One of the greatest skills for a leader to have is exceptional communication. The quality of the conversations and the frequency with which you have them will lead to a more engaged team that will deliver the performances you are looking for. There are four core conversations a leader must prepare to have consistently with…
What’s the future of the automotive service industry? Now is a great time to ponder this common question. Here’s a story of two CEOs from another industry: Reed and John. Reed was the founder of a small niche business that was losing money. John was the CEO of an established Fortune 500 organization. John was…
Let’s not blame “that time of the year” for not marketing properly and having no traffic in your shop. These days there are more than just a few automotive repair facilities claiming the slow-down in car count and lack of phones ringing is due to known slumps this time of year. The question now is,…
The Maine Secretary of State recently approved a petition for independent auto repair shops and parts stores to collect signatures to get a Right To Repair petition added to the 2023 ballot. In June, the New York state assembly unanimously voted for a Digital Fair Repair Act for the state of New York to be…
Management is something that is learned and reinforced through coaching and feedback. It is a partnership with your team that will require commitment and patience from all parties to develop and grow as a leader. Creating an environment where you work with your people, involving them in clear goals, and providing a positive workspace where…
Are you frustrated by your recent recruitment results? Heather, the owner of a European imports shop, felt the same way. She posted technician ads that consistently generated responses from the most talented, qualified, and experienced forklift drivers in New Hampshire! She decided to shift her focus from hiring someone skilled in diagnostics to bringing in…
Digital vehicle inspections (DVIs) are central to providing a 21st-century experience to your customers. Just as streaming revolutionized the entertainment industry, digital communication has drastically transformed all consumer service industries. Within auto repair, DVIs enable shops to upgrade their business to the next level. While shifting from paper to digital records can seem daunting in…
With an ever-changing customer experience in the retail market that was thrown into a storm during Covid, we’ve learned what we need to do to change and how to put it together. There were many grocery delivery companies pre-Covid that made convenience a high priority, but most customers didn’t flock to retail outlets solely for…
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, only 50% of small businesses make it beyond the five-year mark. Lack of sufficient cash flow and market shifts are often the culprits. But did you know that the next big drop-off is at ten years? At ten years, the failure rate jumps to 70% of small businesses, including independent auto…
Do you have a big, hairy, audacious goal for your business and life? If you do, great! If not, then we highly recommend you start asking yourself these key questions. In the book Taking People with You, David Novak asks three deliberate questions which he ultimately describes as “the only way to make big things…