Many times during our visits with shop owners, we are asked “How do I develop a plan to pay my technicians a bonus?” That is a question that can be very hard to answer without knowing some additional information about your shop. So, what information should you have access to so that you can construct a plan that is fair to you, as the owner as well as your technicians to help keep them motivated while attracting additional talent? How do you get buy in from the techs? These are just some of the questions you must consider as you work thru this process.

First, some of the information you should have access to for your business as you start this process:

Monthly total hours sold
Monthly actual hours paid (What hours did you pay your techs to produce sold hours?
Gross Profit per month
Tech’s Efficiency
Shops breakeven point (What amount of sales do you need each month to pay overhead?)

While it can be difficult to get all of this information together, if you have a management system or already keep good records it can be done. You then have to determine how you want pay the bonus to your techs and what rules you will use to disperse the bonus money. Will you give them a bonus monthly or quarterly? Examples of some criteria could be years of continuous employment, showing up to work on time every day for the month, or any other thing that you want to reward your workers for that affects the productivity of your shop and provides value to your customer.

I hope this information provides you with a starting point that helps you see what you should look for as you tackle this question to increase productivity for your business. We are very willing to sit down and work with you to answer these questions and help you work thru this and other questions you may have about your business. Please don’t hesitate to , we’re here to help!

As the head of the IT department here at ASI, I see one reoccurring theme that has become especially prevalent during this current economic downturn—the reluctance to spend money on IT infrastructure. Now, I understand there are many pressures and expenditures shops are facing right now with the economic downturn, and there is a need to prioritize spending. Because the computer still works, why replace it, right? Well here's a few things to think about:

How much time do you spend waiting on your computer?
Think for a minute about how many estimates you work on in a day, not how many you write, but how many you work on; i.e.. open to see parts lines, totals, make changes or whatever. For this argument lets use a safe bet of 20 estimates. Now, I have seen many older computers take 30 seconds or more to open an estimate. Lets say replacing that computer will cut that time down to 10 seconds for a savings of 20 seconds. Multiply that by 20 estimates and you will get a savings of approx 1/10 per day, which at a rate of $40.00 per hour is $4.00 per day for a total savings of $20.00 per week. AND THAT'S JUST FOR ESTIMATING! Now figure in the time savings on Accounting, Management, E-mail, Internet, Transferring Images....Etc. and you might easily save $50.00 or more per week simply by getting a faster computer.

New computers really are not that expensive.
In the past you could easily drop a grand or more on a decent computer alone. Now days you can find a decent computer with a nice LCD monitor for a little more than half that. Do your homework to make sure the computer specifications will run the software you need for your business.

Technology improvements have made it almost painless to "move" to a new computer.
In the past, a major reason for delaying a new computer purchase was the "pain" involved in moving all your applications and files to a new computer. Now, there are relativity inexpensive programs that will completely migrate all your applications and files to a new computer.

Your existing computer may be adequate and only need a few minor tweaks to get it up to speed.
One of the biggest restrictions I often see on computers is inadequate RAM. This is like taking a V-8 and putting a 1" exhaust pipe on it. A few other things I often see are improperly configure Anti-Virus programs and other P.U.P's (Potentially Unwanted Programs) that got installed by default when installing another program. A few setting changes and a little cleanup can make a world of difference!

SPECIAL DEAL! Have your computer evaluated for only $29.95!!

and we will remotely access your computer over the internet, perform an evaluation and make recommendations for only $29.95. If your computer is in need of a replacement and you purchase it from us, we will waive the $29.95 fee.

Our goal at Automotive Training Center is to provide the Automotive andCollision industry with well trained, entry-level Technicians, who possess a professional attitude, and the desire to excel in the automotive field.

Automotive Training Center is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.

The Collision Reconditioning Technology Program is an ASE/NATEF master certified auto body technician training program. As a Gold Class member of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, Automotive Training Center utilizes the I-CAR Live curriculum. Students graduating from this program receive up to date, industry standard training, 30 I-CAR Gold Class Points and a diploma from Automotive Training Center.

The five Collision courses are as follows:

Welding and Non-Structural Repair (BF-1) - Introduction to all types of automotive welding procedures with an emphasis on MIG welding steels and aluminum, as well as Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW).
Surface Preparation (BF-2) - Familiarizes the students with MSDS sheets, US and Canadian hazardous materials handling, labeling and disposal requirements, as well as shop and personal safety equipment use and handling.
Structural Damage Repair (BF-3) -Covers vehicle construction, structural metal usage and treatment including mild steel, HSS, UHSS, AHSS as well as aluminum.
Painting and Refinishing (BF-4) - Students learn top coats. This includes sealers, single stage finishes, basecoat clear coat finishes and tri-coat finishes.
Cost Estimating and Damage Repair (BF-5) - Students use flat rate manuals, labor/parts guides and the Mitchell UltraMate system in learning the procedures for cost estimating of collision damage. This includes calculating labor costs for refinishing, minor repair and judgment repair.

The five courses covering the related mechanical systems are as follows:

• Steering and Suspension
• Air Conditioning and Heating
• Electrical Systems
• Brakes Manual
• Drive Train Axles

All of the courses taught at Automotive Training Center are based on a NATEF Task List. The students need to successfully complete each task in order to receive credit for them.

The Instructors at Automotive Training Center have several years of industry experience and are ASE Master Certified. The Collision Reconditioning Technology Program Instructors, Dennis Annelli, Steve Sheridan and Ron Renzulli have 90 years of collective experience in the auto body field. They are ASE Certified Master Auto Body Technicians as well as ASE Master Certified Automobile Technicians and I-CAR Platinum Certified.

The students are encouraged to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes uniform requirements, good attendance, personal safety equipment use, and following shop and classroom safety rules.

Left - Chief Instructor Dennis Annalli

Right - Instructor Steve Sheridan

Collision Reconditioning Technology Program

In today’s ever-changing market and technological advancements, it’s easy to get lost in the marketing haze that is social networking. With new ways to communicate to potential customers every day using social networking tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, even the tech savvy person can find it difficult to keep up with everything. So how do you capture the power of these new tools to benefit your business and attract customers? Before we talk about how these tools might be valuable for your business, we need to get a better understanding of them and brief guidelines about what they do:

Cost: FREE: Twitter is the relative new kid on the block, only being around for about 30 months. It sets a maximum of 140 characters that can be “tweeted” to your followers. Potentially valuable if you have a large base of “followers”, but unless you’re famous or really well known, it will take a while.

Cost: FREE for basic, variable charges for more. LinkedIn is targeted to the more professional audience, with a greater potential for those who want to make professional connections or who might be looking for employment. There is a subscription fee for use of advanced capabilities on site.

Cost: FREE: An online video center that showcases anything & everything that can be recorded and shared at the desire of anybody, all for free. Not really a great portal for showcasing the everyday aspects of a collision shop, but rather a decent place to learn (or teach) about a hobby that can be incorporated for your business. Video must be exciting, not necessarily professional to draw a large following.

Cost: FREE: Facebook is the current king of social networking. Individuals create “profiles” or businesses can create “pages” and others become friends or become fans if you go the business route. Remains a great way to stay in touch and reach a lot of people at once, if of course others become your friend or a fan. Similar to Twitter, the more “fans” you have, the better.

Cost: FREE: This is an online portal specific to the Collision Industry. They’ve taken some of the features of Facebook and LinkedIn, like creating pages/profiles and inviting friends. It just started in Q3 of 2009, so it’s young, but it is moving in the right direction.

Cost: See Costs Here Every business should have a functional & informational website, period. No, don’t try to argue on this one. If you want to continue to be in business beyond 2010 by attracting new customers, you need to do this…yesterday.

-Take your message to the masses, quickly
In the social networking world, the language that applies in this instance is “going viral.” This is what happens when something truly exciting/stupid/crazy/ridiculous is posted or tweeted, and then sent again and again by everybody in any particular network, eventually being shared with millions across the world. An example of this can be seen on YouTube by searching “David after Dentist.” The information shared or created may not have any value other than humor, but if you watched this video, it probably made you laugh a little; but you can’t deny something that has been viewed more than 41 million times.

-Helps keep you focused on your message
First, understand that the tools described here are social networking tools, with the key word being social. In our social lives, most people want to be entertained, amused, or informed. We really don’t want to sit through commercials all the time; that’s why TiVo & DVR’s were invented. Don’t abuse that relationship by creating and posting bad material that seems important to you, but fails to be important to your target audience. They won’t connect and you’ll just be another business who doesn’t understand their customer. Be short, to the point, and provide valuable information through these tools.

-Less costly than traditional media marketing
Another benefit of using these social networking tools is that, for the most part, they are free to use. All you have to do is register and you can begin. This makes reaching out to a new audience less costly than traditional media outlets, but don’t let the free part completely fool you. To keep your customers informed, you must dedicate the time on a weekly basis (at minimum), and this time has to come from somewhere. Just like traditional media, you must be consistent in your message and post/tweet/share information frequently so that you develop a following or add a number of fans. However, don’t try to be involved in all of them, especially from the beginning. Commit to one or two, be thorough with those, and stay focused on consistent messaging. Remember, time is money, and the more time you spend on this, the more it does cost.

-Easier to build your network online, by doing work offline
As with any type of networking, the power of the people within your network is what really drives traffic to your business, either through word of mouth or your efforts in social networking. In the offline world, this should include your involvement in trade organizations (think AASP); local community organizations (think Rotary or Lions clubs); and your local or regional Chamber of Commerce. If you’re not involved in these already, you should be. Noticed how I said involved, and not just a member. People remember you and your name for actions, not just being part of the list. You can direct people in real life to your online network and build it up.

Ultimately, social networking is something that you’ll have to become used to as we continue to evolve as a society and a business community. Don’t let the fears you may have about social networking prevent you from exploring on your own what’s out there, others have those fears as well. And don’t be fooled by the so called “experts”; there aren’t any on this topic, just novices like me. With that, I recommend you start with something now, even if it’s just surfing the websites above or talking with your customers under the age of 30. But remember, the key word in this is “social”. Make sure you keep it that way, and soon enough, you’ll grow your customer base. If you have a question about it, feel free to just ask!

- Steve Goble — Operations Manager

In today's market, with the constant changes that are taking place all around us, it may seem like it's hard to get control of everything, but it doesn't have to be that way.  You can have control of your business, and Auto Success is here to help you close the gap between the control you have and the control you want. 

To get started taking back your business, this health check will assist you in your discovery of what you want to get control of.  Simply print it out, and complete  it. 

• If all you want is a reminder, put the completed health check in your office where you will see it everyday so it can act as a reminder of what you want from your business. 

• If you're serious about getting better, fax it in to 717.733.6827 and see how simple it might be to get the control you're looking for.

 

Other than your livelyhood, what do you have to lose?

As part of my everyday learning, I am constantly reaching out to colleagues and customers, curious about ‘Why?’.  I talk with owners & managers of collision shops to see how they operate their business, trying to glean whatever knowledge from them I can.  Of all the  discussions that take place, the most common message from these conversations is that “We’ve always done it this way”. Albert Einstein , one of the smartest individuals ever to walk this earth, said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  Yet, this is exactly what many in our industry are doing today. 

There are more concerns that collision facilities have to deal with today than they did just five years ago: increased insurance involvement; different vehicle components; a more astute customer base; and tighter environmental regulations are among some of them.  There are also more options available to the same collision facilities that can help them grow their business: better technology ; greater access to information more quickly; a more astute customer base; and colleagues with whom they can share questions, answers, and angst, if nothing else but to learn. 

There are all sorts of excuses to not trying something new, ranging from fear, lack of knowledge, lack of experience, and sometimes just plain reluctance to progress with the times. What I believe it really comes down to, are collision facilities stepping off the proverbial cliff; getting out of their comfort zone that currently surrounds them and their teams, and taking a risk of trying something different. When you are confronted with the next issue or concern,I suggest you step back and tackle that issue in a new way and see what other possible solutions might be discovered. I challenge each of you to become leaders within your realm of control, take a step off that cliff, and see what happens.

I recently had the privilege of speaking to members of a trade group in the Pittsburgh area.  One action step I suggested they take was to set goals, starting with themselves. I encouraged each individual to take 10 minutes at the end of each day to write out a goal list for the following day.  This goal list will help you stay more focused on your tasks; it will help to alleviate some of the stress that we all have of forgetting to do something; and it will allow you to visualize exactly what you need to get done. I speak from experience, as I have a goal list I write the night before.  It sits on my keyboard overnight, staring at me in the face when I show up the next morning.  I don’t get everything on the list accomplished the following day, and that is not its’ intended purpose; but rather I am able to prioritize what needs to be donedespite the interruptions that inevitably happen.  That is where having the goal list is most valuable, allowing me to focus on tasks that bring in revenue for Auto Success, Inc.

My goal, and that of Auto Success, Inc., is to help others become unburdened by the thought of “We’ve always done it this way”; to lead them to new solutions for the survival of their business and the betterment of the collision industry.  Auto Success, Inc. is here to assist you accomplish your goals …but you have to be a leader, and take that first step! Contact us today, we’ll talk or meet with you free of charge, and work together to improve your business!

Back in August of 2008, I wrote a blog article called “Backup Horror Week.” Really, it was an article lamenting spending a week trying to get people’s backups working again after having been failing for months. Most of these shops had no idea their backups were not successful because they either did not know how to read the logs or simply did not take the time to read the logs. In the article, I stressed the importance of checking the log files for the backups.

I was a little frustrated that week trying to figure out solutions to problems that had been ongoing for months. It is so much easier solving a problem right after it begins to occur, than months later.

Once again, my mind got to spinning and I started asking myself questions: Why don't people check their backup logs? Why don't people take their backup disks off-site like they KNOW TO DO? Why don't people change their back disks every night, as they KNOW TO DO? One of my preconceived notions was that people simply do not value their data; however, after studying these questions a little more the real answer became more apparent. The real answer, I believe, is this; shop managers are very busy people and anything "out of the ordinary" is simply lost in the shuffle. They come to work in the morning and have customers waiting at the door or they can't seem to leave in the evenings because of the loose ends that need to get "tied up". When they finally have the opportunity to leave, the last thing on their mind is changing the backup disks and taking one off-site.

So, being of the type that probably worries more about my clients’ data than they do themselves, I got to thinking about ways to automate the process of "changing tapes" as well as getting them off-site. An obvious solution was online backup. An online backup solution by default would be off-site and if it would save multiple copies, it would also solve the "changing tapes" issue.

Therefore, the first thing I did was set criteria as to what an online backup solution would need to have. The criteria were as follows:

1. It would need some method of restoring large files quickly.
2. It would need to be able to backup databases commonly used by bodyshops.
3. It would need to be able to backup files even if they are in use.
4. It would need the ability to store multiple copies of the same file.
5. It would need to be cross platform.
It would need to have some sort of very clear success/failed reporting.
6. It would need the ability to backup multiple machines.
7. It would need the ability to search the computer for file types and only backup selected file types.
8. It would need to be easy to use.
9. It would need to be reasonably priced

Therefore, with that list of criteria, I started my search, looking first at the highly advertised big-name online backup providers. What I found was almost depressing! While most of them have many good things going for them, most of them also failed miserably on some of these requirements. That’s how I finally came up with the ultimate solution!

Introducing the Auto Success Online Backup Solution! Yes, that’s right, from us! Someone you know and trust! The ASI Online Backup solution addressed all of these concerns and more.

1. It would need some method of restoring large files quickly.

One of the things we were very much concerned about was: what happens if an estimating database with many images gets corrupted? These databases can be very large. Downloading 5 or 10 GB of data over a typical DSL/Cable could take a day or longer! Can a business really afford to be down for a day while they wait for the data to be restored? I believe the answer is no. With most online backup providers, your only option is to download the data, waiting while this happens. With the ASI Online Backup solution, you have the ability to store a copy of the data locally making a restore very fast. In a worst-case situation, we would even have the ability to load the data onto a USB harddrive and deliver it to you personally if you are located in our service area, or have it over-nighted to you via UPS.

2. It would need to be able to backup databases commonly used by bodyshops.

This is an area where the "big name" providers offered a very mixed bag. Some support some of the databases, others supported none. Bodyshops run a whole gamut of different databases, everything from the common Microsoft SQL to the uncommon RAIMA. Again, the ASI Online Backup solution was the ultimate choice, supporting backing up all the databases used by bodyshops. In fact, if it is any type of data stored on your computer we have a way to back it up!

3. It would need to be able to backup files even if they are in use.

Again, a mixed bag was offered by the "big names." One thing we did not want was to have the shop unable to use a certain piece of software because it was being backed up, especially considering the fact that the initial backup can take a few days to complete. The ASI Online Backup solution actually taps into a Microsoft technology included in Windows called Volume Shadow Copy. This allows us to backup any file, even those in use. Therefore, the backup can run in the background, backing up while you work without interrupting your workday.

4. It would need the ability to store multiple copies of the same file.

One thing we have seen happen on occasion is people cleaning up their system and accidentally deleting some needed files. Often this goes unnoticed for a few days, and then they call in a panic wondering if they can somehow restore them. The problem with any backup solution that only stores one backup set is that it will delete those files from the backup when the next backup runs, which should be at least once a day. In this case, we have to say, "I'm sorry but those files are lost forever"-- not something we ever want to have to say. Again, the ASI Online backup solution offers just what we need in the form of "versioning." In simple terms, what happens is when a file gets deleted it will remove it from the backup set, and then put it in a "Retention Area" for another 7 days (or whatever you define in your settings), making the file restorable even after backups have been run after deleting the file.

5. It would need to be cross platform.

Currently the ASI Online Backup Solution software will backup all major OS platforms; this includes Linux, Window, Unix, MAC, & Novell.

7. It would need the ability to backup multiple machines.

 This is probably one of the best things about the ASI Online Backup solution; it is limited only by the amount of data storage you are paying for. Many other vendors will require you to have a separate account for each computer you wish to backup -- not so with the ASI solution.  So go ahead, buy one account and backup your business computers, your home computers, your laptop, or any other computers you own.

8. It would need the ability to search the computer for file types and only backup selected file types.

If you are like most people, your computer is not quite as organized as it should be. Nothing is more depressing than restoring from your backup after a hard drive failure, only to discover you forgot to backup some documents that were not stored in your "My Documents," and now they are lost forever. With the ASI Online Backup solution, you can have it scan your entire hard drive for, say, Word documents and it will backup all your Word documents regardless of their location.

9. It would need to be easy to use.

Again, score one for the ASI Online Backup Solution. However, don't take my word for it: download a free trial version and try it for yourself. Remember if you need help, it is only a phone call away. Call us; we will help you out even if you only have a trial version. Actually, calling and being able to talk to someone is a benefit that cannot be had from a lot of the "big names," even with a paid subscription.

 10. It would need to be reasonably priced

And indeed it is. Prices start as low as 98 Cents per day! And remember, even for that low price you can backup multiple computers! Again, this is unlike most "big names" that require additional fees to backup multiple computers.

 

Download your trial copy right here, right now!

Feel free to call us (877-835-2886) if you need help getting it set up.

so shouted the subject line of an e-mail I received a few days following the election.This e-mail contained a link that was supposed to be a news article on the subject. Turns out this e-mail, as with so many others with headlines of that nature, was actually linking to a phishing site. I received numerous e-mails in the days following the election that supposedly revealed some kind of scandal related to the election. Every one of these contained links to either virus infected sites or phishing sites and clicking them could have infected my computer.

It seems recently I have spent quite a bit of my time removing viruses and/or some other form of malware from clients computers. Most of these computers have had anti-virus and anti-spyware software installed on them and still picked up an infection. Why? Doesn't Anti-Virus software prevent virus infections? The answer is actually yes and no. Good Anti-Virus software that is kept UP TO DATE, will do a pretty good job of preventing infections, however will not prevent all infections. Anti-Virus software is whats caused Signature Based, which means that after the virus is released the Anti-Virus software companies then have to develop a "signature" which tells the Anti-Virus software that this particular program is a virus. Simply developing the "signature" is not enough however. This signature must then get to your computer somehow. Thats why is is so important to keep your Anti-Virus software up to date. These updates are what enables your Anti-Virus software to detect viruses. Most Anti-Virus software today also attempts to detect malicious programs based on what the program does, however the detection rates usually average much less then 100% using these heuristics alone.

Common sense tips to avoid virus infections:
1. Turn off the preview pane in Outlook. Simply previewing an infected e-mail can infect your computer.
2. Configure Windows to always display the file extension. Many spam e-mails contain attachments with two extensions like this: "filename.avi.exe". If Windows is set to hide the extension (the default setting) it will display like this "filename.avi". Double clicking the file will actually execute a program, most like with results you won't like.
3. Stay away from those trashy sites
4. Install good Anti-Virus software and KEEP IT UP TO DATE!
5. Install Anti-Spyware software and KEEP IT UP TO DATE!
6. If that e-mail looks suspicious it probably is. Keep in mind that banks, Paypal, E-Bay and just about any other legit site is not going to send an e-mail asking for personal information, EVEN IF THEY ARE ASKING YOU TO GO TO THEIR WEBSITE TO UPDATE THAT INFO! Most links in those types of e-mails actually go to a Phishing site. (A look alike site designed to trick the user in to thinking they are on the real site)
7. Keep Windows and your browser up to date.
8. Beware of rogue Anti-Virus software. Most pop-ups warning of an infection on your computer are actually attempts to get you to install some form of fake anti-virus software.
9. Always remember of course, that you are your greatest line of defense against malware. STOP. THINK. CLICK

This has been the week of failed backups. We’ve had multiple clients with backup issues ranging from the simple "backup disk is to full" to some very complex "multi-level" issues. I have spent the better part of the week troubleshooting these issues and thus have termed it "backup horror week".

Whether the problem was simple or complex, the end result was the same: a failed backup. Of course, with failed backups, you get no protection in the event of a server crash.

At least one of these was discovered by our technician diagnosing a completely unrelated problem. This got me to thinking, how many other businesses are out there with a backup that is failing day after day, week after week and they are completely oblivious to the fact? Do you know if your backup is working? Simply changing the disks/tapes every night is not good enough. You must have someone check the log every day, whether it is an e-mail log and/or physically checking it on the server, it must be done! If checking it every day does not sound like something you feel like doing, or sounds like something you will forget to do, you should look into our Managed Service Program. On this program we do all the monitoring for you, and all you simply have to do is change the disks/tapes. Read more about this program here.

Did you know? A recent study by the accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen estimates that one out of every 500 data centers will experience a severe computer disaster this year. As a result, almost half of those companies will go out of business.

How much would it cost to lose all your work for the past day? The past month? The past year? The cost of re-entering all the data would be astronomical not only financially, but also mentally. Don't leave your business to chance!