Shop Owners: Stop Doing Oil Changes!

No, I have not lost my mind. You and I both know that the oil change business is different today from what it was years ago. If we go back to the 1980s, and up through the 1990s, we judged customer...

Low Technician Production May Not be the Tech's Fault

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Personal Struggles in the Workplace: Lessons from Joe Marconi [AW 172]

Ever wondered what makes a leader truly great? Joe Marconi discusses the value of being approachable. Connecting with your employees on a personal level, asking about their life outside work,...

Pricing Myth: Independent Repair Shops Need to be Cheaper than New Car Dealerships

I was taught a valuable lesson in pricing back in the 1980s by a fellow shop owner. Tom (not his real name) owned a five-bay independent auto repair shop. We met in a training class and became...

Service Advisor Incentive Pay Should not be an Entitlement

I am a firm believer in providing employees with a competitive wage and the opportunity to earn more through incentives. However, any additional incentive bonus must pay for itself. That means any...

Are You For or Against Sign On Bonuses?

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Nine Ways to Improve Your Bottom Line

The strategies outlined in this blog reflect real-world strategies I have learned and used in my 41 years as an auto shop owner. I also use these strategies when helping clients as a business...

Don’t think you need an Exit Plan? Think Again!

As shop owners, we get consumed with the day-to-day routine of running our businesses. When we are young, we think we have all the time in the world to plan for our futures. When we hit middle age,...

Why Your Employees May be Looking to Quit

I don’t think there’s an auto repair shop in the country these days not looking to hire. At the top of the list is finding qualified technicians. However, while auto repair shop owners may be on the...

Why You Don’t Want a 5-Star Google Review Rating

Contrary to what many people believe, having a perfect 5-star Google review rating is not something a business should expect to achieve. After all, no company is perfect. And Google realizes this...

Never Apologize for Your Prices

Shop owners today understand the challenges of rising costs and inflation. Without addressing this issue and making the needed adjustment to your margins, the increase in your expenses will end up...

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