Textbook Example: Top Shop Winners AND Entrants Prove Independent Dealers Are Doing Well
The North American independent tire dealer is alive and well, and doing fine, thank you very much. In fact, based on the piles and piles of entries we received for our first Top Shop Awards contest, tire dealers are textbook examples of how small businesses should be run. Successfully, effectively, profitably – and people focused.
Supreme Court Overturns Minimum Resale Price Rule
(Akron/Tire Review – SEMA eNews) On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled a 100-year-old legal precedent banning agreements between manufacturers and their resellers to set the minimum price charged by resellers to customers.
Spectacular Showrooms
These days, when it comes to showrooms and customer lounges, there’s a lot of potty talk going on. But, it’s not what you might think. Tire dealers are literally cleaning up their act, and it has nothing to do with verbal communication. It has everything to do with attracting and keeping customers. “I’m very serious
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks to Female Executives
(Akron/Tire Review – AMN) During the annual winter meeting of the Car Care Council Women’s Board held last week in Savannah, Ga., Van Kirk, of Kirk’s Auto Repair, told the board that today approximately 72% of his customers are female.
What Kind of Boss Are You?
Take an honest, good look at yourself, and answer this question: “What kind of boss am I?” Also, ask yourself: “How can I be a better boss?” Your success will depend certainly on whether or not you are tough or kind, managing or responsive, and all the other things that go into being a good
Pace of Change: Goodyear Outlines Phase Two of Turnaround Plan at Annual Dealer Meeting
Goodyear Outlines Phase Two of Turnaround Plan at Annual Dealer Meeting
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
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
Revealing Your Potential: The Complete Business Makeover
When was the last time you looked at your tire dealership – not as a business manager but as an objective observer? If it’s been a while, take a step back and really study your business. What do you see? Sagging sales? Unbalanced balance sheets? Peeling paint? If you’re suffering from any of those, it
10 Easy Ways to Boost Sales
Here’s something you may not know: American consumers spent $46.2 billion on tires and other auto accessories in 2002, the last year in which the U.S. Bureau of Economics has accurate numbers. That figure may sound impressive, but the Bureau also reported that Americans spent even more than that on shoes. The point: Don’t take