Joe Marconi

The past few years have not been kind financially to the average consumer. So the points you bring up are so true. The bottom line is truly, the bottom line. As shop owners, in order to survive, we must find ways to remain profitable and understanding to our customer's needs. It's not easy, but any proactive approach to reach our customers is a lot better than taking a wait and see approach.

I have seen my share of modifications too. I remember when a customer installed a toggle switch on his dashboard to turn on his cooling fan. He would watch the temperature gauge and when it climbed up he would flip the switch. Well, we all know what happened when his wife borrowed his car!

You bring up an excellent point. For too many shop owners, their life is so overwhelming, that surviving the day is their main objective. But I agree, we collectively need to voice our opinions on the what we feel will benefit the motoring public. And at the same time, help to promote all the good that we do. Great post!

No matter what the year has been, this is the half way point for the year and time to review your business plan for 2016. This is also the time when you review all your 2016 goals, both personal and business. Assess where you are and make the adjustments needed to achieve those goals. Dont worry about the last six months if it did not live up to your expectations. Make the needed course corrections to maintain your focus and make sure you align those corrections to what you need to achieve your objectives. Lastly, remain positive, know the numbers of your company and create strategies that are in line with your goals.

Same here, we give all employees a list of benefits and polices when hired. We have the employee sign it. One of the conditions when the employee leaves or terminated is that the employee is responsible for the uniforms; return them or pay.

We celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of [/size]July[/size] every year. [/size]July[/size] 4, 1776, [/size]represents[/size] the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. [/size] Let us always remember that this still the greatest country on the planet! [/size]

I hope CARQUEST/ADVANCE is listening to these posts! My fear? They will read it, and say all the "right words", but little will change.

I want to reserve judgement at this time. So much in going on that I do not like in the parts industry. The major part suppliers continue to say that the DIY market is shrinking and that their focus is on us, the independent repair shop. But if you look at all the indicators, they keep going after the DIY market. Until the dust settles, I really find it hard to pledge my support to anyone.

Gonzo, I got into this business mainly because of the "mechanical" work required. I don't think we ever imagined the evolution of the car to look like this.

Source: Repair Shop Owners; Please dont lead by example!

Got your attention? Good. I often hear shop owners say, "I wouldn't ask any employee to do something that I would not do." While this may appear to be effective leadership, lets dig a little deeper. Lets say you had an illness that required a specialist. You make an appointment to see the doctor and the day you walk into his office you find him scrubbing the toilet bowl? In defense of his actions, he says, "I can't ask my employees to do something I am not willing to do." I use this ridiculous analogy only to prove a point. Effective leadership does not mean performing every required task in your company. Nor does it mean that the only way to get others to perform what's expected of them is to also perform their duties. Effective leaders do go the extra mile and mentor the people they lead, but leaders also know what their true role is. And that is to coach their employees, set the goals, work on the business plan, and to ensure the success of the business. As shop owners, clearly define your role as the leader of your company. Delegate tasks when needed and manage your time by working on the tasks that define you, the leader.

Source: Improve shop productivity with a Focus on what went right, not what went wrong

Too often we focus on the things that go wrong, and not on the things that go right. Lets face it; everyday things will go wrong. Have you ever watch a professional ball team play an entire game without mistakes being made. A football game where there were no dropped balls? It's more important to focus on the wins, not the losses. I am not suggesting we ignore the mistakes. But if we never recognize what goes right, and only on what goes wrong, we will end up creating a shop culture of negativity. And that will take its toll on production and lost income. Recognize what goes right, understand that mistakes will happen. Use mistakes as a means to improve, not punish. Do this and watch production improve.

This appears to be a continuing problem. Advance/CARQUEST wants to be a player, but is it their culture that prevents it? Or is it simply the way Big Business operates? Is Wall Street more important the Main Street. If so, this problem will never go away. If the prime objective is investor's return and stock price, no amount of words or programs will change that. I am not judging what's right or wrong. Everyone has their own perspective. For us, the independent shop owners, our perspective is our reality. And the reality is we want part companies aligned with us, not the DIY.

Let us all take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor those fallen soldiers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend and preserve the freedoms we enjoy. The United States is the greatest country in the history of of the world, we thank and honor those that have died in combat to ensure our place in history. Happy Memorial Day everyone! Joe Marconi AutoShopOwner.com Cofounder

This is a great question. We do not have an O'Reillys Store near us. Not yet anyway. But, I do care if the company that I buy from is dedicated to the professional, not the DIY. The problem is that although the DIY is shrinking, there are part companies that will not give up the DIY market. Those that know me, know this: There will never be a strong alliance with any part company until companies are willing to promote the independent shop owners, and not market to the DIY.

Thanks for the kind words. We must keep the dialogue going. We are all in this together and in numbers there is strength.

Yes, you should do a background check. Get references, even friends and family. I can't speak for all states, but your insurance company can run the driver's licence to check for a valid licence and to check for recent violations. There are online services too that you can subscribe to to get information. You can even google people, or check Facebook and other social media sites. As far as calling friends and family, people assume that these people will talk good about the candidate. That's ok, you can get a lot of information from friends and family and also, these are the people closest to the person you are considering to hire. So, you can get a good idea of the type of person he or she is. Get references such as techs they worked with, or a service advisor they worked with. You will not only get a good source for a background check, but also another future potential employee. Good luck!

Thanks Frank, we need to keep this conversation going and my hope is that the independent shops around the country realize what we do.

Source: Are we seeing the Home Depot effect in the Auto Parts Industry?

It's no secret that Home Depot changed the Hardware Store business. Are we seeing the same thing occur with the auto parts industry? Will Wall Street dictate the future of the parts business? Main Street, not Wall Street once dominated our business landscape. Part stores were part of the community. Did they cater to the DIY? Of course they did. But the DIYer was someone who could actually work on his car, not the weekend warrior who has no business sticking his head under the hood. And why does he attempt to stick his head under the hood? Because companies like Advance and Auto Zone tells them they belong there. Don't know how to install your alternator, no problem, click on this video and we will show you Mr. DIY. There is no stopping big business and what mass consolidation will do to our industry. But, guys like me don't have to like it. The truth is Home Depot may have shifted their industry, but it also made a select group of business owners only stronger. The same may happen in the parts business. Big Parts Guys, if you truly want OUR business, you need to stop catering to the DIY market and insulting us by telling us the DIYer is not our customer. The motoring public hears your commercials, they see you ads, they get your discount flyers in the mail. So, stop the insults. I would have more respect if you just come clean. My guess, nothing will happen. The big guys won't change when money gets in the way. When home town and Wall Street collide, Wall Street usually wins. Usually, but not always.

My vote's with Xrac.

Gonzo, you haven't seen the Bird Lady in 15 years? Maybe she flew the coop?

I learned a long time ago that you cannot be everything to everyone. When you market to the masses and target price, you get exactly what the advertising is supposed to do: Bring in people looking for that offer. If this is contrary to your business model, then it's a waste of time. It would impossible to all the explain all the different marketing strategies in this post, so let me say that in order to get the customers you want, you need to clearly define what your profile customer looks like and create your marketing and advertising to target these people. Define your brand by your culture and a world class customer experience. If you define your business by price, at any range, you will get exactly that...price shoppers.

That's a great question, and it depends on your business model and what you want to achieve. For me, my waiting area is a place where customers can relax and unwind while waiting for their car or waiting to be picked up for a ride. The waiting area needs to promote your culture and your brand, the more customer-friendly it is, the better. That's why I would not make it a place to push products. With that said, you can educate your customers on what you have to offer, just be careful about being too business-like.