Mike Veenstra ditched stale marketing techniques and began targeting higher-quality customers – it worked. For Mike Veenstra, the search is on for location number three. But for the lifelong Grand Rapids, MI, resident and third-generation repair shop owner, the path to owning multiple locations has been a winding one. Mike started in the automotive industry … Read more
Doug Kaufman and David Rogers discuss why the old ways may be the wrong ways to reach business success. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over hoping for a different result. In today’s economy, that’s also a recipe for disaster. In this episode of Talking Shop with ShopOwner, David Rogers … Read more
Learn how to break bad habits and establish successful ones to help your business thrive. by David Rogers The last two years have produced some incredible stories. I’ve watched up close as some shops tripled their revenue and outgrew their single location, and others that are hunting for their fifth, sixth, seventh. I’ve also seen … Read more
If you own an automotive shop, you know how important it is to reduce operational time and expenditure, keep track of employee performance, and better manage the workshop. According to Business Wire, an automotive shop management system can help you do all of this and more. Here are five reasons why your business needs an … Read more
Top shops understand what numbers they can control, and they measure them daily. Stack the deck in your favor. by David Rogers The deck is stacked against repair shop owners right now. Consider the cards we’re currently holding: First, we were dealt the technician shortage. Then we got the global supply chain issues that made … Read more
Hiring specialists to manage any area of the production pipeline inevitably leads to restricting it, creating unnecessary costs, and stalling growth. by David Rogers Is the pipeline to your shop flowing? This production pipeline is what carries customers, vehicles, repair orders, and money into your shop. Keeping this pipeline wide open and flowing is critical … Read more
The old-school way of running your shop is easier and feels better, but it doesn’t lead to meaningful or lasting change. By David Rogers There are around 45,000 fewer service bays than there were five years ago, according to a recent report from Lang Aftermarket iReport, even though there are more cars on the road … Read more
John Polonchak was struggling. In his busy, thriving shop in Denison, Texas, John and his team were having trouble getting work through the shop. Sourcing parts and building estimates were taking far too long — essential functions for any facility. Then he received a call from Shop4D that changed the trajectory of his shop. They … Read more
Creating a lasting, sustainable shop starts and ends with the management triangle of the customer, employee, and shop by David Rogers As published in Motor Age Much has been said and written about the technician shortage — why techs are leaving the automotive industry, how to stop the bleeding, and the best way to retain … Read more
By David Rogers A few years ago, a fast lube chain I won’t name here got themselves into a big pile of trouble, not for doing something unethical, but because of a simple misunderstanding at the front counter. This chain’s locations work with a pit system, and do not lift vehicles when they’re in for … Read more