Out of Control Costs Leave Little-to-Wrangle Higher Tire Prices
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. "As I speak to you this morning," Rasey said, "the price of natural rubber has risen 92% in just
Big Changes at Facebook
I’ve been bemoaning for some time the fact that Facebook Fan Pages could not become fans of other Fan Pages. You had to use your personal profile to make comments on brand Fan Page walls. I guess many others shared my opinion. Facebook instituted some major changes this month, and the best one in my
State of the Union: Industry Strong, Future Challenges Can Be Overcome
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 greater good, the tire industry from top to bottom remains one of the most vital and robust in the
Letter to the Editor from RTA
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 adding new members practically every day. To those who are on
Whatever You Call It, It Can Turn Things Around
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. Joe was different than the rest, though. The
It’s a Google World
I was debating whether to discuss Google Places in my next blog. After all, this is such a no brainer! But then I read that only 10% of local businesses in the U.S. have claimed their Google Places listing. Shocking! There are undoubtedly some tire dealers and auto service centers that have not yet claimed
Don’t Assume That Person is Qualified to Handle Your Social Media
There seems to be a common misconception in the business world that because "new media" involves technology, college-age people are automatically qualified to manage it. Don’t make this mistake! At the very least it could cost you wasted time and resources. Potentially, it could wreck your company’s hard-earned reputation. We recently worked with a financial
Getting Over the Hump Just Takes Sustained Positives
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 the name “Mo Mentum” on the back. “The Big Mo” is played by commentators as if it were some
Letter In Support of TRIB
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 TRIB’s bright future. On Nov. 2, we interviewed three excellent candidates for the
Reflecting on Four Years’ Worth of ‘Top Shops’
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. Also, I like to see if I still have it in
Be ‘In the Know’ at SEMA Through Twitter
A readily admit that I am a "Twit" – someone who loves Twitter and tries to use it properly – not "someone who is regarded as contemptible," as defined in the dictionary, (At least I hope I’m not the latter!) As I talk to tire dealers and tire companies across the country, it strikes me
Use This Letter for All of Your Customers – If You Can Live Up to It!
safety, and surely none can claim the level of expertise that this store and its staff holds. Why? Simply put:This store is focused completely on tires and service, and nothing else. Ask yourself this:Do Iwant to purchase something this important to my well-being, and that of my family, from a place that doesn’t even specialize