Let’s All ‘Hit the Ground Running’
In late September, I saw the meaning of “hit the ground running” firsthand. Nestled in the beautiful hills of the Appalachian Mountains in New York State is Alfred State College’s Wellsville campus. I’d never been to Alfred State before I was invited to attend a ride and drive event there, sponsored by Tenneco. What I
Leadership 2.0: It’s Where It’s At
Well, the choice has been made. The editors of Counterman magazine received a mountain of entries for the 2008 Counter Professional of the Year, presented by Affinia. After much deliberation and sifting through all the entries, Craig Bradley, of NAPA in Lansing, Mich., was chosen as the recipient of this year’s award. Craig and his
Keep the Technical Info Coming
I just love the technical features in Counterman magazine. They are chock full of useful information. That knowledge brings power! Keep the articles coming. Your articles are a powerful tool and are very useful when speaking to customers. If a person acts like he knows what he’s talking about, people will buy! Robert E. Lee
Sometimes, It’s Good To Poke The Bear
Most of you have probably heard the expression, “Don’t poke the bear.” I think it’s pretty much similar to “let a sleeping dog lie” but it’s regarding a larger and potentially more deadly animal. The sentiment, I believe, is to leave a situation alone because the consequences are otherwise grim and nasty if you wake that dog or poke that bear. In this instance the bear, I believe, is paper catalogs but could also be aftermarket parts professionals who rely on and want nothing to do with abolishing them. If we consider that the bear is the paper catalog, it might just be time to at least nudge him and let him know he’s on his way out.
When Too Many Is Not Enough
What the dreaded stock room reveals about our businesses (and the supplier-customer relationship).
Get Rid Of Paper Catalogs? No Way!
Thinking of getting rid of paper catalogs? Don’t! They do have a wealth of information that’s not currently being included in the electronic catalogs. Paper catalogs have saved me more than once. Ken, Murray’s Discount Auto Store, Madison Heights, Mich. e-CATALOGS CANNOT COMPETE I’m a 30-year veteran of the parts business and have worked in
I Know Why, Mitch
Mitch Schneider wants to know why, and how in his article “Why is it in Vogue?”(Counterman, June 2008) that people crucify aftermarket manufacturers. Unfortunately for us in the retail side, the answer can be traced back to the late 1980s, when shops and DIY customers stopped asking the most important question and started asking the
I Tele You What: This Technology Will Rule
It’s a thought that boggles the mind: What if a company, like Internet search engine giant Google, bought General Motors?
That ‘Free’ Lunch Could Reap Dividends
I went years without eating lunch, decades actually. I wasn’t a breakfast-eater either: a cup of coffee and something … a bear claw, a bagel; every once in a while, maybe even a custard doughnut. I became a breakfast-eater just about the day after I started in this business.
Think Twice Before Getting Rid of Paper
Setting a course to abolish the paper catalog is something manufacturers should really think twice about. As I have worked through the years in the parts business, I have found nothing more resourceful than the print catalog. I understand the argument for eliminating paper catalogs from a cost standpoint, but when you eliminate this reference
More Than Just Numbers to Me
Do you have information related to the failure rate of parts?
Handing Over the Keys
It’s been an honor to produce Counterman over the years.