When the Government Comes Knocking: Changing Regulations & Inspections
You wouldn’t intentionally put your workers or the community that supports your business in danger. But keeping up with changing regulations issued by government agencies isn’t easy — some requirements seem overwhelming while others are just plain nitpicky. Regardless, you should always be prepared for an inspection.
Repeat Yourself: Produce the Same Operation Repeatedly and Consistently
“Standardization” isn’t about cloning shops. It’s about having the ability to produce the same operation repeatedly and consistently so it can be audited. Why go to the trouble? Implementation of such standards will improve profitability and quality, reduce cycle time and chaos that keeps you busy putting out fires – but hinders you from getting anything done.
Rear Clipping: Does It Deserve Its Bad Rap?
We’ve all heard horror stories about rear full body sectioning, which has lost its favorable status with insurers, repairers and consumers. But was the problem the procedure – or the people performing it?
All In a State Over Allstate
Dear Georgina, After reading your Editor’s Notes in the current issue (June 2001, “All in a State Over Allstate”), I felt compelled to share what we’ve done concerning Allstate. On Feb. 14, 2001, we had a meeting with our Allstate DRP representative. Her boss was also invited but didn’t come to the meeting. Our agenda
It’s Nice to Fool Mother Nature
Climates can be pretty extreme (too hot, too cold, too dry, too humid), but these days, the right preparation, products and professionalism are a solid defense against weather problems that try to attack a good paint job.
Keep the Cash Flowing
Profitability and cash flow aren’t the same thing: You may have a backlog of profitable jobs scheduled, but no money to pay the bills. How do you overcome this? Learn to manage three things: owner’s extras, accounts receivable and accounts payable.
What to Do With Sagging Sales
In May, we examined how insufficient volume can put you in the red. But volume is only half the problem. Insufficient production also poses a serious threat to your shop’s sales. Luckily, it’s all fixable.
Signed, Steered, Delivered — Not Yours
Many shop owners contend that insurance adjusters steer work to DRP shops. To compete, you need to educate yourself so you can then educate potential customers.
Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Training is Cheap
Think you don’t have the time or money to train your administrative and management employees? When you see what training does for your office’s productivity, training is cheap compared to what ignorance costs you.
Retaining Good Law Information
Working to level the playing field between shops and insurers, Chicago attorney Patrick McGuire has created a program where he’s at the beck and call of shops in need of law advice. To the many shop owners he’s helped educate, McGuire is collision repair’s answer to Ann Landers.