A crisis at your repair shop: how to come out stronger
In times of economic instability, business slows, costs rise and the temptation is to wait for things to improve. But a crisis also changes customer behavior: people who put off buying a new car start taking better care of the one they have, and that brings them to the shop. To take advantage of this and overcome the crisis, the shop needs to act. Here is how to get through a crisis at your repair shop and come out stronger.
What to do to overcome a crisis
Do not just wait it out
Blaming the economy and standing still solves nothing. A crisis also brings opportunities: with fewer people buying new cars, the need to keep current cars in good shape grows. It is the time to step up communication about preventive maintenance and inspections.
Cut unnecessary expenses
When things are going well, it is common to relax spending controls. In a crisis, take a close look and cut whatever does not add value to the business. A leaner structure also makes the shop more competitive.
Organize administration
Good administrative organization helps you spot opportunities for improvement. Update employee records with each person's training and courses, ideally in good software. If you need to reduce staff, knowing who can handle more than one role makes a difference.
Also take the chance to review supplier contracts, reassess your tax burden with your accountant and check for available tax incentives. For marketing, digital channels let you target your audience at lower cost than traditional media.
Invest in training
With updated team data, it is easier to identify which areas need development. Align training with the services you want to strengthen at the shop.
Review services and products
A wide product range requires space and a large inventory investment. Keep the basics in stock and also invest in higher-value products. Packages of complementary services, such as a full inspection with a safety check, raise the value of each visit without cutting prices. Another option is to create recurring revenue, such as a subscription maintenance plan with customer benefits. For more strategies, see our content on crisis management for repair shops.
Meet the Onmotor system
The Onmotor system offers custom reports, invoice and work order issuing and other features that help you see where to cut and where to invest. Learn more about our company and talk to our team.