Systems That Scale by CEO929.com
Systems That Scale is a business podcast for operators, founders, and consultants who are done guessing and ready to build repeatable, scalable systems.
Hosted by CEO929, this show breaks down the exact systems behind growth—sales, operations, marketing, automation, delegation, and execution—used by real businesses in the trenches. No hype. No theory. No “guru talk.”
Each episode delivers practical frameworks, breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes insights pulled directly from real-world implementation across service businesses, local brands, digital companies, and consulting operations.
If you’re building a business that needs structure, leverage, and scale—not motivation—this is your room.
Systems That Scale by CEO929.com
Automate Auto Repair Scheduling for Rapid Growth | Systems That Scale
Welcome to Systems That Scale, the podcast from CEO 929. Each week, we break down the frameworks, automations, and revenue systems that help service businesses scale without the chaos. I'm your host, and today we're diving into automating auto repair scheduling for rapid growth. Taking cues from an unexpected industry. Pest control. Let's get into it. Antoine Campbell and the CEO 929 team have seen it countless times. A fantastic auto repair shop, skilled mechanics, top-notch service. Yet the owner is constantly drowning in phone calls, juggling whiteboards, and manually assigning jobs. They're great at fixing cars, but terrible at managing the flow of their business. Sound familiar? The problem isn't a lack of effort, it's a lack of systems. Most auto repair shops are still operating with a scheduling model from the last century, treating every interaction as a one-off event. They take calls, scribble appointments, and then try to fit the jigsaw pieces together. This isn't just inefficient. Antoine often says it's a massive drain on profit margins and a cap on growth potential. When your front office staff spends 30% of their day on the phone trying to schedule and reschedule, that's 30% less time they could be upselling services, confirming appointments, or addressing customer concerns that actually drive revenue. It's not just the lost time, it's the constant errors, the missed appointments, and the frustrated customers who inevitably take their business elsewhere. This manual scheduling turns your front desk into a reactive cost center instead of a proactive revenue driver. So, what can auto repair owners learn from pest control businesses? The CEO 929 team emphasizes that it comes down to predictability, proactive engagement, and leverage through technology. Pest control companies thrive on recurring services and optimized routes. Your autoshop, while not always recurring, can adopt similar principles. Most customers need regular maintenance, oil changes, tire rotations, inspections. These are your recurring opportunities. The goal is to move from a reactive, customer calls when something breaks model to a proactive, we remind customers what they need and when model. Imagine your customers receiving automated reminders for their next oil change based on mileage and last service date with a direct link to book an appointment online at their convenience. No phone calls needed. This isn't about eliminating human interaction, it's about optimizing it for high-value activities. Your team should be focused on customer relationships, not just data entry. With a smart system, a customer can see your real-time availability, select services, and book a slot. This reduces friction and makes it incredibly easy for them to do business with you. What the data shows is that predictable scheduling allows you to optimize your bay usage. Many shops struggle with peaks and valleys, some days slammed, others slow. Automated systems help smooth this out by allowing customers to book based on actual capacity, not just generic time slots. This means less idle time for your technicians and more consistent revenue. It's about building a predictable revenue machine, not just fixing cars one by one. Now, let's talk about the actual tools. For auto repair, you need something robust. Antoine and his team advise against generic calendar tools. You need a system designed for service businesses, ideally, with features specific to auto repair. Look for platforms that integrate with your existing CRM or shop management software. The last thing you want is more data silos. Essential features include online booking portals, automated SMS and email reminders, technician scheduling and dispatching, integrated payment processing, and detailed reporting on Bay utilization and booking trends. Even simpler, dedicated online scheduling platforms like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling can be powerful starting points, especially if they offer API access to connect with existing systems. The important thing, as the CEO 929 team always stresses, is not just to acquire a tool, but to implement it correctly. A fancy software sitting unused is worse than no software at all. Quick reminder: if you're getting value from this episode, you can apply for a free revenue system audit at CEO9229.com. Audit. The CEO929 team will analyze your business and show you exactly where you're leaving money on the table. Now, back to the episode. Here's what you can do today to start automating your auto repair scheduling. 1. Audit your current process. Map out exactly how appointments are currently booked, from initial contact to vehicle pickup. Identify every manual step and bottleneck. 2. Research Scheduling. Software. Look for specialist auto repair scheduling software or robust online booking tools that integrate with existing shop management systems. Prioritize features like online booking, automated reminders, and technician allocation. 3. Define your service offerings. Categorize your services, e.g., oil change, brake inspection, engine diagnostic, and assign estimated time frames to each. This is crucial for accurate capacity planning. 4. Implement automated reminders. Even if you're not ready for full online booking, start using automated SMS and email reminders for existing appointments. This alone can dramatically reduce no-shows. 5. Train your team and create SOPs. Once you choose a tool, dedicate time to thorough team training. Develop clear standard operating procedures for how to use the new system, handle online bookings versus walk-ins, and manage cancellations. That's a wrap on this episode of Systems That Scale. For more insights on building predictable revenue, visit CEO929.com. And when you're ready to install real systems in your business, apply for your free audit at CEO9229g.com eaudit. Until next time, keep building those systems.