SPRING INTO ACTION

Plant the seed and watch your business sprout

By ALLISON ROGERS

The cliche most associated with spring— cleaning. Getting all the dust out; starting anew. Refreshing old ways of operating to try something new and fresh—who knows, maybe it’ll breathe new life into your profits. Busting out the duster to rid your production floor of the stagnant dust (and salt) brought in by the Canadian winter. Quite literally opening the bay doors to let some fresh air in—the metaphors write themselves. Beyond the traditional act of tidying up our physical spaces, spring cleaning offers a valuable opportunity to target and address problem areas within any business, fostering improvement, efficiency, and ultimately, success. Best of all—if you’ve already failed your New Year’s resolution, spring and the general air of rebirth and regrowth brings you a perfect opportunity to renew them. You make the rules.

Let’s start with the basics and declutter that shop floor. You know that hill of “I’ll deal with it later” parts that has magically grown into a mountain? It’s time to conquer it! Clear out the clutter, organize your tools and bring some feng shui into the place. Remember, a tidy shop is a happy shop, and a happy shop gets things done in record time. Now, let’s talk about those outdated processes that are holding you back like a rusty old bumper; it’s time to swap them out for shiny new ones. Take a close look at your workflows and ask yourself, “Is this the way we’ve always done it or the way it should be done?” Upgrade your tech—look up ways to lift the stress of the cost—streamline your operations, and watch your business soar like a freshly waxed sports car on the Autobahn.

Let’s not forget about the heart and soul of your business—your people. Spring cleaning is the perfect time to invest in your team’s growth and development. Send them to training sessions, and workshops and treat them to some spring merriment and teambuilding fun (psssst—take some hints from our cover stars!). Give them the tools they need to shine and watch them transform into a dream team that would make the Ninja Turtles jealous.

Speaking of superheroes, let’s tackle those villains lurking in the shadows of your company culture—the negative vibes, the gossipmongers and the grumps that bring the general juju down. It’s time to zap them with a burst of positivity and teamwork. Foster a culture of open communication. Encourage your team to share ideas. Celebrate wins. Foster a happy environment where people want to hang out.

Last but not least, let’s give your online presence a makeover that would make Instagram influencers jealous. Spruce up your website, update your social media profiles, and share some behind-the-scenes glimpses of the magic happening in your shop. Show the world that you’re not just another runof- the-mill collision repair business, but a vibrant, fun-loving team ready to tackle any dent, scratch or fender bender with a smile. Perhaps my optimism is overwhelming to some; but, as true Canadians, you know that once the sun is out, it really feels like anything is possible. Let’s stride into spring with a… spring in our step? I’m out of similes and metaphors.

Let the April showers bring flowers for the rest of our days!