Casey’s Independent Automotive Repair Shares Vision With Employees
The mark of a long-lasting business isn’t just profitability during times of economic prosperity, but also adjusting when things take a turn for the worse. Vancouver, WA, Shop Owner Casey McGowan has seen hard times — and taken the steps necessary to ensure his business not only stayed afloat but flourished as well.
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.
Motorist Interaction Has Moved Online. Have You?
The numbers are mind-boggling: 134 million smartphones are used in the U.S. alone and every quarter 8% more Americans select a smartphone. If that doesn’t surprise you, maybe the following facts will: 59% of auto service customers under the age of 35 want to be communicated with via mobile applications and 31% of American mobile Internet users say that’s the primary way they access the web.
Web University: Part 2
And here we are again. With all the Google changes, small businesses are scrambling to avoid being relegated to the Internet’s junk bin. Let’s stay on top of it. Whether it’s Google search, social media or what to do with Google+, you’ll find answers to the most challenging questions, in both a “Go Deep” and “Quick Bites” format. Questions submitted by shop owners at www.ShopOwnerMag.com will be answered by Uwe Kleinschmidt, CEO of AutoVitals, a leading supplier of web-based marketing and service advisor productivity tools.
Time Management And Achieving Balance
A few months ago, my mom passed away. She lived a long and fruitful life working hard as a single mother to ensure her three children had food on the table, a roof over their head and clothes on their back. Not an easy feat in the early 1960s in a small, western NY town. Looking back at my upbringing, I recall we didn’t have as much “stuff” as my friends in school, but one thing she always had for us was her time and love.
Car Care Council Launches All New Website Featuring Interactive, Customized Functionality
The Car Care Council has launched its new website featuring expanded consumer information and unique functionality to allow visitors to customize their vehicle service schedules.
Protecting Customer Information: The Safeguards Rule
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enacted Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information on May 23, 2003. By now, most repair shops should have implemented their information security programs and taken steps to ensure compliance with the Safeguards Rule. If you have not, we recommend taking steps to get in compliance immediately. If you have, it’s still important to periodically review and assess your program to ensure you remain in compliance.
ASE Launches New Website And myASE Upgrade
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recently announced a redesigned website and the introduction of its enhanced myASE portal, which is accessible from ASE’s Homepage.
Shop Owner Sees Major Shift in Industry Over Last Five Years
Jay Thatcher, owner of Thatcher’s Auto Center is Superior, WI, says his customers now demand more dependability, performance and fuel efficiency from their vehicles. The shop currently does about 70 percent maintenance and 30 percent repair work. Five to 10 years ago, it was mostly repair work. “Customers have discovered that if they maintain a vehicle today it will go and go. It also costs less over the life of the vehicle to keep it well maintained than to repair it,” Thatcher told a local reporter.
