JP D’Arcy Car Care and Performance, an independent Mercedes and BMW specialist in
County Cork, is successfully tackling staff shortages after changing the structure of the
business’ working week.
The garage, 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 says it’s proven to
benefit both the business and its employees. Its two most recent hires were drawn to the
garage because of the flexibility and work-life balance on offer.
None of it would have come to light he explains, had he not attended an Andy Savva
business course, which was also pivotal in him changing from a generalist garage to a
German specialist. And that in turn 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.”
The garage now receives around 12 out-of-hours online enquiries per week, in addition to
busy phonelines during the day. Quiet summer months are a thing of the past.
Administration time has been halved as the profile of customer JP D’Arcy now attracts, is
looking for quality service, and not the cheapest price. Time previously spent pricing jobs for
customers looking to haggle, is now used more productively.
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.”
