TIA's Expanded Training Effort a 'Gift' That Does Keep on Giving
By Jim Smith
January 16, 2012
The big news out of November's SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo wasn't really new "news." Equally, it wasn't just more of the same.
It was, though, perhaps the single biggest opportunity that you, your staff and your business have fo...
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Give Returning Vets - and Yourself - a Break With the Hire Heroes Act
By Jim Smith
December 7, 2011
In this day and age of disengaged politicians and dysfunctional government, I have to say I was surprised that Congress managed to handle a no-brainer and pass the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.
President Obama signed the bill into la...
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Improving Our 'Technology' With More Expertise and Experience
By Jim Smith
November 15, 2011
Got a letter recently from an "Appreciative Fan" of the tire industry. More precisely, of the technological wonders that are today's radials.
"I'm 78. I've driven on a lot of tires. I would like to thank the tire industry f...
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Getting Pink: 25 Years Later, Breast Cancer Awareness Month Still Needs Support
By Jim Smith
October 14, 2011
Please don't turn away because you see pink. Please don't think reading something with pink on it makes you less of a tire person. In fact, not paying attention could make you less of a person.
...
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Web, E-Newsletter, Magazine: Read All About It Everywhere
By Jim Smith
August 10, 2011
All men (and women) may have been created equal, but that is not the case with tire industry news.
If that news is about you and your business, it's the most vital information in the world. If it's about one of your suppliers or a comp...
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12 Things (More or Less) That Seem to Fit Together
By Jim Smith
July 15, 2011
There is no magic for inspiration. Ideas for this column come when they come, and how they come. Sometimes (not often enough) in a blitz when 800 perfectly crafted words flow effortlessly from my fingertips. More often, the only thing flowing is swea...
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Genius of GM Reminds That Even Donuts Need Some Love
By Jim Smith
June 13, 2011
Does it surprise anyone that sometimes General Motors can't seem to get out of its own way? It shouldn't.
Rising from the ashes of a massive crash-n-burn just a few years ago – and billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars – the ne...
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Can Top Tire Brands Survive Constant Price Increases?
By Jim Smith
May 6, 2011
"If the majors think they can maintain their marketshare by brand name alone, I think they are mistaken."
What do you think of that comment?
Agree or disagree? Angry? Surprised? Unconcerned?
...
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Lobbying Efforts 'Protecting Our House'
By Roy Littlefield
April 26, 2011
On April 14, President Obama signed H.R. 4 into law. This eliminated what is commonly known as the "1099 Reporting Requirement," which would have mandated that every business owner file a Form 1099 to the Internal Revenue Service to repo...
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Court Verdict Will Forever Shine Bright Light on Tire Repair Practices
By Jim Smith
April 18, 2011
It can be frightening when people "justify" their actions, often positing their viewpoint with a sensationalized vigor.
They are clearly right and Everyone else is wrong, or Somebody else got it all wrong, or it's the Other Guy's...
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Out of Control Costs Leave Little-to-Wrangle Higher Tire Prices
By Jim Smith
March 15, 2011
At TIA's annual OTR Conference a few weeks ago, Shawn Rasey, president of Bridgestone Americas' OTR unit, delivered some sobering news. Painfully sobering to thousands of tire dealers of all denominations in all places - everywhere....
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State of the Union: Industry Strong, Future Challenges Can Be Overcome
By Jim Smith
February 14, 2011
Mr. Chairman and ladies and gentlemen…The state of our industry is and remains strong. Despite heavy cost and economic pressures, unresolved regulation, self-inflicted over-saturation and our inability, in many cases, to act in concert for the...
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Letter to the Editor from RTA
February 1, 2011
Now that the dust has settled I want to thank all the folks in the retread industry who have decided to support the Retread Tire Association. The response from retreaders and suppliers has been overwhelming and we are delighted to report that we are ...
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Whatever You Call It, It Can Turn Things Around
By Jim Smith
January 18, 2011
I don't really know Joe Collier any more than I know any tire dealer. Spoke to him on the phone the other day when he called to say he appreciated my last column about momentum; one of several calls and e-mails I received on that same subject.
...
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Getting Over the Hump Just Takes Sustained Positives
By Jim Smith
December 13, 2010
Turn on any game – football, hockey, basketball, even soccer – and you will hear the word “momentum.” At least once, but often a hundred times.
It’s almost like you’d expect to see a jersey with t...
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Letter In Support of TRIB
November 29, 2010
On Nov. 2, 2010, after 21 years as secretary/treasurer of the Tire Retread Information Bureau, I attended my final TRIB board of directors meeting.
That meeting was a real privilege for me, as I had an opportunity to get a glimpse of T...
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Reflecting on Four Years' Worth of 'Top Shops'
By David Moniz
November 16, 2010
Perhaps you’re surprised to see my face on this page instead of Editor Jim Smith’s. Well, you should be. It doesn’t happen often, but now and then I like to resurface in the pages of the magazine and offer a few pearls of wisdom....
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Use This Letter for All of Your Customers - If You Can Live Up to It!
By Jim Smith
October 18, 2010
Dear Customer,
I want to personally thank you for visiting this Independent Tire Dealer location and making your tire and service purchases here. You have made a smart choice in selecting this store, and I have every confidence you wi...
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Go Ahead and Wear It Out, It’s Your Issue
By Jim Smith
September 21, 2010
The stylized thumbprint on the stark front cover of this issue may seem an odd choice. But I can assure you the graphic selection was purely intentional.
We could have gone a more traditional route with an altered photo or with cool ic...
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Sell Used Tires If You Must, Just Know What You Don't Know
By Jim Smith
August 9, 2010
I have never been a fan of dealers selling used tires. You’re not in the garage business, after all, and selling used only diminishes the value of the new products you rely on for long-term profitability.
But I get it. Certain ...
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Entries are now being accepted for the
2012 Top Shop Award Program.
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