Many times, a shop focuses on having the right part at the right time. This allows your shop to turn a job around quickly. Speed of service can sometimes be as critical a part of the service you perform as the actual repair. We all know how impatient customers can be when it comes to their cars: oil changes are done in a jiffy; brake jobs are speedy; exhaust service must be complete; and everyone has to be ASE-certified. Parts have to be available now (or close to it) because the customer wants his car off your rack and back to him by 5 p.m. so he can get home to the family at the regular time.
TechShop’s purpose is to provide you with knowledge about the latest tools and equipment available to help you perform your jobs easier, faster and more efficiently. Of course, having the right part at the right time will always be critical to the success of your business. But just as important, is having the right tool for the job.
You may ask, “What’s the big deal about having the right tool?” To answer that question, think about your two most valuable products in your business. How do you differentiate yourself from the competition and what do you offer that no one else does? What do you get paid for? You get paid for your EXPERTISE and the TIME you spend to deliver it. How do you make the most of these products? Have the right tools or equipment available for yourself and your technicians.
If you have a job come in and you have to sub out some of the work, you’re not getting paid for your expertise and time. You are paying for someone else’s expertise and time. The right tool or piece of equipment for the job can mean the difference between getting paid for a job yourself or paying someone else. You may have the expertise, and you may have the time to do the work, but without the right tool, you will not be able to do certain jobs efficiently and make a profit at the end of the day.
Here’s an example to help you think about it. In your shop you have a 16” pry bar and a 12” slotted screwdriver. You may occasionally use a screwdriver as a prying tool, but I’m pretty sure you would never use your pry bar as a screwdriver. Take a few minutes this month to review the inventory of tools and equipment in your shop and consider what you need in order to create a better, more efficient workspace.
As we delve further into 2006, think about what you want for yourself, your technicians and your business this year. Do you want to get paid? Or do you want to pay? The right tool can mean all the difference in the world.
