You have a ton of cars in your shop, but don’t panic. Take a deep breath and proceed one step at a time. The goal is to get work—whether through walk-ins, call-ins, insurance referrals, or from those special customers who are prone to get into accidents more frequently than the national norm (7-9 years). It’s…
Your competition doesn’t want you to read this post. Keep reading, and you’ll understand why. I recently called three automotive repair shops at random and asked, “I’m new to the area and looking for a good shop. I want to do business with you, but my wife wants to use your competitor. What makes your…
“Look, ma! I’m interneting!” Plenty of marketing companies can help improve your shop’s online presence. We all know why they would solicit us, but why would we reach out to them? Maybe you feel you’re not the best person to step into the digital world, too far behind in other realms of the business, or…
In a book by James C. Collins called Good to Great, Collins discusses the concept of The Stockdale Paradox, which is based on the experience of James Stockdale, a high-ranking naval officer who was held captive as a prisoner of war for seven years during the Vietnam war. He was tortured repeatedly and had no rational reason…
Spring 2022 is filled with excitement for everyone. COVID advancements are being made, restrictions are lowering, social interactions are returning, and taxes are done! Whew! Aren’t you ready for warmer weather and the bustling of people shopping and venturing out onto the roads again? Spring is also a great time to maintain the personal responsibility of…
Does asking for the sale make you feel like a jerk? This is exactly how “Kim” felt. Kim was a service manager in a shop located in the Midwest who prided herself on her ability to profile her patrons to determine who would buy and who wouldn’t. She believed that presenting a high-dollar estimate to…
You probably interpreted this question as coming from an employee, but I will change the viewpoint to represent the business owner. This perspective is not uncommon when we consider the stress, anxiety, and final straws that broke the proverbial camel’s back. But just like any situation that gets the better of us, there were warning…
It’s the reality we don’t want to admit — there are no mechanics left. You’ve seen this in your own shop. In the past few years, the search to find good technicians has become harder and harder. The same job postings that got you plenty of applicants don’t work anymore. The job board websites are…
Being an exceptional listener is one of the most powerful skills to master, and it’s necessary to create a successful and engaging business for everyone involved. Excellent listening skills allow a team to work together to deliver exceptional service to customers and at the same time develop a tight-knit group. In addition, mastering the art of listening…
I recently searched online for “Washington Commanders” football jerseys to purchase. As you prepare your jokes, please know that my choice of football teams is a different topic for a different blog, so let’s stay focused! Now, after I completed my online search, I noticed something weird. Whenever I logged onto my Facebook page, I would…