Interstate Auto Care: Creating 5-Star Customer Experiences
Purchasing your first car is a milestone. For Bill Nalu, his experience was full of lessons that would shape his career. He learned about listening to advice, the consequences of actions, and eventually, auto repair. Today, Bill owns and operates Interstate Auto Care in Madison Heights, Michigan.
Executive Interview: Corey Bartlett, President & CEO, Automotive Parts Headquarters (APH)
Corey is the President and CEO of Automotive Parts Headquarters (APH) in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. He is the third-generation to be involved in the business. APH operates 125 corporate stores and 36 independent locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Montana.
Managing Cash Flow
Without cash, an automotive repair shop will inevitably shut down, regardless of how profitable it looks on paper. You can be “rich” in accounts receivable and inventory, but cash poor if these assets are not convertible into cash to meet current obligations. In fact, cash is the only asset a company needs to stay in business.
How To Raise The Bar On Sales
A set of core values is the foundation of a company’s culture. They establish standards for proper decision-making and help employees understand why certain rules are in place and what they need to contribute to make the company successful.
Phone Spoofing: A New ‘Robocall’ Trend May Impact Your Shop
Your phone rings. The caller ID displays a number you don’t know, but it’s local so you answer it. Then, a robocall commences. Using local numbers is a new way phone scammers are hoping to get callers to answer. But, how do these automated calls get local numbers? Often, they are spoofed from businesses or individuals.
Software Update Apathy
Most software updates can improve the efficiency of hardware and the productivity of the user. This can provide the most valuable commodity your business needs – time. Better features, navigation and speed all add up at the end of the year. Better software, and even hardware, can give an employee a few extra days.
Avoiding Lawsuits: How To Save Your Company Money
While every company would prefer to not get sued, chances are it will happen. So, if you’re interested in learning about some common issues with fairly simple solutions that could save your company thousands (or millions) of dollars if you are sued, please, read on.
Establishing A Shop’s Chain Of Command: Motivating Your Team To Succeed
A team of great employees is a lot like a well-oiled army platoon. In order to succeed, everyone needs to know their role, needs to support one another, and needs to share a common objective. The team also needs to understand and respect the chain of command.
Brakes For Breasts
Brakes for Breasts is hosted each October by several independent repair facilities (IRFs) nationwide. The fundraiser not only supports breast cancer research directly (by supporting vaccine research), it also helps bring customers through a repair facility’s doors, says Kristen Criswell, editor of Shop Owner magazine.
