I was thinking about a way to provide a deeper level of employee engagement through appreciation and acknowledgment, that was spawned from conversation that John Shoemaker and I had during a prior blog post.…

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I just returned from CIC and the lack of understanding about the seriousness of compliance with the new EPA 6H Rule really blew my mind. Maybe I am the only one in the room that believed this is a big deal, but I do know that the IL EPA is taking it seriously too, so here is the timetable once again.

 

Jan 10, 2010 - Initial notification This was the paperwork that you needed to file to let the EPA know that you understood that that rule was going to take effect in another year…

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Sounds easy right? The realm of being positive seems to fall into the category of foo foo and warm and fuzzy. How can you get your arms around that to better understand the benefits of positivism? It requires a leap of faith for most people, because it is easy to not believe, and discount the warm and fuzzy stuff as…

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Picture this: By luck or chance you run into someone who you think could be a prospect or future customer for your business – do you have a rehearsed and perfected 30-45 second reply to the question: 

"so – what do you do?”

Your answer to this chance-encounter could either unremarkably answer the…

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Two Collision Tools Address New Replacement, Recyclable Parts Installation

BEDFORD, TEXAS, January 12, 2011 – The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has updated its "Not-Included Operations" charts, two publications designed to ensure collision repairers consider all of the possible operations when they write an estimate. Two titles are available, "Reference Chart of Not-Included Operations When…

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Industry Speaks, ASRW Listens; New Location and Dates Announced

Dallas/Jan. 6, 2011  - As a direct result of feedback from industry participants, Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) is pleased to announce it will return to a rotating pattern beginning in 2011. The 2011 exposition will be held Oct. 6-8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., which also returns the show to a Thursday – Saturday date pattern. Education will begin on Wednesday,…

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FTC Issues Vehicle Warranty Consumer Alert

Restates Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 5, 2011 –The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a consumer alert titled "Auto Warranties, Routine Maintenance and Repairs: Is Using the Dealer a Must?" The alert relates to vehicle warranties and clearly lays out the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the protections it…

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Remember the body shop days when repair time wasn't a concern? Times have certainly changed, and cycle time is one of our primary concerns in the list of daily challenges. Production Meetings help control cycle time and alleviate challenges collision center managers face on a daily basis. I believe a production meeting has the same function as an orchestra conductor. The orchestra conductor sets the tempo and direction the music will go, he then relies on the orchestra members to carry the… Continue

Dupont invests locally in coatings laboratory