Executive Interview: John Washbish, President and CEO, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance
Success in the car care industry today is critically dependent on technology. This goes beyond the warehouse and counter and directly onto the shop floor, says Washbish.
An Ethics Checklist For Shop Owners
Every shop owner has a number of important responsibilities. First and foremost, they are responsible for setting the goals of their company and hiring the right people. They are also responsible for creating the overall business plan, managing employees and ensuring the success of the business. But there’s another major responsibility that every shop owner has that isn’t as tangible: Bringing ethics into every decision the company makes.
Top 10 Reasons Shops Don’t Sell
Many auto service shop owners and tire dealers have focused their lives on growing and developing their businesses. When life happens – time for retirement, moving on to another career opportunity, family or health issues – a seller can find that a huge gap exists between what they had hoped the business was worth and what a buyer will actually pay for it.
The Art Of Team Building And Reducing Turnover
The fire marshal came into our shop one day out of the blue and told us we had a problem. The back of the shop was too wide open, he said, and if a fire started, it would quickly spread across the entire building. And just like that, they made us put up a wall right through the middle of the shop.
Bad-Mouthed Online? How Your Business Can Recover From A Negative Online Reputation
Perception can be reality when it comes to your business’s reputation. Controlling the public perception of your shop is important not only for attracting current customers back to your business, but also for bringing in new clients.
How To Use Social Media Effectively To Market Your Shop
The way social media is used has changed dramatically over the past decade. What used to be a tool to connect with friends, family and former classmates has become an essential component of how small businesses market themselves. In the world of automotive repair where reputation is everything, using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to effectively engage with customers can mean the difference between being just another repair shop or being the go-to shop on the block.
Pre-Employment Tests And Assessments
When it comes to hiring techs and advisors, you need to have a really good system in place. Otherwise, you might hire the wrong people and will soon regret your decision. It’s a mistake we have all made. Although there is no foolproof way to ensure you are hiring the superstars you are looking for, we can learn from some of the most successful companies in America that utilize tests and assessments to better ensure their success.
Building Trust Through Your Brand
When it comes to garnering consumer trust, repair shops seem to rank as low as law firms and cable companies. In a 2014 survey of car owners conducted by RepairPal, 52% of respondents said they believed they had been taken advantage of by an automotive repair shop.
Executive Interview: Brad Drummond, COO, Aramark
Brad Drummond is Chief Operating Officer of Aramark Uniform Services and Refreshment Services – leading providers of uniforms, facility supplies and food beverage services. He is responsible for operations with nearly 15,000 employees with more than 300 distribution and market facilities across North America and revenues in excess of $2 billion.
Financing Your Shop’s Future
In a perfect world, small businesses would have enough capital to fund any renovation or new construction project they wished to pursue. Buildings would never be run down, shops would use the latest equipment technology and operating space wouldn’t be an issue. But this isn’t a perfect world. Construction costs can add up quickly, and not every small business has enough free capital to fund a project without bank financing.
Keep Your Shop’s Marketing Messages Consistent
There are several ways to reach your customers and a number of different messages that you can send. Unless you’re writing, designing, posting and mailing every piece – and keeping creative control over every aspect of your shop’s image – how can you ensure a consistent message on every channel?
Seasonall Automotive Service: Solid Foundation Built On Practical Experience
When you’ve been in the industry as long as Chris Atwood, you pick up a thing or two about running a successful independent automotive repair shop – especially when you got your start pushing a broom rather than turning wrenches.
