Schnepper: Importance of teamwork & friendship
This is my first article as ASA’s chairman of the board. And I thought this would be a great time to share how I got involved with ASA and with two of my mentors. First, I had the opportunity to…
Columns
SXSW in Austin probes how automotive technology will change our culture
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.…
Turning the ‘Job’ Around
What’s the best tool for helping you work ‘on’ your business instead of ‘in’ your business? After selling my business in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2000, I moved to Maine seeking another business to acquire. I brought numerous businesses to the…
Are You Losing Focus?
If so, it might be because you’ve forgotten the fact that you’re in the ‘knowledge’ business. Independent shop operators realize their labor rates must move higher to retain competent technicians, and the customer/client must be educated about the realities of…
What Would You Do
When a service adviser tells the customer a shop tech made a mistake that’ll mean replacing a transmission... ... What would you do? One of our customers came in with a late-model Toyota Camry for some routine service work. Even…
A Look at the 115th Congress and the New Administration
What do the changes mean for the auto repair industry? The final U.S. House and Senate races have been called, and President Donald Trump’s new administration is moving forward with thousands of political appointments. There are some 2.8 million federal…
Give ’Em an Upgrade
Your customers expect authoritative advice. So check out these examples for making their cars better than new. Our customers rely on us for our wisdom and experience, and this is of upmost importance when we have a chance to make…
Background Story on NACE | Automechanika Chicago Detailed
Many members are still buzzing about the collaboration between ASA and Automechanika Chicago to co-produce a professional/trade show in July 2017. In AutoInc. Audio’s In The Trenches interview with Carm Capriotto at www.autoinc.org/audio/, ASA President and Executive Director Dan Risley…
Some Parting Words of Thanks
This will be my final Chairman’s Message, as the duties of ASA chairman will shift to Roy Schnepper in April. My wife, Christy, and I want to thank you for your friendship and support that have been a hallmark of…
The Fine Print
What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t read it? I think we’re all guilty of checking the “I agree” button at the end of a full-page disclaimer, just to get an app on your phone or sign up…
Are You In Trouble?
To move forward as an independent shop owner in today’s business environment, it’s time to get your attitude in order. Here’s how. With all the daily pressures of running an automotive service or collision repair business, it’s amazing how the…
When a customer requests a refund for her inconvenience after the shop replaces a damaged gas tank … ... What would you do?
The following scenario was sent in by Andy Daniels of Frank’s Automotive in Tulare, Calif. “A first-time customer had her 2008 Hyundai Sonata V6 towed in for a no-start condition. We ran several tests and determined that the fuel pump…
Serviceability Report: Ford Fusion Hybrid
The 2017 118-hp, 2.0-liter model looks good, but is it? Ford Motor Co. saw the light in hybrid technology with the introduction of the model year (M/Y) 2005 Escape hybrid. Since then, they’ve made many improvements and gained market share.…
Julie Moreno-Blount Anchors Membership Financial Services
In the course of her normally busy day, Julie Moreno-Blount wears a lot of hats at ASA. As the Membership Services Department’s accounts receivables specialist, Moreno-Blount supports and manages a variety of responsibilities that are crucial to successfully maintaining ASA’s…
Position Yourself to Succeed
If you work in this business you either embrace change or change leaves you behind. You’ve heard, or read, that technology is growing at an alarming pace, and it seems that every time I attend a connected-car event the countdown…
NHTSA Releases Federal Automated Vehicle Policy
Increase in traffic fatalities prompts interest in preparing guidelines for federal and state policymakers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released policy guidelines for automated vehicles. Although NHTSA has communicated with the automotive industry and other manufacturers, states…
How’s Your Business?
AutoInc. asked ASA member-shops to complete a questionnaire about how their businesses were performing through the first six months of 2016. Here are some select figures that represent the highlights of what they told us. This year’s “How’s Your Business?”…
Steps Toward New Relationships
If you follow ASA’s press releases or Facebook page, you’re probably aware that we have made some groundbreaking announcements in the past few months. If you don’t follow these channels, let me catch you up on a few things as…
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