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We at ASN would like to thank everyone for their response to
our newsletter. As I have been researching articles on
"Shop repair management" there seems to be an air of this
being a private area of resources. I know that there is more
information
There are some good resources on the Automotive sponsored
site AMI (Automotive Management Institute) and Autoinc
(ASA)asashop.org. I would like to ask anyone that has
articles or information you might have, to possibly share
these resources with our automotive community.
There also are awesome coaches and consultants in this niche
who have really done a great service to shops who are
committed to making changes in the way they do business.
Dan Kennedy, the marketing guru made a statement in one of
his newsletters that really struck a note with me and that
was, My business is different so that way of doing
things will not work for me. He
says that this is simply not true. (99% of the time).
Looking at how other successful
businesses have made great strides in growing their
bussiness and trying new ways to revive or escalate thier
sales and revenue. We have to make changes so the old term
of "If you keep doin what you are doin, you will keep gettin
what you got" will not be our motto.
Diligence: The Key to
Accomplishment
By Dr. John C. Maxwell
When studying the accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin,
it’s hard to believe one man could have contributed so much
to society during his lifetime. Consider a list of Ben
Franklin’s notable achievements. Over 200 years later, many
of them influence our daily lives.
- Invented bifocals, the lightning rod, and an
odometer for carriages
- Founded America’s first public library, public
hospital, volunteer firefighting organization, and fire
insurance company
- Founded the American Philosophical Society
- Wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac, one of the
most popular books in early America
- Wrote America’s first political cartoon
- Held position of Postmaster General of the American
Colonies and dramatically improved the United States’
postal system.
- Owned colonial America’s most prominent printing
network
- Served as America’s first ambassador to France
- Was the oldest person to sign the Declaration of
Independence
- Proposed idea of Daylight Savings Time
- Made groundbreaking scientific discoveries in the
field of electricity. During his experimentation he
coined the following terms: battery, conductor, charge,
uncharged, negative, minus, plus, electric shock, and
electrician
What made Benjamin Franklin such an extraordinary
individual? Natural genius? Charm? Charisma? While Franklin
may have had each in abundance, his diligence stands out as
the quality most responsible for his greatness. His maxims
on hard work are still ingrained in America’s vernacular.
Early to bed,
and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and
wise.
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Lost time is never found again.
Plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have
corn to sell and to keep.
One today is worth two tomorrows.
OUR PROBLEM
Everyone can be diligent, but few are. Why? True
diligence runs contrary to human nature. In fact, the trait
common to all humans is our desire for instant
gratification. We want as much as we can get, as fast as we
can get it, with as little effort as possible. That
is our nature. We all have a natural inclination to follow
the path of least resistance. We seek out shortcuts, hoping
to get maximum return on minimum investment.
Perhaps nothing highlights our trouble being diligent
better than dieting fads. The secret to a healthy body is to
eat less and exercise more. It’s that simple, yet we can’t
seem to discipline our diets or find our way to the gym.
Instead, we fuel a $50 billion weight-loss industry in a
vain search to bypass the consequences of a poor diet and
sedentary lifestyle.
WHY IT’S WORTH FIGHTING FOR DILIGENCE
Earn an advantage
Since the average person lives for the moment, a leader
gains ground on the competition by being diligent. When
others are slacking or cutting corners, a diligent leader is
building a firm foundation for success. By sacrificing
temporary pleasure for long-term profitability, a diligent
leader stands above the crowd.
The secret of your success is determined by your daily
agenda. The most successful leaders accept no excuses for
taking action each day in the direction of their dreams.
When energy is low, the diligent forge ahead anyway. When
emotions are negative, the diligent rise above their
feelings. When obstacles block the path, the diligent climb
over them. Through time, discipline promotes the diligent
above their peers.
Gain control
When a person’s life spirals out of control, it seldom
results from a momentary lapse of judgment. Rather, an
accumulation of bad decisions lead to a series of negative
consequences. For example, look at Michael Vick’s
predicament. Although blessed with loads of ability, Vick
did not diligently surround himself with positive
influences, and he ended up sabotaging his career. Instead
of enjoying an iconic life as a sports superstar, Vick will
be locked behind bars where he will be powerless to control
his football future.
The diligent select the life they want to live rather
than responding to a life dictated by circumstances. For
instance, if a leader wants to retire early and have a
secure future, then he or she will diligently save and
invest with that goal in mind. If a working father desires
to have a healthy family life, then he will prioritize time
with his children and find ways to express his love for his
wife. The diligent see a desired destination, and they stick
to the path that leads there—even when the road is hard.
Win Respect
Leaders draw others to them from the attractiveness of a
life well lived. Diligence through time yields results, and
those results stand as testament to a leader’s character.
Followers flock to a profitable leader who has proved his or
her worth over an illustrious career.
Similarly, leaders search for talented individuals who
consistently demonstrate excellence in their work. Most
anyone can have a brilliant moment, but the best workers
leave a track record of success by diligently contributing
in whichever roles they are given.
"This article is used by permission from Dr. John C.
Maxwell's free monthly e-newsletter 'Leadership Wired'
available at
www.maximumimpact.com. "
Staff comments: "A Funny"
I did not know this ...Did you? (Author unknown)
I have been driving (legally) for over forty years.
One would think I would have noticed the little secret on my
dash that was staring me right in the face the whole time.
I wonder if you have?
Quick question, on what side of
your car is your gas tank? Since
I've owned my vehicle for more than three years, I know it's
on the left (driver's side). If I'm in a strange car, I have
uncomfortably stuck my head out the window, strained my neck
and looked (or pulled up to the wrong side at the gas
station).
I'm going to share with you a secret so you will no longer
look like Ace Ventura on your way to the gas station or put
your neck at risk of injury.
If you look at your gas gauge, you will see a small icon of
a gas pump. The handle of the gas
pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the
pump. If your tank is on the
left, the handle will be on the left.
If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the
right (see photo below). It is
that simple! I don't know how you feel right now but when I
found out this morning I felt DUMB!
Why don't the dealers share such important information with
car buyers? I don't understand
why this isn't in the drivers education manual (yes, I
looked). I don't get why any
mechanic I have ever been to or know has even thought of
mentioning this to me. Can the
only possible explanation can be that all these people don't
know!
Go out and share a best kept auto secret with your friends,
and IF you KNEW this, why didn't you tell me??!!
Sponsor-----ACS: ShopController Shop
Management Software (New & Improved).....
FREE EVALUATION...........
ACS would like to announce the Newest version of
ShopController: a completely revamped application.
The last year has seen a complete revision of the software
including a lot of new additions.
ShopController developers have done an awesome job in the changes
that have been made including the upgraded fleet module.
ShopController is working on a Import utility to bring data
from digital price list and also data from Quickbooks into
Shopcontroller for Quickbooks users that purchase
Shopcontroller Software.
ACS has also upgraded the Carfax Vin Decoder to include the
full Truck information upgrade for large trucks. The
software now comes in(click to review)
four levels for the needs and budgets of the vehicle
service market. Visit
www.shopcontroller.com for more details or Click
HERE for a free
evaluation of ShopController software..
Sponsor----Results Marketing
Since 1989 Results Marketing has been a trend setter in
the promotions business. They have constantly stayed ahead
of the curve of creativity, inventing new ways to promote,
and utilizing the tried and true methods of marketing.
Results Marketing is a creative advertising and marketing
firm specializing in results driven campaigns. Through the
use of direct mail, promotional products, web pages and
traditional media we promote brands and events in B2B and
B2C environments.
In short, we promote, remind, reward, incent, design,
program, record, publish, create, invent, print, produce,
fulfill, and service. Best of all - it's all guaranteed!
Click on
www.resultsmarketing.com
Sponsor / Partner........ Discount Payment Services
Discount Payment Services was recommended by ACS (ShopController
Software) ACS gave us this resource because they reviewed
their merchant service account and the review saved them
several hundred dollars. Part of the problem was that ACS
did not do a regular review and has changed how their
merchant service is handled.
Payment Solutions for Your Business
Discount Payment Services, LLC offers a comprehensive line
of payment solutions for your business.
Credit card acceptance, debit cards, and check acceptance - for all
types of businesses including retail storefronts,
restaurants, hotels, service companies, wireless merchants
and mail, telephone or internet order businesses.
DPS
will even customize a merchant account to meet your needs.
Most merchant account providers are paid based on the amount
they charge above their cost.
DPS, on the other hand, are paid a share of the revenue earned from
passing our costs directly on to the merchant. That means we
don't markup our rates.
That's why they Guarantee their rates are the lowest in the
industry. They will even prove it.
How much does it cost? It's FREE. There is no cost to
establish a new Discount Payment Services merchant account.
And, there is no cost to reprogram your existing
point-of-sale (POS) system.
We'll setup your account for free and then you'll get a call from
one of our conversion/training specialists. They'll help you
program your terminals and train you on how to use them in
one call. Click
here
for free comparison information.
AutoShopNews:
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resources that will make a difference in your business,
please tell your friends and
business associates about our newsletter, email us at
info@autoshopnews.com.
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“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction
we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and
sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor
lie at anchor.”
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
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