Somebody’s Watching Me: “Spy Cam” Teddys
Secret “spy cam” teddys aren’t the answer. Techs produce at least 50 percent more when they know you’re watching them. Implementing a production tracking system – along with productivity bonuses – has saved one shop owner $87,200 per year and increased his net profit by 10 percent. A worker produces at about 50 percent of
In a State Over Allstate
ermarket parts as possible, and if there’s any question or disagreement, “See us in court!” I have a database of more than 50 insurers that I dealt with last year. We’re near a naval base and get people with insurance companies from every corner of the country. Without a doubt, Allstate is the most difficult
Light Up Your Life: New Technology
I admit it. I’m not a huge fan of new technology. Heck, I only own seven – none which I actually bought. People keep giving them to me, hoping to inspire me to move forward into the new millennium (or at least into the ’90s). So trust me when I say I understand if you’re
Would You Join a DRP Like Progressive’s Concierge Program?
mad or they might shut you down. We’d be a part of the insurance industry, not the auto collision industry. If all insurers went with this type of program, it would destroy our industry as we know it. My mother said change is good, but in this case, I’m not sure it’s good at all.
My Girlfriend’s Gonna Kill Me: “I’m Ben Affleck”
It was a cold, wintry day in December 1997 – that awful week between Christmas and New Years. (You know how it is. Tons of work to get through the shop in a short week.) It was about 4:30 on a Friday afternoon, and we were having one heck of a snowstorm. In fact, this
Hot Driver = Unsatisfied Customer
Today’s A/C-dependent consumers need their air conditioning.
10 Reasons to Live Where You Work
You’re a collision technician. In fact, you’ve probably been working as one for years. You know your craft, you have the experience and you put in your typical eight-hour days, five days a week. You’ve probably also noticed that at the end of the year, your gross and net earnings have been sliding downward. So
DRPs: Strictly A Business Decision
In 1984, direct-repair program (DRP) – the original Allstate PRO System – was virtually unheard of. Although the concept had been tested on the East Coast and in some of the big cities, most body shops had never been introduced to the idea. One spring day, two people – known as “inspectors” – from Allstate
Smart Strategies to Boost Production
Well, Alison, this is a loaded question. We can approach this from so many different directions, and I believe most of them would be a matter of opinion. We could address different types of production setups – like inline, fast repair and assembly line, technician combination work bays and team cells, to use a few
Is My Job Killing Me
Timothy, your question is a good one and involves more than a yes or a no answer. As I read your question, I can’t help but notice that there are some factors in your life that may be causing you to ask this question now. All of us, as we travel through life’s journey, have