Off With the Gloves: Learn How to Negotiate!
If your “negotiations” involve yelling, pumping out your chest and clenching your fists, you have a better chance of being cast in Rocky VI than of convincing your opponent to give you what you want. Negotiating is a form of mental sparring, so quit trying to intimidate and use your head instead.
Let Them Eat Cake: Good Rules to Keep Happy Employees
Keeping your employees happy is key to retaining them and satisfying customers. How do you tailor a rewards program to fit your employees needs? It’s not as complicated or as costly as you may think. With a little ingenuity – such as celebrating birthdays – you can have your cake and eat it too.
The ABCs of DRPs
Deciding whether or not to join direct-repair programs can be a daunting task. How can you be sure the relationships will benefit your customers and be profitable to your business? By spelling out the pros and cons before you sign on the dotted line.
Personnel Profile: The Shortage of Qualified Technicians
How many collision repair journeymen does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one — but first you have to hire him.
Precision Work” “Pull & Square Body”
How many of you use the term “pull and square body”? How many of you know exactly what it means? To an adjuster, it’s a non-specific repair term that often leads to a reduction in time and pay. But being more descriptive about frame damage and pulling procedures on your estimates can change that
In SOPs We Trust
Standard operating procedures could offer a body shop owner more freedom and the ability to attract new insurance business by creating ‘verifiable’ trust.
Acquiring an Estimating System
Whether you’re going to purchase the preferred system of an insurer or the system you prefer, your new estimating system won’t do you a darn bit of good unless you know what you’re getting — and how to use it.
Becoming the Fastest Gun in the Shop
Because the industry is changing rapidly, the best painters are productive technicians, active communicators, speedy problem solvers and quick learners.
Ending The Blending Debate
The issue isn’t about whether or not you should blend — make it a standard operating policy and just do it! The issue is about blending correctly, meeting vehicle owners expectations and getting paid by insurers.
More Than A Desk Job: Office Managers
Being the office manager for a collision repair shop can be an exciting, sometimes confusing and very rewarding job. The key to reaping the rewards of efficient, organized and informed office mangers is to give them more responsibility than simply answering the phones, greeting customers and balancing the checkbook.