How To Adapt Your Shop To “The New Normal” As Your State Opens Up For Business
We are not the same society that we were before the COVID-19 outbreak. This public healthcare crisis has forced us to change the way we live our lives. Many of these changes will be with us for a long time to come, so we must adapt to the needs of “the new normal.”
The only certainty is that there will be ongoing uncertainty
When will things get back to normal? There’s simply no way to know:
- 3 months?
- 6 months?
- 12 months or longer
The answer to this question will also vary by geographic area, whether any flareups occur during reopening, and how long it takes to develop a vaccine. In the meantime, stay focused on your day-to-day operations. We really do have to take this one day at a time.
You will be called on to adapt to changing conditions and regulations in your shop’s market area. Testing may become widely available...
7 Mistakes To Avoid As Your Shop Approaches “The New Normal”
Many questions remain about how to approach the reopening of society in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. There are potential minefields that can land you and your business in a lot of trouble, if you aren’t careful. Here are seven mistakes to avoid:
- Don’t ignore unresolved COVID-19 liability issues
What happens if someone gets COVID-19 at your shop? The Federal government is deciding whether to limit or absorb liability for this eventuality. Until this is resolved, you must take all appropriate steps to reduce risk, without exposing yourself to other problem areas such as HIPAA regulations on medical data. Ask your lawyer!
- Be sure you know all about your shop’s insurance coverage
COVID-19 may fall under “force majeure” or “act of God” coverage. Check with your insurance company or agent about the possibility of making a claim for lost business due to the pandemic.
Check your worker’s comp...
An Increased Online Presence Can Be Your Competitive Edge In The Post-COVID World
Things have changed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Social isolation has sent the population online for information, access to other people, and even the food they need to survive. What are people doing online while they have been stuck inside?
- Video calls to connect with friends, relatives, and work colleagues
- Online grocery shopping
- Restaurant food delivery and takeout
- Purchasing household items from Amazon, Target, and other online sellers
- Online appointment setting for needed medical services
- Watching press conferences by government officials for COVID-19 updates
- Consuming entertainment from Netflix and other providers
- Heavy social media use
Many consumers are home all day, spending much more time online
The internet has become our window to the world while we have no other way to see and visit it. Many of the habits that develop will not be forgotten once restrictions are lifted. An increased level of concern about becoming infected will be with...
How To Keep Your Shop Going When Money Gets Tight During The COVID-19 Crisis
Positive cash flow is essential. It lets you cover your rent or mortgage, pay your employees, buy parts and supplies, do the necessary marketing, and provide the technology that keeps it all running smoothly. The COVID-19 crisis has brought the economy to a standstill, throwing millions out of work and isolating them at home.
How can your shop survive with its income significantly reduced? Let’s identify some strategies to reduce your overall costs.
Step 1: Negotiate with landlords/mortgage holders and vendors
One of your largest monthly outlays is your rent or mortgage payment. Contact your landlord or mortgage holder now. If you are unable to make payments, be very clear about this. Explain that you need more flexible arrangements, which may require waived or greatly reduced payments now, with the difference to be made up over an extended period of time once the crisis has passed. Stay in regular touch, providing updates on your situation...
Keeping Customers Safe While Their Cars Are In For Service During COVID-19
Automotive repair shops are considered essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shops staying open must modify their operations to conform with all CDC recommendations to keep their shops clean and virus-free.
Beyond this basic level of cleanliness, your shop needs to institute practices that show your customers that they can have their vehicles serviced with minimal risk of having the virus transmitted to them after they get it back. Here are some tips on keeping your customers safe throughout the servicing process:
Cleaning and hygiene procedures for your customers’ cars
The interior of a vehicle is made up of a variety of different interior surfaces:
- Plastic
- Vinyl
- Leather
- Rubber
- Metal
- Cloth
- Carpet
The coronavirus can live on these surfaces for periods of a few hours to a few days. Cleaning and disinfecting should be done twice: before the car enters the shop (to protect you) and before the car leaves the shop...
