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“Ain’t” Ain’t a Word… Or Is It?
Growing up, my mom always used to say, “Ain’t ain’t a word, and I ain’t gonna use it!” Strictly speaking, she was wrong (sorry, Mom). Ain’t IS a word – it’s an improper contraction. In fact, it’s pretty versatile and can mean am not, is not or are not. I ain’t taking my car to that shop. She ain’t repairing Nissans anymore. They ain’t doing their jobs! Now, ain’t can also mean has not or have not. I ain’t been to any tradeshows. He ain’t got the right tools. They ain’t been here before. Typically, ain’t is part of the American vernacular (or spoken) language, and using the…
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IGONC Expands Apprenticeship Program to SC, Gears Up for ASTE
Collision and automotive repair shops all over the country struggle to find qualified technicians. In 2019, the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) founded the North Carolina Automotive Apprenticeship Program to help reduce the tech shortage dilemma, and due to increased demand, the apprenticeship program has now been expanded to include students and shops in South Carolina. A lack of qualified technicians is hurting the industry, and this is a great way to turn that shortage around,” said IGONC Executive Director Tricia Sauls. “The North Carolina Automotive Apprenticeship Program is for any high school senior who is interested in pursuing a career as an automotive technician in North Carolina……
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CCA, TCRA & MSCRA’s Joint Quarterly Meeting Focused on Collision Students with Presenters from CREF, ASE, WrenchWay, and More
On June 17th, the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) hosted its last virtual quarterly meeting, welcoming members of the Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MSCRA) and the Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA). The meeting featured guest speakers from several segments of the industry. According to Josh Kent, executive director of CCA, MSCRA and TCRA, “Our combined quarterly meeting attracted 50 virtual attendees, and overall, the meeting was good. It was really insightful and provided attendees with a reality check with regards to what’s going on with tech schools and why shops need to get involved.” The first guest speaker of the joint quarterly meeting was Brett Steele from Podium. Steele acknowledged that…
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IADA Explores Estimates and Appraisals Related to Automotive Refinishing
On June 30, the Independent Automotive Damage Appraisers Association (IADA) hosted its 12th monthly webinar, focused on the automotive refinishing process. AkzoNobel and CSAA Specialized Services delivered training to IADA members to keep them “refreshed and up-to-date on this integral part of the collision repair process,” according to Peter Sheehan, Jr., Executive Vice President of IADA. “Whether you worked in a body shop for years and need a refresher, or you’re new to the game and want a full rundown, it is essential for every appraiser to have a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in every aspect of the collision repair process.” “The webinar was phenomenal; our webinars get…
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CAWA Members Gather for Live Leadership Days in June
For the first time since February 2020, members of the California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) met in-person on June 24-25 at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley in San Diego, Calif. for two days of leadership training during the association’s Summer Educational Forum. “A large turnout came to CAWA’s June Leadership Meetings, which included contemporary presentations on industry issues, business meetings and a night at the zoo!” according to CAWA President and CEO Rodney Pierini. “The event received positive evaluations from attendees. It was a huge success!” CAWA’s General Session included “contemporary and valuable presentations,” beginning with “The Road Ahead: Automotive Aftermarket Risks and Opportunities,” presented by Bill Long of…
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Tim Ronak Teaches ABAT to Overcome Payment Objections
As vehicle technology constantly advances, procedures related to ADAS, electric vehicles, and safety concerns rapidly advance, and with estimates including previously unheard-of (but absolutely necessary!) processes, auto body shops face increasing challenges related to collecting payment for the operations needed to safety and correctly repair modern vehicles. On June 15th, the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) hosted international collision repair trainer Tim Ronak of AkzoNobel, who educated association members on “Overcoming Objections to Payment for Needed Repair Items.” “Increased technology is requiring more time and tooling to restore and confirm that the consumer’s vehicle functions the same in the next collision event as it did in the one that…
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Nissan Chalk Talk Featuring Mike Anderson and Jake Rodenroth: DTCs, ADAS, and OEM Repair Procedures for Certified Collision Repair Shops
During “Nissan Chalk Talk” on June 9th, Mike Anderson, president of Collision Advice and Jake Rodenroth, Director of Industry and OEM Technical Relationships for asTech, broadcast live from the asTech Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida. They were joined by Mark Zoba, Collision Network Growth and Strategy Aftersales at Nissan Group of North America, as they discussed why DTCS alone aren’t sufficient to diagnose a Nissan or Infiniti and how additional data may be required from ADAS systems to determine the issues that exist. Zoba began by acknowledging, “We know our vehicles are more and more technologically advanced, and we need to make sure our shops have what it takes to…
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MSCRA Expands to Create Gulf State Collision Association, Includes Louisiana and Alabama Collision Repairers
On July 9, Executive Director Josh Kent announced that the Mississippi Collision Repair Association will be accepting members from Louisiana and Alabama as the trade group updates its name to the Gulf States Collision Association. “We’re just adding in two states, similar to when we formed the Carolinas Collision Association from the North Carolina and South Carolina groups,” Kent explained. “We’ve wanted to do this for a while. We needed some new blood,” Kent continued. “I was put in contact with a shop in Alabama, and they were excited to join the association right away. Then, I got in touch with a group of shops in Baton Rouge who are…
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Did It Affect You, or Are You Merely Dealing with the Effects?
Affect. Effect. They sound nearly identical – and their meanings are pretty dang similar, too! So, does it really matter whether you say affect or effect? Let’s see what we can learn from their most common definitions. Affect (verb): to act on and cause a change in (someone or something). Effect (noun): a change that results when something is done or happens. Well, for starters, these two words typically have completely different roles in a sentence: as a verb, affect describes an action, state, or occurrence, while nouns (like effect) are words used to identify a person, place, or thing. Using the magic of synonyms, here’s a handy trick: If…
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Managing Military Veterans in Collision Repair Shops
As we celebrate Independence, we honor the men and women of the U. S. military who gave their lives for our country, ensuring our continued independence. But it’s important to realize many military veterans have returned home and need gainful employment. The collision repair industry offers great career options for military veterans, who offer unique skills that can bring a lot of value to shops; however, some shop owners hesitate to hire veterans due to misconceptions or simply a lack of understanding about what the skills on a military vet’s resume actually mean! WrenchWay addressed some of these concerns during a recent roundtable, “Managing Military Veterans in the Shop,” moderated…
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Stop Creating More Questions Than Answers: BASF’s John Shoemaker Shares Damage Appraisal Documentation Tips with TCRA
“Does what you write provide answers… or create more questions?” asked John Shoemaker, AMAM, Business Development Manager for BASF Automotive Refinish Coatings, as he presented “Damage Appraisal Documentation: Improving documentation through repair process explanation” to members of the Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA) during a recent virtual estimating class. “Appraisal documentation needs to answer the who, what, when, where and how; we need to clearly communicate those things to everyone involved. Fortunately, we have a lot of tools to help us do that.” Providing step-by-step documentation tips to maximize reimbursement on a variety of operations, Shoemaker demonstrated how to use estimate lines, line notes, and photos to effectively document the…
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IGONC Learns How to Attract More Technicians!
By Chasidy Rae Sisk “None of you have problems finding more technicians, right?” quipped Jay Goninen, president of Find a Wrench and WrenchWay, as he began talking to members of the Independent Garage Owner of North Carolina (IGONC) during his April 20th presentation on “How to Attract More Technician to Your Shop.” Noting the previous sarcasm, Goninen acknowledged, “The industry’s tech shortage is a huge problem that affects every shop.” After summarizing his lifelong involvement in the automotive and collision repair industries, Goninen kicked things off by helping attendees understand the tech shortage. Showing a pie chart indicating that 73% of technicians are employed and unsatisfied, Goninen noted, “Besides the…
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Then or Than: It’s Time for a Comparison
Tragically, these two simple words are commonly misused, but while they are spelled similarly, they have COMPLETELY different meanings and uses. We’ll start with the definitions. Than (conjunction): used in expressions introducing an exception or contrast; also (preposition): introducing the second element in a comparison. Then (adverb): at that time; at the time in question; afterward. So, then is a word that relates to time, while than is used for comparisons. Tom runs faster than Jim. Tom runs; then, Jim runs. Now, this gets a little confusing when the comparison relates to time, such as: No sooner had Tom run past us than Jim passed us. …
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AAI Charges Forward with Future Driven Forum: “Accelerating the Electric Vehicle Market in the U.S.”
By Chasidy Rae Sisk “What’s driving EVs, and what will it take to drive the EV market in the U.S.?” asked John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), who moderated AAI’s April 15th Future Driven Forum installment on “Charging Forward: Accelerating the Electric Vehicle Market in the U.S.” Panelists included Swati Daji, senior vice president of customer solutions and strategies at Duke Energy; Dustin Krause, director, e-mobility North America for VW; and Celina Mikolajczak, vice president, battery technology for Panasonic. Bozzella jumped in by asking panelists about what is driving momentum and creating the move to invest in EV. Krause identified the main drivers as…
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WyoTech Enrollment Increases by Nearly 6,000% in Three Years
By Chasidy Rae Sisk When a new local ownership group purchased the Laramie, Wyoming campus in July 2018, only 11 students were enrolled in WyoTech’s automotive, diesel and collision programs. After just three years, WyoTech expects to “see approximately 650 students on our campus by our October 2021 start,” according to Cindy Barlow, director of industrial outreach at WyoTech. Specializing in educating students for careers in the automotive, diesel and collision industries, WyoTech was founded in 1966 to “provide a top-notch concentrated training program that prepared students for the growing demand for technicians,” according to the school’s website. WyoTech underwent several changes in ownership since the turn of the century,…
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St. Louis I-CAR Committee Adopts Three High Schools
By Chasidy Rae Sisk The St. Louis I-CAR Committee’s April 8th meeting featured the excitement of planning for its upcoming helicopter golf ball drop fundraiser as well as updates on the group’s Adopt a School program. According to Shelly Jones, St. Louis I-CAR Committee Chair, “We had another great turnout with 25 people attending our virtual meeting.” I-CAR’s Robbie Saladino started the meeting by sharing results from the I-CAR volunteer survey, and he also provided information on the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s Benchmark Grants. John Helterbrand, the committee’s Training Vice-Chair, offered an update on the Adopt a School goal and the two projects they’ve planned. “The St. Louis I-CAR Committee…
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MCRA Enjoys Return to Normalcy with 2021 Spring Educational Conference
By Chasidy Rae Sisk On April 9 and 10, the Montana Collision Repair Association (MCRA) hosted its 2021 Spring Educational Conference, “2035: Looking Ahead at What the Collision Industry Might Look Like,” held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Great Falls, Montana. According to MCRA President Paul Flores, “The 2021 conference was great! We called our members months in advance to gauge their responses to make sure we were being sensitive to their needs and beliefs. Given the nature of the past year, it was a welcome rebound to normalcy for a lot of people, and we had a great turnout.” “For the first event in over a year and…
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Did You Assure, Ensure, or Insure It?!
Um, what?! Although these three words sound pretty similar, they are not interchangeable – while their definitions are similar, each verb has a unique use and purpose. So, let’s look at their definitions first. Assure (verb): to make certain or remove doubts; to confidently tell someone something. Ensure (verb): to secure or guarantee; to make something certain to happen. Insure (verb): to guarantee against loss or harm; to issue an insurance policy. … 😵 Clear as mud? Told you the definitions were pretty darn similar! There’s a lot of certainty and guaranteeing associated with these three commonly confused words that tend to leave us very uncertain. … One word has…
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Women in Wrenching: How Can We Attract More Women to the Industry? A WrenchWay Roundtable
By Chasidy Rae Sisk “How can the automotive and collision repair industries attract more women to these fields?” That’s the question Christen Battaglia, director of strategic partnerships at WrenchWay, posed during the organization’s “Women in Wrenching” roundtable on March 24th. Four female industry professionals shared their thoughts on this complex problem: Carolyn Coquillette, founder and CEO of Shop-Ware; Audra Fordin, owner of Great Bear Auto Repair and founder of Women Auto Know; Cheryl Thompson, founder and CEO of the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement (CADIA); and Brittany Parker, Master Subaru technician at Maple Hill Auto Group. After introducing the panelists, Battaglia explained the reason for the roundtable: “We’re…
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Getting to Know WIN’s 2021 Most Influential Women
By Chasidy Rae Sisk The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) recently announced that TEN collision repair industry professionals will be honored as Most Influential Women (MIW) in 2021. This year’s list of honorees is the largest group to be recognized in the 22 years since the award’s inception. “This year presented the panel with 10 high scoring individuals. This is a testament to the caliber of women in a wide variety of roles who are extreme shining examples of opportunities in the collision industry,” said Kathy Mello, Chair of WIN’s MIW committee. WIN’s 2021 MIW honorees are: Jennifer Boyer, director of strategy, customer service division, Ford Motor Company Kelly Broderick, global…
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St. Louis I-CAR Committee Plans Helicopter Golf Ball Drop as 2021 Fundraiser
by Chasidy Rae Sisk The St. Louis I-CAR Committee held its first virtual meeting of 2021 on February 17, attracting “a great turnout with 18 people in attendance,” Chair Shelly Jones said. During the meeting, Robbie Saladino shared I-CAR Updates and provided an overview of the committee’s 2021 goals, which were explored in-depth during the group’s discussion. Gene Slattery, the committee’s education coordinator, also provided an update on their previous fundraisers and how the money raised has been allocated. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the St. Louis I-CAR Committee is uncertain whether they will be able to hold their annual job fair in October. “As an option this year, we…
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WrenchWay Connects Schools with Collision Repair Industry
The collision repair industry has been contending with a massive technician shortage for years, as few students enroll in educational programs and existing technician leave the industry. Last year, Find A Wrench started a sister company, WrenchWay, to help “solve the automotive, diesel and collision technician shortage.” Although the organization started with only one product, Top Shops, they quickly expanded to add WrenchWay Insiders, a mobile app for technicians to share feedback about the industry. The debut of WrenchWay School Connect followed shortly after, as part of the organization’s continued efforts to connect industry employers, technicians, and the schools training the industry’s future technicians. According to Christen Battaglia, Director of…
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Success or Struggle: Are You Inspired or Stuck?
By Chasidy Rae Sisk In the collision repair industry, it’s common for one shop to struggle to keep up with their workload, while a shop down the street struggles to keep the lights on. Maylan Newton of Educational Seminars Institute (ESI), addressed this dichotomy on Jan. 12th in “Success or Struggle, You Decide!” Referencing the challenges of 2020, Newton began his presentation by quoting the Grateful Dead: “What a long, strange trip it’s been,” before encouraging attendees, “Let go of last year, and focus on 2021. Be positive – the work’s there. Last year, we had clients that grew and others that did not, and the difference between the two…
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Dream It, Brand It, Own It: Jan Griffiths Shares Tips on Converting Dreams into Reality
By Chasidy Rae Sisk “Dream more, fear less,” Jan Griffiths, president and founder of Gravitas Detroit, told members of the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) on Jan. 14. During “Dream It! Brand It! Own It!,” Griffiths provided useful tips that can help automotive and collision professionals turn dreams into reality by crafting and executing a vision, staying focused, saying ‘no’, and managing distractions. The presentation, according to Griffiths, was “the origin of my story and breaking through barriers to move from being a farmer’s daughter in a small town in Wales to becoming one of the top 100 women in the automotive industry and now an entrepreneur.” Beginning with dreaming,…
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Deadly
Chasidy Rae Sisk Poetry A dark star in the clear sky, A heavy cloud stationed over the head of humanity, The gentle breeze blows more forcefully as it overwhelms the emotions. Sinful, sins, deadly. Devouring, consuming Engorgement: overwhelming Hunger causes the starvation of Generosity and Giving by GLUTTONY. Touching, groping Salacity: La Petite Mort, the Little Death, grasps and strangles virtuous Chastity in LUST. Idling, lounging Lethargy: In its laxity, Laziness inadvertently suffocates Industry and Diligence with SLOTH. Preening, pampering Vanity: Overconfidence in self bloodily abolishes any remaining Modesty contradictory to PRIDE. Grasping, craving Covetousness: the Green-Eyed Monster wages war against Contentedness out of ENVY. Engulfing, enveloping Rage: Violence personified as…
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Phoenix
Chasidy Rae Sisk Poetry Spinning, twirling faster, out of control; Overwhelming – a struggle Lost, hopeless, gone – myself. STOP! Breathless, airless; consuming and catching fire – a spark, a flame, up in smoke. All this time, gone – us. OVER. Burning, engulfing Evaporated into nothing, emptiness – a change, Rising, regenerating out of the flames – REBORN. I am a Phoenix. I will rise above, I will fly high out of the flames of my past. Chasidy Rae Sisk – June 2014
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Female “Circumcision”
Chasidy Rae Sisk Poetry Female “Circumcision” A Sonnet They hold me down. “For your own good”, they say. “Won’t be a whore now. No man would want you.” He hurts me there. Nothing to ease the pain. I don’t want this; nothing I can do. He uses a thorn to cut off my clit, next takes my lips with a sharp shard of glass. They hold me together while he sews it. Parents say, “Now, no one can think you’re fast.” Fast forward five years, fifteen, wedding night. Nervous and shaking, I was a virgin in bed; Intent on slitting me open, he unsheathed his knife. I took it and…
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True Art
Chasidy Rae Sisk Poetry Detail on a canvas, a portrait of the person within – seeing through their face into their soul. A true masterpiece, a true work of art. Seeing not the physical evidence in front of your eyes, but the strokes of the brush that the artist left on the canvas from Her own soul to leave on Yours. Chasidy Rae Sisk 7/24/06
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Poetry
Pouring words onto paper as they enter into my thoughts, rearranging the world around you and me. Chasidy Rae Sisk 2/24/06
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Opportunities in the Automotive Industry: Professionals Urge Students to Consider Career Options in WAC Video Series
“Industry professionals promoting automotive careers” – that’s the mission of Women in Automotive and Collision (WAC), and many of the association’s efforts are geared towards inspiring young people to consider occupations in the automotive and collision repair industries. Typically, WAC members educate students and parents about the industry’s great career options during job fairs and other in-person events, but the challenges of social distancing led WAC to get creative in 2020. They appealed to the industry, asking for short video clip contributions which the association compiled into an awareness-raising series: Opportunities in the Automotive Industry. “Our mission has been accomplished in the past by members’ participation throughout the year: setting…
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IGONC Members Discussed Thoughts on Employee Benefits During January Tireside Chat
By Chasidy Rae Sisk During the association’s monthly Tireside Chat on January 21, members of the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina discussed employee benefits. According to IGONC Marketing and Membership Services Director Maddi Hennessey, “We discussed 401k and retirement planning, the impact of a minimum wage increase, and some of the unique benefits and perks different shops offer. The conversation went well.” Hennessey moderated, beginning by facilitating attendee introductions. She also offered the first example of a unique benefit, time off for volunteering. IGONC Vice President Todd Compton of Compton Automotive in Charlotte, NC, explained that his shop pays for 50% of employees’ healthcare policies, plus 100% of their…
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Women Encouraging Women in the 2021 Collision Repair Industry
by Chasidy Rae Sisk Although the automotive industry is typically considered “a man’s world,” women have been impacting the automotive sphere since it began. In addition to financing the development of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1885, Bertha Benz promoted the first automobile by taking the first long-distance road trip, proving the vehicle’s capability. She also proved her capability, contributing to the vehicle’s design by inventing brake lining, suggesting extra gears, and identifying solutions to other problems she encountered during her field test. Mary Anderson created the first functional windshield wiper in 1903, and Florence Lawrence invented the first turn signal seven years later. In more recent years, Danica Patrick was…
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Itech Brings All the Business Tools You Need to Your Shop’s Toolbox
By Chasidy Rae Sisk Running a successful collision repair shop requires a lot more than just fixing vehicles – shop owners are running a business! Health insurance for employees, scheduling ongoing training, and recruiting new talent for the organization are just some of the responsibilities that present challenges, and exploring options in each category can be confusing and time-consuming. After repeatedly witnessing member shops’ frustrations with these matters, Mary Steele, executive director of ASA Florida, envisioned a way to help; she founded Itech “to put all of the business ‘tools’ in one toolbox, everything a shop owner needs from a business perspective, all in one place. The vision is to…
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ASA Colorado Builds Bikes for Toys for Tots
By Chasidy Rae Sisk As part of ASA Colorado’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 14th, the association’s member shops donated bikes to Toys for Tots, an annual contribution with a slight twist due to the complexities of 2020. ASA Colorado Executive Director Julie Massaro explained, “Leading up to the meeting, we asked shops to build a bike or two to donate to Toys for Tots. Every year, when we normally hold the meeting in-person, we build the bikes as a group, but we wanted to make sure that we were still doing our part for the community during this chaotic year.” Over two dozen automotive and collision repair industry professionals attended…
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AWAF Welcomes Ford’s Lisa Drake and Presents Annual Awards and Scholarships at 2020 Holiday Event
By Chasidy Rae Sisk The Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) virtually held its 2020 Holiday Event on Dec. 2, featuring Lisa Drake, COO, North America, Vice President, Global Purchasing for Ford Motor Company. According to AWAF Coaching Co-Chair Kim Ziomek, “The event was flawless, and Ford Motor Company was extremely supportive in hosting the virtual event.” AWAF’s goal “was to host our Holiday Celebration with a featured speaker to offer her knowledge, wisdom, words of advice, and how her career developed to our membership and guests. Lisa’s very genuine approach to addressing the group and answering questions was very impactful, and attendees enjoyed the event,” Ziomek explained. Drake began by…
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Customers Need Connections, Not Facades: Rick White Teaches IGONC to “See the Unseeable”
By Chasidy Rae Sisk On Dec. 3, Rick White of 180BIZ provided members of the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina (IGONC) with valuable insights on how to have a discovery conversation. “A common question I hear from shops is: What can I do to improve my closing skills?” White posed, explaining, “You’re asking the wrong question! It’s not something you’re putting out that impacts your closing ratio; it’s about what you’re taking in – if you want to increase sales, you need to ask customers the right questions!” Shops’ struggles with sales, according to White, begins with the fact that shops aren’t in control of the conversation because they…
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ARA’s 77th Annual Convention and Expo is a Virtual Success
The Automotive Recycling Association (ARA) hosted its 77th Annual Convention and Expo on November 11-13. “After many discussions, serious consideration, and with the safety of all attendees at the forefront, ARA announced in August that the 77th Annual ARA Convention and Exposition would transition into a virtual conference,” said ARA Executive Director Sandy Blalock. “We were hopeful that this year’s Convention could remain a live event, but the current state-of-affairs simply presents too much uncertainty and risk at this time.” “For 76 years, the ARA Annual Convention and Exposition has been the gathering place for the professional automotive recycling industry and an incredible place to network, learn and conduct business,”…
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Paving the Path: Industry Organizations Collaborate to Produce the Ultimate Virtual Training Event
by Chasidy Rae Sisk Few collision repair industry events have taken place this year, leaving a gap in training and networking opportunities for many shop owners and their employees. Seeking to close this gap, over a dozen automotive industry organizations collaborated to create the Professional Automotive Virtual Education (PAVE) Training event, scheduled for January 8-10, 2021. Jeff Lovell, PAVE event chair, President/Executive Director of ASA Northwest, said, “By providing this event virtually, more industry professionals can take advantage of the training without the cost or risk of travel and lodging, especially during these uncertain times.” “This ULTIMATE training event brings quality training to the comfort and safety of your shop…
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What’s Required for PPP Loan Forgiveness? A Lot!
“The PPP loan forgiveness process doesn’t happen automatically,” explained Brad Mewes of Supplement Advisory, during ASA’s November 11th Webinar Wednesday presentation on “Taxation and PPP Loan Forgiveness.” Attendees learned about common mistakes in PPP tax planning and loan forgiveness, as well as ways to potentially reduce their taxes. As he began his presentation, Mewes emphasized, “We’re on a mission to help as many business owners as we can survive this crisis.” “The foundation of avoiding costly mistakes comes down to proper planning. Adjustments for forgiveness are made in increments of 10%, so planning is crucial because small percentage changes can result in large monetary increases,” he added, posing the question,…
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Insider Threats Pose Greater Risk Than Cyberattacks
With many companies utilizing more remote workforce strategies, recent months have exposed a variety of risks within workplaces that should be considered. Chris Jones, Cybersecurity Director at DELL Technologies discussed “Remote Threats: Inside Risks and the Remote Work Paradigm” during ASA’s Bonus Webinar Wednesday on August 27th, sharing “strategies to protect your company, your employees, your customers and your bottom line.” Jones began by quoting Dr. Larry Poneman, Chairman of the Ponemon Institute: “We discovered in our research that insider threats are not viewed as seriously as external threats, like a cyberattack. But when companies had an insider threat, in general, they were much more costly than external incidents. This…
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Protect Customers and Employees with Touchless Payments
During Kukui’s 2020 Virtual Conference, Shane Bonno of 360 Payments discussed “Touch-less Payments” as it pertains to interaction points while accepting payments. In addition to fears related to the spread of COVID-19, modern customers prefer remote payment options such as Text-to-Pay. Bonno stressed, “It’s your responsibility to protect your employees and your customers. How will you adapt to the new normal? Right now, you need to do everything you can to ensure everyone’s safety. The world is an ever-evolving place, and it can be difficult to decipher what’s the latest and greatest technology, and what’s going to be right for your business. One thing we can always count on is…
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NY Shop Reopens After Self-Imposed COVID-19 Shutdown
When New York Governor Andre Cuomo closed schools on March 16th to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 in one of the country’s hardest hit regions, Frog Hollow Collision in Bethpage, NY closed its doors for over six weeks. The decision was made by owner Anthony DeMieri whose goal was protecting his employees, his customers, and his own family from the virus. On May 4th, Frog Hollow Collision reopened to a whole new world. Prior to reopening, DeMieri shared his fears with Autobody News readers: “It’s terrifying to know that everything I’ve worked for could be gone when we reopen. I may not be reopening to what I had; I…
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Vo-Techs Promote Collision Programs in a Virtual World: WAC Meeting
During the August 19th meeting of Women in Automotive and Collision (WAC), held via Zoom, Sally Difani, Administrator of Partnerships and Instructors, Special School District, North and South Tech, spoke about current enrollment numbers, automotive education instructors’ plans for remote learning this fall, and how the schools are promoting recruitment efforts virtually. According to Shelly Jones, President of WAC, “We learned how schools are promoting their programs in a virtual world and to learn more about a Collision national pilot program. The speakers were awesome, which led to really good conversations. The schools that spoke said enrollment is good this year, including more female students. Teachers shared ideas and resources…
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AASPI Holds Slightly Modified Golf Outing in 2020
On September 3rd, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Illinois (AASPI) held its annual golf outing, though this year’s event was “slightly modified,” according to AASPI Executive Director Brian Wojcicki. “While Illinois like most of the nation has certain requirements and recommendations for gatherings, the golf course was great to work with and members were understanding. Sponsors and suppliers were still able to exhibit and connect with golfers out on the course, and we were ultimately able to provide an opportunity for the industry to come together in a safe, enjoyable day.” The 18-hole golf outing was held at Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, Ill. and attracted…
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Kinderhook Adds Original One Parts to Collision Industry Portfolio
Kinderhook Industries, the private equity firm that owns asTech and ProCare Automotive & Collision, announced its purchase of Original One Parts, which “represents Kinderhook’s 86th acquisition in the automotive aftermarket,” according to Kinderhook’s June 4th release. Paul Cifelli, Managing Director at Kinderhook, stated, “We have followed Original One Parts’ story since its inception and are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Wade and Jerry as the Company embarks on its next stage of growth. Original One Parts has developed an innovative business model, with a proven track record of success, that has the potential to significantly ‘bend the cost curve’ of vehicle repair in the US. We are…
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AASP-MO: A Little Thing Like a Global Pandemic Can’t Cancel Christmas
By Chasidy Rae Sisk Most automotive and collision repair events scheduled for 2020 were postponed or canceled, and although AASP-MO members have been unable to meet for six months, the association refuses to let COVID-19 ruin the holidays. Ron Reiling, Executive Director of AASP-MO, explained, “Due to coronavirus rules, we won’t be able to enjoy our annual Christmas social and toy collecting like we have in the past, but we can’t let a little thing like a global pandemic cancel Christmas and the annual AASP-Missouri U.S. Marines Toys for Tots toy drive!” “Our Toys for Tots Chairman Doug Slattery, President of ATI, is going above and beyond to make the…
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Spot Welder Donation Helps Paulding County High School Kick Off Collision Program Start Up
By Chasidy Rae Sisk As schools gear up for the next year of learning in a brand-new world, Paulding County High School in Dallas, Georgia will be unveiling a brand-new program for collision repair education. According to Leroy Goodwin, automotive program instructor for the past six years, “This is the first time ever that we’ve been able to teach collision repair in Paulding County. Our students were graduating without any experience in auto body repair, and when we polled students, we found that there was plenty of interest. They can’t wait to get started!” Students at Paulding County High School will begin with one year of a basic introduction to…
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SBA Clarifies Guidance on PPP, Issues Forgiveness Application
By Chasidy Rae Sisk When Congress passed the CARES Act near the end of March, there was a lot of optimism about how the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) could benefit collision repair shops and other small businesses. Unfortunately, a lack of guidance on the forgivable portion of the PPP and a shortage of funds have since dimmed many people’s hopes. The SBA has responded by issuing clarification and additional guidance on the PPP program as well as an application for forgiveness that details the exact parameters that must be met to avoid repayment. The SBA had originally vowed, on April 28, to audit…
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Psychologist Provides Tips for Shop Owners and Employees to Cope in Distressing Times
By Chasidy Rae Sisk Rachael Bell, MS, MS, LPC, of Bell & Associates, LLC explored how shop owners and employees can cope with the depression and anxiety that may be exacerbated during distressing situations, such as the circumstances where many people have found themselves in 2020. During the June 18th Shop Owner Success webinar from Kukui, hosted by Jimmy Lea, Bell discussed maintaining mental health and how stressors can impact shop owners, their employees and their businesses. “These are very challenging times,” Bell began. “On top of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social unrest, being a shop owner adds to that anxiety. It’s important to learn how to cope in…
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How to Drive Sales with Contactless Service Explained by Jamie Cuthbert of AutoServe1
“The key to succeeding in this market is to deliver ‘contactless’ or ‘touchless’ service fast. The customer drops off the vehicle outside. The shop inspects the vehicle, sends a digital inspection report, gets approval, does the work, takes mobile payment, and returns the car. Contactless service delivered,” AutoServe1 Founder and President Jamie Cuthbert expressed in his “Contactless Service” presentation during Kukui’s 2020 Virtual Conference. Cuthbert began by explaining that increasing sales is the best way to drive up profits in a short amount of time. Citing the “Exceptional Company” research conducted by Deloitte Research, he shared the three rules that govern how exceptional companies think: Better before cheaper. Be known…
