Running a successful and efficient automotive repair shop requires flexibility, adaptability, and the foresight to see what’s coming next. Efficient businesses can advantageously convert materials, labor, and resources into products and services that produce revenue. Business efficiency can include labor productivity, operational efficiency, and process efficiency.
Particularly critical in small repair shops, in order to see the greatest profitability, repair shops must balance all of the different parts of their business, from having the appropriate equipment to employing knowledgeable staff. From essential management products to innovative marketing services, Safeguard’s automotive marketing experts can help you identify what it takes to run your business more efficiently and promote it more effectively.
Have the Right Equipment
Labor productivity and efficiency are heavily impacted by having the right equipment. While basic automotive repair shop supplies generally range from hand tools and diagnostic equipment to welders and hoists, repair shops can vary widely in their specialties, and the equipment each shop will need may be highly specialized.
How much your employees can accomplish during the workday is directly correlated to the tools and equipment available to them. For the greatest safety and efficiency, it’s important that employees are trained on how to use all of the tools and equipment available to them. Proper use and maintenance of your equipment will lengthen the service life of the equipment while increasing productivity.
While the specifics of exactly what equipment is required may vary, what remains constant is that in order to diagnose and service vehicles efficiently and effectively, repair shops need to have the right equipment to get the job done.
Retain Knowledgeable Employees
Running an efficient repair shop requires hiring the right employees. Customers will have higher satisfaction when they receive a consistent level of service each time they visit your business. Often when customers bring their vehicle to a repair shop, they don’t know what’s wrong with it, and they trust your mechanics to tell them what’s wrong with their car. You want mechanics who can isolate the problem and then professionally communicate that information to the customer.
When customers have a good experience, not only are they more loyal, but they also reward your business with word-of-mouth marketing. While some repair shops may have dozens of mechanics on staff, smaller repair shops may only have a handful of employees. No matter how many employees you have, a friendly and knowledgeable staff who can talk to a variety of customers will build trust and loyalty with customers.
Once you’ve hired the right employees, you want to keep them. Employee retention is often one of the most overlooked facets of running a successful company, but employee turnover is expensive and can limit productivity. Effective methods of decreasing employee turnover may include on-site training, meaningful work, regular communication, and employee recognition systems.
Automate Your Processes
Repair shops know that efficiency is essential for boosting output. One of the simplest ways to build a more efficient operation is to automate repetitive tasks and processes. By simplifying tasks that otherwise would need to be done manually, automation saves time, reduces errors, improves consistency, and even improves employee satisfaction by allowing them to work on more engaging and profitable activities.
Employees often spend valuable time completing tasks that could be automated. Payroll, invoicing, and customer relation tools are all prime candidates for tasks that a small repair shop could automate. Payroll, in particular, is a time-intensive process that only becomes more complicated as your business grows. Automating these kinds of tedious tasks can allow repair shops to make better use of their employee’s time, focusing on tasks that require critical thinking skills.
Through analyzing a business’ processes, repair shop owners can pinpoint any bottlenecks or processes that involve unnecessary steps and identify these as areas of opportunity. With Safeguard, you get a partner who can help you manage your time-consuming employer tasks and streamline daily operations, allowing you to maximize profit by focusing on the revenue-generating operations that drive your business forward.
By paying attention to efficiencies, including having the appropriate equipment, knowledgeable employees, and employing automation wherever possible, auto repair shops will be able to drive significant revenue in 2022. At Safeguard, our automotive marketing experts specialize in traffic-driving solutions that bring customers to your shop. Your advisor has tips, ideas, and insights for your automotive business, ready to help you accelerate your business. Call 844-4CARBIZZ to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Business efficiency can include labor productivity, operational efficiency, and process efficiency.
- Having the right equipment, knowledgeable employees, and employing automation wherever possible will help auto repair shops drive revenue.
- Labor productivity is heavily impacted by having the right equipment.
- Repair shops can build a more efficient operation by automating repetitive tasks and processes.
- Safeguard’s automotive marketing experts specialize in traffic-driving solutions that bring customers to your shop.