Editor’s Notebook: Re-invent Yourself To Flourish In Challenging Times
Many businesses are still recovering from the economic recession, and their owners are encouraged by sales that are up even modestly over year-ago figures. One shop’s sales figures might make you shake your head in disbelief. I’d like to introduce you to John Volz, co-owner of Volz Bros. Auto Service (www.volzbros.com) in Grass Valley, CA.
You Need To Earn Your Customers’ Business Each and Every Day
Don’t take customers for granted. Once you get them in your shop, you need to earn their business and re-earn their business with every subsequent repair. Your reputation, as well as your customers’ trust and respect, is riding on the quality and effectiveness of every repair.
Fiat Returns To North America — Good News For Those Who Are Serious About Imports!
While the announcement by Chrysler Group LLC last month that it will resurrect the Fiat 500 was a breath of fresh air for some, others likely raised eyebrows as they would just as soon forget the Italian automaker that stumbled along in the U.S. market more than 25 years ago. The nameplate got a bad rap that Fiat meant “Fix It Again, Tony,” as a result of its mechanical maladies, early rust and a poor resale value.
Editor’s Notebook: Paving The Way To Profits and Increased Market Share
With the year quickly winding down, as a shop owner in this business, there are likely certain strategies, policies, practices that you are really emphasizing now to ensure your shop finishes the year on a more solid note.
Car Care Awareness Pays Dividends for Shops and Consumers
If you haven’t given thought to getting involved in a Be Car Care Aware Campaign, think again. It’s the perfect opportunity to do something good for your customers, showcase your technicians’ repair expertise and spotlight your commitment to quality repairs and exemplary customer service.
Editor’s Notebook: Competition Is Good, Healthy, Necessary Because It Makes Us Better
An article in a recent issue of Parade magazine, “A Winning Friendship,” detailed how ultimate tennis rivals Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova battled on the court, and how strong competition made them each better at their profession. While the two tennis greats were friends behind the scenes and their friendship is still going strong today,
Editor’s Notebook: Show Appreciation for Your Most Valuable Assets – Your Techs
For some, a sense of self-worth, job security, a voice in decision-making processes and recognition for a job well done can be almost as impactful in motivating them to perform job responsibilities with great success.
Editor’s Notebook: Give Your Customers Reason to Return for Service
With customers having so many choices today for many of the products or services they buy, businesses that want to attract new customers need to actively take steps to deliver the highest level of value and service.
Exemplary Tech Credentials Make Us All Winners
As the electronic content in vehicles continues to increase, so too will the complexity of vehicle repair and service. Current techs need to elevate their diagnostic skills and we need to recruit more highly skilled people into our industry to meet today’s and tomorrow’s vehicle service demands.
Management: Parts Specialists’ Success Hinges On Your Success
Hearing first-hand from someone on the parts firing line provides an interesting perspective on how the economic climate affects “first-call” status.
When Gas Pump Prices Rise…Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive
When summer arrives, your customers are going to feel the heat. And, it’s not going to be so much from the temperature as it is from gas prices, which are projected to hit the $3 per gallon mark within a couple of months.
Top Techs Score Big For The Automotive Aftermarket
Let’s hear it for the automotive service and repair industry that also has its own group of All Stars. These Top Techs were honored in November during the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’s (ASE) board meeting held at the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans.