USE SPARE TIME WISELY Everyone once in awhile we get a slow day or two. You may notice that your guys want to slow the pace as well and laze around, but you have to keep them moving! Many things can be done on slow days. Clean the shop, organize inventory, build for...

ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE I got a hand-addressed letter in the mail this week. It’s so unusual to get mail that is hand written, that I opened it first. Inside there was a plain note card with these words scrawled in neat block letters, “Hi Steve, just a quick note to...

GET THE JOB INTO THE SHOP When I get a call for an engine rebuild, I am not immediately willing to give an exact price over the phone. I like to give a ballpark estimate and tell them that not until after we take it apart and check out the job completely, will we be...

"Shopping” Around One of the best ways to increase business is to make personal contact with your customers. Here is a somewhat different approach. A machine shop owner in Missouri started a program last year that he calls “Fat Friday.” Each Friday morning, he drops...

Keep Parts in Stock for More Sales Keeping popular head gasket sets, head bolt sets, piston rings, bearings and valves in stock is a proven way to make more sales. Contact your supplier and ask him what discounts you can get for placing a large stock order. Ask them...

Your Shop’s Rolling Billboard If you need to attract new customers, take a tip from many large, successful companies. Consider wrapping your company truck with advertising. A rolling billboard can create thousands of impressions per mile. Your message will be read by...