All Clear? Think Again: Developing an effective scanning process
By Chuck Olson Those collision businesses that develop an effective diagnostics scan process will see an almost immediate benefit. A diagnostic process—like strategy-based diagnostics—performed by a qualified diagnostic specialist can save a collision repair facility money, cut back touch-times, improve capacity, reduce the risk of legal liability, and, most importantly, improve the safety of motorists […]
Pitching Stories to Trade Magazine Editors—The Insider’s Guide
By Gideon Scanlon Toronto, Ontario — In this era, where capricious customers can put a permanent dent in a business’s reputation with a single online review, good press is gold. While some consumers make decisions based on online reviews, most are aware these reviews provide something of a fun-house mirror impression of a business. The […]
Engine Knox: Checking your pandemic checklist
By Steve Knox I have started asking myself that question from time to time: ‘how are you doing?’ This has forced me to perform self-checks. It could be something that everyone needs to do during this time, because we are all dealing with an unprecedented level of uncertainty, unlike ever before. In my usual environment, […]
The Now: Leadership will get you through
By Jay Perry You know what’s happening. Any news channel can update you on present conditions. Likewise, there are lots of prognostications—running from dystopian, bleak to dire. This column isn’t about that. It is about the fuzzy big picture of how leadership will get us out of the current situation and moving toward the ‘new […]
Editor’s Log: Long-term solutions
By Gideon Scanlon Toronto, Ontario — If there has been a theme in this magazine’s coverage of the Canadian collision sector, it has been its focus on the lasting consequences of social distancing. It is the position of the editorial team that, while the challenges facing collision facilities during the COVID-19 crisis are immense, these […]
Editor’s Log: Are conferences stuck in the cloud?
By Gideon Scanlon For decades, Canadian collision repairers have seen industry conference events as a working holiday, giving them the chance to take a break from the daily grind by discussing the industry with their peers in suburban conference centres. It is a tradition that dates back to the 1920s, during the sector’s second decade […]
A Fairer Formula: Travel to sublet and the true cost of doing business
By ‘Forty’, a Progressive Estimator I would like for Canada’s progressive collision sector workers to face-up to a problem that is affecting every shop in the country—whether or not it is realized. This issue is taking away from the bottom line of businesses. The issue? Travel to sublet. Travel to sublet exists in two forms. […]
Connecting in Crisis: Leading amid a global pandemic
By Chelsea Stebner I want to talk to you about leading in crisis—what it means to me, and what I am struggling with. I am not seeking sympathy. I want to have a real conversation because I think many leaders—in all industries—are struggling right now. It can feel daunting that we’re supposed to know exactly […]
Editor’s Log: The Auto Insurer that Roared
In the 1950s, Britain saw its economic fortunes decline in comparison to West Germany. Its old rival was then undergoing a post-war boom, fuelled by the U.S. prolific economic support of West Germany. This difference in fortune was something of a sore spot for beleaguered Brits, who wished their own government had received more aid […]
Editor’s Log: Disinfection Diaries
Toronto, Ontario — April 8, 2020 —There have been some mixed messages about the aims of disinfection during the Coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, repairers appear to be leaning on the side of caution. Unfortunately, the attention being paid to the vehicle disinfection process may be distracting from a much bigger source of concern–idle bodies. According to […]
