Five Tips to Improving as a Leader in 2013
If you are like a shop owner friend of mine, you probably don’t think of yourself as a leader; most good leaders don’t. They just do what they do … lead, and they do it so well, that others take notice. According to author and speaker John Maxwell, the essence of leadership can be summed up
MAHLE Clevite Welcomes Doug Yates To PRI Show
MAHLE Clevite Inc. has announce that legendary engine builder Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Performance Products, will be at the MAHLE Clevite booth (Booth No. 1101) at the 2012 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov. 30. “We
Using Customer Feedback to Improve Your Business
Feedback. We all seem to get it — whether we request it or not. But, as a business owner, feedback is generally accepted as a way to make improvements to your shop or services, and is even a helpful method to short-term and long-term business decisions. For most shop owners, customer feedback is often immediate,
Creating Team Spirit In Your Shop
Here are six easy steps that will not only help you create team spirit, but will help you build a more profitable, successful business at the same time. Step #1. Know your responsibilities. Teamspirit will always start with you: the business owner. As an owner, it’s your responsibility to set the goals of the company,
High Octane Educations
In October, you learned about the teachers at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH, involved in the school’s High Performance program. This one-year certification program provides hands-on, certified automotive training for skilled entry-level positions in automotive dealerships, independent garages and motorsports and other auto-related industries. Its auto department is recognized as a leader in training
The Buck Stops Here
When companies don’t get the bottom-line results they want, it’s usually not their competition, the economy, or their people. Its’ usually the leader who has gotten stuck in their old ways of doing business and not willing to try new ideas or change. Start At The Top Company owners are 100% responsible for everything in
Make Your Customer Part of the Team by Taking Deposits on Engine Builds
I just could not imagine that he had time to contact me. Although I DO write for a major trade magazine in the automotive industry, I am not, no matter how much I may dream, a promising retail author. But after I woke up, I realized that there was a different type of message here.
Common Customer Service Myths Exposed
By Jody Devere, CEO of AskPatty.com Ever since the phrase "the customer is alwaysright" was coined, it surely has been the bane of every worker whose titleincludes the word "associate" or "representative." Thoughfront-line employees bear the brunt of customers’ requests, when it comes downto it, we’re all in the customer service business. Let’s take a
Calico Coatings Moving to New, Larger Facility in North Carolina
“We have been planning this move for more than a year now,” said Calico Coatings president, Tracy Trotter. “We’re having our best year since we’ve been in business and it was crucial that we completed this expansion in order to keep up with current demand and accommodate future growth opportunities.” Headquartered in the Denver area,
Can Your Customers Find You Where They Are Searching?
My goal here is to provide you with some answers and insight about new and powerful ways to generate more business, both with new customers and repeat customers. In 2011, more mobile devices were shipped than laptops or desktop computers. You might even be seeing this trend yourself with your employees, family and customers. They
CNC Machining Advantages
Running a profitable machine shop these days requires a lot of things: skilled machinists who know what they are doing, accurate equipment that can perform all of the tasks that are required to machine cylinder heads and blocks, an efficient work environment that maximizes both shop labor and equipment usage to boost productivity, a commitment
Crane Cams Receives 2012 Florida Companies to Watch Award
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. To be eligible, applicants must employ between 6 and 99 full-time equivalent employees and have between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue or working capital in place. Award winners are selected for demonstrating the intent and
Republic Diesel Inc. Acquires Truck Supplies Inc.
Republic Diesel Inc. has purchased the assets and equipment of neighboring Truck Supplies Inc. of Lexington, Ky. Truck Supplies Inc. will be merged into Republic Diesel’s Lexington branch. Sales and warehousing employees have been retained, Republic said. Started in 1911 as Republic Welding Co., Republic Diesel today is a multi-faceted company providing an
Time Management And Achieving Balance
Looking back at my upbringing, I recall we didn’t have as much “stuff” as my friends in school, but one thing my mom always had for us was her time and love. While Mom worked, she had many hobbies from bowling to rose gardening. As we began the process of cleaning out her house, her
Keeping Valve Jobs Profitable
Okay, so head work accounts for a large percentage of your business. But is it as profitable as it should be or could be? Do you have a good handle on cylinder head related costs (parts, labor and cleaning)? Are the employees who are doing the head work competent and productive? Is your valve guide
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: August 2012
Editor’s Note: This coming October will mark “Shop Solutions’” fifth anniversary and to help Engine Pro celebrate, we’re putting plans into place to have a “Top Five from the Past Five” contest where you’ll get to choose your favorite Shop Solution from the past five years. Watch this section as well as the magazine for
SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund Announces 2012 Awards
The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded $145,000 to 84 individuals. The awards include 69 scholarships presented to current students, and 15 loan-forgiveness awards presented to employees of a SEMA-member company. Scholarships are available to students pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including accounting, engineering, race-car driver/crew, administration, information technology, sales/marketing, advertising, manufacturing,
Giving Away Profits To Stay Busy Makes No Business Sense
Why am I writing about your wallet? To be perfectly honest, it’s because I want you to stay in business. If you’re not in business, Engine Builder magazine isn’t in business. If you’re not in business, Goodson Tools & Supplies isn’t in business. If you’re not in business, Dave Monyhan is not employed, and that
Do You Fire or Promote?
Have you heard the story about the know-it-all employee who really happens to be a great performer? Recently, I was reading the book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni who applies the story to an executive who works at a fictitious computer company in Silicon Valley. Early in this CEO’s career, as
APRA Europe and FIRM Joining Forces
FIRM and APRA represent 22,000 remanufacturing employees in the European Union. Together they will boost the promotion of automotive remanufacturing. Both boards approved a mutual membership. This step is expected to lead to a fruitful and effective alliance with an initial focus on lobbying the remanufacturing industry and their ideas and matters in Brussels.??"The cooperation