Online Applications Available Now for 2012 GAAS Scholarships; Deadline is March 31
Applications are now being accepted online for the 2012 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship, awarded to students planning automotive aftermarket careers. The application process is now entirely electronic through the GAAS scholarship website.
ASRW Continues Rotation; 2012 Location Announced
In a continuing effort to respond to consistent participant feedback, Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) is pleased to announce its 2012 event – featuring the milestone 30th annual NACE event – will take place Oct. 11-13 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
ASRW: Relevant, Timely Topics Planned for 2nd Annual Industry Forum
Content has been announced for the Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) Industry Forum and Reception scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The forum will conclude the first day of education at ASRW 2011, featuring the NACE and CARS events taking place Oct. 5-8, 2011.
Business Maintenance for Peak Performance: Internal Analysis will Rev Up Your Business, Part 1
From my experience, cars and companies have a lot in
common when it comes to keeping them running smoothly
and achieving top performance. The owner’s manual for any business is the strategic plan that has been developed. The
gauges are the financial reports that are generated on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
Consumers Continuing to Hold On to Vehicles Longer, According to Polk
The average length of ownership of new vehicles continues to increase, according to a recent analysis from Polk. Consumers are now holding on to a new vehicle, on average, for 63.9 months based on second quarter 2010 data, up 4.5 months from the same time last year, according to Polk.
Waukegan Tire & Supply Co. Embraces Social Media to Keep Pace with Shifting Demographics
Waukegan Tire & Supply Co. Inc. has learned to adapt. The company did not just accept change because there was no other choice; it embraced change, and is thriving as a result. From adopting social media to keeping pace with shifting demographics, the company has found ways to grow a sense of community. As a family-run business, it is naturally focused on personal relationships, and has chosen to see not only customers, but also the entire community as its extended family.
AAIA Town Hall at AAPEX: Industry Resets, Realigns Aftermarket for Growth and Prosperity
The resounding message echoed among panel members was that the economic reset that resulted from the recent recession has prompted an industry reset that will position the aftermarket for growth, but they cautioned that we should not forget the lessons we learned the past year.
Date Your Customers To Keep Them Loyal!
Building loyal customer relationships works the same way as dating. Without phone calls, gifts, thank-you cards, or time together, there is no relationship. The best loyal customer relationships are built over time in what I call ‘relationship building sessions.’ These are times together with customer having fun, eating a meal, attending a ballgame, playing golf, or doing something enjoyable together. This is how you date your customer to build loyalty.
SEMA Urges Senate to Pass Small Business Lending Bill
SEMA urged the United States Senate to pass H.R. 5297, the “Small Business Jobs and Credit Act,” which passed in June and would create a $30 billion fund to provide banks with less than $10 billion in assets access to capital to lend to small businesses.