Behind Closed Doors: CARA Collision & Glass Bankruptcy
Since CARA Collision & Glass filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, many in the industry are wondering what the heck is going on. Though the future is unclear, a few things are certain: Employees are out of jobs and former shop owners who took stock in the company are out of luck
The Government to the Rescue? SBA’s 504 Program
Donnie Jones had always dreamed of building a state-of-the-art body shop. But he faced major obstacles. Every banker he tried to get a business loan from wanted 25 to 30 percent in cash equity, with rates and terms that would have been a major stretch for his cash flow.
Dare to Care: Change How We Relate to Employees.
As this industry continues to struggle with attracting and retaining quality people, we need to change how we relate to employees. They work hard and deserve to be treated better. Time spent listening, talking and building relationships with your employees will be time well-invested — and appreciated.
The Incredibly Shrinking Industry
Until three years ago, the prospect of some Wall Street investor teaming up with a body shop owner was incomprehensible. Today, it’s reality. Welcome to the brave, new — consolidating — world of collision repair.
Spreadsheet: Documentation
In the United States, more than 800 million auto-related transactions occur each year requiring documentation.
Building Basics
Should you build a new facility? Before donning a hard hat and diving into construction, put on your thinking cap to determine if building new is for you.
Balanced Budget
As more white collars enter the industry, shop owners need to become better business people by learning how to better manage their money.
Banking in Cyberspace
Though banking by computer may never completely replace “going to the bank”, most of the nation’s 10,000 financial institutions will offer online banking services by the year 2000.
When Disaster Strikes
If you’ve even casually kept up with the news in recent years, then you’ve probably noticed a disturbing increase in the number of natural disasters in the 1990s:
What’s the Bright Idea?
Shop owners share their thoughts on how to make their businesses – and yours – more successful