Automotive Repair Shop Owner’s Approach towards their
Business and Responsibilities
I have been writing Blogs for auto repair shops for some time now. I often find myself thinking about how we can improve auto service centers to be the most effective and efficient in their market place. As I think harder and harder, I take into consideration that technology has changed rapidly year after year, and shop owners must constantly update their knowledge to continue running their shops effectively. As we repair shop owners know, our background and experience in the automotive industry comes from our passion and desire to be around the cars. Identifying and fixing a problem with a single vehicle is one thing, but being in control of your business and understanding what solutions are available and most useful to your service center is an entire other set of challenges that you must face, especially considering the high tech automobiles of today and the current economy.
There are some major factors that we must consider as an auto business owner, such as Business Planning, Marketing Planning, and Management of your auto service center. In general, these three elements are the most crucial factors to running a successful business. Obviously, most of us as owners of auto repair centers know how to fix a car or how come up with their right solution to support the customer’s needs, but we must also work to advance our knowledge as to how to repair today’s new automobiles; specifically how to obtain new tools and software, and then how to obtain trained technicians to help repair vehicles and solve problems.
Having said that, most of us forget about the most important element of our operations: the business itself. Business and marketing planning, along with the management aspect of our shop is essential to success. As your customers enter your shop to have you, the expert, fix their vehicles, it is essential to have a professional planner to help you market your shop properly. I have done numerous surveys to see the reactions of the owners of auto repair shops when approached for consulting, and I have discovered some unfortunate results. Most owners are so concerned with assessing and repairing their customer’s vehicle or seeking new business that they fail to listen to valuable advice that a consultant can offer them. A person who is interested in growing in life and in their business should be willing to listen and observe ways that they can benefit and grow. This is an important responsibility as a business owner. Some automotive repair shop owners don’t feel like they need the assistance of a consultant in managing their business, that they know what they are doing and they don’t need anybody to help them. This is not the best approach, as running a business is a complicated and intricate challenge that we can all learn more about. Unfortunately, many shop owners complain about not having enough business to cover their expenses – many of them don’t even know what those numbers are.
Having a well-written business plan and a solid marketing plan is not like fixing a car – you need to gather lots of information and have many facts at your disposal to create a good plan. It takes a long time and a lot of research to compile all of the data and information you need in order to write a proper business plan. As a repair shop owner, how are you supposed to find the time to do your homework and learn how to write a solid business plan, let alone write, edit, and re-edit your plan to perfection, all while running your shop and ensuring your customer’s satisfaction?
This is where a consultant company comes in to offer its experience and support to help you take your business to the next level. I am trying to be as realistic as possible about our attitude when it comes to requesting the help of an expert – we must all have an open mind to observe and acquire information to help give us an advantage in our market. Are you willing to open yourself to get support, or are you satisfied with continuing on the same path with the same mediocre results? We all have room to learn and grow, and I hope you do not misunderstand my passion for helping you grow and view your business from a whole new angle.
Obtaining solid business and marketing plans along with strategies as to managing your shop effectively are not expenses; rather they are investments, just like the equipment you purchase to get your business going. After all, business and marketing plans are your road map to success; they will guide you to achieving financial stability for your company for years to come.
Best regards,
Jay Esfahani
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