AASP/NJ Members Receive Education and Motivation From Mike Anderson & Friends

Anderson left no stone unturned as he went through every crucial industry factor that is important to today’s automotive technician. Anderson and crew supplied the attendees with the ammo they need to thrive, not just survive, by using online and mobile tools, by way of effective communication – towards customers and also to staff members. He shared personal tales of strength that serve as a reminder that one can accomplish just about anything.

“Your employees will help you thrive. But if they don’t trust you, they won’t help you,” advised Anderson, who shared his own experience from his days as a shop owner. He found that employees take unkept promises to heart and that causes distrust. He advised all to return to their shops and ask their staff members if they ever felt they were steered wrong and if so, then asked how attendees could make it right.

Anderson walked attendees through a detailed and thorough discussion of how to utilize online tools to improve one’s business. He showed them what consumers are looking for when they access the web to search for an auto body shop.

“Customers want to see what your business looks like from the street,” Anderson shared as he displayed what images their Yelp and Facebook pages should include.

He also revealed that 36 percent of consumers today want to do business when a shop is closed; therefore it is key to make use of tools that will allow customers to communicate with the shop and schedule an appointment through the company’s website or via a mobile app.

“We trust reviews even more than we trust our close friends,” said Steele, who went over how important it is to get customers to post reviews online. “Customers are your best sales people. Let them speak for your shop.”

As for the fear of negative reviews that may come, Steele said this can be easily fixed by responding to the review. This shows future customers that the business cares more about customer service than it does about being right.

Taylor demonstrated how to effectively market one’s business to reach the audience it seeks.

“It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on marketing; if it doesn’t apply to that customer, they will dismiss it outright,” he said.

Technology is here to stay and more advances are underway. Therefore, it’s important to spend time now on things like improving a shop’s WiFi, technology and training in these areas, Anderson says. It is believed that by 2020, 70 percent of estimates will be processed via virtual app or photo.

Everyone has strength to be whatever they want to be, Rogers said before he performed a series of strongman demonstrations, wowing the audience as he straightened a horseshoe, bent a steel rod, broke a wrench and rolled up a frying pan with nothing more than his two hands. As a young boy, small and only 88 pounds, he was bullied and never thought of himself as more than a wimp. Accidentally, he discovered he had been blessed with the gift of strength. Today he performs feats of strength on national television and has earned the respect of some of his heroes, including Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I had believed what everyone had told me originally: That I was too small. Too young. We wind up believing we can’t do something when we really can,” shared Rogers.

He left the audience with the message to “be the best you every day.”

Closing out the program, Anderson encouraged all to take the quarterly “Who Pays For What?” surveys he sends out and to attend his free OEM webinars which are available via collisionadvice.com.

For more information on AASP/NJ and upcoming programs, visit aaspnj.org.