FMLA: Not a Radio Station
Lowe’s recently agreed to pay $8.6 million to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit that alleged the home improvement company fired a class of workers because their disability-related medical leave surpassed the company’s 180- or 240-day maximum leave policy. If that settlement strikes fear into your heart, read on. Generally speaking, two statutes are
The 12 Google Sins
Question: “Where do you hide a dead body?” Answer: “On the second page of Google.” Only 10% of people go on to the second page of Google. Because of this, the temptation to cheat to get on page 1 is significant. Google does not like people to cheat. Its punishment, short of banning you,
Rules of Alignment
Are you communicating effectively with techs and customers? An alignment bay, lift and the sensors/computer are a considerable investment that can set you apart from other shops, but this equipment is only as effective as the people communicating the information. This means both engaging the customer about an alignment and communicating with the person performing
Pricing, Ethics and the Reputation of Your Business
At Elite we know that once someone comes into your shop, you’ll do everything you can to generate a happy customer, and make a fair profit. Unfortunately, some customers will put you to the test when it comes to the prices you charge. They’ll tell you they can’t afford the recommended services, they’ll tell you
Super Support: Manufacturer and Dealer Marketing Programs
Dealers looking to assemble business support have their pick of tire manufacturer and dealer marketing groups. Here’s a rundown of the marketing programs that can provide dealerships superhero support. ATD Name of dealer program: ATDServiceBay Website: atdservicebay.com What the program offers: The ATDServiceBay program is grouped into “Bays,” similar to the way a tire dealer may
8 Tools Every Service Advisor Needs in Their Toolbox
As is true with the top techs, the top service advisors in America need a number of tools in order to succeed. Here’s a list of important tools you can provide to your advisors that will help them maximize sales, customer satisfaction and your shop’s profits. 1. Clearly defined sales goals and car count goals
Google: Changing the Rules
In a world where more than 80% of prospective consumers will see your ad but still look you up online before calling or visiting your dealership, an ad placement in a local Google search is critical. A local search is triggered when someone types in “tires” and the name of the city in which you
Investing in the Digital World
Going online for any service is the new norm with almost every consumer owning a smartphone. With today’s technology, information can be accessed almost anywhere, making a major purchasing or scheduling decision a click away. Searching the Web for tire dealers is gaining momentum, making a functioning and user-friendly website more important than ever for
Problem Employees
Managing difficult employees and holding them accountable in a litigation-happy environment often feels akin to walking a tightrope while wearing a blindfold. And while not every under-performing or disgruntled employee will take legal action, companies can discourage litigation by instituting and consistently following good discipline and performance policies. Two important management tools for handling challenging
UTQG Ratings Unfurled
Today’s tires have so much information imprinted on their sidewalls (and labels) that reading all of it is like sitting down with a book. Part of the verbiage is the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) ratings for treadwear, traction and temperature. But what exactly do those numbers and letters mean, where do they come from,