As summer comes to a close, many dealership service departments face a familiar challenge: losing their seasonal hires. Students returning to school can leave your team short-staffed during a busy time of year when you’re preparing for end-of-year sales and customer service demands. Transitioning without a dip in performance requires preparation, so here are some strategies to ensure your team stays on track as your seasonal workforce shrinks.

1. Plan Early and Reassess Workflows

Preparation starts with anticipation. Toward the end of the summer, assess how the loss of seasonal hires will affect your service department. Review your staffing needs, taking into account the peak times and areas where you’re most dependent on additional manpower. Identify tasks that could be reassigned, automated, or streamlined to maintain efficiency with fewer people.

2. Cross-Train Your Staff

Invest time in cross-training your permanent employees. This not only increases their skill set but also gives you flexibility in managing day-to-day operations. Cross-training Greeters, Service Valets, Wash Technicians, Pickup and Delivery Drivers, and Courtesy Shuttle drivers create a more agile team that can handle changes in staffing levels.

3. Use Part-Time and Flexible Workers

With students returning to school, their availability may not completely disappear. Consider offering part-time or weekend shifts to keep some of your seasonal hires engaged. You can also look for local professionals who may be interested in flexible, part-time roles. Hiring retirees or individuals seeking flexible hours can fill gaps without the need for full-time commitments.

4. Automate and Delegate Administrative Tasks

Leverage technology to streamline administrative tasks such as appointment scheduling, parts inventory management, and billing. By freeing up your team from paperwork, you enable them to focus on more value-driven work. Consider implementing digital tools that offer real-time updates, making communication smoother between the service bays and the front desk.

5. Prioritize Customer Experience

Even with a leaner team, your commitment to customer satisfaction should remain unwavering. Consider offering mobile service options, express service lanes, or online scheduling tools to minimize customer wait times and streamline operations. Efficiency is key when you’re managing with fewer hands, so emphasize a smooth and pleasant customer experience through technology and teamwork.

How DealerFLEX Can Help

As you prepare for the transition away from seasonal hires, DealerFLEX can step in to effectively staff and manage any aspect of your operation. Our customer-centric solutions are designed to keep your operations running smoothly, even when staffing levels change. With a focus on innovative workforce management, DealerFLEX can provide flexible staffing options tailored to your needs.

DealerFLEX helps you maintain high service standards, optimize your workforce, and deliver an exceptional customer experience, no matter the season. Let us manage the staffing complexities so you can focus on what matters most—delivering excellent service to your customers and driving revenue.