Don’t Overlook The Easy Dollars To Add To Your Bottom Line
As I began to review the profit and loss statements from last month, I was reminded of something I learned long ago. Financial data, although very useful, is just a snapshot of the past or history. I’ve seen so many shop owners over the years have the right tools for the job, and they attend
The Best-Kept Secrets to Dealing with Sales Objections
Here are what I’ve discovered to be the best-kept secrets when it comes to dealing with sales objections. 1. Accept the fact that the single greatest cause of sales objections is a poor sales presentation. If you don’t follow the eight steps of the sales cycle (1. Build rapport; 2. Fact-find; 3. Identify the need; 4. Identify the
Do You Have What It Takes?
2013 Performance Engine Builder Contest Now Taking Applications When the gun fires, the Christmas Tree flashes down or the green flag flies, you don’t start the race hoping for mediocrity – you expect to win. As much as we try to remain humble, let’s admit that the real goal of our business is to be
Strategies For Success in Building a World-Class Shop
We are in an era whereas with each passing day technology is making pricing more accessible
Customers Will Remember Your Name With These Business Card Tips
With a great business card, people will remember your name and you company. BSchool.com recently had a great post on 50 Killer Business Cards That Put Yours to Shame. The post has lots of examples of great business cards. It’s a must-read for anyone with a boring business card. Here are some business card design
Not Quite a Full Pull
In tractor pulling parlance, a “hook” is when you attempt a pull. A “full pull” is one in which you go the maximum distance of 300 feet. At Engine Builder, we’re mourning one of our own, who made the hook, but didn’t quite get the full pull. Jim Walbolt, who had been a contributor to
Direct Marketing’s Big Three
Just like an engine, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to marketing, and postcard marketing, in particular, is no exception to that rule. There is a definite amount of strategic planning, skill, and coordination that goes into creating a perfect direct mail campaign, but if you get it right, it can propel
2012 Tax Changes For Businesses
Standard Mileage Rates: The standard mileage rate in 2012 is 55.5 cents per business mile driven, 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. Health Care Tax Credit for Small Businesses: Small business employers who pay at least half the premiums for
Fire Prevention: How To Keep Your Shop in Business
In each of these cases, there was extensive damage to the buildings, inventory and equipment. Business was disrupted, customers inconvenienced and profits lost forever. According to statistics, some of these companies will never recover. They will either never reopen or will be out of business within five years. It is a fact that many businesses
Tap Into the Power of Collaboration To Grow Your Business
You realize you need help in making your business decisions, but where do you go to find it? There are several different group options, and you might find that one or a combination of a few works the best for you. Here are a few ways to broaden your decision-making inputs in group settings: Peer
Accountability Raises the Performance Bar and Helps Achieve Goals and Objectives
Accountability is a big word. We see examples every day around us where we can safely surmise that “that person” is not being held accountable for their actions. Accountable: Subject to the obligation to report, explain or justify something; responsible; answerable. We are surrounded by people every day – customers, employees, family members and even strangers
Protecting Your Business With The Right Insurance
Running a business is expensive and the capital that you’ve poured into your company can disappear in an instant if a major weather event damages your facility, or if someone in your shop gets injured while on the job. Having the right kind of insurance is critical to your business and multiple insurance policies should
