Embracing Knowledge Across Industries
If you remember back to when you were in school, you’ll recall how you used to have to burn a lot more calories to try to learn something new. In the days before the Internet, all the answers to the existential questions of the universe were confined within the four walls of your local library.
Executive Interview: Mark Drennan, General Director, ACDelco
Mark Drennan was named ACDelco general director in October 2016, and is responsible for its business strategies and overall performance. Previously, he was director of General Motors Accessories, where he was charged with integrating sales and distribution with the design, production and marketing of GM’s vehicle accessories portfolio. Drennan previously served as a field zone sales manager and regional service manager.
How To Fail When You Want Your Shop To Succeed
This month, I’m taking an opposing view of many proven success principles, providing tongue-in-cheek examples that are meant to showcase the right ways to do things, if you read between the lines. Play along to see how your shop stacks up.
Working Smarter To Boost Profitability
It took Terry Keller many years of trial and error to realize one of the most important aspects of running a repair shop: the only way to fix problems, capture profits and grow sales consistently is by measuring daily, tracking daily and holding others accountable daily.
Total Automotive: Where Quality Service Equals Steady Growth And Abundant Customer Referrals
When Tom Sciortino first opened Total Automotive, the Tonawanda, NY, shop had only two lifts housed in a 2,500-sq.-ft. building. That was 1986. In 1999, Tom moved operations to a new building that doubled the amount of interior space to allow for six lifts. But the growth didn’t stop there.
C&M Auto Service: Where Courtesy, Honesty And Quality Are The Foundation For Earning Customers’ Trust
While C&M Auto Service has a strong customer base that has been loyal to the shop since it opened in 1984, shop owner Chuck Hartogh says things have changed when it comes to attracting new patrons.
Dealing With Slow Times
Instead of letting this ebb and flow get the best of you and your team, there are things you can do to help bridge the gap until things pick up again. Here are some ways to generate sales during slow times at the shop.
Dealing With A Prima Donna
If you’ve been a shop owner for any length of time, you’ve more than likely been exposed to, or employed by, a prima donna. According to the dictionary definition, a prima donna is “a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance.” If that sounds like someone who works at your shop, this may very well be the perfect article for you.
When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
