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Identifying your Customer
by Bob Cooper, Elite Business Services

Far too many shop owners throw their money away on advertising. What they seem to do is forget a very, simple marketing rule that says …

"Its not how 'many' people see your offer that is important. Instead, it's 'who' sees it!"

If you want to grow your company, then ask yourself this question: In your perfect world, if you could choose the perfect customer, what would the profile of that person be? Obviously they'd be driving cars that are three to nine years old, they would drive a lot and they would recognize the value of doing business with good people like you. But have you ever given any thought as to whether that perfect customer would be … a male or female? If you haven't, then consider this.

Happy female customers will sing your song to far more people than happy male customers. Treat a lady right and they'll tell the world. Treat a man right and it's a different story. Not only does the male ego make it tough for a guy to tell other people that his car broke, but it's even tougher for him to say he had to have someone else fix it for him! I'd like you to also consider this. Females seem to have a trust among themselves that males never have had. When one female tells another about a good auto service center, it's believed, no questions asked. Last but not least, on an average females speak 7,000 words a day. Males speak 2,000. Now I'm sure this comes from maternal drives, as well as having to communicate with the teachers and doctors of their children. But what all this means to you as a business owner is this: Females, in a general sense, make much better customers than males. Treat the ladies right, answer all their questions, and deliver a great service. If you do, they'll use their communication skills to tell the world about you, and that's what marketing is all about.


About the Author

Bob Cooper has functioned as a business developer, an owner and an operator of some of the most successful auto repair shops in the North America. Bob's company, Elite Business Services provides management consulting to the industry and offers shop management information and "Success Tools™" on his website at www.elitebusinessservices.com. Bob's Shop Management Knowledgebase of over 100 articles, "Ask the Experts" service, and exclusive product discounts are all available in the Mitchell 1 Premier Club.


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2008 Mitchell 1 TPMS Guide Now Available
Mitchell 1’s 2008 Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) Guide is now available. This 784-page TPMS procedures guide contains updates on previously covered models, as well as includes information on 339 new 2008 models/systems. Click for more Information or to Order.

Mitchell 1 Hosts Shop Management System Training Session
Mitchell 1 is holding 2008’s second Shop Management System Training Workshop in Denver, Colo., July 24-26, at the Sheraton Denver West. For more information or to register for the workshop, visit the registration/info page.

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Mitchell 1 has added a Parts Ordering Information section to its Web site under the heading Program Distribution Group. With connections to the leading aftermarket parts distributors, professional technicians can connect with their current supplier of choice with the simple click of a mouse. “From invoicing to inventory control, Mitchell 1’s Manager/ManagerPlus software with integrated [...]

Mitchell 1 Completes Second Quarter Updates to OnDemand5 Manager/ManagerPlus, Version 5.9 Software
Mitchell 1 has made second quarter 2008 updates to its popular OnDemand5 Manager/ManagerPlus, Version 5.9 software to support a new integration to OnDemand5.com. This updated functionality provides direct links from work orders to repair articles, technical service bulletins (TSBs), maintenance times and descriptions, fluid capacities, OEM parts, and labor times.

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