BAYVIEWMOORE
Forum Replies Created
-
Hello Allison,
Let me start by telling you that I have owned Auto Repair Centers and New CAr Dealerships. I have always been in fixed operations and I can tell you that you are not alone with these problems. They exist in every type and size of shop.
The first thing that comes to mind for me is the need of better communication between management and the tech force. Weekly lunch meetings go a long way. The techs are your life support base and they want to feel needed and heard. These meetings are your opportunity to calmly explain the business needs of the shop and how only the tech’s can help you reach your goals. Secondly, set goals for the entire team (yourself included) and make the results public. Tell them you will review everybodies results at the next weekly meeting and the best performer will get some type of fun prize. This is team building. But don’t forget to ask them what they need to do a better job. I imagine none of the tech’s consider it fun at work these days. What can we do as a team to make this place fun again. Also reinforce the need to communicate with your team. Ask them if there is anything that you need to do (or stop doing) that will allow them to produce more on a regular basis. You need to allow them to have input.
Now, that being said, when it comes to a bad attitude in the shop. The worst thing any manager can do (and we are all guilty of this) is hesitate. You know where or who the problem is. Do not hesitate another minute. Call him/her in for a sit down. Take notes. There maybe something going on that you don’t know about. Schedule a follow up face to face. If tensions are high, ask the owner to join you. He probably needs to hear anyways. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!! Then in the follow up meeting, read back the notes. Let him see you taking more notes. Record what plans you have both agreed to for improvements. Again, go over in the follow up. This will let him understand how serious you are and that you are now building a file should you need it. Nobody likes to go through this but it is part of the job. Remember, in the long run, it is far cheaper to turn around a miserable tech than it is to replace him. But, there are times where this does not work. This is why you need to start discreetly canvassing for a new lead tech right away. Tell the owner you want to utilize a head hunter. Your time spent trying to rejuvenate your head tech should allow you to find a suitable replacement. Get the owner to ok paying at dealer rates. If the time comes to say goodbye then you are well covered through all of your documented attempts. If he turns the corner and gets back on the same page then you are good to go.
Good luck
Gerry
Bayview Moore Auromotive
-
With tires removed we are always between 58% and 61%
Gerry
-
Hello All,
Does anybody utilize a 3rd party for appointments? I would love to know.
Gerry
-
I would say the first thing to do would be to move all staff to a 44 hour week. NO OVERTIME! That might eat away your labor deficit right there. Secondly, rather than locking yourself into a new pay scale, why not bonus them on specific items sold. Example; this month 50 drive belt and tensioner combo’s will equal an $800 bonus for the shop. Be creative before getting locked into a new pay structure. That actual bonus is on right now at my shop and we are tracking almost 30% over previous year. Just make sure you do the math first!
-
Ive been there and all I can say is the grass is not always greener! If the opportunity ever pops up, take a good long look at the # of cars sold and what the average gross is per car in your territory! Service and parts are great, but they will not carry a dealership on thier owm! Get a customer count of how many “leads” walk through the dooor in a month. You need to sell a minimum of 25%. Now take that number and times it by the average gross per unit (factor in 2% holdback profit from manufacturer) and see if you cover 50% of rent/mortgage responsabilities. Another aspect to consider is Used Cars, This all depends on type of dealer. A BMW dealer may make out well moving 25 – 30 used cars per month at an average profit of $1500.00. But what happens to the Hyundai guy trying to sell used cars at 6% financing whem he has a BRAND NEW ACCENT in the showroom selling for $9999.00 at 0%? You will lose the used deal every time. When you are dealing with a brand that only supports new sales, you will always have a hard time making money. Profit needs to come in from all corners of the store. Not just the showroom. Just my 2 cents…
Gerry MooneyPresident Bayview Moore Auto / Top Fuel Tuning416 421 2020Visit us online today! -
Have you read the book “Sling Shot”? Great book. It talks of the “Car Club Cards” etc. Hmmmm, great value if done well. Think about it; a reason for your customers to committ to thier next appointment. Great or what? It all depends how well your people sell the idea at the front counter. There are loads of “how to ” books out there, but we need to make it happen live without a net! But that’s why we love this business; never a dull moment!
-
Hi Guys,
I have been involved with 20 Groups and Financial Forums over the years and must say that I have found great value in them. Would anyone be interested in setting up a group that meets once a year? We could bounce the location around to accomodate those on the coasts. These groups are only as good as what we put into them. I believe that 10 to 12 participants is all we need. Sometimes it helps to pull yourself away from the shop for a couple of days. As long as we are not in competing markets, we should be fine. I’m all the way up in Canada and I’d be willing to meet once a year if not twice! As long as we take back one good idea that we can put into practice and sell, sell, sell: it will all be worth while.I’ll even go out on a limb and facillatate the first meeting. We are all here for the same reason; to grow the business. Just my two cents. I’m in if you are…Gerry MooneyPresident, Bayview Moore Automotive/Top Fuel Tuning416-421-2020 -
Thanks for the great input! Corrections underway as we type. Cheers.
-
I WENT TO THIER 2 DAY SEMINAR TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY WERE ENTERTAINING AND INSIGHTFUL. I PROBABLY IMPLEMENTED 8 OR 9 PRACTICES THEY WERE PREACHING AND ALL ADDED VALUE. HAVENT SIGNED UP FOR THE FULL PROGRAM, BUT AM STILL THINKING ABOUT IT…
