We live in unusual times. Today, still in the midst of an uncertain pandemic, people tend to have either an abundance of free time, or no time at all while managing homeschooling, work, and relationships.
Most shop owners start with grit, drive and determination to build their dream. Doing it all and working long hours, believing that once they reach a certain level in business the day to day will become easier.
"You can't always get what you want," so goes the old song by the Rolling Stones.
My article below, this is a great team building event, and public service, and also really helps with the public perception of our profession. Everyone had a great time, and learned a serious lifesaving skills. Plus, they felt…
We’ve had a nice holiday break, and while we were enjoying our hot cocoa and gingerbread houses, we were also working on making forecasts and business plans for 2021.
The day we open our business we start wearing many hats, making it easy to get caught up in the daily responsibilities.
Over the last 30 some years I’ve been involved with and a member of a number of shop 20 Groups, coaching groups, mastermind groups. You name it, we’ve done it. Nothing wrong with that,…
As a business owner and leader, you have a lot of responsibility. You’re responsible for your business success.
What is work-life balance and is it worth striving for? Baby Boomers grew up during difficult times (World War II) and as a result many workers stayed with their place of employment for decades…
Today’s shop owner has an amazing opportunity. The way business was done years ago has changed due to technology advances and consumer buying shifts. Yet some businesses are being operated within an outdated model.
Over the past few months, I have watched everyone look to leaders. Whether related to their job, business, health, family, or government. They are looking for answers and inspiration. Feeling a loss of control in any…
The smartest and most skilled people I know are the ones who ask questions, who wonder if there is a better way to do something, a more efficient paradigm to operate from. They never hesitate to reach out to someone if they need advice, input, or seek to grow.
We have all been through it before: SARS, MERS, N1H1.
Maximum performance in sports, as in business, almost always occurs with sound coaching. Realize that you are never beholden to anyone or anything that is not contributing to or bettering your life. In life,…
Just as babies need to crawl before they walk, businesses need to survive before they thrive.
The number one challenge shop owners tell me they face today is finding good help. I hear it from all areas of the country.
The big topic lately is data access and privacy.
Each year I choose a word that represents what I will focus on that year. This year it’s “Self-Care.”
I teach our people that at Atlantic Motorcar we don’t fix cars, we provide transportation solutions, be it a loaner car, valet service, shuttle, alternative financing, etc.
This is a topic I often have with shop owners. This is a controversial topic.
Whether you're a new shop owner or have been a shop owner for decades there are lessons to be learned at each of the 5 stages of business. The key word being learned.
I often remind our team, that we are not so much in the car service business, as we are in the "transportation solution business."
The fact is you can’t grow your business alone without sacrificing another part of your life.
I had a conversation with a client recently and they realized that they had positioned their company has a hero.
Noontime, I'm manning my desk, the SAs are at lunch, and Julie, aka "Our Awesome CRM Julie" brings an elderly woman into my office.
I’ve been in the auto industry for over 20 years. As a shop owner and a coach, I’ve spoken with hundreds of people in the industry who are frustrated over the following. Technician shortage/wages…
There is more to building, operating and growing an automotive business than most new business owners realize.
My first decision every day? What socks to wear.
Do you know what the #1 complaint is from people looking for a service from a trade business? When I speak to potential customers, people in local networking groups (people who are searching for trade business services), they all have…
There are lots of reasons a customer would like to pay cash for a repair. Maybe it’s a minor collision repair that they don’t want to turn into their insurance company. Or perhaps it’s an individual who always wanted a…
I’ve been a member of ASA since 2002.
It’s easy to look at business and life from your own vantage point and get frustrated or feel stuck because you aren’t getting your desired results.
The Automotive Service Association has been a staunch defender of Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI) programs. The reason is simple: ASA believes PMVI programs save lives.
Like it or not, as a shop owner, you deal with this subject on a daily basis whether you have employees or not.
Business success comes from focusing on the priorities at each stage. It’s about sequencing. Taking the steps needed to do the right activities at the right time. In the end we are all measured and held accountable to RESULTS.
The customer complaint was one of the usual.
How do you select the best and brightest? Introduce a process that taps the resources of your current team members? Successfully integrate your new hire into your organization? Blogger Bruce Howes shares his thoughts.
Through the years I’ve bought a lot of equipment. Some I’ve used a lot, others not so much. Let me try to help you sort this out from some of my challenges.
My question about growing is not referring to your business. It’s about you. Are you going to be the best you that you can be in 2019?
Check out these Facebook Live events that other facilities held to get ideas for your shop. As you’ll see, you are giving them a peek into the day-to-day happenings of your shop to highlight certain events, people and other happenings:…
Back in April 2016, Facebook launched its Facebook Live feature, allowing individuals and companies to broadcast to their friends and followers live. Since then, some of the biggest to smallest brands jumped in to take advantage of this opportunity. If…
Rachael Wacha's "Finding My 'Why'" blog is being written as we speak.
In 1964 America, the threat of father finding out you did something bad had all the weight of a nuclear explosion along with the extended fallout.
The competition for quality technicians is very keen right now, and sadly the numbers entering the automotive service profession, especially in the role of technician, seems sadly slim.
When speaking to students at career day events, I often use my own career path as an example of how technical knowledge and ongoing training can open up many new working worlds most people might never have considered.
Mike Rowe has it right: Job growth in STEM careers looks strong into the foreseeable future. That’s particularly true in the automotive service and repair industry. The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that the automotive repair…
Parents, if becoming an automotive technician is not high on your list of career choices for your child, perhaps it’s time to look again. Automotive service and repair has changed dramatically in just the…
Every day we face dilemmas and choices, or the all-important question from our wives, “What do you want for dinner?” Let’s be honest, the answer “I don’t know” is not going to lead to the successful outcome of getting dinner…
I recently spent an interesting weekend in Austin, Texas. It was interesting for two major reasons: 1) It was Austin and 2) It showed just how close we are to a revolution in the way we move, live and think.…
Editor’s Note: The labor rates mentioned in this article are theoretical and should not be considered industry standards. Are you ready to face the most serious threat to your business? That is, the threat of your shop not having the necessary…
