Why year-end reflection is essential for your auto repair shop’s success
As the year winds down, you might find yourself buried under holiday rushes, end-of-year bookings, or closing out accounts. But amidst the business, taking a little time to step back and look at the bigger picture can be one of the best things you do for your business.
This pause to reflect on your shop’s culture, performance, and development isn’t just a good idea; it’s a powerful way to set your shop up for a successful new year. Here’s why spending a bit of time now to review the past year can give you — and your team — the insight needed to strengthen your shop in ways that last.
Focus on Your Culture
This is the heartbeat of your shop. Your shop’s culture is more than the values you post on the wall or the slogan on your website — it’s the feeling your team members and customers experience every day. As an independent shop owner or manager, you play a huge role in shaping this environment.
At year’s end, take a moment to ask yourself: Is the culture you intended still alive and well? Think about these questions:
■ What is our business meaning, who do we serve and why?
■ Are your team members happy and engaged and do they know our why?
■ Do they work well together, and do they feel supported?
■ How’s morale? Is everyone pulling together to make the shop a great place to be?
These might feel like soft questions, but culture has a direct impact on everything from productivity to customer satisfaction. Reflecting on your culture gives you a chance to recognize where things are going right — and where there might be room for a little improvement.
Take a few minutes to celebrate your team’s achievements, recognize hard work and thank them for their efforts. You’ll find that building this supportive environment can bring the team closer and encourage everyone to tackle challenges with a more positive outlook.
One of the biggest mistakes an owner can make is be money driven. This never drives culture for the long term.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day hustle and overlook how the shop performed as a whole.
See the bigger picture
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day hustle and overlook how the shop performed as a whole. Now’s your chance to take a step back and look at the big picture. How did your shop actually do this year? What were the wins, and what areas fell short of expectations?
Ask yourself:
■ How was revenue growth? Was it steady, or were there some dips and peaks?
■ What was customer feedback like? Did you have high satisfaction, or were there areas where you could improve?
■ How was team productivity? Were jobs getting done efficiently, or were there bottlenecks slowing you down?
Digging into these performance metrics doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Simply focusing on a few key areas can help you spot trends, identify where things may need tweaking and recognize what’s already working well. And don’t forget to consider customer feedback — it’s often one of the best ways to get insight into how you’re doing in the eyes of those you serve.
Any patterns that emerge from these reflections give you a roadmap for action in the coming year.
Keep your skills sharp and relevant. The auto repair industry is evolving fast, with new tech and repair techniques emerging all the time.
Plan for development
Keep your skills sharp and relevant. The auto repair industry is evolving fast, with new tech and repair techniques emerging all the time. Reflecting on your team’s skills and professional development helps keep your shop competitive.
Think about the kinds of jobs you’re taking on — or turning away. Are there skills that could help you handle more complex repairs? Are there certifications or training programs that would boost your team’s capabilities and confidence?
Consider these questions:
■ Did your team struggle with certain types of repairs? Would training help them feel more confident?
■ Is there new equipment or software that could streamline operations?
■ Are there upcoming industry trends that might impact the types of services you offer?
Setting aside time for training and development not only keeps your team up to date but shows them you’re invested in their growth. A well-trained, motivated team can make your shop stand out and even bring in more business from customers looking for high-quality work they can trust.
By developing your team, you’re also reinforcing a culture of learning and improvement — one that helps you stay ready for whatever the future holds.
So this year, before you fully dive into the holiday season, reflect on how far you’ve come and where there’s room for growth.
Greg Aguilera is a director of IAC Canada, an organization dedicated to the management development of repair shops in Canada. He can be reached at greg@intautoconsulting.com.
This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of CARS magazine.
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