Shownotes
During Today's episode #106 Work Flow for Auto Repair Shops We Talk About:
- What’s the Problem
- What’s the fix
- Steps to correct the issue
This episode is sponsored by AutoLeap. AutoLeap is a cloud-based all-in-one automotive invoice software that helps you supercharge your mechanic shop. Their customers have experienced:
- 30% increase in revenue by improving transparency and trust
- 50% reduction in time spent researching and ordering parts
- 10% increase in profit margins through robust reporting
In this podcast episode, Coach Chris Cotton Owner and Lead Coach from Autofix Auto Shop Coaching hosts Rodney, an automotive shop owner with 25 years of experience with two shops, to discuss workflow for auto repair shops.
Brent, another coach from Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, also joins the conversation. The speakers discuss challenges in managing workflow, improving efficiency, and attracting and retaining qualified technicians.
They suggest implementing digital processes, hiring more service advisors and technicians, and separating the shops to focus on specific services. The episode provides practical advice and suggestions for improving shop workflow and emphasizes the importance of going digital and improving parts-receiving processes.
Click here to learn more about AutoLeap and schedule a demo: http://bit.ly/3GRgO88
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Connect with Chris:
chris@autofixsos.com
940.400.1008
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutoFixAutoShopCoaching
Youtube: https://bit.ly/3ClX0ae
**Introduction [00:00:02]**
Coach Chris Cotton introduces himself and Coach Brent and Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, thanks to AutoLeap for their support, and previews the episode.
**Rodney's background [00:01:48]**
Rodney introduces himself as an automotive shop owner with 25 years of experience and two shops, and explains his interest in improving shop workflow.
**Softball questions [00:03:09]**
Chris asks Rodney about his favorite superhero growing up and what he wanted to be when he grew up.
**Rodney's career progression [00:04:19]**
Rodney talks about growing up in Florence, South Carolina, transferring schools to study auto mechanics, and starting his own business at 19 years old.
**Brent's question [00:06:21]**
Brent asks Rodney about his shop's current processes for intake and creating shop flow.
**Workflow and Customer Service [00:07:13]**
Rodney explains the workflow and customer service model in his two auto repair shops.
**Shop Management System [00:09:08]**
Rodney shares that he uses Mitchell in both shops and Brent asks about the digitalization of the process.
**Estimate Presentation [00:12:55]**
Brent asks about how estimates are presented to customers and suggests using text messages with links to the estimate.
**Ordering Parts [00:14:08]**
Brent asks about who orders parts and Rodney explains that the service advisor orders them electronically.
**Technicians writing up parts list [00:14:47]**
Coach Chris suggests having technicians write up their parts list and labor times to avoid parts ordering and receiving issues.
**Adding another service advisor [00:15:47]**
Coach Chris recommends adding another service advisor to increase car count and build better customer relationships.
**Receiving parts efficiently [00:16:41]**
Coach Brent suggests having a good process for receiving parts to avoid inefficiencies and roadblocks.
**Verifying parts before scheduling [00:18:15]**
Rodney explains how they verify all parts are received before scheduling a job.
**Tracking technician productivity [00:19:42]**
Coach Chris asks about tracking technician productivity and Rodney admits they are not 100% productive.
**Feeling overwhelmed [00:20:58]**
Rodney shares how his technicians feel overwhelmed and he is considering slowing down the car count to avoid burnout.
**Hiring more technicians [00:22:46]**
Coach Brent asks about the number of technicians and bays in Rodney's shop, suggesting he has room to hire more technicians.
**Workflow and Technician Productivity [00:23:08]**
Discussion on how to improve workflow and productivity by hiring more technicians or production apprentices and leaving technicians on a job.
**Recruiting Qualified Technicians [00:24:14]**
Difficulty in recruiting qualified technicians in the area and efforts to improve the quality of the tech school.
**Individualizing the Shop [00:25:27]**
Efforts to separate the shop and individualize it by putting it in different sections and shifting tasks to technicians based on their strengths and weaknesses.
**Recruiting Technicians from Other Areas [00:27:15]**
Suggestion to recruit technicians from other areas by raising the labor rate, offering more benefits, and using recruiting platforms like Indeed or a new company that guarantees a hire.
**Digital and Paperless System [00:30:54]**
The speakers discuss the benefits of using digital and paperless systems to speed up the workflow in auto repair shops.
**Efficiency in the Shop [00:31:51]**
The speakers talk about the importance of efficiency in the shop and suggest small changes that can make a big difference in reducing the number of steps technicians take.
**Segmenting the Business [00:33:33]**
The speakers discuss the possibility of segmenting the business into two different shops, one for auto repair and one for transmission, to better track and manage profitability. They also discuss the challenges of parts availability and time constraints in the transmission business.
**Transmission Shop Profit Margin [00:38:38]**
Discussion on the profit margin of a transmission shop and the potential for increased profits through additional repairs and maintenance.
**Workflow for Transmission Shop [00:39:46]**
Discussion on the number of R&R techs and builders needed for a transmission shop, as well as the use of remanufactured parts.
**Separating Auto Repair and Transmission Shops [00:43:37]**
Discussion on the potential benefits of separating auto repair and transmission shops, including improved workflow and the need for a new marketing strategy.
**Workflow Improvement Ideas [00:46:18]**
Discussion on improving workflow by having a call center, cloud-based system, and separating shops.
**Mitchell System [00:47:01]**
Discussion on the use of Mitchell system and its limitations.
**Cloud-Based System [00:50:15]**
Discussion on the benefits of a cloud-based system and the possibility of switching to one.
**Summary of Improvement Ideas [00:52:34]**
Summary of the discussed improvement ideas, including going digital, hiring more technicians, and improving parts receiving process.
Don't forget to rate and review us!
Transcripts
Coach Chris Cotton introduces himself and Coach Brent and Autofix Auto Shop Coaching, thanks to AutoLeap for their support, and previews the episode.
**Rodney's background [:Rodney introduces himself as an automotive shop owner with 25 years of experience and two shops, and explains his interest in improving shop workflow.
**Softball questions [:Chris asks Rodney about his favorite superhero growing up and what he wanted to be when he grew up.
*Rodney's career progression [:Rodney talks about growing up in Florence, South Carolina, transferring schools to study auto mechanics, and starting his own business at 19 years old.
**Brent's question [:Brent asks Rodney about his shop's current processes for intake and creating shop flow.
orkflow and Customer Service [:Rodney explains the workflow and customer service model in his two auto repair shops.
**Shop Management System [:Rodney shares that he uses Mitchell in both shops and Brent asks about the digitalization of the process.
**Estimate Presentation [:Brent asks about how estimates are presented to customers and suggests using text messages with links to the estimate.
**Ordering Parts [:Brent asks about who orders parts and Rodney explains that the service advisor orders them electronically.
icians writing up parts list [:Coach Chris suggests having technicians write up their parts list and labor times to avoid parts ordering and receiving issues.
ding another service advisor [:Coach Chris recommends adding another service advisor to increase car count and build better customer relationships.
*Receiving parts efficiently [:Coach Brent suggests having a good process for receiving parts to avoid inefficiencies and roadblocks.
ying parts before scheduling [:Rodney explains how they verify all parts are received before scheduling a job.
king technician productivity [:Coach Chris asks about tracking technician productivity and Rodney admits they are not 100% productive.
**Feeling overwhelmed [:Rodney shares how his technicians feel overwhelmed and he is considering slowing down the car count to avoid burnout.
**Hiring more technicians [:Coach Brent asks about the number of technicians and bays in Rodney's shop, suggesting he has room to hire more technicians.
and Technician Productivity [:Discussion on how to improve workflow and productivity by hiring more technicians or production apprentices and leaving technicians on a job.
uiting Qualified Technicians [:Difficulty in recruiting qualified technicians in the area and efforts to improve the quality of the tech school.
**Individualizing the Shop [:Efforts to separate the shop and individualize it by putting it in different sections and shifting tasks to technicians based on their strengths and weaknesses.
Technicians from Other Areas [:Suggestion to recruit technicians from other areas by raising the labor rate, offering more benefits, and using recruiting platforms like Indeed or a new company that guarantees a hire.
Digital and Paperless System [:The speakers discuss the benefits of using digital and paperless systems to speed up the workflow in auto repair shops.
**Efficiency in the Shop [:The speakers talk about the importance of efficiency in the shop and suggest small changes that can make a big difference in reducing the number of steps technicians take.
**Segmenting the Business [:The speakers discuss the possibility of segmenting the business into two different shops, one for auto repair and one for transmission, to better track and manage profitability. They also discuss the challenges of parts availability and time constraints in the transmission business.
nsmission Shop Profit Margin [:Discussion on the profit margin of a transmission shop and the potential for increased profits through additional repairs and maintenance.
rkflow for Transmission Shop [:Discussion on the number of R&R techs and builders needed for a transmission shop, as well as the use of remanufactured parts.
epair and Transmission Shops [:Discussion on the potential benefits of separating auto repair and transmission shops, including improved workflow and the need for a new marketing strategy.
**Workflow Improvement Ideas [:Discussion on improving workflow by having a call center, cloud-based system, and separating shops.
**Mitchell System [:Discussion on the use of Mitchell system and its limitations.
**Cloud-Based System [:Discussion on the benefits of a cloud-based system and the possibility of switching to one.
Summary of Improvement Ideas [:Summary of the discussed improvement ideas, including going digital, hiring more technicians, and improving parts receiving process.
