Collaboration is a great thing and is how people build things never imaginable. In order to build a rocket-ship, you need many different parts manufacturers, engineers, and computer scientists all working together to build something great. Why in the automotive repair industry do we not collaborate like we should? I might not have the answer but definitely like to ponder what it could be.
I think that because we are all “independent,” we act that way. We are all silos and are scared that our neighboring shop down the street is going to “steal” something from us, such as one of our great ideas. I don’t agree. I think there is plenty of business to go around for all shops that work hard and have a good reputation, and we should be flattered when someone borrows an idea, because really there is nothing new under the sun.
This also applies to the software in this industry. Too many of the software companies feel as though they need to build everything (whatever that is) and can’t partner or collaborate with another company because somehow they will lose customers. I disagree once again. I think that options make a product stronger, and the products that play well together with others are what auto repair shop owners want.
It’s funny, but look at the music industry where many songs coming out now are a collaboration between multiple artists: Little Jam ft. Big Easy with special guest Wynona. I always thought things were way too siloed off when I was in that industry, but I guess they have started to figure it out. I hope soon the auto repair industry takes note and follows suit.
Chris Cloutier
Architect/President at Autoflow
The Desire for Continuous Improvement
As an auto repair shop owner of Golden Rule Auto Care, Chris Cloutier realized the need for a better way to communicate with his customers as he observed how communication gaps created bottleneck situations and wasted valuable rack time.
