02/08/2026
After almost 18 years in business, there are things we do differently now to how we did them when we first opened. We've tried things along the way and decided they didn't work for us as a company, or found ways of being more efficient, or decided that this is the way we can be the best for our customers.
These are some of the things that work for us, make sense in our shop, and have been done by request after feedback from our customers (in no particular order):
* We have a monthly tool box meeting where anything that needs to be addressed can be brought up - general reminders, maintenance, tech stuff, tools that need to be bought, who's having time off that month etc. The notes for the next month's meeting are a running file on my pc and I add to it right up to the meeting, then everyone get s a copy on the day. The meeting takes no more than 10 mins but it's been a great way to keep the shop running smoothly.
* We changed all our loan cars to Toyota's. This needs no explanation. Less time off the road, less repairs.
* Fuel cards for all qualified mechanics as part of their package. Happy staff means a happy workplace for everyone. A small workplace means the mood can change from one person pretty easily and financial stress is a big deal. If we can help with that, why not.
* We have a foreman now. Josh has tons of training under his belt, knows the business, has met the customers, is invested in learning and in the long term. This means the quality control is higher, we can take time out from the shop and know it's in good hands, and the rest of the team has another person to go to if we're not here.
* A year planner that everyone can see. It has the full schedules of when the waste oil, recycling bin, general waste bin and oil filters are being emptied, annual leave bookings, public holidays, and tool box meetings. One glance and most questions are answered.
* Craig and I take long weekends multiple times a year. For about 10 years we didn't take holidays at all, and then for a few years we took a week each separately. This was because we didn't have the staff or didn't have the mental capacity to let go of the control on the business. The burn out was real!!! Now, we have learnt to step back when we need to, and to take time out to refresh and hang with our son while he's young enough to want to! lol! We enjoy work a lot more now.
* We don't have a receptionist anymore and won't again. This way, whomever answers the phone at His n Hers, is guarenteed to be a qualified mechanic who can answer the question about your car and know what they're talking about.
* We have proven systems in place that we know know work in our shop: we keep a small selection of fast moving filters in stock so we're not waiting on parts to arrive with cars stuck on hoists; we have a brake lathe in the shop so we don't have to sub-let the job, it can be done in-house (less time wastage). Things like this make it easier to work well.
I'm sure more things will change over the years, and there's probably things I've missed, but that's a snapshot into the little behind the scenes stuff of workshop life!
