EDITOR’S NOTES: A Training Timeout
The first thing that surprised me as the woman introduced all of us in the room was how many different industries were represented. Here I thought I would be surrounded by collision repairers. It about blew me over that people from the banking, media and recreation industries had come to seek marketing, sales and operation
EDITOR’S NOTES: A Worthwhile Investment
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a body shop owner complain about spending all this money to train one of his technicians, only to watch the tech take off down the street to a competitor. But never before had I heard what Doug Kielian, owner of Auto Kraft in Lincoln, Neb., told
Tools Invented by Collision Repairers
Eureka! These repairers saw a better way to do their jobs, rolled up their sleeves and invented tools they hope will revolutionize the industry.
Body Shop Profit Tips
Five successful collision repair executives share their secrets to success in 2010.
CIC Panel Lists Vehicle Complexity, Training as Top Challenges
Vehicle complexity and training were the two main challenges members of a panel discussion held at the Collision Industry Conference last week in Palm Springs, Calif., said lie ahead for the collision repair industry. Members of the panel included: Guy Bargnes of Bargnes Associates; Randy Hanson, auto director for Allstate; John Edelen, president and CEO
EDITOR’S NOTES: Coffee at Denny’s Part II
I was back at Denny’s last week. Man, those Grand Slam breakfasts are great! So I’m sitting there chowing on my eggs and bacon when, lo and behold, I hear a familiar conversation in a booth behind me. It’s Joe No DRP and Al DRP again! I slowly slump down in the booth, put on
Repairers Reflect on Business in 2009, Look Ahead to ’10
It’s safe to say that 2009 will not be looked at as a banner year for most businesses. Even though most economists agreed that the recent stretch of financial misery wasn’t as bad as the Great Depression, they did say it was the worst since the Depression – with some calling it the Great Recession.
EDITOR’S NOTES: All I Want for Xmas Is a DRP
I recently had the good fortune to hear a rousing argument between two body shop owners, one of whom had 67 DRPs and the other had none. They were sitting directly behind me in a booth at Denny’s, so I slumped down a bit so I wouldn’t be noticed. Here’s what I heard: Joe No DRP:
DETOURS: Art Exhibit, Anyone?
What better place to hold an art exhibit than at a body shop? After all, smoothing the wrinkles out of panels without ever letting anyone know you were there can be considered fine art itself. Marrying both seems natural. No one has to convince Giovanna Tanzillo of that. The co-owner of Uptown Body & Frame
Auto Detailing to Add Profit
For this body shop, detailing provides a tidy profit center and keeps customers happy.
EDITOR’S NOTES: One Hundred Grand
It probably seems like I’ve been harping on you about customer service lately. Unfortunately, I’m going to do it again. Customer service never fails to intrigue me as a potential gateway to increased sales. To say it’s still an unturned rock under which profits can be found is a huge understatement. Evidence of this is
EDITOR’S NOTES: Refining the Machine
Three sets of eyes bored a hole in me. I read in their glares that if I screwed up, I was going to get stomped. I started to sweat profusely but tried to will it away, knowing that moist fingers handling small LEGO pieces could surely lead to my untimely death. To make matters worse,