Bryant on Survival Through Consistency: The Discipline to Thrive in Collision Repair
In my opinion, the collision repair industry has never been for the faint of heart. In today’s market, the challenges come at us from all sides — rising operational costs, constant technological advancements, workforce shortages, insurance pressures, and shifting customer expectations. It can feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle just to keep our doors open.
I’ve talked to many shop owners who are feeling the pressure. Some are exhausted, burned out, and questioning whether it's even worth it anymore. I get it. But let me tell you this — survival is possible. Thriving is possible. But it will take more than just showing up. It will take discipline, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way, every time.
The Power of Being Consistent and Repeatable
One of the biggest mistakes I see in struggling shops is a lack of consistency. One day, they’re focused on training. The next, they’re ignoring procedures to push cars through the door. Some weeks, they pay close attention to profitability; other weeks, they’re just trying to keep up with the chaos. The problem isn’t that they lack knowledge or experience — it’s that they lack the systems and discipline to make excellence repeatable.
Consistency breeds efficiency. It builds a reputation for quality and reliability, both with customers and insurers. If your processes are changing daily, you’re creating unnecessary inefficiencies, errors, and headaches for your team. The best shops — those that thrive despite industry challenges — have repeatable processes for every aspect of their operation.
Ask yourself:
- Do you have a structured process for estimating, blueprinting, and repair planning, or does it change depending on who’s working that day?
- Are your technicians following OEM repair procedures every single time, or only when it’s convenient?
- Is your team properly trained on new vehicle technologies, or are they just figuring it out as they go?
- Do you review financials regularly and make data-driven decisions, or do you just hope the numbers work out at the end of the month?
Discipline isn’t about knowing what to do — it’s about doing it every time, even when it’s difficult.
Diving Deep: Discipline is the Difference
The hard truth is that many shop owners know what they should be doing, but they lack the discipline to follow through. It’s easier to cut corners when the workload is heavy. It’s tempting to accept an insurer’s underpayment just to keep cars moving. It’s common to put off training or investment in equipment because it’s expensive.
But easy choices often lead to harder roads. The shops that will make it through today’s challenges are the ones that do the hard things, the right things, consistently.
- They hold the line on proper repair procedures. They don’t let insurers dictate unsafe shortcuts. They educate their customers and stand firm on safety.
- They invest in training and equipment. Even when margins are tight, they know staying ahead is their only option.
- They watch their numbers like a hawk. They measure KPIs, track cycle times, analyze profitability, and make informed decisions.
- They build a culture of accountability. Their teams know that standards don’t change based on workload or who’s watching.
This level of discipline isn’t easy. It requires deep commitment. It requires waking up every day and choosing to do things the right way, even when no one is looking.
The Reward for Discipline: A Future-Proof Shop
The collision repair shops that will survive — and thrive — aren’t necessarily the biggest, the best-equipped, or even the most well-known. They are the ones that are disciplined enough to be consistent, repeatable, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence.
If you’re struggling, take an honest look at your shop. Where are you inconsistent? Where do you lack repeatable processes? Where have you let discipline slip? Fix these things now, before the market forces you to.
Tough times require tough shop owners. Dig deep. Step up. Lead with consistency and discipline. The future of your business depends on it.
