It's time to really focus your attention to business details

Dec. 15, 2020
It is time to get focused with the correct mindset.

I believe everyone is doing their best to work their way through these trying times with COVID-19 playing into your life and business world on a daily basis. We must take all precautions, of course, but let us not forget about the important details that must be looked after in our business.

It is time to get focused with the correct mindset. It is easy to be lazy and fall into the same old routines of the past. Heading into 2021 let us ensure it is different.

Do a basic site critique and make sure all items have been addressed completely within your operation. Review the overall business attitude throughout the building as you know people can “feel” the attitude of the business when they enter it. Do you have the right number of personnel on your team in order to deliver a high-quality service to your clientele? Is your equipment up to date for dealing with today’s vehicle realities? Do you stock the right inventory used frequently by your clientele and are you measuring the right earn turn index by line to ensure your money is being used wisely in the inventory category? Is your balance sheet in a strong position to move forward into 2021? If they have not been addressed, get it done now and always “delegate” a team member where possible to get their input as well.

Review the apps used in your business and ensure all staff members understand these new tools and are using them fully.

Review all time clock procedures to ensure time is being tracked properly to ensure accurate billing at the front counter and concentrate on capturing diagnostic time and billing it accurately for the next 21 days to get this habit set within the business culture.

Review your training plan for the next 1 year period and get all staff registered NOW into the courses that provide the right education to bring the shop team together so they understand why the business must operate this way and how to serve the client in a very Professional manner.

Review the administration procedures to capture the business numbers in a precise format so the trend lines of the business can be measured accurately and in a timely manner.

Ensure the communication lines with every staff member are open in a positive way. Give each staff member at least 1 verbal positive compliment each day. Look them in the eye when you do it. This is important in building their confidence that they are moving forward in their own development with this team.

Finally, I will end with this personal thought: “Having a negative person in your life or on your team is a choice, not a necessity. You do not have to have negative people in your life or business; you just must have the strength to confront their behavior and let them know it is unacceptable or let them go. That means any person who is negative; there are no exceptions. Do not ever forget the agenda of negative people is always about them and control. Their behavior is designed to move you toward their negative space and away from your positive thinking. When you give them this entrance into your world, they will not only take advantage of it, they will use it to wear you down and take control of your life and your business. Do not give them permission to do that.

About the Author

Bob Greenwood

Robert (Bob) Greenwood, AMAM (Accredited Master Automotive Manager) was the President and C.E.O. of Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. (AAEC). AAEC is a company focused on providing Business Management Resources and Development for the Independent Sector of the aftermarket industry utilizing the Internet environment. AAEC content and technology is recognized as part of the curriculum of the Fixed Operations Diploma and the Aftermarket Degree courses taken at the Automotive Business School of Canada in Georgian College located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. This school is the leader and only college in Canada that offers an automotive business education. AAEC is also recognized by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI), located in Colleyville, Texas USA, allowing 80 credits for successful completion of the AAEC E-Learning portion of the site towards the 120 credits required to obtain the reputable Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. The Automotive Management Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager designation is the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI various programs have attracted more than 212,000 enrolments throughout North America. 

Greenwood died on Sept. 9 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, from a heart attack. He was a regular contributor to Motor Age magazine and will be greatly missed. See some of his recent work here:

Where is your shop today: Do you have a career or job culture?
Part one of a three-part series looks at a sample policy manual for your team

How should you measure the real cost of running your business?
A few quick calculations can provide powerful insights into business productivity and profitability.

Shop of the future is becoming reality
Thousands of independent shops will disappear over the next few years, but those that survive will be great businesses. Let's look at what these shops will have done to remain successful.

See more of his articles below. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Essential tools for collision repair

A comprehensive guide for technicians getting started with collision repair.

Innovation Award Profile: Lisle Corporation Electrical Disconnect Pliers, No. 37960

Q & A with Eddie Lisle, the sales manager of Lisle Corporation.

Tool Review: Clore PRO-LOGIX 12/24V Flashing Power Supply and HD Battery Charger, No. PL6850

Reviewed by Benny Grubner, technician at Mercedez-Benz of Burlington in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Big-Time Boxes: Bigger is better

Shop owner Carl Frey knows that bigger storage is better when it comes to his growing business.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Vehicle Service Pros, create an account today!