Crisis management for repair shops: how to face the challenges
Economic crises, like the one caused by the covid-19 pandemic, affect every sector, and auto repair is no exception. At times like these, repair shops have to reinvent themselves to get through the hard phase. Good crisis management for repair shops helps reduce losses and come out stronger. Here are practical tips.
How to manage a crisis at your repair shop
Stay calm and assess the situation
Before making any decision, remember that crises pass. Study the economic situation, identify the risks to your business and think about strategies to work around them. In tense moments, hasty decisions tend to be costly.
Focus on your goal
Once you understand how the crisis affects the shop, define practical actions to avoid bigger losses. Crisis management starts with clear, achievable goals. Be practical and use the resources within your reach.
Find a differentiator
Understand what your customers need most right now and use that to stand out from the competition. Maintenance packages, priority scheduling for regular customers and small gifts help keep business coming in without lowering your prices.
Adapt your services
Drivers' habits change during a crisis. During the pandemic, a Continental survey in Brazil found that 69% of drivers were worried about car maintenance and 48% checked tire pressure every 15 days. Data like this shows which services deserve more attention in the shop's communication.
Be present on social media
An online presence is very important during a crisis. Active profiles with useful content keep customers informed about opening hours, services and car care, and strengthen the shop's brand.
Keep good financial control
No crisis plan works without looking after the finances. Manage cash carefully to give yourself breathing room in the coming months. Some good practices:
- negotiate payment terms with suppliers
- put together service packages that help move parts sitting in stock
- keep a healthy profit margin on your best-selling products and services
- weigh card receivables advances carefully, taking fees into account
- postpone medium and long-term investments and prioritize what is urgent
Get organized to weather the crisis
In difficult times, having the shop's numbers at hand makes a difference. Onmotor is a repair shop management system, developed in Brazil, that brings the business's information together in one place. Sign up for a free trial.