on each job will add much-needed dollars to your bottom line.
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By Joe Marconi
When I was in business, each year for 41 years, we experienced a slow down in February. The reasons are many, but by the second week of March, things went back to normal.
However, from what I am hearing from some shop owners, they are concerned. They point to riding this wave of business since coming out of COVID, and fear that the wave may become a trickle.
What is your opinion? Good times are still here? Should we be concerned?
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By carmcapriotto
Live from the 2022 Transformer's Summit, keynote speaker John Dijulius categorizes the automotive industry as a 'grudge buy' for customers when they are at their most vulnerable. How is this an opportunity for your business to be the 'hero?' How do you make price irrelevant? John Dijulius, John Robert’s Spa, The DiJulius Group. John's had the privilege of working with world class companies like the Ritz-Carlton, Lexus, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Nestle, Marriott Hotel, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Cheesecake Factory, Bausch & Lomb, Progressive Insurance, Harley Davidson, State Farm, Chick-fil-A, Entrepreneurs Organization, YPO, Aveda, and many more. Listen to John's previous episodes HERE Show Notes
Drove for UPS- his wife was a hairdresser, and they opened a salon. John started getting involved in the business. “We aren’t going to be the best salon, we will be the best experience of your day.” Chambers of commerce businesses started asking John for business consulting. 20 years ago John’s first book came out and took him to the next level Business and Artistry Pengeleum Making price irrelevant- based on the experience your brand consistently delivers, your customers shouldn't have an idea what your competitors charge because they aren’t window shoppers. Who is more expensive? Why are they? “We do $10 haircuts” vs “We fix $10 haircuts.” Give the experience before you charge for it and justify it -“What does a $1,000 haircut look like? What is that greeting like? How is the massage during shampoo? What does a $1,000,000 keynote speech look and sound like?” Grudge buy and losing time- automotive repairs. When you can come to the rescue when a customer is at their most vulnerable, there is an emotional connection and memory made. Customers asking about price- opportunity The biggest cause of anxiety is uncertainty- no update update for customers Level 1 through 10 hairdressers based on expertise “Discounting is the tax you pay for being average.” Things that make a brand something customers can’t live without- the quality of work, consistency, employee evangelism (educate vs sell), how do you make me feel, Capitalize the ‘C’ in Customer to show the emphasis in your policies and procedures Building relationships with FORD- family, occupation, recreation, dreams Disney- know your role and be ‘on’ when you’re on, leave your problems at the door The Customer Service Revolution: Overthrow Conventional Business, Inspire Employees, and Change the World- John Djulius The Relationship Economy: Building Stronger Customer Connections in the Digital Age - John Dijulius
Connect with the Podcast: Aftermarket Radio Network Subscribe on YouTube Visit us on the Web Follow on Facebook Become an Insider Buy me a coffee Important Books Check out today's partner: Learn more about NAPA AutoCare and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting www.NAPAAutoCare.com
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Joe Marconi
There seems to be a lot of mixed reactions since COVID on customers waiting for service. For many shops across the country, most customers drop off their cars for service these days.
What's your strategy? Does it depend on your business model?
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By Joe Marconi
Perhaps this is a trick question, but it's worth a discussion. Many auto repair shops spend a lot of money to get new customers. But what about the ones we have already?
What marketing strategies do you have to attract new customers and retain the ones you have now?
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By carmcapriotto
Guest host and shop tour with Keith Benline, A+ Autocare, Poway, CA. The internet is educating your customer faster than ever. How are you educating your customers? Keith Benline, A+ Autocare, Poway, CA. Keith's previous episodes HERE
Key Talking Points
Getting into EVs- don’t wait to get into EVs “The internet is educating your customer”- reeducation of customers. Listen to your customer, and they will tell you what they have researched The internet is non-threatening environment, and they will trust it above the customer bringing their car into the shop Transparency of pricing on the website “To be a successful owner, you must think like a customer”
Connect with the Podcast:
Aftermarket Radio Network
Subscribe on YouTube
Visit us on the Web
Follow on Facebook
Become an Insider
Buy me a coffee
Important Books
Check out today's partner:
Dorman gives people greater freedom to fix vehicles by constantly developing new repair solutions that put owners and technicians first. Take the Dorman Virtual Tour at www.DormanProducts.com/Tour
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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