You may not have heard about it, but there’s big news in the digital and investing world this week. Yahoo has agreed to purchase Tumblr for 1.1 billion dollars. (that’s billions, with a capital B!) Right now you’re probably asking, “what does this have to do with my automotive shop?” A lot more than you’d expect, actually.

Tumblr is a free website and blogging service that anyone can use to create a quick & easy blog or website for their business without having to know any programming or have any design knowledge. The beauty of the platform is it’s simplicity. Many small (and larger) businesses have used it very successfully to grow their business in a short amount of time. But here’s the problem. By hitching their wagon to a platform that they don’t own or control, these businesses could very well be out of business in the not-so-distant future if Yahoo decides to change Tumblr’s functionality, terms of service, or any number of other things (as they have done in the past with previous acquisitions).

This is why it’s so important to own your marketing platform. If you’re building your digital marketing presence on someone else’s real estate, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Tumblr, MySpace, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, or any other online channel, you’re effectively digital sharecropping, and that is a very bad thing to do.

As I’m constantly telling our consulting and website clients, you have to “own your platform.” That means the information you create and distribute must originate from your website that you own and control. It’s fine to use social media and other free services as a distribution channel, but you can’t rely on them as your primary platform.

The rentor is always subject to the landlord. I’m sure you’re well aware of this principal, especially if you rent your shop space. If the owner of your building decides he wants to tear it down and build apartments there instead, once your lease is up, he can do, because he owns the real estate, and you have not recourse. The same principal is true with your digital real estate. It’s better to own than rent. Otherwise, you’re at the mercy of your digital landlord.

Are you digital sharecropping or do you own your platform?

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How would you like a system that is flexible enough and powerful enough that you can use to market your business, stay in touch with contacts and celebrate your family and friends? Would the system sound even better if it produced a monthly check for you to spend? I am talking about getting cash every time you use the system. I am also talking about getting cash every time someone you refer uses the system.

The reason I choose SendOutCards over any other system for my appreciation marketing, follow up and for generally celebrating life and the people in my life is that the system meets all my personal and professional needs, plus I am able to monetize the system. I remember when I was first shown SendOutCards. My immediate thought was, “Wow! I can use this to build my business, make my personal life easier and I can easily build a side income… No brainer!”

I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I would like to invite you to take a look at what SendOutCards has to offer by being my guest on a Webinar. I will be running the Webinar hourly on the hour all day. To register, simply visit www.RememberGratitude.info  Please note, times are listed in Eastern Time.

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“Strategic Vision for Emerging Profit Centers“

Conversation with Dr. Mark Quarto concerning the shift in Automotive Technology 

• Learn about emerging profit centers  
• Learn about capturing more cars 
• Learn what YOU can do NOW to get ready  
• Learn about what is happening around your shop right NOW   

How many Hybrid and Electric Vehicles are in your shop’s service area? Your shop has untapped revenue potential in HEV diagnostics and repair.

Don’t get left behind…GET INFORMED…. 

Documents & Related Links

AutoResearchAndDesign.com
Powerpoint PDF

Download Video: MP4

Audio File Download
Video File Download

The post Showcase #136: Dr. Mark Quarto appeared first on Turnaround Tour.

Gary Gunn, AAM

“By partnering with AR&D the Turnaround Tour will show shops how to incorporate Hybrid repair into their business model, how to make a profit while keeping the cost low for the customer – essentially doing what the dealer cannot”.

Port Angeles, WA – The current economy has, if nothing else, created an environment where automotive repair facilities have felt a need to revamp their businesses models which includes expanding their service offerings. Reinvention and restructuring business models are the specialties of The Turnaround Tour, a company formed as a resource to shop owners who need guidance to create or maintain a successful business. Through face-to-face meetings, live webinars, and access to interactive media, The Turnaround tour is sharing experience and providing the knowledge required to move shops into the future. With more than 57 Hybrid vehicles available for purchase in the consumer market, The Turnaround Tour has recognized that the future of repair includes Hybrid technology. Partnering with Automotive Research and Design (AR&D) will enable The Turnaround Tour to provide its clientele with high-quality Hybrid resources.

As part of the partnership with the Turnaround Tour, AR&D will be providing webinars and hands-on resources to shops who understand the importance of moving forward with Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (HEV) Technology in the automotive aftermarket. By partnering with AR&D the Turnaround Tour will show shops how to incorporate HEV repair and testing services into their business model, how to make a profit while keeping the cost low for the customer – essentially doing what the dealer cannot. Not only will AR&D provide resources, but will also provide a gateway to the resources provided by partners such as The Hybrid Shop (THS).

THS is the exclusive distributor of AR&D’s battery reconditioning and electric transmission diagnostic equipment in the aftermarket repair industry, and provides valuable support to shops who enter into a franchise partnership. By becoming a THS Dealer, a shop can receive levels of support from THS including technical training on Hybrid vehicle systems, management training, national marketing support, and other potential benefits such as exclusivity within a specified service area. This franchise model plays well into the mission of the Turnaround Tour, whose ultimate goal is to support automotive repair professionals as they move into a prosperous future.

“Our job is to keep them on the cutting edge of the market”, says Gary Gunn, one of the founders of the Turnaround Tour, “We help educate shops on upcoming trends in the shifting market”. Gunn believes that a partnership with AR&D will allow the Turnaround Tour to provide shops with the tools to maintain or increase their car count and service repertoire as Hybrid vehicles become more prevalent in the market.

AR&D and The Hybrid Shop are supporting the Turnaround Tour’s Select Group Experience, June 19-22 with a hands-on Hybrid segment on June 20th. AR&D will also be presenting the Turnaround Tour’s upcoming webinars on Hybrid vehicles on May 16th and May 30th . Prospective hands-on and webinar participants can sign up by requesting link email to info@turnaroundtour.com.

Founded in 1987, AR&D is one of the leading automotive aftermarket technology firms in the field supporting of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Systems with specialized diagnostic equipment and technical training. AR&D utilizes their wide range of partnerships, including but not limited to The Hybrid Shop, SAE International, Colleges, and The Turnaround Tour to provide a full scope of products and services to the automotive aftermarket. Information about AR&D can be found at www.go2hev.com.

Since 1979, Gary Gunn has been helping shop owners achieve better lives. Over the course of his automotive training career, he has facilitated hundreds of automotive business classes, 20-Group meetings, and training events. His credentials include: Bachelor of Business Administration from Lamar University, AAM designation (Accredited Automotive Manager from the Automotive Management Institute), CEO and President of Automotive Service Leaders. Gary and his team have dedicated their focus to helping shop owners maximize their return on investment in business training. Find out more about our services at www.turnaroundtour.com.

WOW – Words of Wisdom

When you are unclear about goals, enthusiasm wanes.

Without goals, you lose sight of where you are headed and you start drifting.

Complacency replaces passion, and we start allowing justification into our thought process.

The post Automotive Shops Gain a New Resource in Hybrid Vehicle Technology appeared first on Turnaround Tour.

Last week, Gary Gunn wrote a wonderful blog post called “Fishing in the right pond.” He addresses the problem of needing more cars. This is a problem many shops face. As Gary points out, the question becomes, “Where would you find a group of people who might be the best candidates to do business with you?”  Let us ask another question.  If all your customers that you have seen over the past year came back on a regular basis, would you still need more cars?  Would you need as many “new” customers as you feel you do now?

Gary suggests the 50/50 fishing plan. This is a fantastic idea that I believe would work in many industries and most definitely in the automotive shop arena. Simply put, it is all about fishing in your in-house data base. Using a little creativity and appreciation marketing can create a wealth of new business in the form of repeat business with those who have managed to “move on” for whatever reason.  We know from industry research that 68% of customers leave, or stop doing business with, a company due to perceived indifference. Why not let those who left know that you do care?

The 50/50 fishing plan involves taking customers you haven’t seen in 90 or more days and sending 50 of them, per week, a card expressing sincere appreciation for their past business and sincere desire to have them back. Then the 50/50 fishing plans follows up with 50 phone calls, per week, to this same group of people.

If you missed this article last week, read it in its entirety at http://www.turnaroundtour.com/fishing-in-the-right-pond-2

I realize there are some automated systems out there that will send a canned card to a group of customers. However, I feel there is no better system for implementing the 50/50 fishing plan than SendOutCards. The cards are top quality and they can be fully customized and personalized. With just a few minutes work, you, or your assistant, can have 50 cards sent out each week without ever having to physically touch a card, lick an envelope or stick a stamp. This traditionally brick and mortar activity of sending cards through the postal mail has been moved to a click and order activity thanks to SendOutCards unique system.

Send you first appreciation card for free by contacting me today for a no obligation demonstration of SendOutCards. Believe me when I say, spending approximately 15 minutes to experience SendOutCards is well worth the time.

SendOutCards can be used for your business, professional and personal life. Did you know that you can monetize the system too? How does an extra stream of income sound to you?  Like to learn more? Join me for one of my Webinars. I am running these Webinars hourly on the hour all day long.  Just visit www.RememberGratitude.info to register for the time that best fits your schedule. Please keep in mind, the Webinar times are listed in Eastern Time.

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Come learn about Turnaround Tour’s Auto Staffing Process! Hosts Norm Bobay, Gary Gunn, and Robert Allen walk you through the ins and outs of hiring and recruiting. Prepare yourself to experience your shop’s strongest staff yet!

Download Video: MP4

Audio File Download
Video File Download

The post Auto Staffing Process Webinar appeared first on Turnaround Tour.

Gary Gunn, AAM

Have you ever said, “We need more cars?” Have you ever said, “We need more dollars per car?” Have you ever said, “We need more new customers?” Have you ever said, “I cannot find good people that really want to work?”
Let’s explore “We need more cars.”

Where would you find a group of people who might be the best candidates to do business with you? Ask yourself this question as often as possible. When you go fishing it’s best to find out where the fish are and what they are biting on. Your success will be much greater. This is the same thing when you go fishing for more cars.

I call this fishing in the right pond. “Walla” it’s your in-house data base surprised? Cast some bait into your data base pond and real in some past customers. Make no special offers, make them feel welcome and missed. Just simply invite them back!

Here is a 50/50 fishing plan:

Mine your data base for people you have not seen in 90 days or more. And prepare to go fishing.

Mail 50 cards every week and make 50 phone calls the next week. You must do both to maximize your return while fishing….it’s like fishing with a double hook. The card pulls the cork under and the phone call hooks the fish. Prepare to reel them in.

Sample card message: It’s been a few months since we have seen you and your car. We have missed you…please comeback. Give us a call at 270-657-8899 to set an appointment or just drop by. We hope to see you soon. Please bring this card with you.

Sample phone call script: Ring….ring…This is Gary Gunn from Joe’s Garage it’s been too long since we have seen you or your car…please call 270-657-8899 to make an appointment of just drop by. Hope to see you soon.

Remember: “Timid fisherman have skinny children”

Request a 30 minute FREE strategy session with Gary Gunn – email rallen@turnaroundtour.com

WOW – Words of Wisdom

When tomorrow becomes today and today becomes yesterday, it’s time to look ahead, live in the now and review behind, to find tomorrow, today and yesterday.

- GG

The best preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Sifting through the useless is part of the hunt.

The post Fishing in the Right Pond appeared first on Turnaround Tour.

Is your message to your customers getting lost in electronic clutter?  Your customers are in a state of information overload like no generation before it.  Not only do they have TV, radio and print, but they have text messaging, email and probably several social media sites they participate in.  Customers today are also very sophisticated.  They have gotten good at scanning their social media feeds, emails and other streams of information for those things they are interested in.  How many emails do you either ignore or delete without reading in a given day?  If you are on social media, how many feeds to you scroll by without giving it but a quick glance? Your customers are no different. 

Today’s advancements have made sharing information easier than it has ever been. Social media has allowed us to keep up with people’s lives and company’s happenings with nearly up to the minute accuracy.  However, it has also made real connections easy to ignore.  As a sales person or business owner, making real connections with your customers, vendors and business connections is probably more important, and more impactful, than ever before. Reaching out and actually touching these people can generate value, loyalty, likability and help your business increase repeat business and referrals.

Does communicating with your customers, vendors and business connections through TV, radio, print media, social media, email and other forms available today have value? I really think so. Does it also make good sense to take a few minutes out of each day to touch a few people in a more personal way? Absolutely! Would it really be that hard to find 15 minutes a day to call a couple people and find out how they are doing?  Would it really be that hard to visit a couple people each week, maybe over lunch, in order to strengthen a relationship? Would it really be that inconvenient to take a few minutes out of your day to send a few people a card with a personal note?

SendOutCards believes in the importance or relationships and the importance of communication in relationships. We offer a way to quickly and easily to connect with, and celebrate, the people in your life through pictures, gifts and the written word. Sending out a card with a personal note and even attaching a gift has never been easier, more convenient or more economical than it is today with SendOutCards. We have taken card sending and gift giving from brick and mortar to click and order. If you are not sure SendOutCards is right for you, try our 30 Day “Gratitude Challenge” at www.RememberGratitude.com  Contact me and I’ll even help you send your first card for free.

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