An independent Mercedes and BMW specialist in County Cork has successfully tackled staff shortages after changing the structure of the business’ working week.
JP D’Arcy Car Care and Performance, which has been through a complete restructure in the last 18 months, offers its six employees a 40-hour week, but across four days. Co-owner, JP D’Arcy said it has proven to benefit both the business and its employees. Its two most recent hires were reportedly drawn to the garage because of the flexibility and work-life balance on offer.
None of it would have come to light he explained, had he not attended an Andy Savva business course, which was also pivotal in him changing from a generalist garage to a German specialist. It reportedly wouldn’t have been as successful as quickly, if it were not for a chance meeting with Jim Lang from website specialist, Garage Services Online.
JP said: “Going on Andy’s training course changed my business focus and we decided to transition to a Mercedes and BMW specialist. However, you can’t just do that overnight and expect a whole new profile of customer to start walking through the door.
“I met Jim around the same time and got Garage Services Online to do a new website. My old one was dead in the water and didn’t bring any work in at all. To be honest, it was so bad, I wouldn’t even have visited my own garage if I’d seen it!
“Over the course of 12 months, the website pulled in more and more of the work we wanted, until it got to the point six months ago where we were confidently deferring anything other than Mercedes and BMW work to another garage.
“We knew with absolute certainty the website was responsible for all the new customers. We got a new telephone number at the same time, and nobody could get that without finding us online.”
JP continued: “The increase in productivity and profitability gave me the security and confidence to think differently about staffing issues. We put the four-day week into place and it’s been another game-changer. Staff either work Monday to Thursday, or Tuesday to Friday.
“Not only do employees love the longer day and shorter week, it’s also facilitated an increase in opening hours. We open at 7am which works better for customers dropping their vehicle before work. For vehicles dropped the night before, we can work on them bang on 7am. Productivity has increased massively.
“I don’t know of any other independent garage working this way.
“The business would be very different had I not met Jim and got the website. He’s very honest, straight-forward, and has a lot of integrity. These attributes clearly flow through to his team.
“I’d love other garages to know just what’s possible with the right people behind you.”
