Is Saturday trading
going to make money?
If your workshop is not already needs to be generated in Saturday Saturday trading a try, by all means,
open on a Saturday, maybe it's time sales to make it worthwhile. but don't broadcast it immediately.
to think about it in this 24/7 society But don't count work that you would Try it with a skeleton staff for a
in which consumers are conditioned have otherwise performed during couple of months and then measure
to buy almost everything else any the week. the results.
time over the weekend. More than one workshop owner has Avoid offering Saturday servicing
If you are sure there will be a admitted that he wouldn't want to and repairs to regular customers
demand for your services, there's work on Saturdays, so why would who would otherwise book during
nothing stopping you from opening he make his staff do so. the week. Only offer it to customers
the doors next Saturday, but at If technicians are asked to put who ask about Saturday bookings
what cost? in the extra day it's possible that and walk-ins.
rent, productivity from Monday to Friday Some workshops successfully open
are might suffer, there could be a decline every second weekend. Others will
covered for 24 hours a day, 365 in the quality of customer service, or open every weekend but rotate the
days a year. It could be logical perhaps it will result in an increase staff so that everyone has every
therefore to open on Saturdays in employee turnover, just to name second weekend off.
since you’re already incurring many a few possible downsides. If
of the fixed expenses. There's also Sure, young, infancy, opening on Saturday can
the argument that if your workshop motivated technicians who would be a great way to build exposure
is closed on Saturdays, stranded love to be at work on Saturdays to new customers and help make
customers, or those who can’t get so they can earn a higher income, the business cashflow positive. But
their vehicle in during the week, will but it's more than likely that the remember that burnout is a real
wind up at your competitors’ shops. excitement will wane over a short issue so make sure that everyone
First, run over the numbers to see if period of time. has one weekend off every month.
Saturday trading will put you ahead Whatever you do, don’t survey your There may be good reasons for
or behind. By opening on Saturdays customers to see if they would like Saturday
you’ll more than likely incur the your workshop open on Saturdays. are saying is – be aware of the
added cost of overtime, which will Of course they will say yes, since consequences.
escalate your operating expense. it’s to their benefit, and there is The place to start is tatbiz.net.au/
The essential point is that you’ll need absolutely no downside for them. resources
to work out exactly how much work If you feel strongly about giving
The
reality
insurance
is
and
that
the
electricity
24 CAPRICORN IGNITION AUGUST 2017
you
may
have
your
business
trading,
is
still
but
in
all
its
we
- by Jeff Smit