A little spring clean up can go a long way to boosting morale and instilling more pride in your facility
In this column we try to bring facility-centric ideas to the forefront that are generally off the radar, but that can have a positive return on investment, customer loyalty and employee morale.
When I began visiting dealerships nearly 20 years ago, it was not uncommon to see an outdoor display vehicle being dirty. In fact, I even recall showroom vehicles not always looking their best.
Over the years, dealerships across the board (not only luxury brands) have been striving to keep their exterior and showroom vehicles clean on the inside and out.
Why? Partially because dealer and OEM processes have come a long way, but more importantly, an immaculate vehicle is more likely to generate a higher gross profit as opposed to a dirty one. As well, customers expect the vehicle they purchase
to be flawless.
How do clean vehicles relate to a facility column? The segue is that if clean vehicles are important, then it is only natural that more emphasis should be put on cleaning your facility.
As customers become more educated and familiar with products, the dealership and the dealership environment is an essential differentiator. It you don’t believe me, think back to whether you have ever seen a dirty or cluttered Apple Store, Hilton or Wal-Mart?
This time of year is especially fitting for dealers and their teams to take stock of their environment and do a proper “spring cleaning.”
I mention the team, because spring cleaning starts with every individual working at a dealership. If everyone does even a small task, it can make a huge difference at a low cost to dealers.
Some tasks require a little more investment and help from an outside contractor, but let’s start by identifying some smaller tasks that simply require a little time and attention.
THE SMALL STUFF
A great place to start is to look at your walls, windows and doors. Remove old ads, brochures, and other marketing items. Update any digital elements.
Those fading posters of the 2011 model really have to go. Same with the crooked sign on the door that explains holiday hours. Winter boot scuffmarks can sometimes be wiped off or touched up.
From there, high customer traffic areas such as the customer lounge are a good place to take stock. Clean out the groves and crevices of soft seating. Consider cleaning the upholstery to give the furniture a quick facelift. Are the coffee machines and fridges clean? Maybe this year is a good time to have a proper napkin holder.
Before the spring selling season starts, it is a great time to get staff to de-clutter offices and desks. If possible, move the desks out of the way to give the floor underneath a thorough cleaning. Wipe down phones and clean out keyboards. Wire management can get out of hand. Why not tackle that today?
Floors and baseboards should be cleaned to remove scuffs and stubborn salt stains. I hope that by the time you read this, you won’t be requiring much more salt, and that means it’s a great time to replace doormats and clean entrance grates.
We are also getting to the time of year where heating or cooling systems are not required all day long. Opening some doors and windows for fresh air is a great way to give your staff a little extra energy.
THE BIG STUFF
We recommend calling some of your local businesses and partners to help out with the larger items. Planning in advance is key. Book them early, so you can get the process started sooner and enjoy the benefits longer.
Many OEMs included on-going maintenance services with the purchase or lease of signs. Check to see if you paid for this. If you did, it is worth it to contact the sign company to clean and replace bulbs.
The sign companies arrive on site with special trucks and equipment — so ask for a quote in advance for them to also replace bulbs on your lot, and lighting and light standards. Just be sure to have bulb replacements on hand for your light standards.
Obviously, lots cannot be paved every year. But a maintenance and repair program with a local paving company can ensure that your lot is roadworthy, safe and presentable all year round. While you’re reviewing the asphalt, take note of the curb cuts and pavers, determine if they can be repaired after surviving the winter frost, or if they should be replaced.
One relatively inexpensive way to keep your lot looking professional and clean is to paint parking lines every year or two.
Winter leaves a build up of salt, dirt and cigarette butts. A full lot sweep and even a pressure wash can go a long way to removing debris off of your lot. Keep in mind that people track in all the dirt from outside which causes additional interior maintenance. By reducing outdoor grime you can save yourself interior cleaning bills.
Winter winds can be tough on lights and flag poles. Ensure that flags and banners are functioning and aren’t torn.
HVAC Systems: Changing filters and maintaining your ventilations systems not only helps them run more efficiently, but also you will be ensuring the air is as clean and pure as possible.
Conducting a spring cleaning can have many positive side effects. Pride of ownership, engaging your team, and differentiating yourself from surrounding dealerships are all easily achievable with a little effort and a modest investment.
We always encourage dealerships to create a facility committee. You would be surprised how many people will volunteer for a position like this.
The facility committee’s role is to have regular meetings to identify areas of improvement, problem solve and manage the process of engaging people to keep their areas clean. The facility committee is sometimes merged into the health and safety committee.
If you really want to take it seriously, hire a third party with experience to conduct a facility evaluation. We have had success conducting facility evaluations and presenting findings to staff and comparing your premises with similar dealerships across the country.
To summarize, your dealership’s appearance is important and is worth a little bit of time, and some investment. Basic maintenance now can save having to make repairs in the future, while presenting a sharply dressed facility to your valued employees and customers.
The vehicles you sell always need to look their best, and so should your business.
