Are You A Shop Owner Suffering From Burnout?
Over the years I have met hundreds, if not thousands, of shop owners who are suffering from burnout. They either tell me they have it, or it clearly shows in their behavior. Ironically, dealing with burnout is no different than fixing cars, in that in order to accurately solve the problem, we have to first identify the cause.
How Much? The Car Isn’t Worth Putting Money Into …
How many times have we heard this objection? I have to admit that in some cases it may be true. However, the recent tragedy in the Northeast may have an effect on our customers’ decisions to invest in vehicles that they think have little or no value.
Can Your Auto Repair Business Run Without You?
I received a distressing email the other day from a fellow shop owner. The shop owner stated in his email that he was scheduled for surgery the next day, and asked if I knew of a tech who was looking for temporary work. He went on to say that his other tech (a full time Police Officer), works at his shop between shifts, and with him out of commission due to surgery, he will need help in the shop. This shop owner fills in when the tech is working at his other job. This shop owner has been in business for more than 25 years and is well into his fifties. What’s wrong with this picture?
Oceanside Transmission: Specialization And A Unique Business Plan Foster Partnerships With Other General Repair Shops
While Oceanside Transmission has been in business since 1989, the way Owner Dean Kuhn does business hasn’t changed. Gone are the transmission-only shops of the past; to survive, a change in business model was a must.
Bill’s Quality Auto Care Lives Up To Its Name And Keeps Customers Coming Back For 19 Years
Bill’s Quality Auto Care Owner Bill Garcia was “green” before green was even popular. When he opened his shop in Simi Valley, CA, 19 years ago, it was a given that he would promote best practices such as recycling waste oil and metals. And he and his staff are always working to make the shop as energy efficient as possible.
Directions: Performance Review
As we close out 2012, it’s time to take a few minutes and look back at how your shop performed this year. Did your profitability go up, stay the same or go down this year? We’re hoping it increased for you, and we are expecting better times ahead as we look into the Do It For Me (DIFM) market in 2013.
Directions: Top 20 Automotive Related News stories for 2012
Underhood Service takes a look at some of the top automotive related articles from 2012. What is your top story from this list? What do you think should have made the list that isn’t reported here? E-mail us at [email protected]
Call The Top 3% Of Your Customers In December
The holiday season is right around the corner, so do what your competition will never think to do. Identify the top 3 percent of your active customers, as well as the individuals who have referred the most people to you over the past year. Then set aside time to call them during the middle of December.
Holiday Season Charity Drive
The holiday season is right around the corner, and this is the perfect time for you to decide what you will be doing for your community! Food drives for the needy and toy drives for children are always appropriate and appreciated by all communities.
Want More Customers In January? Touch The Right Hearts In December
So your business is going to be closed on Christmas day, and you’ll be at home with your family. Lucky you. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many who work in your local police department, fire department, emergency rooms and animal rescue services. So do this! Put together some nice gift baskets of fruit and candy, then deliver those baskets to your emergency service providers on Christmas Eve.
Autowerkes Maine: Unforgettable, Landmark Building Spells Unique
A little planning goes a long way, or, in the case of Voit Ritch, a lot of planning results in a new landmark building that can’t help but be noticed. To be exact, the all-new Autowerkes Maine in Freeport took two-plus years of planning and the help of staff and current customers to make the project all come together, culminating in a Grand Opening celebration on Aug. 25, 2012.
Tips To Make Customers Feel Like A ‘King’
Excellent customer service is delivering a service experience that exceeds the customer’s expectation, while being remarkable at the same time.