PDC Automotive Accounting

All good news for aftermarket shops...but the big AND piece they didn't mention...is the inflation that is to follow, and the steep pay increases for labour across the board means shop staff labour costs will go up!
Start preparing now by making an inflationary labour rate increase so you have the cashflow available to "catch up" existing employees wages and hire and replace departing employees or the new ones you'll need to facilitate growth!
https://www.autoserviceworld.com/shift-in-consumer-spending-could-affect-the-aftermarket/?fbclid=IwAR1HQ6vlxmnGywhgu0395cPV-K9FMHX-5Df-i2YnqaQNqWkXsq8SHfZNUA0

Shift in consumer spending could affect the aftermarket - Auto Service World While Canadian automotive aftermarket retailers enjoyed a first half not seen in recent years, consumer spending is expected to shift and that could have

How do you talk about oil changes in your shop? Do you discuss the opportunity? I un-pack this conversation in my recent blog post, check it out and let me know what you think.
https://pdcauto.com/every-customer-is-special/

Every customer is special - PDC Automotive If you treat customers special, they become special customers. For every small service, such as oil changes or changing from summers to winters, you have an opportunity to develop a new long term customer relationship. Ensure that your team and management speak highly of every customer opportunity,....

I often wonder how a shop initially determined its labour rate in the first place; especially since owners ask me how I approach this from a profitability stand point.
I wrote a brief article with a calculation recommendation.
Please let me know in the comments how you have determined yours, I would love to hear about it :)
https://pdcauto.com/calculating-your-ideal-labour-rate/

Calculating your ideal labour rate - PDC Automotive I just finished a Profit Maximizing webinar with a group of shop owners. Some great questions came up and I want to share one of my recommendations with you. The question was “how do I determine what to set my labour rate at?”. A profitable shop typically pay their technicians 25 – 30% of thei...

It's going to be a late night...

Ever wonder what you can use old tires for? Check out what some artists have come up with to repurpse waste into wonderment!

It’s become increasingly important to offer a no- or low-credit financing option to cash-strapped customers in order to secure additional tire and service sales... Take a look at this article to find out the pro's and con's of offering this type of solution.

https://www.tirereview.com/customer-financing-options-tire-dealers/

Customer Financing Options for Tire Dealers - Tire Review Magazine It’s become increasingly important to offer a no- or low-credit financing option to cash-strapped customers in order to secure additional tire and service sales. By removing the roadblock to affordability, these consumers are able to get needed repairs — resulting in a safer vehicle for customer...

If you never try, you'll never know. MacGyver series #4

As we anticipate a New Year with hope, we can't help but reflect on the opportunities our friends, clients, and colleagues have given to us, and wish a better New Year for your families, your businesses, and you.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2021!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a joyful New Year. Best wishes from all the families at PDCO to yours! 🎅🎄🎁

MacGyver series #3... looks showroom ready.

Oh yeah! Forgot what was the exact menu but there it is and I can’t wait!
I am considering also getting chef Dereks.
I mean there’s the 24 AND the 25...and usually my dad has 2 epic feasts lined up sooooo..

You do it, and every single customer is preparing for a "no hands" test run the moment they get their keys back.

Step-by-step guide for tire shops to create a 2021 forecast for success.
Business's that develop forecasts and goals are guaranteed to be more profitable than counterparts who don't.
Set your shop up to win.
https://pdcauto.com/planning-for-profit-in-2021/

Planning for profit in 2021 - PDC Automotive Planning for profit in 2021 While Tire shops experience a drastic decline in business come January there is an opportunity to make very good use of this time. Reflecting on your previous years’ performance is one of them. This is the foundation of a forecast for your up-coming year. If you had a t...

"Virtual Road Show" Is this the new avenue of OEM suppliers to showcase their products? CRP Automotive has decided to give it a try.

Do you think this is a viable option or just a temporary fix for a crazy situation with COVID-19?

https://www.autoserviceworld.com/crp-automotive-to-host-virtual-roadshow/

CRP Automotive to host virtual roadshow - Auto Service World CRP Automotive has launched a high-powered, multi-faceted ‘Virtual Roadshow’ to connect with key customers and industry partners in response to cancelled

A very crucial strategy for long term success is the ability to adapt in your industry when the markets shift. Here is an excellent article covering the essentials of when and how to pivot in your auto repair shop businesses.

https://www.autoinc.org/donna-m-wagner-pivoting-for-success-in-an-auto-repair-shop/

Donna M. Wagner: Pivoting for success in an auto repair shop - AutoInc. Donna M. Wagner By Donna M. Wagner It is easy to get caught in the day-to-day activity of running a repair shop. Between customers, employees and keeping the shop ticking, it can be hard to step back and look at what is happening in your marketplace. Many businesses take time for yearly strategic pl...

Things are about to get quiet. Are you ready to use this time wisely for the benefit of your shop and your team?
https://pdcauto.com/leverage-service-writers-time-in-december-for-a-successful-2021/

Leverage service writers time in December for a successful 2021! - PDC Automotive As things quiet down in December, make use of the lull and gear up for success in the New Year; and I don’t just mean by setting up an awesome tire Christmas tree, though it might be fun :). For my tire shop clients, we have a fun holiday “apres work” and learning session. Who […]

Second instalment of our Macgyver series... The solutions are endless when you have the right tools for the job.

During a discussion with my father in law and hearing a lesson he learned, I felt compelled to share with you the importance and ramifications of creating a culture of "serial discounters". Check out this blog entry to see how we've helped our clients understand their duty to earn profits so that their business can successfully operate and protect their longevity in the industry.
https://pdcauto.com/profit-is-not-a-dirty-word/

Profit is NOT a dirty word! - PDC Automotive I was on the phone with my father in law yesterday talking about the importance of a Product Pricing Matrix (PPM) and accelerated profit margin % on low cost items (I digress…more on this topic in a later post 😉). We are so on the same page when it comes to the importance of the […]

In an ever changing market place, COVID-19 will have an impact on the way you'll have to approach training your employees. To keep the classes flowing, many trainers have resorted to webinars. In fact, it may be fair to say that many technicians have never received so many invitations to study complex subjects over live-streaming video. Check out this article from Autoserviceworld for an in-depth analysis of the new approach going forward.

https://www.autoserviceworld.com/carsmagazine/online-learning-the-changing-face-of-training/

Online Learning: The changing face of training - Auto Service World By Allan Janssen California-based technical trainer Mike Cleary was all set to come to Vancouver for a Powerstroke Diesel class in the last week of March.

Who ever said fixing a flat was difficult?!? When you're prepared for any situation you may as well be nicknamed Macgyver.

Today is the day! Get in and save $$$ on your Christmas shopping for the car lover in your family.

Why shouldn't you let customers supply their own parts...Brian Eslick from How to Automotive does a great job explaining why you shouldn't and how to approach it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9asxDABVY&feature=youtu.be

Should Mechanics and Shops Install Customer Supplied Parts? Brian Eslick from How to Automotive http://www.howtoautomotive.com/ talks to you about customer supplied parts and how it could be bad for the mechanic and t...

Fresh Blog Entry... Understanding what your customers value will yield higher sales prices while offering exceptional service.

https://pdcauto.com/value-pricing-for-tire-and-automotive-maintenance-shops/

Value pricing for tire and automotive maintenance shops - PDC Automotive As the owner, you are the only one in the entire business (unless you have a controller or CFO) who will ever look at the big picture and ensure the business remains profitable.

One week away... Plan your scheduling appropriately and get those ads out there.

Corporate rental subsidy coming soon.

Be sure to see if you and your shop are eligible! More details in the link below.
https://pdco.ca/canada-emergency-rent-subsidy/

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy - PDC Accounting On October 9, the government proposed the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to provide direct relief to businesses, non-profits, and charities that continue to be economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rent subsidy would be available retroactive to September 27, 2020, until June 202...

One week away... Plan your scheduling appropriately and get those ads out there.

2021 is a new year and while you plan for success through continued uncertainty, it's imperative to review your labour rates.
https://www.moderntiredealer.com/articles/31066-raising-labor-rates

Have You Considered Raising Your Labor Rate? Fall has arrived. The change of seasons means a change to business for many dealers. This also is the time when many start thinking ahead strategically for the next year.

Time to get your SEO dialed in to capture the digital traffic for as many online orders as you can... Cyber Monday is two weeks away!!

Friday the 13th... Keep your wheels close and your tires closer.

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example."
- Benjamin Disraeli

When Ford releases it's flagship F-150 as an electric model, you know disruptive technology is not the future, it's the here and now and that will alter the aftermarket industry permanently.
What opportunities exist for the independent garage?!?....throw this 30 minute podcast on for your drive home and find out
https://soundcloud.com/tirebusiness/trends-in-electric-vehicles-and-how-tire-dealers-should-prepare-to-service-these-vehicles

Trends in electric vehicles and how tire dealers should prepare to service these vehicles Mr. Crawford shares his thoughts on the burgeoning hybrid vehicle market and opportunities for independent repair shops, including tire dealers, in servicing these vehicles.

Gotta love the passion though!!

Amazing to see the community rally behind local businesses!

https://www.vicnews.com/news/owner-of-big-o-tire-grateful-for-community-support-after-family-business-burns/

Owner of Big O Tire grateful for community support after family business burns - Victoria News Tuesday’s fire left one employee with third-degree burns, travellers with no home

Happy Halloween to all our friends, clients, and colleagues! Have fun and stay safe...