Auto repair shop management doesn’t have to be a mystery. Long time automotive business coach Gary Gunn shares his decades of automotive industry experience running multiple shops with you! When you take Gary’s and head coach Brian Gillis’ advice to heart, you will put your business systems in place and see results in no time!
Defining Auto Repair Shop Management – How Is It Different From Leadership?
Gary opens the clip, polling the group on the difference between auto repair shop management and leadership.
Pam believes that managing is staying on top of details and keeping staff on top of their tasks. Fred believes Leaders hand down goals and processes to Managers. Then the Managers use the SOPs to guide the people.
Joe defines the Leadership role as one who sets the pace and tone for the shop’s business. Management then manipulates the Technicians and Service Advisors to execute the Leader’s vision. Joe clarifies that the staff roles are similar to that of military ranks. As the owner and leader, he recognizes the strengths of each employee in their positions.
Jerry continues by agreeing with all the previous points. He then adds that Auto Repair Shop Management means overseeing the systems and processes, so Mechanics and Service Writers can do their thing.
Gary also reminds us that people do not want to be managed. They can’t! That method of management always reduces people to robots. Effective managers should manage the systems, so the SOPs themselves can manage the people.
Learn More – Get Your FREE Strategy Session
Does your independent automotive shop lack a clear vision? Maybe your business plan has stalled out. You need an experienced automotive industry coach to help you. Then why not schedule a FREE business strategy session with Brian? You’ve got nothing to lose, so sign up today!
Gary Gunn, AAM shares some examples of flexible auto repair hiring processes and how they can benefit automotive repair shops. Would you consider changing to four day work weeks, or even hiring only technicians who hunt or have farms? Gary provides examples of shops who did – and, believe it or not – these hiring practices for employees were huge successes for decades!
How could being more flexible in your hiring practices benefit your mechanics and service writers? What about you? Couldn’t you use less stress in your daily life as an auto repair shop owner? Can you think of any other benefits to attract quality mechanics and front of house staff? Don’t miss this video – it could save your automotive shop!
Hiring Process Discussion Recap
When this Working On It Tuesday clip opens, Gary quizzes Brian Pickens on what he’s learned from the class. Brian listed several areas of his automotive business that needed work. He admits he is currently understaffed and his people are burnt out. His previous hiring process proved ineffective and he needs to become more flexible in order to attract the right people.
When Gary polled the class about whether changing hours to help employees’ work-life balance would help, they agreed. Perhaps they should poll staff to see what would work for them. Brian added that he needed to put his foot down, because the current work environment was leading to squabbles between coworkers and grumpy customers.
Hypothetical Candidate Interview
Gary then paints a picture of an interview with a potential new technician. The candidate required a four day work week before he would accept the position, and that is unprecedented in your shop. Otherwise, he is the perfect candidate, and you need him. The next step is gathering your staff and making that four day work week possible. Gary and the callers all provided examples of how to make that happen, including many nurses’ three day work week working 12-hour days.
Flexible work schedules in auto repair are not a new phenomenon! Gary told a story about a shop he used to sell lifts to in Texas. They implemented a four day work week, and employed staff who only liked to hunt. Hunting was an important part of the culture in that area. Since the staff knew they wouldn’t have to work on certain days, they could all relax and bond over their common interest. Some of you reading may think that’s crazy, and it gives employees too much power. It worked out fine for the owner of that shop, who sold it after 27 successful years in business!
Learn More – Get Your FREE Strategy Session
Does your auto repair shop lack direction? Perhaps your business plan has stalled out, so you need an experienced automotive industry coach to help you. Then why not schedule a FREE business strategy session with Brian? You’ve got nothing to lose, so sign up today!
Team Building: Building A Team That Helps You Build
A well-oiled machine runs more smoothly and efficiently than a team that doesn’t work together. You may be the only employee when starting your auto repair business, so team building is key.
As your business grows, you will need to learn how to delegate tasks, and integrate team members so they feel ownership over their roles. This will help take your business to the next level while freeing up your time to focus on your own strengths.
The first step to building a lasting team is delegating tasks and giving employees ownership over their roles. This allows them to feel invested in the business’s success. You want your team members to feel empowered to do their jobs without feeling like you are constantly breathing down their necks. Trust is key when delegating tasks and giving employees ownership over their roles.
Giving Your Team Members Ownership Over Their Roles
An essential step to building trust with your team is giving them ownership over their roles. This allows them to grow and be responsible for completing their tasks and meeting deadlines. It also means they have the autonomy to make decisions within their area of responsibility. Motivate them to motivate themselves. Allow them pride over their position.
Decentralized business models are always more efficient than micromanaged and centralized structures. Gift your employees decision-making power and free the stress from your life.
Freeing Up Your Time as a Business Owner
Once you delegate and give employees ownership over their roles, it is important to actually step back. This signals that you are serious about their autonomy. This can be difficult for many business owners who are used to doing everything themselves. However, it is essential if you want to scale your business.
By trusting your team and giving them the freedom to work independently, you will be able to focus on your strengths and grow your business even more.
Building a lasting team is essential for any auto repair shop owner who wants to scale their business. The key is delegation, integration, and giving employees ownership over their roles. By following these steps, you can free up your time as a business owner to focus on your strengths and grow your business.
Contact You Net Results, and we’ll assist you in becoming the leader you always wanted to be. Book a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis and his team will help you build your leadership foundation and plug you into a vast network of auto repair shops. We all work together to strengthen the industry! Let’s make October the best month of your business life!
Leadership is a learned skill. Almost anyone can start a business. But, not everyone can be a successful leader. What makes a good leader with solid leadership qualities? And how can business coaching help you develop your leadership skills and style? In this blog post, we will discuss what makes a good leader and how you can become one too!
The Features Of A Good Leader
Leadership is a quality that is often difficult to define, but everyone knows when they see it. In the business world, strong leaders are essential for success. So, what qualities make a good leader in business?
First and foremost, a good leader must have a clear vision for their company and be able to articulate that vision to others. They must also be able to inspire others to buy into that vision and work together towards a common goal.
Additionally, a good leader must be able to make tough decisions and weather difficult times. They must also be willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
Finally, a good leader must build strong relationships with employees and key stakeholders. By possessing these qualities, a leader can set their company on the path to success.
How Can I Inspire My Employees?
People believe that in order to be a successful leader, you must possess certain qualities such as charisma, intelligence, and strength. However, many other important qualities are often overlooked, such as empathy, listening skills, and the ability to inspire others.
To be a successful leader, learning how to inspire your employees is important. One way to do this is by setting an example and leading by that example. Show your employees that you’re passionate about your work and that you’re committed to making a difference. This will show them that they can be passionate about their work as well. Additionally, try to create a positive and motivating environment in the workplace.
Encourage open communication and collaboration, and make sure everyone feels like they are a valuable part of the team. By taking these steps, you can inspire your employees and help them reach their full potential.
How Can Business Coaching Help Me Become A Better Leader?
Business coaching can help you become a better leader in so many ways. A business coach will help you assess your current leadership skills and develop a plan to improve them. Working hand-in-hand with honest feedback and guidance as you work to implement your plan.
In addition, a business coach can help you identify your leadership style and learn how to adapt it to different situations. With You Net Results, you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take your leadership to the next level.
Don’t hesitate to contact You Net Results today for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis and our team will help you build your leadership foundation. We will plug you into a vast network of auto repair shops, working together to strengthen the industry! Let’s make August the best month of your business life!
Have you ever walked through your business and noticed people performing the same task in five different ways? You aren’t sure which one is the fastest, but you are sure that you would prefer everyone do it one defined way. At least then, you can measure what is wrong and decide how to improve. That is where SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) come in, and they only get better from there!
While SOPs may seem like a lot of work to create, they will save you time and money in the long run. By having SOPs in place, you can train new employees more quickly and easily. Making it easier to monitor employee progress, measure tasks, and improve company culture. Most importantly, SOPs can help you net more revenue!
What are SOPs?
SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are simply detailed instructions on how to perform a task. They vary widely! SOPs can be as simple as a one-page document or complex manuals that are hundreds of pages long.
When composing SOPs, and when considering how standard operating procedures can transform your auto repair shop. Keep in mind that they should be clear and concise. So that anyone who reads them can understand and follow the instructions. Standard operating procedures should also be specific enough to complete a task thoroughly but digestible and actionable.
As old as time, SOPs are nothing new. In fact, they have been around for centuries in one form or another. The military has used SOPs for millennia to ensure that their soldiers are efficient and effective on the battlefield. SOPs were first formalized in the industry during the early days of the automobile assembly line. The auto repair industry developed SOPs to ensure that each car was built the same way, with the same high level of quality.
Should I use SOPs in my auto repair shop?
Today, SOPs are used in businesses of all types and sizes, from small mom-and-pop shops to large multinational corporations. SOPs provide a process or set of steps to complete a task so that employees perform the same way every time. This consistency saves time and helps to ensure quality and avoid mistakes. You can use them in any industry, but they are especially helpful in service-based businesses, such as auto repair.
With the incredibly complex nature of auto repair tasks and workflows, it is essential that you take steps to standardize things. This will not only help reduce confusion and improve efficiency, but it will help you get new employees up to speed faster!
Business coaching Through You Net Results
We know this process is daunting, and that is why you have us at You Net Results. We guide you through the process with detailed templates and instructions. We’ve helped countless auto repair shops do the same, netting greater returns as a result.
Contact You Net-Results today for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis & team will help you build your SOPs and plug you into a vast network of auto repair shops, working together to make the industry stronger! Let’s make August the best month of your business life!
Have you ever heard the phrase “Don’t burn your bridges”?
In business, nothing is more important than the relationships we foster. We are all familiar with networking and how critical it can be to success. On the other hand, negative networking can be even more critical. Like any school locker room, hair salon, or restaurant, nothing gets around faster than bad news!
In a worst-case scenario, one soured relationship could lead to an entire network of soured relationships. Your best bet is to treat everyone with equal respect. Good news gets around too, and before you know it, people will be recommending you as the go-to person for mentorship, advice, and service.
Which business relationships matter the most?
This is a trick question; they all matter! Why, you might ask? Because you can never predict or influence how one thing might affect another. We previously mentioned that with the phrase “burning your bridges.” If you outwardly show that you value one person or one relationship differently than another, you risk the chance of affecting things down the line. We highly suggest that you set a minimum standard for how you treat people. That means showing everyone respect. Go out of your way to ask them about their lives and interests, and request their help when you need it.
How do I build important business relationships?
That is an excellent question. It comes naturally for some people, but for others, it is a learned skill. We would like to urge you to look at this sector of your business development like you would any skill. Pour time, attention, and intention into it.
So, what does that mean? That means going out of your way to let people know how much you appreciate them. Reach out to them, ask if they need help, or request their help. Begin making emotional deposits with the individuals in your life; build up that bank account!
Business coaching with You Net Results
You Net Results can help you practice these skills and then plug you into a vast network of like-minded auto repair center owners. Our supportive and collaborative network of shops works together to build relationships and become the best version of ourselves. We do it for the industry because we know a stronger industry means more success for everyone!
Please contact You Net Results today for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis and his team will help you build your business bridges and come out stronger on the other end, bringing you one step closer to your revenue dreams! Let’s make this summer the greatest summer of your business life!
There is power in mastering your actions. It gives customers the peace of mind that your auto repair shop will stand the test of time. You want the people in your personal to understand that your actions are backed by practiced consistency and dedication to your goals. This translates to your automotive business as well; how consistent are you?
How do you document invoices?
With Consistency?
Are you documenting every transaction and every invoice you produce? Is there a dedicated method for documenting invoices? Does your auto repair shop use an SOP for logging and filing your invoices? Is everyone on your staff on board with the process, or are things getting lost in translation? This is where you can really benefit from structure, which includes documented SOPs and Action Flow Charts.
Poorly?
Do your invoices lack details? Is it difficult to discern what information is relevant when you need to reference it? “The devil is in the details,” as they say, and this has never been more true than with your invoices.
What are your step-by-step procedures?
Where exactly do you start? Do you have the entire process documented? Have you written SOPs, and is everyone on board with following the process? A well-documented step-by-step procedural outline is essential for both seamless training and consistent improvement over time.
Beyond that, if and when you sell your business, you want the buyer to know what makes you so great. Why does your business consistently achieves great results, and how can they replicate them when they take over? Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) serve as a handbook to all of your success, and, furthermore, they will net you a higher selling price when you decide to sell your business. They make it easier to phase yourself out of day-to-day operations, thus giving you more time with your family and loved ones.
Action Flow Charts – WHY?
How can Action Flow Charts help you run your shop?
We believe in the power of consistency! When you center your operation around effective action-based flow charts, it will You can reduce bottlenecks and lead to a less stressful business future.
Communication is the key to success, so action flow charts fill in the gaps where humans naturally fail. It’s impossible for everyone to communicate perfectly, every time. However, we can design a system of Action Flow Charts, tools that fill the spaces where we fall short.
Through YOUR Power of Consistency
In the end, it comes down to your power of consistency and how ready you are to take your dream future into your hands. We all have a vision of what we want our future to look like, so let’s work together to turn that into a reality.
The best way to get started is to start! We can help you with the process by plugging you into an invaluable community of fellow auto repair shop owners! Then, we will help you design your SOP and Action Flow Charts to meet your next revenue goals.
Are you having difficulty designing and writing your SOPs? Is it impossible for your to figure out your Action Flow Charts? Don’t worry, You Net Results is here to help you. This is exactly the value you get when you choose an effective business coaching program.
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis will walk you through the process and help you get started, connecting you with like-minded individuals, all dedicated to improving each other’s businesses and lives.
February fills us all with emotions. As business owners, we often experience emotions others don’t deal with. Owning a business is incredibly stressful, and it is even worse if you take it all on your shoulders with the “Lone Wolf” approach. We know that self-made leadership is a myth. Emotional withdrawals get worse the more we turn away from the team that’s there to support us.
Emotional withdrawals happen when we fail to rely on the team and people around us to do their best; instead, we take the burden of everything on our shoulders. Our crews are there to support us and help us reach the next goal in our organization, and we can’t do that without them. This February, we want you to focus on making emotional deposits. Build that relationship bank account up, so it isn’t such an issue when you need to make a withdrawal. If we want to be effective leaders, then we want our teams to have agency in their positions. Therefore, we have to give them the room to own what they do. Believe in them, and then they will believe in you!
Watch our General Manager Process meeting at this link. You will definitely learn more.
More About Emotional Withdrawals
Most of you are owners and perhaps the General Managers of your businesses! So, do you have the tools in place to help you be successful? Do you find yourself making emotional withdrawal after emotional withdrawal? Well, maybe you need a set of tools in order to help you sort things out and find out what that problem “something” really is.
How can “Action Flow Charts” help you run your shop?
Have you ever found yourself doing one thing, just to have it undone by someone following you up? Scenarios like these are all too common in the business world, and this is where effective business coaching can take you to the next level. Action Flow Charts can help you design a system of processes that ensure everyone is doing the next best task in the process. You have a customer, a service advisor, a technician, and an interconnected web of communication tangled in-between. The opportunities for mistakes are big, especially without effective “Action Flow Charts.” You know that “something” is wrong, but you can’t quite figure out what it is! Sometimes you need someone with fresh eyes to come in and help you see the problems in front of you.
Through YOUR Power of Consistency
You are the only one that can hold yourself responsible at the end of the day. The power of consistency comes down to staying on top of the tiny tasks, day after day because you know they all stack to bring you closer to your greater goal. We are better leaders when our team knows that they can rely on us to be consistent. In return, we want the same thing from them, so show them how to do it and lead by example.
Take February to work on the relationships that mean the most to you. Your family, your loved ones, and the employees you foster in your business. The happier we are, the more we love; and the more we share our love, the better we are as people and business leaders. When you nourish your soul, your business will follow.
Exhausted From Emotional Withdrawals? We Can Help!
You Net Results’ team, tools, and processes are here in order to help you reach your next revenue goal! Struggling with emotional withdrawals and not even sure how to make a deposit? Our business coaching can help you build the structure to inspire your staff. Let’s maximize this daily operations opportunity!
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis will walk you through the process and help you get started, so you can make 2022 the best year of your business career.
Brian Gillis recently joined host Hunt Demarest and his fellow guest Tim Shaffer of Level 6 Consulting to discuss the state of the automotive industry and what their shops are doing to adapt in these strange times.
Hunt jumped right into the main topic as he addresses challenges auto repair shops are facing today. As we close out 2021, issues such as parts shortages, technician shortages, and scheduling difficulties dominate shop owners’ minds.
Although many issues are present, Hunt pointed out that most of the shops his accounting business deals with are doing great numbers. Brian and Tim agreed the same was true for their clients, despite the precarious state of the late-pandemic world.
Automotive Industry Scheduling Issues
First, Hunt addressed the scheduling quandary that many repair shops were facing. While needing to schedule two to three weeks ahead may sound like a good thing, it can be hard to keep up with. He pitched to Brian for advice.
Brian pointed out how in this situation, it is inevitable that you may have to turn away some customers. Missing out on quick turnaround jobs such as maintenance inspections leaves easy money on the table. How could we address that problem?
The first area we should address in that situation is staffing. Do we have enough people? We need to take a look at our operations and make sure we even have the space to add on more techs to handle the extra work.
Hunt asked Tim if prioritizing specific customers or jobs ever comes up when work is very busy. Tim confirmed it was true. His shop must find a way to cater to its highest profit jobs and most loyal customers. Being honest with everyone else about delays and making concessions where they can is key. Hunt pointed out that consumers are getting used to delays in all industries, including auto repair, due to supply chain issues. Thus, communicating about delays should be easier.
Is Our Automotive Industry Shop Properly Staffed?
Hunt pitched to the issue of staff shortfalls and shortcomings to Tim. Is this busy time still a good one to examine letting go a problem technician? In his experience, adjusting workflow to one tech to one bay has increased profits, despite putting more work on each worker.
In Brian’s experience with our clients, hiring comes down to two R’s: Retention and Recruiting. We must have systems in place to both hire young, inexperienced workers and pair them up with older technicians who can help them reach the goals owners set for them. Brian pointed out that many unskilled positions may currently pay more per hour than a starting technician. However, we can provide incentives for long term growth which we can use to sell them on these positions. It is hard to argue with hard numbers that mechanics can reach at regular intervals.
Brian mentioned that we must always keep recruiting. Since good techs are the hardest staff to come by, we have to keep our focus on how to reach out to the staff we need. A skilled A-Tech is likely not looking for work, but your service advisor likely knows who the best technicians working in the area are. If you play your cards right, you may be able to lure them in to work for you. Get creative. Be aggressive. Don’t be afraid to go into another shop for a small job and size up their workers.
Training Apprentice Technicians
A listener asked the automotive industry roundtable to discuss the challenge of hiring apprentice technicians when existing staff seems too maxed out help to train them. Tim responded that it takes a team effort from everyone in the shop. Incentives for A Techs who put in extra hours to train apprentices are also a must.
Brian pointed out that the process is a tradeoff. A Techs may lose some work time when they are training apprentices, but the young workers can perform less skill intensive tasks to balance that out. Paying the tech who is doing the training a bonus for the extra effort helps on the other side. Brian also mentioned that many shops are just one technician loss away from going out of business. Therefore, we need to be sensitive to what our techs need, salary and incentive wise. One on one mentoring sessions and continued training are key to keep that connection going. Keep an eye on what other shops in your area are doing, and adjust your incentives in order to keep your best technicians.
Automotive Industry Labor Rate Increases
A live viewer asked if this a good time to increase labor rates. Hunt emphatically says yes! Selling on parts and labor is an antiquated method, and package deals are more common instead. The host made the point that inflation and the increased costs of many other goods and services justify an increase in our hourly rates. Brian made the point that we can’t eat the rising costs of parts. We need to instead incrementally increase what we charge for labor monthly to cover that, as well as to reward our teams fairly. Ask yourself what a dealership can do that you can’t. Why are you charging lower rates than them, then?
Looking Ahead to 2022 in the Automotive Industry
Tim feels that everything in the business comes back to relationships. We want to be the the auto shop multiple generations of families return to. This can’t be done unless we communicate to our customers that we truly care.
Brian again emphasized the importance of staff retention for navigating the future. Regular team meetings, meals together, and retreats can build relationships amongst our staff. They will then be less likely to go elsewhere. Also, loaner cars are a must offer, especially when we have a backlog of jobs. We may be overflowing with work, but we must not become complacent. Consistent phone scripts, key to key friendliness, and great service will pay off when we have to hunt for jobs. Word gets around, whether it’s a good or bad review.
Finally, Hunt asked for one last tip for owners trying to navigate the automotive industry in 2022. Tim said that while business is up, we need to build our cash reserves to prepare for an inevitable downturn. Brian emphasized that we must a positive company culture. Retention is so important, and fostering an environment your staff never wants to leave will pay dividends in so many areas. Keep recruiting the right people, and assure them every day that they chose wisely by joining your team.
During a recent Daily Operations webinar, we invited Luke and Carl from Kukui to present their auto repair marketing service to our clients.
Auto Repair Marketing Service – Useful New Kukui Features
First, Carl lays out a new feature on Kukui sites, the live web chat box. Since many customers are more comfortable texting than calling, it’s a great solution. Today, customers perform over 70% of all searches from smartphones. Therefore, you must have a mobile friendly chat feature in order to discuss services in real time.
Additionally, Kukui now offers a new automated message service. Shops can use time based triggers for declined services, follow ups, and recommended services. The text service is extremely intelligent, reminding clients of services they may have declined before. This is a huge get, especially if you are an independent repair shop owner. You can customize this in order to make it more personal for your raving fans.
Carl then outlined Lead Scoring. Shop owners can use this tool to create a 1-10 scorecard for service advisors when they make phone calls. This will both help service writers to improve their game, and train new recruits on mastering their techniques. You may figure averages per employee or shop wide. Control all of these via an easy to use online dashboard.
More About Kukui
Next, our guests break down Kukui’s background and mission for the few non-users on the call. Kukui offers scalable marketing software that any automotive repair business can use, from single bay shops to multi-store operations with hundreds of employees. No matter what your goal is, Kukui’s team of problem solvers can get you there.
Carl drilled down the components that help shops get found on Google. Kukui sites are mobile friendly, fast, and regularly updated with fresh content. These are must have SEO (Search Engine Optimization) components, no matter what industry you work in. Kukui have partnered with Google to ensure their auto repair websites are all approved.
Additionally, the layout of the site is critical to convert customers. Properly placing a shop’s branding, call to action buttons, reviews, and coupons on your website is critical if you want it to bring people in the door.
Perhaps most critical of all, Kukui offers full analytics of how your tools are performing. When you know what’s working and what’s not, you can tweak your settings on the fly to take maximum advantage.
Email marketing is also key to customer retention. Kukui offers full featured email marketing, with easy to use templates and the ability to import your existing list in CSV format. Stay in touch by sending reminders, thank you’s, and special offers, or ask for a review.
You can manage reviews, whether they are from Facebook, Google, or other sources, from your Kukui dashboard. The service also offers automated postcard mailing and tracks your results. You can also automate regular social media posts, and you can target the right prospects with the Customer Maps feature.
Try The Kukui Auto Repair Marketing Service For Yourself
After watching this video, we are confident that you’re ready to take the next step. Your auto repair business is poised for explosive growth! Click here and hit the “Refer Someone for a Demo” button today to get started!
Defining Auto Repair Shop Management – How Is It Different From Leadership?
Hiring Process Discussion Recap
There is power in mastering your actions. It gives customers the 
February fills us all with emotions. As business owners, we often experience emotions others don’t deal with. Owning a business is incredibly stressful, and it is even worse if you take it all on your shoulders with the “
Hunt pitched to the issue of staff shortfalls and shortcomings to Tim. Is this busy time still a good one to examine letting go a problem technician? In his experience, adjusting workflow to one tech to one bay has increased profits, despite putting more work on each worker.
Next, our guests break down Kukui’s background and mission for the few non-users on the call. Kukui offers scalable marketing software that 
