[Podcast] Covid-19 Aftermarket Panel Discussion ‘Business as Unusual’ [Bonus 06]

carmcapriotto · March 25, 2020

Panel:

Bill Haas, Hass Performance Consulting
Tom Ham, Autocentric and Automotive Management Network, Grand Rapids, MI
Greg Skolnik, Motor Works, Rockville, MD
Bill Nalu, Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, MI

Talking points:

Some back-office workers aren’t at work. They can work remotely
Some states have loans and grants
Greg Skolnik is applying for SBC application. He is getting in line and does not know where it will goHe wants to look at all options
If you apply for the loan, you may not know what you will get
Line of credit is an optionYou usually get a line of credit when you don’t need the money
Banks offer lines of credit based on the strength of your financial position
Once your financial strength is strong (you’ve prepared) apply for a line of credit with your bank
Don’t attach yourself to the negative vibes coming out. Don’t be part of the fear-mongering
Consider getting debt free going forward that will allow any economic downturn easier to absorbConsider Dave Ramsey Financial Pease University to help get yourself out of debt
Work with your local businesses to help the community
Follow the most common sense guidelines
Too many people ignoring the do-right rule. Covid-19 must be taken seriously
Is your waiting room open or closed?Bill Haas does not believe in waiters
Tom Ham does believe in waiters
Bill Nalu believes in waiters
They all believe there can be a touchless relationship as Covid-19 continues
Protecting your people is very important
Waiters are there to leave.Must disinfect and wipe down the waiting room
There is more to wipe down than to worry about your waiting room
It is difficult to sell to waiters
TouchlessPick-up keys in a lockbox
Pay to text is a great option
We are adjusting to the abnormal. Each day is different
Parts delivered to a special table or place where the delivery person does not enter to deep in your space
Expense review. Two columns. What you must pay and what you can ask for time.Talk to your landlord and ask for some relief
Insurance’s of all types need to be paid on time
Communicate with any creditor before you decide not to pay them. Tell them you are there and doing business
Follow all conversations with your creditors with a letter. Keep in front of all creditors
If you have cash reserves you can spend them wisely to keep your staff
Your business interruption insurance may not cover what we are going through nowLook carefully at your next renewal
Don’t lose sight of a continuing strong marketing planIf you are open you need to tell your customers and market
Don’t let your customers assume you are open. They will think you are closed
We are open, how can we serve you
Make phone calls to every client
Plans need to be made. Must be fluid and over-prepare. You need a plan for two weeks out, 30 days out and 45 days out. They are dynamic and will change
Tom ham is optimistic and sees a huge opportunity aheadIt will not be behind us until the vaccine is out.
We need to learn how to live with it
We need to find the opportunity in explaining to our customers that they don’t need the car debt but need to fix their vehicles
Grek Skolnik schedules appointments like the dentist do. It works for him and smooths his forecastsPeople are not hibernating, but he has conditioned his customers to come in for scheduled work/maintenance
What is an optimist, today?
Caution:Some shops will close. It may be the best thing to do for their business. They will re-open when it is time. Some may close for good
The decisions you make are for the good of you, your family, your people, your customers

Listen to Text to Pay Episode Here.

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/information/index

Resources:

Thanks to Bill Haas, Bill Nalu, Greg Skolnik and Tom Ham for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
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