A Brave New Mindset
Every industry needs to prepare for its next generation of employees, which, ideally, continually flows in. The collision repair industry currently faces an aging population in several ways.
Features
Hitting the Reset Button
EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed in this story are those of the author and the ARA, but not necessarily those of the ASA. Whether you’re a new technician entering the automotive world, or you know someone who is – perhaps…
Peevy: Drive your success with not-so-obvious ways to create sustainable competitive advantage
EDITOR’S NOTE: To receive AMi credit for reading this article, create or login to your “MyAMi” Profile at: https://ami.knowledgeanywhere.com. Purchase and complete the short quiz at: https://ami.knowledgeanywhere.com/Implementing-a-Learning-Culture. The article is worth .25 credit hours toward the achievement of AMi’s professional designations.…
Schnepper: Praising ASA’s strength... our members!
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with family, friends and fun. Last year was a time of change for the Automotive Service Association (ASA), and those changes continue. We welcomed Dana, Ben and Ashley (see page 4)…
Oakes: Expect the unexpected
There are many “horror stories” that take place in the automotive industry. I mean, those that are fanned by media sensationalism. Just take your pick and run with a topic: “Woman accuses shop of stripping oil pan drain plug and…
Greenwood: The Shop Labor Mix
The advancement of vehicle technology will make a dramatic difference in measuring a typical service shop business, and the aftermarket must relearn its measurements. In previous articles, I’ve written that a typical shop owner will require six to eight days…
WWYD: Customer complains he could have gotten part cheaper
A first-time customer, who was referred by another customer, came in with a Nissan Pathfinder that had a driver’s window that wouldn’t work. After removing the door panel and testing the switch, wiring and motor, it was determined that the…
A Legacy Preserved: Growing up in family business gave California owner tools he needed to put customers first
Summers, working in his father’s shop, created many happy memories for Bryan Welsh, owner of Artistic Collision…
Serviceability Report: 2018 Chevy Bolt vs. 2018 Tesla Model 3
In 2011, I wrote about the Nissan Leaf and compared it to the Chevy Volt. Since then, ACDC bought one of each, so we know them well. But a…
Schnepper: Never too late for training
In the mid-1970s when I graduated from high school, young people who wanted to go into a profession went to college. Those who wanted to go into a trade didn’t need college. They just needed to get a job and…
Redding: ASA continues to push for small-business tax reform
Congressional leaders and the administration are…
Finding information resources necessary for collision repairers to perform a proper repair takes research
Repairing vehicles today requires research and specific information, no matter how much experience a repair technician has or how many tools a shop owns.
Confront the Tech Revolution
Whether you’re a new technician entering the automotive world, or you know someone who is – perhaps you’ve just hired one or two – it’s critical to understand one thing: Your education is never finished! “The future belongs to those…
Secrets of a Succession Plan
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Part Two of a two-part series on Succession Planning. Family businesses are the backbone of America. About 95 percent of all businesses in America are family or privately held. A 2014 study revealed that there are…
The Need to Refocus: Business owners need different set of skills
Being part of a family business offers some comfortable expectations, not least of which is the ability to be married and support a family at a young age. I owe this to the opportunities afforded by my family’s transmission shop.…
Greenwood: Supplier vs. Partner?
During the “lazy, hazy” days of summer, I’m sure you’re getting in many rounds at a more profitable sport than golf? By that, I mean never-ending rounds of business decisions. So what did you learn this year? Maybe you’ll see…
WWYD: Customer wants shop to pay for cabs, room rentals after motor home breaks down
A customer called the shop with a motor home that didn’t have working brake or taillights. He was on day three of the family’s vacation and traveling north. The shop agreed to look at it immediately. When the customer arrived,…
Redding: House committee passes 'Financial CHOICE'
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Services has passed the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017. This bill, approved along party lines 34-26, replaces the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 that attempted to address…
