Working on cars is often perceived as a “manly” pursuit, but times are changing. Women officially outnumber men on the road. If you don’t want to be left in the dust, then you need to learn how to communicate and connect with women. These seven trust-building habits are a great way to start. Read these and tellus how your mechanic is doing?
1. Eye contact.
Women are highly perceptive. If your gaze lower for even a second, she will most-definitely notice. I don’t need to tell you why this isn’t good. Maintain eye contact to prevent an awkward situation.
2. Active listening
Make sure to interact with a woman while she talks, both verbally and non-verbally. It’s not so difficult. Smile, nod your head, summarize what she said, and ask follow-up questions so she knows you are engaged in the conversation.
3. Don’t talk down
Think twice before you joke about women being bad drivers (unless you want to offend most of your customers). In fact, women are safer drivers than men. I’m not just saying that. Statistics back this up. Men are more likely to speed, drive aggressively, and violate traffic laws than women. The net? Make sure you are talking directly and respectfully to her.
4. Ask questions.
I already mentioned this in #2, but I’m repeating myself, because it is important. Don’t let a woman walk out of your shop until you obtain information about any strange sights, smells, sounds, or physical sensations that preceded her car problem. Allow and engage in her sharing about her experiences.
5. Request permission before repairs.
Get the phone number of any woman who leaves a vehicle at your shop. Call to discuss the cost before you begin any repair. Explain why the work is necessary. If she hesitates, offer to show her the problem so she can see it for herself. For bonus points, provide an itemized invoice that breaks down every component of the total repair cost. This is very helpful.
6. Educate her about preventive measures.
Teach your female customers basic maintenance tasks they can do at home. Here’s a good example. Show her where important fluids like oil and coolant are located, explain what they do, and recommend checking them every month. If she seems intimidated, say: “It’s okay. Taking care of your vehicle doesn’t require you to be a mechanic. You just need to be mindful of your auto’s needs!”
7. Pretend she is your mom, wife, sister, or daughter.
Wouldn’t you be upset if you found out a mechanic lied to your own mother? If so, you don’t have any business taking advantage of women. It is selfish and bad for business. You better believe women will tell their friends about their experience at your shop. Make sure she has a positive experience and you’ll be rewarded with referrals. If you know a mechanic or auto business owner who would enjoy this post, feel free to share.