North Kansas City, Mo.--Over the holidays, Ed Schaeffer, owner of Northtown Auto Clinic, said he had an epiphany on how to respond to the big-box parts stores that offer free diagnosis in their parking lots. Schaeffer’s eureka: If you can’t beat them, join them, but with a bit of a twist, he said.

El Dorado, Kan.--Enrollment was down at Butler Community College three years ago when Donnie Smith was hired as lead instructor of the Auto Collision Repair program. To turn things around, Smith said Judy Bastin, Butler Community College’s Librarian taught him about Google and blogging so he began promoting the program, and he did so through the Internet, with a blog about the program, and Youtube videos of students involved in the collision repair process.

Omaha, Neb.--Six years ago, John Martin, owner of Sports Car Garage, said he had a crucial decision to make--invest in a $10,000 Autologic diagnostic scan tool or restrict his work to pre-2000 BMWs.  Although the cost seemed high at the time, Martin said he chose the former, and quickly learned that it was a wise decision.

Kansas City, Mo.--A toy pedal car was featured at the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) booth at the NACE Expo in Las Vegas on Nov. 4-7.  What makes the child-sized ride special is how the car found its way to the show and what it stands for.

Shawnee, Kan.--There are a variety of business cultures that may arise at an auto repair center. Tony Adams, co-owner of Weaver’s Auto Center, said he and his partner, John Weaver, are working hard to make sure their business culture is one that focuses on trust and teamwork.

On Feb. 11, Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts in El Dorado held a customer appreciation day, offering all its customers a free BBQ lunch at the store.

Overland Park, Kan.--When the economy slows down, business owners and managers start looking for areas they can improve on, ways they can increase business, and personally push themselves forward, said Brian Hosenfeld, project manager for the SEMA Education Institute. 

In a 10-minute demonstration at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) last November, Toby Chess proved that one person can make change happen in the collision industry.