Winter Prep Checklist for Neighborhood Auto Shops

Cold weather’s coming fast! Here are some tips to help your shop stay busy, prepared, and profitable through the winter months.

• Vehicle and Customer Prep - 
• Before winter hits, start testing and inspecting the items that would be a big inconvenience to your customers were they to fail in the winter cold.  Batteries, tires, brakes, heaters, defrosters, thermostats should be tested, checked, and repaired or replaced if need be before winter weather sets in.
• Rust Prevention - Offer undercoating and salt removal washes
• Emergency Repairs - Be sure to have a plan in place for quick-response services
• Shop Operations
• Staff - Take this time to cross train employees.  With the holidays, maintain flexible schedules
• Inventory & Suppliers - keep a little extra stock in high demand winter parts.  Keep a list of backup suppliers.  Squalls and lake effect snow can shut suppliers down fast, leaving you waiting on parts.  Having a good stock and backup suppliers will keep inventory moving.
• Shop Comfort and Safety - Make sure walkways are clear of ice, and if you have a waiting area be sure to keep it at a comfortable temperature.
• Promotional Ideas
• "Winter Readiness Packages", bundling services together, for example battery test, tire tread check, heat/defroster check, brake inspection, and wiper inspection, all for one price.
• If applicable, promote mobile and emergency repair services.
• Make sure to highlight safety and convenience in any marketing.

Seasonal challenges don't have to slow the shop down.  Finger Lakes Work Place can help:

• Plan promotions to help drive business
• Help you organize your inventory, systems, and workflow for winter demands
• Communicate proactively with customers to help them prevent breakdowns and help you by building loyalty.

Think of us as a partner to keep you shop running smoothly, while you do the same for your customers cars

Want help getting started?  Grab a slot on my calendar or email me at aaron@flworkplace.com and we can get the ball rolling on winterizing your shop!

Cheers!

Aaron