Use Downtime to Plan for Year

MASTERING MANAGEMENTUse Downtime to Plan for Year BETHESDA, MD - Every business has a few slow times, and automotive repair is no exception. Smart owners and managers increase their bottom lines by using "downtime" to plan promotions for the upcoming year.  Grab a calendar and flip two or three months ahead. Consider having a promotion each quarter of the year. A natural for autumn is the Be Car Care Aware Fall Car Care Campaign. Similar to National Car Care Month in April, this October campaign encourages your customers (and potential customers) to prepare their cars for the winter months ahead. Choose from an advertising blitz, a free check-up or run a special on services that motorists will need as the colder months approach.  As a winter event, contact a few local Girl Scout troops to assist them with their Car Care badges. Troop leaders often have trouble finding knowledgeable individuals who can help with this badge. Remember, these girls' parents are potential customers, and soon the girls will be, too. For more information on this project, visit Car Care Council's Women's Board Web site.  National Car Care Month rolls around in April. A direct mail option is to contact a mailing house and discuss how to tout your National Car Care Month specials. Be selective; target only the motorists who are likely to be good A and B customers. If your budget won't allow a large mailing, use your own customer list, because the easiest customer to get is the one you already have. Like these ideas? There are lots more, courtesy of the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign. Visit www.carcare.org or call the Car Care Council at (240) 333-1088 for more ideas. (Source: Car Care Council)