- 0600 – SOP – Overall People Process
- 0601 – SOP – Recruiting
- 0518 – SOP – Answering Incoming Phone Calls
Downloads
Powerpoint PDF
SOP – Recruiting (YNR_061)
SOP – Overall People Process (YNR_0600)
SOP – Answering Incoming Phone Calls (YNR_0518)
Silent Thief
You have heard us speak about silent thieves before. You Net Results’ game plan starts with helping your auto repair shop identify which thief or thieves lurk in your midst. In this clip from our Daily Operations meeting, Brian quizzes members on their own experiences. Is your auto shop losing money, but you don’t know why? Then watch this video and find out!Auto shop losing money – silent thieves on the prowl
Brian opens up by explaining the concept of a silent thief, which is money leaking out of your shop undetected. He asks members what those thieves look like in their shops, starting with inventory.
Once Andy’s business started growing, he noticed that he started to lose track of inventory. His shop’s process of transporting waste oil for reuse, for instance, needed improvement. Therefore, he bit the bullet and invested in new equipment.
Joe’s parts were not properly being charged out, so he implemented a new process to keep track of this expense.
Then, Jim talks about the priorities of owners and managers. Whenever the boss doesn’t manage time well, silent thieves can creep in.
Next up, Leon mentions labor inventory. In his case, this is a huge chance to lose money. Because it can be hard to keep track of, labor rates may be a shop’s #1 money loser.
Finally, Brian discusses one thief we may not have thought of previously. Let’s say our advertising is on point, and customers are jamming your phone lines. If your service writers don’t know what to say to them to close the sale, then you may as well be throwing money out the window. This is why proper phone skills and scripts are crucial.
A few tidbits discussed afterward revealed the importance of taking notes on procedures, as well as being open to change. Surprisingly, many shop owners still use pen and paper instead of computers to keep up with shop supplies and tickets. Doubtless, these shops must update procedures and conquer their fear of change in order to survive.
Stop your silent thieves!
Do these problems sound familiar to you? By now, you might be wondering how you can solve these problems. We have your answer! Try one of our coaching groups for free. Each week, you can join fellow shop owners to identify your problems. Then, apply our systems to start turning record profits!
- Daily Operations Know-How with Brian
- Many tactics talked about
- 0501 – SOP – The Board Reviewed and Updated
Documents
If this job could talk, what would it say?
The automotive repair industry comprises a variety of distinct positions. Check out this this short clip from our members only People Process workshop. Brian Gillis and the callers explain automotive jobs. The You Net Results group members outline both the jobs’ tasks and their relationships to each other. Each shop owner on the call shares their knowledge from decades of adapting to an ever changing industry. Do you think you know everything about each job description in the automotive field? These pros all bring up some great points that you may have never considered. Don’t miss out! Watch this clip now.Explain automotive jobs: Owner and General Manager
First, Brian asks members what it means to be an automotive repair shop owner. Andy recalls his experience working his way up to the position of Owner of his own family’s repair business. He describes “replacing himself” by delegating tasks to other staff members. Sometimes it does not work out immediately. In those instances, he needs to resume said chores temporarily. The bottom line is that owners have to wear many hats within the auto repair business, thus they need to stay on their toes to adapt to change.
Jim chimes in to describe a General Manager is responsibilities. He or she also must delegate jobs amongst the team. However, the GM is often on the floor, right in the action. Thinking on your feet is the key principle! Managers may assist with tickets, tracking parts inventory, and weekly organizational tasks for both the front and back of house staff. Sometimes, perhaps most importantly, they are the face of the shop to customers.
Your GM may need to engage clients in “show and tell” about the repair process, or grab them a cup of coffee. A great General Manager is willing to do anything to make your customers feel welcome! This important position is very challenging, but the more dedicated and flexible you are, the more rewarding it can be!
Explain automotive jobs: Front Counter Staff
Explain automotive jobs: Your Front Counter Staff, or Service Advisors, are crucial!
Whether you call it Front Counter Staff, Service Advisor, or Service Writer, this job is a crucial spoke in the automotive shop wheel. Cory explains what this job means to him, since he has experience with training his own front counter staff.
Service Advisors are the conduit between both your customers and your mechanics. They’re responsible for explaining the car’s repair needs to customers. They also must estimate how long repairs will take and how much they will cost.
“Job stacking” is a critical task for a Service Writer. Managing multiple jobs can be tough, so Front Counter Staff need to have excellent time management and organizational skills. Not to mention, they must work with vendors in order to ensure all necessary parts are in stock. The COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges to these workers, such as online communication with customers, due to social distancing requirements.
Cory believes that no other position is as integral to an auto repair shop’s income stream than the Service Advisor. You could say that no other auto repair position requires people skills more than that of a Service Writer.
What are the responsibilities of General Service Technicians?
When we explain automotive jobs, we must not leave out the General Service Technician – the heartbeat of your shop!
A General Service Technician is sometimes called a Mechanic by a lay person. It is undoubtedly the heartbeat of any auto repair shop. Techs often perform a thankless job. That is despite the fact that they are required to take regular ASE certification training.
While many facets of the auto repair process don’t change, technology advances dictate their continuing education. Who knows, your shop may have to service a self driving car in the very near future! Mechanics need to know everything from transmission repair to how to fix the computerized engines of 21st century cars and trucks.
Joe is a veteran shop owner who hails from the state of Alabama. He has seen it all in his day! First of all, Joe runs down the ever evolving responsibilities of technicians. He then recalls his own experiences as a mechanic, which began over 50 years ago. Before they engage in continued learning, each tech must have a strong foundation of general know how. Speed of service is also a crucial factor for technicians.
Mechanics are typically the lowest paid team members, but they have plenty of opportunities to advance their careers. General Service Technicians can learn many skills on the job. Whether at their existing shop, or in another industry, they can be valuable hires. Their communication with others in house, plus their flexibility, are important traits. Those skills can help a General Service Tech to eventually move up to an A Tech, Service Writer, or even Owner position over time.
Ready to learn more? Grow your shop’s bottom line with our weekly meetings!
Are staff relationships and automotive repair training confusing you? Do you struggle to put all of the pieces together? Then why not join one of our monthly coaching groups! You will gain instant access to join our live weekly Zoom meetings. These calls cover topics such as budgeting for profit, hiring, leadership, and much more. Members also have 24/7 access to countless hours of previous training calls, plus a library of valuable documents will help to guide you. Sign up today!
- Brian’s Know-How and Experiential
- Setting your target Net Goal for the month and working your budget backwards discussed with Andy, Kevin, and Leon
- Budgeting
- Labor rates
- 50 cents per month plan
