LET’S TALK TRAINING
MAKE YOUR BOTTOM LINE TOP OF MIND Do you really need more work—or is there an alternative? BY STEFANO LIESSI
I
n my regular Collision Repair columns, I typically touch on training in the technical and hands-on area of the collision repair industry; today, I digress a wee bit. I realize that there is approximately $36 billion spent per year on marketing by Canada’s small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), all in an effort to get customers through the front door. But what if I were to suggest a strategy that could bring an increase to the revenue stream all by way of adjusting a process or two. Would you be interested? This is not a get-rich-quick scheme just a simple concept that could be beneficial to your enterprise. Some of the biggest costs to your business are materials, equipment and time. If you do not maintain these items, it will cost you dearly. Allow me to break this down for you; implementing these ideas will have a zero cost. First off, we need to make a clarification on the definition of shop supplies and materials:
cleaners, cloths, tips, nozzles, welding wire, welding gasses, solvents, equipment, equipment service and maintenance, equipment software, customer convenience amenities, wash bay materials, shop clean up tools, disposal services… and the list goes on. These are all items the shop supplies to run their business in a general standard operating procedure. Note that these are generic and are either consumables or remain in the facility and are nonvehicle specific. These are used in aid to repair the vehicle but are not part of the vehicle. My point here is this, clips, fasteners, onetime use fasteners, caulking, sealers, retainers, bonding agents, sound deadeners, etc. are parts. These items are required to put the vehicle back into pre accident condition and remain as “part” of the vehicle. These items are line items on the estimate, line items encompass double duty, they require a labour note and part price. Some labour may
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What if I were to suggest a strategy that could bring an increase to the revenue stream all by way of adjusting a process or two. Would you be interested?
