Shop Owner

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Playing the blame game with the technician shortage
For generations, teenagers and young adults were driven to our industry by a passion for cars. Cars were  all around us as we were growing up. It was our freedom when we turned 16 and got our license. We drooled over the classics and resto-mods at our local cruise-ins...
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The true cost of collision repair supplements
Some shops never have more than one supplement on repairs while others have three, four, five or more. Supplements are costly to production, add workload to accounting, absorb damage appraisers’ time and reduce confidence of bill payers — the biggest concern is...
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Ford releases latest position statement
Ford stresses the importance of pre and post-repair diagnostic services, and has released its latest OEM position statement. This important industry announcement focuses on two key points: Ford vehicles that have been involved in a collision require a pre repair diagnostic...
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Ford launches new Ford Certified Collision Network
To ensure collision repair quality matches the fast-paced development of today’s automotive industry, in January Ford will launch its Ford Certified Collision Network. The Ford Certified Collision Network will replace the National Body Shop Network. This new network...
Subaru Certified Collision Network to open enrollment to independent collision centers nationwide
Subaru of America, Inc. announced today that the Subaru Certified Collision Network (SCCN), designed to ensure the proper training and equipment necessary to restore vehicles to original factory specifications, will open enrollment to independent collision centers across...
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Shop owners must make careful decisions about their future
With the rate of change this industry is experiencing, and the investment so many collision repairers still face to get their shops equipped and trained to face even just the present (let alone the future), there’s one phrase that continues to come to my mind: It...
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Take action to make a profit on stock parts
Income statements have many different sales and cost centers. Each sale and cost center deserve attention to ensure overall profitability of the business. One of the most difficult cost centers to turn a profit on is stock parts. Stock parts like nuts, bolts, clips and...
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Maximize your paint shop performance
In last month’s column, I shared some KPIs you should be hitting in your paint shop in terms of productivity and profitability. Whether you’re working to reach those numbers — or you’re already there but still see room for improvement — over...
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Playing small in life leads to missing out on big dreams
We hear it all the time; one of the biggest regrets most people have on their death bed is the fact they were afraid to go for their biggest dreams. The dream to start that business, get that degree, write that book, go for that promotion, ask that person out, buy that home...
Plan ahead for open enrollment later this year
When open enrollment for insurance and other benefits starts for companies later this year, your shop can offer a new option for employees: a new health insurance plan. 
Jack Calabrese, director, NAPA Insurance Center, explains very simply that when you are able to...
Want more employees? Take a look at your insurance
When it comes to hiring new employees, you want the best for your business. From the potential employee’s view, they want certain things, too. And there are factors many potential hires take into consideration when looking at a lower-paying job. 
According to a...
What it takes to stand out in marketing
Every shop owner struggles with marketing at some point. Many, unfortunately, also are quick to cut this line of the budget when car count slows. 
That actually is the opposite of what should be done. And using some ideas outlined in this free webinar from NAPA...
Digital inspections as marketing? You bet!
If you aren’t using a digital vehicle inspection (DVI) of any kind, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to help your customers and position your shop as a trusted partner for people in your community. 
Don’t think that a DVI could provide you...
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Build customers for life by prioritizing these 3 focuses in your business
Creating an exceptional experience for our customers, both external and internal, is our goal at all three of our shops. Our internal customers are our teammates and employees; our external customers are the people who need the services we offer. I have talked in previous...
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Track and improve these numbers in your refinish department
Having spent many years as a trainer and consultant for paint companies, many shops in the industry connect me most with refinish-related topics. In fact, I’ve had several readers who know me express surprise that in my first year writing this column for ABRN, I...
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