AUGUST IS AN IMPORTANT MONTH FOR RENEWALAs easy as it is to remain in holiday mode during the month of August, business owners should use this month to review all business processes within their operation to make sure the shop is primed and ready for the Fall service season.Consider completing the following reviews and discussions with all staff members:Initial Facility Image- Is the facility

"I Should'a , I Could'a, I Would'a"These 20/20 hindsight expressions have ruined many businesses.Today's business operations must have a Management capability and style that is focused on a tested and a definitive path that creates business net income along with future growth and security.I find that too many shop owners are not willing to admit that they really don't know the detailed required

WATCH FOR THE NEW NEIGHBOUR ON THE BLOCKThe changes within the industry have been dramatic within the past 60 days. The Chapter 11 filings of both Chrysler and General Motors in the USA will change the automotive landscape forever.It is imperative that every Independent shop keep their eyes and ears open to see which new car dealerships will be closing within their area. This is an opportunity

DON'T WASTE THIS CRISIS

The next 24 months will be the most important months of your shop's business life.This year is not like any other in the history of our industry. This is not a time to accept the traditional Aftermarket summer shut down as we can not afford to lose any time. It is moving that fast.With the demise of the "D-3" and the closing of dealerships, the Aftermarket shops and jobbers must aggressively get

Investment In Training & Development Must Be Sustained

Opportunity is knocking at the front door for every Automotive Service Shop. Is your shop taking advantage of it?I am writing this article just after attending the "Lindertech North" technical training weekend in Toronto. I always like to drop into this event and listen to technicians and their issues. It seems the "elite technicians" of Canada show up for this conference each year and I really

Billed Hours, Then Car Count. The right order of analysis

Across the country everyone talks about needing more car count in their business and the shops that say this are already are doing $500,000 to 700,000 per year in annual business or even more. In my Management classes when further analysis of invoices takes place we find that shops are averaging 1.6 to 1.8 billed hours per invoice on basic consumer maintenance, 2.1 to 2.4 billed hours on diesel

Right to Repair 2009

http://www.aaec.ca/newsite/pdf/Right-to-Repair_2009.pdf