Executive Interview: WIX Filters’ Edward Covington and Mike Harvey
WIX Filters’ Edward Covington, vice president of quality assurance, and Mike Harvey, brand manager, discuss what constitutes “normal” driving, seasonal car care tips and how the iconic WIX brand will mark 75 years in 2014.
How To Sell Auto Repair In 2014
As our industry continues to evolve, there are a number of changes you need to consider. Cars are being built better, so they are lasting longer. With service intervals constantly being extended, you will see your customers less often. Here are some tips that can help you be more successful this year when it comes to driving up your sales and customer satisfaction.
Federated Shop Of The Year: Brighton Auto Service
In an age of social media and constant connectivity via smartphones, who you know can help make or break your business. Just ask Bill Wasylyk, Bobby Lee Keeney Jr. and Eric Muir, co-owners of Brighton Auto Service in Brighton, MI. Their long-standing association with Federated Auto Parts has played an integral role in the shop’s success.
Improve Auto Repair Employee Performance By Setting, Tracking Goals
Improving employee performance is a critical issue that most shop owners struggle with on a daily basis. I’ve discovered that building and maintaining a strong team of high performers is an ongoing process that requires a range of strategies, from providing the proper training to offering opportunities for growth.
Get The Most Out of Your Shop’s Point-of-Sale Software
Choosing shop management and point-of-sale software is a bit like buying a vehicle. The sheer number of makes and models available can be intimidating for a shop looking to get started or change to a new system. So, how do you choose
Executive Interview: A New Name, A New Era For One Of The Industry’s Top Associations
Earlier this month, Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, and Rich White, senior vice president, of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, kicked off a media tour to educate aftermarket industry trade media and other constituents on a major rebranding for the association. They recently visited Babcox Media’s corporate offices to talk to editors and publishers about this exciting change.
Case Study: Overcoming Daunting Challenges Selling An Automotive Aftermarket Business
While every transfer of business ownership is unique, unforeseen challenges – in this case, a national business recession that resulted in decreased sales and complicated by environmental and family ownership issues – can cause the selling process to drag on for what seems like forever, to the frustration of all parties involved.
Make Loyal Customers: Rewards Bring Rewards
As the slow-moving climb out of the Great Recession continues, it’s clear that consumer-spending patterns have altered – maybe not permanently, but at least for the foreseeable future. Many buyers have resorted to a lowest price mentality for goods and services – including tires and automotive service – that leaves repair shops in a challenging position when it comes to competing with chains, big boxers and online retailers.
Focus On People And The Rest Will Take Care Of Itself
Legendary UCLA Basket Coach John Wooden never focused on the score of a game. Wooden believed that success is achieved by paying attention to the details of the game, not concentrating on the score. He also knew that building a team of well-trained players capable of executing a plan, and encouraging personal performance and teamwork, would ultimately lead to success.
Shop Management: Ethical Sales And Full Disclosure
In our industry, there are unwritten rules that shop owners have followed for decades. They know that they have to hire gifted technicians, stay at the forefront of vehicle technology, and can never jeopardize their relationships with their customers; just to name a few. Unfortunately, there is another rule that far too many shop owners have believed in for decades. The one that says that whenever you have first-time customers in your shop, and you discover that their vehicles need a lot of work, you are better off holding back on some of the recommendations.
7 Tips On Delivering Extraordinary Service
Most shop owners will start pumping more money into their marketing campaigns when they are looking to increase their car counts. This can help bring new customers into your shop, which is certainly important, but the value of your new customers diminishes if you’re unable to keep them coming back. There will be no greater key to your success in the coming years than your ability to create a memorable customer experience that shows your customers you genuinely care about them, so here are seven tips that will help you deliver extraordinary service, and keep your customers coming back to your shop for years to come.
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.
