BODY SHOP BUSINESS

[bob s]

I AM A PARTS MANAGER WHO OF COURSE HAS A ADDED INTEREST IN OUR BODY SHOPS SUCCESS,SINCE OF COURSE IT INVOLVES PARTS SALES.MY QUESTION IS: WE HAVE A MANAGER WHO I BELIEVE COULD BE AGGRESSIVE BUT IS NOT .I THINK HE JUST DOES'NT KNOW HOW TO COME UP WITH A PLAN ON HOW TO INCREASE BUSINESS.DOES ANYONE HAVE A SUCCESS STORY OR ANY GOOD IDEAS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR THEM IN CREATING NEW BUSINESS FOR THEIR BODY SHOP.OUR PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A 8000 SQ. FOOT BUILDING WITH 3 BODY MEN AND NO WORK, HOW DO START OR WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET WORK OTHER THAN LOCAL DEALERS OR CURRENT SERVICE CUSTOMERS.
THANKS

[Richard]

Insurance! Get to know your local agents....have your BS manager take them Donuts, or steak & biscuits, once a week for several weeks, make SURE your man talks to the AGENT, not a secretary....it REALLY helps to have that Agent know your BS manager's face to face.....

[Doug]

And strive to become a direct repair shop/preferred facility for every insurance company that you can. Lots of work, lots of requirements and restrictions----but just watch the body shop fill up !

Then, after you've built the business up and start making the money you can take a hard look at a couple of the most restrictive and obnoxious insurance programs and drop 'em.

Good luck,
Doug