Recently, while speaking with a workshop manager, he mentioned his team was experiencing delays. He couldn’t figure out what was going on. I asked if the mechanics had the right tools. He swore they did, even telling me they’d recently invested a significant amount in new equipment.
A few weeks later, we crossed paths again. “Now that I think about it, there might be something we hadn’t considered,” he said. After conducting a deeper analysis, he discovered that several of his workers were not using some tools efficiently—or didn’t realize they were not suitable for certain tasks.
“In some cases, the daily workshop routine caused us to overlook small details that, over time, led to significant delays,” he explained.
When Problems Become Habits: A Hidden Danger
In the hustle and bustle of daily operations, delays caused by minor issues can easily go unnoticed. Taking the time to identify these problems is essential for optimizing workshop performance. That’s why I want to share some strategies that will help you save time and eliminate delays in your workshop.
Time Tracking | Although sometimes seen as overly strict, accurate time tracking is crucial for improvement. Tools like Job Clock not only simplify the measurement of hours worked but also help identify bottlenecks.
Regular Training for Advisors and Operators | Continuous training ensures your team performs better on the tasks they know and is prepared to tackle new ones. A job done right, on time, leads to satisfied customers—and happy customers become your dealership’s best promoters.
Investing in Tools and Infrastructure | Increasing workshop capacity to take on more vehicles is pointless if the necessary resources—such as parts, infrastructure, and tools—aren’t in place. Before scaling up, ensure current jobs can be completed without delays caused by missing resources.
Streamlining Processes | The process from vehicle arrival to delivery can always be optimized. Advisors should be ready to receive vehicles, conduct checklists, and request necessary parts.
Mechanics should have both the vehicle and its parts ready for immediate work. Each step might save just a few minutes, but over the course of a year, those minutes add up to hours that can be reinvested in customer satisfaction.
The Key: Integrating Tools with the Right Methodologies
In a workshop, results depend not just on tools or processes but on their integration. When work is supported by clear strategies and the right tools that enhance efficiency, the benefits quickly become apparent: increased productivity, fewer delays, and happier customers.
