There is a wide range of auto workshops, which means that if you’re planning to open one, you better be aware that competition will be fierce. In order to stand out in the market, it is important to ensure a good workshop management.
In this article, we will share with you some specific workshop management tips that we believe can make a difference in your business.
Increase the workshop’s productivity
Sometimes, even the most committed and motivated people find it difficult to stay productive.
To keep yourself energized and focused, there are a few tricks you can use:
– Mild temperatures: if possible, maintain a comfortable room temperature in your workshop, so that everyone feels comfortable working without being concerned about excessive cold or heat. Fans or heaters that make the air/heat circulate can be a good investment.
– Hydration: always have water or energy drinks available for your employees. This will not only improve their mood, it will also prevent dehydration, and loss of focus and energy.
– “Thank you!”: Thank your team for a job well done. When the work is recognized, the team will more likely remain motivated and productive. Creating the habit of reinforcing good performance and thanking them for their commitment will positively transform your workplace environment.
– Changes in technology: if you want your workshop to remain competitive in the market, it is important that you keep up with technological changes. With the right systems and processes, you can improve reporting, accountability, customer service and more.
Ultimately, increasing your employees’ productivity will help you to better manage your workshop.
Reduce employee turnover rate
A high employee turnover rate must be avoided when it comes to an auto workshop. Reliability and consistency are extremely important, and also very difficult to achieve when you have a high employee turnover rate. It basically means that you will have to constantly hire new and inexperienced employees who need to be oriented towards the best common practices of the workshop, which will definitely take you a lot of time.
Effective ways to reduce the turnover rate:
• Treat your employees with respect;
• Praise and acknowledge their work;
• Provide regular training;
• Arrange informal meetings with the entire team to strengthen relationships;
• Offer good benefits, advantages or incentives;
• Offer a good salary.
It is difficult to trust a workshop if there is a different mechanic working on your vehicle each time you need to go there. Keep your employees loyal to you, and your workshop will have a better chance of triumphing.
Give discounts and special offers to your customers
It does not matter which business area you’re in, offering discounts to attract customers is always a successful strategy…. and the automotive industry is no exception.
However, offering discounts without a clear goal or the ability to measure results is not a good idea. Start by creating a marketing plan and define your goals before following any strategy.
If you create marketing campaigns based on a solid plan, it will help you attract new customers to your workshop and increase brand awareness – and you can also win some loyal customers in the process.
Offer warranties and support
If there are so many auto workshops on the market, why is someone going to specifically visit yours? It is important that you know how to answer this question – not only when you set the schedule of the workshop, but also every day. The service you provide must be the best on the market not only on paper but also in reality.
To prove that you provide the best service, it is important that you provide a warranty for all the work you do. This warranty will make your customers trust your workshop.
Make sure your customers know that you have confidence in your work and that of your employees, by offering a warranty for the repairs you have made and the auto parts you have used.
Give customers a reason to trust your work and to come back. As we all know, it is easier and cheaper to retain a customer than to acquire a new one.
Display a statement of ethics
Mechanics and workshops are a vital part of the automotive industry, as they keep private and commercial vehicles in good shape, ensuring the safety of the drivers and their passengers. It is essential that mechanics are reliable and follow a code of ethics.
Given the discomfort that many people feel when dealing with a mechanic, it is a good idea to create an ethical statement that describes their attitude towards honesty, knowledge, safety and reputation.
State that you provide a reliable service and that you are not trying to deceive anyone. Explain clearly that you will only proceed with the necessary repairs and services and that you will definitely not charge for services that your customer car doesn’t need. Once the ethics declaration has been created, place it in a prominent place where everyone can see it.
This statement is another way to build your customers’ trust. After all, it all comes down to your customer’s satisfaction. That said, make sure you provide the satisfaction they want, need and deserve.
The wave of digital change and transformation in the auto industry is happening now and it is not going to end anytime soon. Don’t be left behind and bet on a good management of your workshop.
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