Automotive Excellence SUMMER 2025_01_09-22-2025_DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 21
COLLISION CENTER
There will be some that say this is
waving a white flag. Nothing could
be farther from the truth. These
are calculated moves allowing for
independence, cost controls, and
improved CSI. This approach, in addition to improving efficiencies, lean
processing, and other trainable activities, allows the shop to make the
most out of the square footage that
they have to operate within. The
owner, technicians, administrative
staff, and all the businesses and customers they touch benefit. So, where
is the downside?
It is worth looking at other industries
to identify the collision industry’s
next opportunities. This idea should
be in every repairer’s mind. Succession planning, developing five-year
business plans, budgeting, cash
flow, and saving are all topics that
need to be explored frequently and
updated according to the independent repairer’s needs to thrive, not
just survive. Those who don’t seek
out opportunities and rely solely on
reputation and past experience will
be in for a rough go. Change is inev-
itable, and all businesses must be prepared for it. Failing to
recognize that change will happen, or is needed, is preparing to fail.
The workforce is changing, the vehicles are changing, materials and repair methods are changing, so must the business.
Controlling what comes next is up to the business owner and
their preparation. Training and a work plan must be put into
play to succeed.
• Set goals and make sure that the strategy to reach
them is sound.
• Be careful to make decisions only after calculating the
return on the investment.
• Be sure to include your staff in decision-making relative to operational aspects of the business.
• Plan for that rainy day. Save and invest accordingly.
• Train, train, train.
• Meet with your staff frequently and share results.
• Team building is key to the business’s success.
Leveraging resources that can help the business plan,
whether it be businesses, vendors, training, and coaching, all
become part of moving forward with a mindset that allows
for continuous improvement.
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