Engagement, Ownership Boost Employee Pride And Performance
The degree to which your employees can impact your bottom line hinges on their level of engagement and sense of ownership in the shop’s success. When engagement is high, performance follows, as does key business-building factors like service excellence and outstanding customer service.
Age Of Convenience Dictates Streamlined Communication Methods
The manner in which the majority of your customers prefer to communicate about vehicle service is changing, as their need for convenient and easy information access accelerates. You likely have noticed that their attitudes and expectations are vastly different than what you were used to encountering. There are great opportunities for every business owner to reach their customers and prospects more effectively by embracing e-communication channels like email, social media (Facebook/Twitter) and texting.
Editor’s Notebook: Time On Your Side, Averting Typical ‘Time Stealers’
Time could be your biggest ally at the onset of the new year as you think about ways to increase your shop’s profitability and productivity. But how many times have you said, “If I only had more time?” While you have good intentions of making the best use of your time during the course of your busy day, there are inevitable distractions that prevent you from doing just that.
Editor’s Notebook: Marketing To Women Should Be One Of Your Top Priorities
In case you haven’t noticed, female buying power is on the rise. Women account for about 85% of all automotive sales in U.S. households, and 50-65% of customers at automotive service centers are women. And you know what that spells? Opportunity.
Editor’s Notebook: New VIO Dynamics Offer Expanding Service And Repair Opportunities
As a service provider to this evolving vehicle fleet, a better understanding of market conditions will help you identify growth opportunities and target business plans for the future.
Maintenance Mindset Racks Up Miles And Service Opportunities
How many miles do you think a pampered engine could rack up? Hundreds of thousands? How about millions! Irv Gordon, a Long Island, NY, resident who’s has traveled the U.S. for nearly 50 years, can attest to that. He’s driven the same vehicle, a shiny, red 1966 Volvo P1800, racking up nearly 3 million miles.
Consumer Confidence Increases, Back-To-Back Monthly Gains Spell Good News
The Consumer Confidence Index is up and that should spell good news for your import repair business.
Increased Cross-Selling Incidents Will Improve Your Shop’s Bottom Line
As miles rack up on your customers’ vehicles, are you getting the most mileage out of your oil change services and maximizing every service occasion?
Editor’s Notebook: Mobile Ad Customer Engagement Spells Service Opportunities
A recent study issued by the Marchex Institute sought to answer some of the most pressing questions about consumer call behavior.
Successful 2013 APA Conference Delivers Networking Opportunities And Business-Building Tools, Awards Vendors
Automotive Parts Associates’ (APA) 32nd annual Shareholders’ & Manufacturers’ Conference, held March 14-16 in St. Augustine, FL, boasted 310 people in attendance, building on the momentum of last year’s successful event.
Editor’s Notebook: Extraordinary Customer Service Begins With A Great First Impression
Continuing last month’s discussion of ways to kick-start the new year, we’ll again focus on shop image because of its direct link to the overall customer experience and your shop’s bottom line. Satisfied customers speak volumes about the service they received, providing you with repeat business and a direct conduit to referrals.
Editor’s Notebook: New Year, Fresh Start
As you begin the year with a clean slate, realize that every facet of your business should be positioned to support your shop’s value proposition. Here are a few things to think about as you work on ways to fulfill your shop’s mission and grow your business.