As an auto repair shop owner, you wear many hats every day. Often, you have to be the head mechanic, the marketing manager, and the CEO all in one. However, if you really want your business to grow, then you will need to learn how to delegate effectively.

Delegation is the key to building a successful team and freeing up your own time. When you do this, you will be able to focus on high level tasks that will help your business thrive. In this article, we will show you how to delegate and deliver effectively as a leader. You will also learn how to build a team that can help you achieve your ultimate goals.

The Importance of Knowing How to Delegate Effectively

Delegation is an essential skill for any leader. However, it is especially important for small business owners. When you are running a small business, there are only so many hours in the work day. You can not do everything yourself. Trying to do so will only lead you to burnout and frustration.

Effective delegation will allow you to leverage the skills and talents of your technicians, general managers, and service advisors. That way, you can focus on the tasks that only you, the owner, can do.

Why is Delegation So Hard For Shop Owners?

Delegating your tasks is not always the easy thing to do. As an auto shop business owner, you have probably built your repair business from the ground up. Therefore, you may have a hard time letting go of control. You may worry that no one can do things as well as you can do them. Maybe you are afraid that delegating jobs to your staff will take too much time and effort. However, if you really want your business to grow, then you will need to learn to delegate effectively.

The Benefits of Knowing How to Delegate Your Tasks

Effective delegation has many benefits for your automotive repair business. It can:

• Free up your own time so you can focus on your highest level tasks
• Help you to build the most productive staff possible
• Develop the skills of your auto repair shop team members
• Increase your own job satisfaction, as well as bolster your employees’ engagement
• Reduce both your stress and your burnout

How to Delegate Effectively

Delegating daily tasks effectively is not just about handing off those jobs to your team members. It will also require very careful planning and communication on your part. Following up with your staff is the key. Here are some steps that you can take today in order to delegate effectively:

Step 1: Identify the Tasks You Can Delegate

The first step in an effective delegation strategy is to identify the tasks that you actually can delegate to others. Look for the tasks that are:

• Either routine or repetitive
• Too time consuming
• Not critical to your core business operations
• Within the skill set of your team members

Step 2: Choose the Right Team Member

Once you have identified the tasks you can delegate, then you can choose the right team member to handle the job. Look for team members who have the right skills and experience. These staff members should be continually motivated to take on new challenges. Consider delegating tasks as a way to help your staff members grow and develop their own skills.

Step 3: Provide Clear Instructions

In order to delegate effectively, you will need to provide clear instructions to your team member. Be specific about what you want them to do, and when you need it done. Also, stress the resources they have available to them. Make sure that your employee also understands the importance of the task. Emphasize how it fits into the bigger picture of your business. Remember, every job is important to making a business run, no matter how small it is.

Step 4: Set Specific Expectations

Next, you will need to clear expectations for your team member. Define what success looks like for the task, as well as the metrics that you will use to measure progress. Make sure your employee knows exactly how to report back to you on their progress. It is also imperative that they know what to do if they should encounter any challenges.

Step 5: Provide Clear Support and Feedback

Provide your team member with the support they need to succeed. Check in with them regularly in order to see how they’re doing. Then offer them guidance and feedback as needed. Celebrate their successes and help them learn from their mistakes.

Conclusion: Delegation is Key to Leadership Success

Remember to identify all of the tasks that you can delegate. Then, when you choose the right team member, provide clear instructions and expectations for them. Finally, offer them your support and feedback.

With these skills, you can become a much more effective leader, while also growing your business. Do not be afraid to let go of control. Learn how to trust your team members to help you achieve your automotive shop’s goals.

You Net Results Can Teach You How To Delegate

Contact You Net Results today, and let us help you begin the process. 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 automotive industry! Let’s make June the best month of your business life!

Gary Gunn quizzes YNR Members on how they define auto repair leadership. Repair Shop Owners need to learn key skills in order to be effective leaders in their automotive businesses.

Auto Repair Leadership Defined

Gary opens by asking the group how they define auto repair leadership. Each of our YNR members contribute valuable takes in this clip.

Joe says a true leader knows the direction that automotive business is going. Pam adds that that leaders set the tone and pace of the business. The owner leads by making sure everyone focuses on the main goals and the team doesn’t go off on tangents. Brian Gillis has mentioned before that every auto shop has a “speed up / slow down” rhythm. The owner must ensure that everyone keeps that pace.

Fred reminds us that leaders must set month to month goals for staff. Owners lead by creating processes. They also have to continually seek ways to improve those processes.

Jerry adds that auto repair leadership means defining a repair shop’s vision. Then it is up to the owner to lead by example.

Gary Recommends Leadership Resources

All of these definitions included aspects of leadership. However, Gary has more to add. Since he is a certified eMyth coach, Gary Gunn has learned leadership methods inside and out from Michael Gerber. John Maxwell also has great leadership training resources, which dig much deeper. Remember, core tenets of the job may never change. However, changing times could mean new problems to solve.

Learn More – Book Your FREE Strategy Session

Does your independent 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 Gillis? You’ve got nothing to lose, so sign up today!

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!

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.

Our own Jim Ryckman 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

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 has 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?

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 have access to join our live weekly Zoom meetings. They cover topics such as budgeting for profit, hiring, leadership, and much more. Members also have 24/7 access to hours of previous training calls. A library of valuable documents will help to guide you. Sign up today!

General Manager Clip - Coaching Groups Build Confident Leaders

Check out this clip from our members only live General Manager Process meeting, which originally met on Zoom May 12, 2020. Firstly, Brian sparks a lively roundtable discussion. Our veteran shop owners then reveal what it means to be a confident leader in an automotive repair shop environment. Each member agrees that when you regularly participate in an auto repair coaching group, it is one of the major keys to building your confidence.

Coaching Call Recap

Both automotive owners and general managers participated in the call. They chimed in to stress what modeling systems looks like to their employees. Thus, automotive staff members respond best when leaders are both confident and consistent.

Afterward, our auto repair coaching group reads the bullet points in the You Net Results brand script. This script exists in order to outline our focus and mission as an automotive industry company. It also ties into this clip’s theme of repair shop owners and managers who train together, as well as support each other.

Finally, Coach Brian closes with a discussion on the abstract concept of silent thieves. When you do not put the right processes in place, chaos is bound to sneak in. When that happens, then your money will inevitably run out. If you do not activate the right systems and processes, then you will eventually find yourself powerless to prevent these thieves from robbing your shop blind!

Auto repair coaching group for general managers

Would you describe yourself as a directionless shop owner or general manager? Silent thieves might just be bleeding your beloved business dry! Don’t worry, though – there is still hope for you! Learn how to master finances, daily operations, phone skills, service advisor training, as well as intangibles that only experienced pros know. Sign up for one of our auto repair coaching group today!