Hispanic America: Appreciating the Cultural Uniqueness of Your Hispanic Employees and Customers Just Makes Good Business Sense
Today, 48 million Hispanic people reside in the U.S. – about 17% of the population – and they’re not going anywhere. In fact, experts say that number will grow dramatically. By 2050, 100 million people will trace their ancestry to the Spanish-speaking Latin American and Caribbean worlds. We’re in for some big changes. Unfortunately, history
Who Is On Our Side?’: Dealer Asks Tough Question, But Maybe the Real Answer is You!
Instead of my usual mish-mash of sticky note items and holiday cheer, I want to leave all of you with a philosophical question to chew on as we head into a new year. Who is really watching out for the best interests of the independent tire dealer? Seems like a pretty simple question, doesn’t it?
On the Front Lines: Service Managers Are Critical Weapons in Battle With Car Dealers
Car dealers are getting better at serving your clients. How? By delivering what your clients want: information and service. They succeed through fear tactics, implying to new purchasers that warranty problems may arise if factory scheduled maintenance is performed by an independent service shop. And, they speak with forked tongue. They promote OE-quality parts yet
Taking Dead Aim: Preparation is Secret to Birdies in Growing Golf-Course Tire Segment
Most professional golfers will tell you that practice is the key to improving one’s golf swing. “The more often you play, the better you get,” they say. That may be true, but preparation is even more important. If you don’t have the right tools – the right woods and irons and golf balls – you
Staggering Results: Stocking and Selling Innovative Products Can Boost Profits
Over the next few months, you will be reading a great deal about who had the biggest, most expensive or most outrageously modified product or vehicle at the SEMA show. Sure, it all looks good, but how will it help you grow your business? I want to take a different approach and tell you about
Breaking Out: Russia’s Largest Automotive Show Quite an Interesting Affair
Russia’s Largest Automotive Show Quite an Interesting Affair
Strange But True Tire Tales
Too often, we’re consumed by the Ordinary. We get into our daily routines and never waver. No matter how much you love what you do every day, it’s still refreshing to take a break once in a while from the Everyday. To help you do that, we’ve tracked down some of the most unusual tire
Reflection and a Pledge: Hall of Fame Inductee’s Look Back at the Early Days of the Rubber Trade
In recognition of the induction of Theodore E. Smith, founder of this magazine, into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame, we thought it appropriate to publish one of his last columns for what was then called India Rubber Review, which he had founded in 1901. Published 85 years ago this month, Ted’s reflections on the
Brain Drain: Businesses in Pursuit of Educated Employees Still Empty-Handed
Skilled workers will be harder to find next year. Problem is education. Some college or advanced training is needed for about 85% of new jobs, but only 60% of Americans get that far. Businesses need two million more scientists and engineers by 2012, and that will not be met. Why They Stay Workers were asked
High-Stakes Niche: Industrial Tires Can Offer High Margins and Opportunity, But at a Cost
In the simplest of terms, if U.S. factories are working at or near capacity, warehouses should be busy and the market for forklift or towmotor tires should be strong. To that point, the National Association of Manufacturers reports that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding, and manufacturing employment is up by 12,000 jobs as of
Fleeting Moment: Tap Into Wheel Bearing Service Opportunities Before They Disappear
You may only have one chance during a vehicle’s life to replace a sealed wheel bearing and hub assembly. Miss it, and it may be gone forever. That’s because the average life of these parts is 85,000 to 100,000 miles, even though most serviceable wheel bearings need maintenance every 25,000 to 30,000 miles or during
Happy Returns?: While RFID Technology Steadily Matures, ROI Questions Persist
Sure, hybrid-powered cars, light trucks and SUVs will save us money at the pump. Yet we pay a premium price for a hybrid vehicle. That’s what we call a “conundrum.” Though we save a few bucks on the family budget, we must pay for that privilege. And that extra dough we’re saving may not be