Features
Features
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Hands-On Testing Shows Limitations of Relying Solely on DTCs or Aftermarket Scan Tools
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published November 2, 2020 I’ve had the good fortune recently to spend some time recently working with Nissan/Infiniti as they prepare some new hands-on training they are developing, and it gave me a chance to spend some time scanning and learning about calibrations on their newest vehicles.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Pricing Change Reflects the Absolute Need for Separate Charges for Scanning, Diagnostics
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published October 7, 2020 I wanted to use my column this month to share with you a conversation I had recently with Jake Rodenroth of asTech.
Techs of the Future: The Importance of Having a Broad Understanding of Vehicle Technology
Up until recently, it was common practice for technicians to plug in a dongle to the OBDII---onboard diagnostics---port to diagnose a vehicle.
Techs of the Future: Preparing & Training the Agents of Change in Future Technology
A few years ago, when people talked about connected vehicles and self-driving, Elaina Farnsworth said it was perceived as a computer-based industry.
Techs of the Future: The Importance of Creating Lifelong Learners and Implementing Hands-on Efficiency Training
Author's note: Over a year ago, Jeff Smith, a collision repair instructor at the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center, reached out to me about the overwhelming shortage of technicians.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: More Best Practices to Make the Most of the ‘Parts’ Portion of Your Business
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published August 3, 2020 In a previous column, I shared some best practices shops can use to improve their parts-related processes and profits.
On The Lighter Side: Check Out Joe Rogan's Insanely Epic Car Collection
Joe Rogan is best known as a comedian and UFC commentator with a distinct voice that is instantly recognizable.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Making the Most of the ‘Parts’ Portion of Your Business
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published July 8, 2020 Parts consistently make up 40% of total repair order dollars, so it’s well worth it for shop owners to pay careful attention to the role parts play within their business.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Determining Whether---and How---to Charge for OEM Research
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published June 4, 2020 I get a lot of questions from shops regarding billing for the process of researching OEM repair procedures.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Not Busy? If You’re Leading the Business, You Sure Should Be
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published May 6, 2020 When work slows down, shop owners need to get busy.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Now More Than Ever, Shops Need to Renew Their Focus on 'Capture Rate'
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published April 10, 2020 Even before the coronavirus outbreak, I was telling shops I work with a renewed focus on “capture rate” was increasingly important.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Performing All OEM Safety Inspections is Critical---but OEMs Can Help Us Too
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published March 6, 2020 At last November’s SEMA, I had the honor of moderating a session featuring representatives from a number of automakers.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Understanding and Performing Required Test Drive Procedures Isn’t an Option
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published January 20, 2020 In a recent column, I talked about why I believe shops need to separate out their charge for vehicle scanning from their diagnostic labor to address the results from those scans.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Few Collision Repairers Are Separating Out Scanning Time Versus Diagnostic Time
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published December 31, 2019 It’s been just over a year since I wrote about the inconsistency in how shops are billing for scanning, and it’s still an issue that concerns me.
Solving the Tech Shortage: How Conditions, Culture & Compensation Can Help Body Shops Attract & Retain Employees
It wasn’t long ago when businesses looking for new employees put an ad in the newspaper hoping for a response.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Reflecting on My Journey in the Collision Repair Industry
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published December 3, 2019 I often talk about the need to look ahead, but in recent weeks, I found myself reflecting.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Understanding and Performing the Needed Seat Calibrations
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published October 25, 2019 The need for vehicle seat calibrations isn’t new.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Skate to Where the “Puck” Is Going, Not Where It Has Been
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published October 8, 2019 Each year, I apply various presentation themes, and this year, I based my theme on something Wayne Gretzky, the legendary hockey player, once said.
Solving the Tech Shortage: Steps to Finding Qualified Employees
From coast to coast, collision repairers are talking about the talent pool shortage facing the industry and what can be done to address what some are calling an impending crisis.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Calculating the Cost of Comebacks
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published August 27, 2019 What’s the cost of a comeback? It’s a question most shops haven’t considered; fewer shops have actually calculated the cost of a comeback.
Solving the Tech Shortage: Focusing on Kina’ole: Doing the Right Thing for the Right Reason
Samantha McCauley, a collision repair refinish instructor at Hammond High School in Hammond, IN, said it can be very challenging to acquire the proper tools and equipment needed in her classroom to properly instruct students.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Check OEM Procedures Before Disconnecting, Reconnecting Batteries
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published August 7, 2019 The “Who Pays for What?” summer survey looked at how often shops research the OEM procedures related to disconnecting and reconnecting batteries.
Solving the Tech Shortage: In-Prison Automotive Programs Provide Education & Training for Potential Hires
Terrance Jones didn’t have any automotive experience when he entered Washington State Penitentiary, let alone a skill or trade.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Building Trust Through Online Reviews, OEM Certifications
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published July 2, 2019 I was recently over at my best friend Greg Thompson’s house and his son, Jarrett Thompson, stopped by.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Vehicle Owner’s Manuals Help Educate and Negotiate Need for Various Procedures
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published June 7, 2019 My friend Danny Gredinberg at the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) recently made available a document that includes links to each automaker’s database of online vehicle owner’s manuals.
Solving the Tech Shortage: I-CAR is Helping Future Technicians Turn Their Passion for Cars into Lifelong Careers
When Nick Notte speaks to students across the country who are considering a job in the collision repair industry, he often shares his personal experience.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Want to Challenge Me on the Need to Check OEM Procedures Every Time? Bring It On…
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published April 25, 2019 You: Hey, Mike, I keep hearing you saying we need to look up the OEM repair procedures on every single vehicle every single time.
Solving the Tech Shortage: CREF Brings Together Collision Repair Students & Prospective Employers
Just over a decade ago, there were approximately 1,400 high school and college collision repair programs in the United States, according to Brandon Eckenrode, director of development for the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Industry Misses 2 Important Aspects of John Eagle Collision Case
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published April 4, 2019 In the 18 months since a Texas couple was awarded $42 million by a jury who found a dealership body shop had improperly repaired the vehicle in which the couple was injured in a subsequent accident, I’ve probably been asked about the case at least 20 times a week.
From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Shops Need to Move Beyond Paper QC Process
Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News Published February 27, 2019 While working with a shop on some quality control (QC) issues recently, I discovered they were still using a paper QC checklist.
Top Stories
Top Stories
Sponsored Content
Sponsored Content
Featured Video
Become a Pro: Step-by-Step De-Pinning of 2-Pin Automotive Connectors
Discover the secrets of de-pinning and re-pinning the common Z27C2 connector used in Lexus, Toyota, and Honda vehicles. Watch now!
Shop & Product Showcase
-
Read testimonials from real collision repair shops about the tools and technologies they use to get the job done.
