November/December 2014 Archives - Shop Owner Magazine
Clark’s Car Care: Overcoming Challenges To Find Success

Many shop owners get their start the old-fashioned way: Their dad or uncle owned a shop, and they grew up learning how to fix cars. Essentially, it was “in their blood” so to speak. But Matt Weber, co-owner of Clark’s Car Care, has a very ­different back story, one that starts with a detour from an ­accounting degree to take a less traveled road to shop ­ownership.

Winning Over A Tough Customer

If you close your eyes and picture a tough customer, what image do you see? Is it a price shopper on the phone? An argumentative customer at the front counter? A Yelp reviewer who went directly to the Internet instead of giving you a chance to address his or her concerns? Each of these kinds of tough customers can put a kink in our day if we let them.

customer service
Earning The Continued Trust Of Your Internal Customers

Many years ago, I read an article that featured an interview with Herb Kelleher, the co-founder of Southwest Airlines. In the article, he stated that he and his mother (who was a Harvard graduate) would often debate who was more important. He argued that it was the employees of a company, and his mom argued that it was the customers. With all due respect, I would argue, why does it need to be one or the other?

shop management award
[atc] AutoCenter: A Family Tradition Of Quality & Service Excellence

When brothers Chris and Brian Weeks purchased [atc] AutoCenter in Augusta, GA, back in October 1999, they did so knowing they needed to live up to the expectations set by the previous owners. This wasn’t just any business transaction – Chris and Brian purchased the shop from their father, Carl, and their uncles, Allen and Larry, upon their retirement in 1998.

ATC auto repair
Tax Strategies For Auto Repair Shops

Shop owners who are focused on serving their customers and operating efficiently are taking a little extra time to also get their financial house in order. They realize the value of the ABCs of a well-managed business: A for attorney, B for banker and C for CPA. These trusted advisers could help you focus on your ­customers and your business, while also ensuring you operate legally, effectively and profitably.

auto care tax strategy
The Value Of Digital Inspections And Workflow Management

Many shops across the country have introduced Digital Inspection and Workflow Management on tablet devices in the back shop and internet browsers in the front office. A significant number of these shops scored such incredible productivity and efficiency results that it begs the question, “What have they done differently than others who are still trying to find their mojo?”

Digital shop inspections
Executive Interview: Robert Sanford, General Director, ACDelco

Robert Sanford is general director of the ACDelco channel of General Motors and is responsible for its business strategies and overall performance. He joined GM in 1982 and has served in a variety of service, sales, aftersales and management roles with the company.

Do You Know Your Shop’s ‘Sellability Score?’ Part 2

“Sellability” is a powerful indicator of the value of your business, regardless of whether or not you have any intention or even interest in selling your business today. A high Sellability Score may confirm or surpass the value you have in mind. A lower Sellability Score may point directly to the underlying issues in your business which undermine its value.

SellabilityScore