Will It Be All Right?

It will, if you focus on the details of your business and not just your problems.

Consider committing to this plan for the next 90 days. It will really bring clarity to your position as owner/manager of the business. In fact, I recommend that you write this statement down and position it on your desk so that you’re forced to read it every time you sit down:

“My responsibility to this business is to obtain results, not to just dwell on problems.”

Let’s face it: Running a shop in today’s environment is definitely a challenge. We often fall into a mind-set of negativity because we can get overwhelmed with problems and issues in our business, which can lead to a “little” feeling sorry for one’s self rather than doing our job, prioritizing and getting things resolved. Remember that ownership or management is a position within the company, and this position must be accountable to the total business. This is what we get paid to do.

Staff can see when the boss is not leading the business and achieving results. The business, in their mind, is still the same old routine and seemingly the same old problems are still there, and then they see the boss working “in” the business instead of “on” the business.

I’m not talking about management filling a temporary vacancy. I’m talking about management taking a full-time role in the shop that could be done by an employee. Management’s duty is to concentrate on working on all issues the company is facing and installing solutions that obtain results to keep the business moving forward.

With all the issues in this industry today, it’s easy to fall into this trap of “sameness” where nothing really moves forward, and the next thing you know another year has gone by.

Let’s make 2016 an exceptional year for you, the staff and the total business. Start with the next 90 days. Commit to your position and responsibility totally. Don’t let your emotions consume you, because you may have to ruffle other people’s feathers because they stand in your way. They don’t believe in, or don’t want to understand, the vision you have embraced that you know is the right solution for your future. These people that are interfering or holding you and your business back must be eliminated.

Your business is one of the more progressive shops within your market. You are different than the rest of the aftermarket. You have a different and in-depth understanding of how this business must work to sustain profitability, provide satisfying careers for staff and build a loyal and trustworthy clientele. You have been exposed to and engaged in business-solution training courses where you did the math, proving its comprehensive content and that it’s the right way to carry out your professional responsibilities to your clients when fully embraced. What happened? You got a little lost in the noise of the industry and you need to “reset.” It happens. You’re normal; now let’s get back to building the business.

Let’s take our responsibility seriously and with total commitment. This is the year we are going to get the results we want and change the business to achieve that. No exceptions!