Home » Tips

Tips

A favorite of many members – short, to-the-point management tips. New tips are added regularly. Premium Membership is required for access.

Results 366

Sort by

#291 Missing from Your Bank Account?

Q: How do those precious few shops end up with grant money – often in large amounts? A: They applied for it. Sometimes competition for grant money is tough. But,...

Updated

November 27, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#290 The Waiting Room TV Dilemma

Even with a seemingly endless list of channels, it can be tough to choose what to put on the TV in the customer lounge. Try this instead. Search YouTube for...

Updated

November 17, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#289 STOP BEING SO MEAN TO CUSTOMERS!

Little things can make a big difference in the perception of your shop. Signs are often a great example. You could post one of these signs. “No Parking” “Absolutely NO...

Updated

October 29, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#288 The Correct Number of Oil Changes for Your Shop

If we go through your ROs from last month, how many of them include an oil change? Ideally, at least half. More than half of the cars coming through your...

Updated

October 8, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#287 Estimate Request Policy

Sure, you can have a policy of always "yes" or always "no." Or you can do it better. Agree to do the estimates; however, thefollowing are mandatory – no exceptions!...

Updated

September 23, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#286 Improving the Appointment Process

To prevent possible confusion, add the following to all your online and paper appointment forms. Dropping Off or Waiting for Your Vehicle _____ I plan to drop my car off...

Updated

September 8, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#285 Five Simple Parts Policies to Prevent Complaints

1: Failed TPMS sensors: Always recommend replacing TPMS sensors as a set when all are likely the same age. 2: Leaking TPMS Sensors: Always replace, do not attempt a repair....

Updated

August 16, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#284 Saving Wasted Time at Your Computer

You create a document or written text for something. Anything. It might be simple or may be complicated. You know in the back of your mind that you will write...

Updated

July 13, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#283 It is Time to Eliminate the “C” Word at Your Shop

Everyone hates comebacks. Customers, shops, advisors, and techs. Go into your software and documents right now and replace the term “comeback” with “recheck”. The customers do not care what you...

Updated

June 26, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#282 Eliminate Webinar Confusion

The largest and most comprehensive schedule of vehicle service-related online events and webinars are at this link. https://www.automotivemanagementnetwork.com/live-webinars/ Add a reminder to your calendar to check it weekly. Note all...

Updated

May 19, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#281 Pandemics and Other Disasters at Your Shop

Most of us are currently in uncharted waters. While there were a few shop owners who were well-positioned for the COVID-19 pandemic, many were not. Disasters happen. Weather events. Wars....

Updated

April 27, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#280 Remote Employees

Is this even realistic? Yes – and probably far more than many might believe. Make a list of every task that your employees perform. Now review the list with your...

Updated

April 6, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#279 Comeback Tracking the Right Way

The biggest problem with tracking comebacks lies in its definition. Exactly, what is a “comeback”? Ask ten different technicians, advisors, and owners, and get just as many interpretations. Make it...

Updated

March 16, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#278 Hidden Reviews

Are you hiding your shop’s reviews? Some people should see all of your reviews - your staff. What a great way to make a connection between your employees and your...

Updated

March 3, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#277 Technician Search – When and How Often?

Not just techs, but advisors and all other people employed at your shop. When? Today. Repeat when? Tomorrow. Put a system in place where you are spending a few minutes...

Updated

February 17, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#276 Internet Speed

When was the last time you checked your internet speed, available options, pricing, and companies serving your area? The pace of change in this area is staggering. The extra few...

Updated

January 29, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#275 Vacations and Days Off

“Boss, I need to take Friday off - that’s OK, right?” In a perfect world, your shop would have all employees at work every day because dealing with change upsets...

Updated

January 15, 2020

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#274 Twelve Ways to Increase Your Shop’s Output

1 Improve your inspections 2 Reduce technician interruptions 3 Avoid weird repairs 4 Increase customer interaction 5 Speed up your estimating process 6 Increase your production capability 7 Learn to...

Updated

December 31, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#273 Labor Rate Quick Calculator

First, determine what your cost is to have a technician work on a car for one hour at your shop (sorry, there is no way to calculate your labor rate...

Updated

December 18, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#272 I Had No Idea It Did That

You’ve used them for months or even years. Which programs and apps do you frequently use at your shop? Chat apps, calendars, office programs, email, browsers, video apps are some...

Updated

November 29, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#271 Policy Creation – Hey! Wait Just a Minute!

You have a policy in mind that you are sure is necessary and will be helpful, and maybe it will be. But first, ask yourself who will be affected. Are...

Updated

November 18, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#270 “FREE AIR” Marketing

Not very long ago, adding air to a tire or inflating pretty much anything was a pretty simple deal. Compressed air was free and just around the corner for many...

Updated

October 30, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#269 Get Rid of Your Website – and Your Email, Too!

This tip is not for everyone. It is for the shops which have a website that boasts an air conditioning special - in January - in Michigan. It is also...

Updated

October 12, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#268 Are You a Ghost

Do you sometimes just vanish? Not literally, but do you do a disappearing act when you are expected to call, show up, reply, carry through, etc.? It has become one...

Updated

August 26, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

#267 After Hours Customer Vehicle PICK-UP Simplified

For after-hours drop-off, most shops have had some kind of a key drop-box for many years. However, when customers picked up their cars after hours shops commonly have hidden keys...

Updated

July 29, 2019

Premium Membership Feature

Sign up or sign in to view

Report

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

  • See blocked member's posts
  • Mention this member in posts
  • Invite this member to groups
  • Message this member
  • Add this member as a connection

Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Report

You have already reported this .