That time of the year is upon us when we reflect on the current year regarding family, self, work and future. All too often we look at the balance that we’ve maintained and find the scale tipped one way or the other. If you want a stronger or better work/life balance you must believe it…

Where Should You Invest Your Marketing Dollars? Marketing for customer retention and recruitment can be a daunting task. I’ve had the privilege to interview a few smart people when it comes to understanding the value of newsletters, direct mail and social media. In the end, along with your own experience and equipped with expert advice,…

Simple Solution to Minimize Cooling System Comebacks Bobby Bassett, the Manager of Training North America for Gates Corporation shares important facts about cooling system repairs.  LISTEN HERE. Bobby provides the simple secret to maximize customer satisfaction when you replace a water pump. The stats on alleged defective water pumps is staggering and that is why…

A great discovery in Oklahoma City when chalkboard drawings from 1917 were found at a high school. While remodeling Emerson High School, contractors found lessons nearly 100 years old underneath old chalkboards that were to be replaced with new whiteboards. The school principal said ‘It was like a spiritual moment because people who had lived…

There has been a lot of pictures of cabin air filters on social media lately and many blogs written on why they need to be serviced. This blog is a reminder of the great opportunity Cabin Air’s provide to a shops bottom line. Occasionally the cabin air is called the forgotten filter because it may…

Just as much effort is needed into finding new customers as it is to keeping your current customer base. Here are six pointers on maintaining a relationship with your current customers. Show it. Never consider that you’ll get the next transaction. Loyalty today is based on the last experience your customer had with you and his/her knowledge…

Did you hear the news? American distance runner Molly Huddle lost the bronze medal in the world championships in Beijing recently because she celebrated what she thought was a win too early. The headline August 26th, 2015: American runner’s early finish line celebration causes her to lose medal As I listened to local radio personalities discussing this…

Southwest is different and continues to be. What other airline has copied or mimicked what they do that makes them a stand out? In general the answer is no one. They are known for a different boarding process, a great baggage fee program and no cost flight change program. Ever thought about your business? What makes it…

What have I learned, so far, this year … or my half year checkup. You can do something you are passionate about if you commit and go all in. No half-way, no fringing. It takes a plan and a focus and belief. It’s the road you choose and the forks in the road that defines your trip and your…

Podcasting is on fire. Guess who just started a podcast? Jack Welch, former chairman of GE has launched. Mark Maron’s WTF podcast had the president on in July 2015. Podcasting was birthed in 2004 through the merge of the words iPod and Broadcasting. Podcasting is growing at great clip and listeners are locked and loyal.…

You got a phone call from the local chamber because you are a very active member of your community and are the center hub of knowledge and expertise when it comes to vehicle service and repair. You are actually in a very techy industry. Vehicles run on computers, you create a ticket or order parts…

The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (That also applies to women). Growing up I heard that many times. I know it to be true. We are all pushovers for a good meal. Breaking bread with family and good friends provides a great feeling of love and togetherness. In business whenever…

It was a rainy weekend with close friends visiting from Florida. This summer has been very rainy so far; our payoff for a very long hard Buffalo winter (tongue planted firmly in cheek). But I digress. For Florida residents heading up north for a summer retreat is a smart idea to escape the ninety degree…

It’s great to find a top ten or eleven list of great common sense rules that, for the most part, cannot be argued with. These can be adapted to your thinking in an instant. There was a time when these eleven where attributed to Bill Gates, but it is not true.  These are an excerpt…

  Do you have a list of your top customers? I’m sure you do. However it may be in the wrong place. I’ll bet many of you have it filed in your head. A very safe place. You’ll never lose it! I suggest that list be written down, managed and known to your team. Your…

  This quote is taken from a book a book by George Lois called Damn Good Advice. George Lois is an advertising legend and creator of breakthrough ad campaigns. I liked reading this book as it shows Lois’s genius in 120 lessons with the Woody Allen quote, above, being one of them. I think back…

I had some bad pulled muscles in my neck so I decided to get a massage. I explained to my masseuse exactly what happened, where my pain was and what would happen when I moved my neck. He started working on my upper body and arms but not on my neck. I said ‘What about…

How would I beat us? What a novel approach to making sure you are firing on all cylinders. A challenge when you get a chance to put on your competitors hat and program your business strategies against YOU. For my way of think this is a very exciting exercise. Here is one way to do…

‘Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion’, Tony Hsieh.  Entrepreneur Tony Hsieh must know what he is talking about, he is the CEO of Zappos.com. Zappo’s is an extraordinary eTailer with a customer service culture that companies want to emulate. They drove their success selling shoes with fast and free shipping and returns.…