Every month, I try to write about something that I think will possibly assist some of you in running your businesses. Usually, it’s something I’ve come across or experienced that can be applied to our industry, and I try to present it in a way that motivates you to make a change or alter a process in your shop. This month, I thought I would change it up a bit and tell you a little bit about our “shop” and what we’re doing to make our product better for you, our reader.
On June 29, BodyShop Business Editor Jason Stahl, Managing Editor Hannah Schiffman and myself invited area repair shops to our office here at Babcox Media to talk about the collision repair market. The shops generously devoted their evening to come here and talk about their businesses and the challenges they’re facing today. We were fortunate to have a good cross section of the market, with shops of varying sizes and different areas of focus. We had shops that were strictly collision and others that had various additional profit centers operating within them. We also were lucky enough to have franchised stores and independents.
They were very candid with us about what issues are affecting the collision repair space today and what subjects they want to read about or research. They indicated that product information is highly beneficial in today’s market as well as anything that can be used to educate the consumer. Shop marketing and, of course, insurer relations, top the list. As we plan for next year here at BSB, look for these and other issues to be discussed and reported on.
One of the things I found most interesting last night was the exchange between the shops on unique things they were doing to stay competitive. While the meeting was beneficial to all of us here at BSB, I think each of the shops left last night with a list of things to do or try at their own facilities. For us, that was probably the most rewarding aspect of the meeting.
Our goal every day here at BSB is to be the No. 1 information source for the collision repair industry. It’s our job to stay on top of current events and changes and be sure you as shop owners are as up to date and educated as possible. Our business is inundated with technology changes and advancements just like your businesses, and it’s our job to navigate through them and provide you the information every month in the manner you want to receive it.
The best way for us to do that is to spend time with you like we did on June 29 and also hear from you on a regular basis. We like to hear from our readers and encourage you to call, write or stop in and see us at any of the industry events. We’re always there, and we would welcome your input.
We want to thank the shops who visited us June 29 and all of you for your readership and helping us be the most trusted and reliable information source for the collision repair industry.
