2011 Editions Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Shop Owner Magazine
Learning To Manage The Changing Workforce

If you’re like me, in the over-50 age bracket, it’s no surprise that you view the world a lot differently than the younger generation. On the other hand, people from the younger generation will struggle with many of the values and ethics of the older generation. When you consider the diverse demographics of today combined with a multi-generational workforce, it’s easy to see how the differences in values and behavior are having a profound impact in the workplace.

Increase Your Auto Repair Profits … Today!

When I was still in the auto repair business, I learned an invaluable secret from a remarkable man named Sol Price. For those of you not familiar with the name, he was the founder of Price Club; the company known today as Costco. Sol was able to take himself out of the price comparison game, and the way he did it was by making sure that every appliance he sold was unique to Price Club.

Executive Interview: Matt Webster, Vice President of Global Business Development and Marketing, Vehicle Service Group (VSG)

For more than 25 years, Matt Webster has led the charge to market Rotary Lift and other Vehicle Service Group (VSG) brand products. As vice president of global business development and marketing, Webster has traveled the world researching global vehicle service markets and setting up sales organizations for VSG’s eight vehicle lifting and collision repair brands, including Rotary Lift, Revolution Lift, Forward Lift and Chief Automotive Technologies.

Honesty, Integrity Help Fuel Business For New Hampshire Shop

For Bill Gurney, owner of Gurney’s Automotive Repair, success can be attributed to one philosophy: Treat people how you want to be treated. It’s on the principles of honesty and integrity that he opened his first shop in 1985 with his wife, Charlotte, in Nashua, NH.

Reputation Management: What Are Customers Saying About You?

The Internet is often referred to as “The Wild, Wild West” because technology is changing so rapidly, it’s virtually impossible to police content, images and business practices. Well, the web just got a heck of a lot wilder in the local search space, so here is what you need to know to protect your shop’s reputation.

Do You Know Your Customer’s Lifetime Value?

Let’s talk about the lifetime value of a customer and what that value means to you. Lifetime value has many meanings and has been analyzed by folks who are a whole lot smarter than me.

Sales Down? Before You Blame Your Service Advisors …

If you are falling short of your sales goals, before you start blaming your service advisors, you need to make sure that your technicians are providing them with the adequate recommendations.

The Best-Kept Secrets to Dealing with Sales Objections

When it comes to dealing with objections, most shop owners shut down as soon as the customer says, “It’s too much money” or “I’d like to think it over.” There are a number of reasons why, but the single most common reason is that shop owners don’t know how to handle the objections.

Protect Your Business with the Right Insurance

Starting a business is expensive and the capital that you’ve poured into your company can disappear in an instant if a major weather event damages your offices or one of your products injures someone.

Use Cause-Related Marketing to Boost Sales

If you’re looking to increase your repair shop’s exposure in your local community, a cause-related event is virtually guaranteed to get some much-desired exposure, help you earn the trust and respect of your current and potential customers – and, not to mention, help out a great cause.

Training Is An Attitude

Equipment, training and information costs are rising dramatically for any shop wishing to remain at the leading edge of automotive technology.

Executive Interview: Phil Moore, Senior Vice President, Federated Auto Parts; John Marcum, Marketing Services Manager, Federated Auto Parts

Federated Car Care Center membership has grown significantly over the last several years. What makes this such a popular program?