Smart Start: Strategies for Opening a Shop
Once upon a time in the body shop industry, all you needed to start a shop was a garage, a couple pieces of used equipment and a good work ethic. These days, however, that formula no longer adds up to success. The advent of direct-repair programs (DRPs), the increased influence of insurance companies in determining
You Could Put An Eye Out with That
I’m going to tell you about things that could hinder your business.
Out of Sight: Should You Release a Vehicle Before You’ve Been Paid in Full?
If you know your state law regarding mechanic’s liens, you can return a vehicle to its rightful owner and exercise your right to be paid for work performed.
Web Browser: Mentors at Work
Currently this industry loses seven out of 10 apprentice candidates in the first 18 months and once they leave, they often leave the auto industry for good. Collision shops, insurers, mechanical shops and dealerships cannot afford to allow this to continue,” says Mentors At Work president and CEO Mark Claypool. Mentors At Work is an
Got Friction? Metal Department vs. Paint Department
One of the longest-running battles within a collision repair facility is the one between the metal department and paint department. And in some of the shops I’ve worked with throughout the world, it had escalated past a battle – it was more like a civil war going on between these two main production departments. Each
Web Browser: Training
Ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day for training? And even if you made the time, you wouldn’t know what courses to have your techs take anyway? Even worse, there’s the hassle of registering.
Figuring Out Financials
This Month’s Ailing Shops … Shop No. 1 Annual Sales Volume: $449,000 Units Completed: 357 Average Repair: $1,257.70 Organization: Sole Proprietorship Employees: 7 Owner: Steve Accounting Duties: Steve’s wife, Cheryl Shop No. 2: Annual Sales Volume: $2.4 million Units Completed: 1,369 Average Repair: $1,753.10 Organization: Sub Chapter S Corporation Employees: 17 Owner: Mark Accounting Duties:
Advertisers
ABW Tracker by Norgate Technologies Inc. 954 Coxwell Ave. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4C 3G3 Tel: (800) 689-0905 Fax: (416) 424-4140 e-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.abwtracker.com Contact: Gus Dimakis AutoBody Works Tracker management system with job costing and tracking functions ADP 2010 Crow Canyon Pl. San Ramon, Calif. 94583 Tel: (800) LINK-ADP Fax: (925) 866-8238 Web
If Customers Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy
While progressive collision repairers are relying more and more on computerized equipment, paperless processing and electronic transactions, old fashioned customer care – friendly, timely, convenient and cost-effective service – is still the key to repeat and referral business.
E-Commerce Has Arrived
Can e-commerce solutions truly improve dispatch, load leveling and cycle time to impact throughput and profits? In a word, yes.