Say you have a quick oil change business or are trying to figure out how to set up your lobby, now most of today’s businesses of this type have a counter, WiFi and a big screen TV for customers to watch, also a sofa , chairs, a table and a magazine rack, maybe not unlike a hair salon, but what if you wanted to do something different, something new? Let’s talk about this for a moment.
You see, in a lube fast, female clients are a large percentage of the business and typically spend more than men on ancillary services, especially suggestive services from the service writer. Women also have different tastes, so if you’re selling to men, you may be missing out on a great opportunity. What if you had artwork from local artisans? You may think that doesn’t belong in an oil change business lobbying, but that doesn’t mean these items wouldn’t sell well. Also, they change, so every visit to the next oil chain will bring new works of art.
Most would agree that the kinds of things people might want while waiting at a hair salon, oil change place, or similar sit-and-wait service business would be a television, Internet access, and whatnot. But what if you also have a couple of small computer desk stands? Have you ever been to a Starbucks and seen all the people there with their laptops? You can fit small workstations, like those in a mid-range hotel.
Should you be selling trinkets like they do at a car wash lobby? It could and yes, there is a good deal of “Chinese junk” as I call it. Supplies for cell phones, hands free, chargers for cigarette lighters, for example. One of our car washes had a children’s play room, small but perfect for parents to keep an eye on their children, and that allowed the mothers more time to read their emails and relax. He also kept them going by buying gift cards and such in the lobby.
There are reasons why the industry has found solace in doing everything the “approved way” over the years. No, I don’t really like it either, but it works and it’s a way to do it. As an entrepreneur, maybe it’s time for you to adapt or try something new, something bold and let it evolve from there, that’s how innovation works and the industry could use a little more creativity. Please consider all this and think about it.
