AASP-MN News January 2019

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January 2019

THE ALLIANCE Kicks Off a Brand New Year New Look & Feel, Same Great Association!

PLUS: “Up Your Game”: A sneak peek at this year’s Leadership Conference - pg. 6

Your Champion. Your Ally. www.aaspmn.org

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AASP-MN News is the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota, Inc. 1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 102 • Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 612-623-1110 • Fax: 612-623-1122 email: aasp@aaspmn.org • website: aaspmn.org. To keep its readers better informed, AASP-MN News allows its columnists to fully express their opinions. All views expressed are not necessarily those of the publication. AASP-MN News is published by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. • 2019 All rights reserved. Cover image www.istockphoto.com.

AASP of Minnesota is an association of independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members.

CONTENTS Vol. 28 No. 1

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE ..........................................4 Did You Notice?

by Judell Anderson, AASP-MN Executive Director

AASP-MN BOARD MEMBERS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE................................................................5

2018 - 2019

Minnesota’s Two Largest Cities Set Increase to Minimum Wage

PRESIDENT Will Latuff

by Kevin Walli, AASP-MN Lobbyist

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Wayne Watson

LOCAL NEWS ............................................................................6

SECRETARY-TREASURER Carl Thomas

NATIONAL NEWS ......................................................................11

COLLISION DIVISION DIRECTOR Matthew Feehan

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION ......................................................15

MECHANICAL DIVISION DIRECTOR Randy Notto, AAM

Body Shops: Remember to Submit Your Air Emissions Inventory

ASSOCIATE DIVISION DIRECTOR Dave Bock

DEG ESTIMATING TIPS ..............................................................17

COLLISION SEATS Bruce Tschida, AAM Randy Miller

CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP! ............................................21 The Online Edge – How the Alliance & Net Driven Partnership

MECHANICAL SEAT Tom Archambault

Can Help Your Business Thrive

STAFF

AASP-MN MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS..................................22

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Judell Anderson, CAE, AAM OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Jodi Pillsbury MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Tom Kluver PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 PHONE: 973-667-6922 FAX: 973-235-1963

PUBLISHER Thomas Greco | thomas@grecopublishing.com SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli | alicia@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joel Gausten | joel@grecopublishing.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lea Velocci | lea@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL & CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Bonillo | alana@grecopublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco | donna@grecopublishing.com www.grecopublishing.com

UPCOMING EVENTS April 11, 2019 AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference

Delta Hotels by Marriott 1330 Industrial Blvd. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX aaa Auto Parts ....................................................19 AiA ..........................................................................14 AmeriPride ............................................................21 Axalta Coating Systems ..................................IFC Buerkle Hyundai..................................................9 CBIZ ........................................................................14 Choice Auto Rentals..........................................9 Dentsmart ............................................................17 FinishMaster ........................................................11 Inver Grove Honda/Inver Grove Toyota ....18 Jack McClard........................................................18 Keystone ..............................................................20 Maplewood Toyota............................................5

AASP-MN News

Mills Parts Center ................................................20 Morrie’s ................................................................8 Motorwerks BMW ..............................................IBC MPA ........................................................................13 PAM’s Auto ..........................................................7 Proven Force........................................................OBC Reliable Automotive Equipment....................16 Rosedale Chevrolet............................................8 Roseville Chrysler ..............................................20 Sherwin Williams ................................................12 Straight & Square................................................4 Toyota Group ......................................................10 United Fire Group ..............................................14

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Did You Notice?

by Judell Anderson, AASP-MN Executive Director

AASP-MN has a new look! During 2018, AASP-MN leadership spent some time thinking in-depth about the association’s branding and communications strategies.

As a result, we have a refreshed logo, a new tagline and a simpler way to refer to ourselves – The Alliance.

Referring to ourselves as The Alliance flows off the tongue just a bit easier and allows for more consistency rather than “A-A-S-P Minnesota” or “double A-S-P Minnesota,” or any number of other ways that the association has been referred to over the years. This is not a name change, but simply a streamlined way to talk about ourselves.

Our essential value is summed up in our new tagline, “Your Champion. Your Ally.” This speaks to the association’s role as our members’ greatest champion, leading the way with legislative advocacy, industry promotion and management education. And we are also a strong ally, working beside our members to provide proven tools to help them strengthen their individual businesses and achieve success. Sums it up nicely, don’t you think?

And our new logo brings the tagline together with a more contemporary look and emphasis on the allimportant word “Alliance” in our name. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines alliance as a bond or connection between families, states, parties or individuals. And that is exactly what the association provides: A bond between independent auto service and collision repair shops and their suppliers, working together to improve the industry and the success of their businesses.

As part of this initiative, you’ll also see a redesigned website and new look to our communications, including this magazine. Let us know what you think!

The Alliance leadership and staff are committed to unifying the association around this new branding platform and driving greater participation and engagement among members. This in turn will create more value and benefit for each and every member. I invite you to be a part of it!

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Minnesota’s Two Largest Cities Set Increase to Minimum Wage

by Kevin Walli, AASP-MN Lobbyist

This fall, the St. Paul City Council passed, and the Mayor signed, a City Ordinance calling for the phase-in of wage increases which will bring the City’s minimum wage up to $15 per hour. With this action, St. Paul joins Minneapolis, who started a phase-in to the $15 hourly wage rate earlier this year.

The St. Paul ordinance will be implemented over a period of several years. The phase-in begins with City employees and employees of large businesses (over 10,000 employees) who will see increased wage rates starting January 1, 2020. These employees will reach a $15 minimum wage on July 1, 2022, with annual inflationary adjustments starting January 1, 2023.

Companies with more than 100 employees will phasein to the $15 an hour wage rate by July 1, 2023, with annual adjustments beginning July 1, 2024. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees will have until July 1, 2025 to reach the $15 an hour wage rate and very small businesses – five or fewer employees – will have until July 1, 2027 to reach the $15 an hour wage rate.

Minneapolis began phasing in higher hourly wage rates at the beginning of 2018. Large businesses needed to get to at least $10 per hour at the start of 2018 and will have until July 1, 2022 to reach $15 per hour. Smaller businesses – 100 or fewer employees – began phasing in to the higher rate on July 1, 2018 and must achieve a $15 an hour rate – equal to large businesses – by July 1, 2024.

In both instances, City officials responded to concerns about sudden increases in wages by implementing a phase-in period.

Auto repair shops are typically smaller businesses that will have some time to comply with the $15 hourly rate in Minneapolis and St. Paul. If any Alliance member has a question about the minimum wage standards, please contact the association office and we will conduct additional research to provide specific direction to ensure that you can comply in a timely fashion to these changes in the labor market.

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LOCAL NEWS

Happy New Year! from the AASP-MN Board of Directors & Staff 2019 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference Announced The Alliance is pleased to announce its Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference will be held April 11 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast. The event, with the theme “Up Your Game,” offers a line-up of seminars that are tailor made for auto service and collision repair shop owners and managers and presented by some of the industry’s top trainers.

In addition to the impressive agenda of educational programming, there will be ample opportunity for attendees to network and socialize with their peers and industry vendors as they showcase new products and services during happy hour.

Here’s what’s in store: 8:00 – 9:30am Opening General Session: The Age of Engage: Create Engagement Roger Haskett, Engagement Unlimited 9:45-11:30am Roundtable Discussions (Three-30 minute sessions) Topics TBD 11:30am-1:30pm Luncheon Keynote: Play Like a Rookie Mike Jones, Discover Leadership Training 2:00-4:00pm How to Lure and Keep Top Talent Brian Sump, Avalon Motorsports 2:00-4:00pm The State of the Industry, Including Writing for Pre- and Post-Scans Mike Anderson, Collision Advice 2:00-4:00pm Increase Your Sales & Profitability by Winning with the Decision Makers: Women Amy Mattinat, Auto Craftsmen 4:00-6:00pm Vendors Showcase & Social Hour Meet this year’s Leadership Conference speakers: There is no one in collision repair who hasn’t heard of Mike Anderson. He is an acclaimed champion of everything that is, or could be right about the collision repair industry. As one of the most knowledgeable people in his field, he is a sought-after speaker, author and consultant who can discuss and teach on a wide range of topics relating to everything – from the politics affecting collision repair, to researching repairs properly via technology, to giving and getting the best from insurers, and to performing an exactly correct repair – just to name a few things!

Mike is the former owner of Wagonwork Collision

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Centers, two highly-acclaimed shops located in Alexandria, Virginia. Currently, Mike owns and operates Collision Advice, an industry research, reference and consulting business. In addition, Mike also serves as a facilitator for Axalta’s highly-recognized Business Council 20 Groups in both the U.S. and Canada. He also facilitates numerous courses for the Axalta Performance Services Educational Series.

Roger Haskett is an award-winning international keynote speaker and President of Engagement Unlimited. With his innovative keynotes and programs, Roger ignites positive transformational change in teams and individuals across North America and beyond. His topics range from performance under stress to the power of play, effective communication skills and the age of engage within companies and culture at large.

Roger’s impressive background in teaching and acting (he has been seen in over 175 TV shows, movies and commercials) allows him to utilize a unique session format that ties stories, theory and application together in a team-based game. This structure primes every participant to learn and creates engagement in the room that everyone experiences and benefits from.

His experience and knowledge, combined with his natural charisma and highly-contagious positive energy, has garnered Roger countless 10 out of 10 audience rankings and hundreds of happy return clients over the past 10 years.

Mike Jones has helped millions of people over the past 30 years to create a better version of themselves. This accomplished author, keynote speaker, Master Trainer, and Human Behavior Expert has worked extensively with small to medium size business owners and their teams.

Mike has partnered with these business owners to not only create better versions of themselves, but also their teams, therefore increasing profits and decreasing turnover. He has also worked on large worldwide projects with Coca-Cola and Exxon/Mobil as well as local projects with Zions Bank and Caliber Collision.

Mike served his country for six years in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a Police Officer for 14 years in the Houston Police Department as a pilot in the Helicopter Division. Mike is also an alumni of Northwestern University and its Executive Leadership Program.

Amy Mattinat is the President of Auto Craftsmen, an independent, award-winning automotive service center in Montpelier, Vermont. She is also considered an auto repair marketing and business expert, as well as an industry consultant.

Amy teaches classes in Vermont and around the country. She has been teaching Car Care Clinics for Women for over 10 years and, along with other female shop owners, created a turn-key workbook for other shops to use to host their own Car Care Clinics. She

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is the author of How to Buy a Great Used Car and also co-authored the book Whatever Happened to Outstanding Customer Service? She has spoken on TV and radio and has been a frequent guest of the automotive ‘Remarkable Results Radio.’

Amy is very involved in the Auto Care Industry on the national stage. She is the past president of Women in Auto Care and is a member of SEMA, SBN, WiAC and ASA. She strongly believes in ‘giving back’ and has mentored multiple female shop owners over the years. She has recently created a women-in-automotive business group to facilitate networking and business development for women in Vermont.

Brian Sump is not your typical shop owner.

A former professional athlete, Sump had never turned a wrench in a shop before starting Denver-based Avalon Motorsports in 2007. But in the years since, he has used his business acumen and a detailed, process-based management philosophy to grow the German-specialty shop into an industry leader.

In 2014, he and his team opened Urban Autocare, a second facility in Denver, to cater to the general repair market and is under contract to open a third shop.

Brian has been recognized with multiple industry and business awards including Motor Age Top 10 Shop, BBB Torch Award winner and ASA’s AutoInc Top 10 Websites, and was the cover subject of Ratchet+Wrench magazine’s July 2012 premier issue.

He currently sits on the Board of Transformers

Mastermind, an auto shop owner and manager development organization in Colorado. He is also a writer and instructor for Ratchet+Wrench.

Watch for more information about the Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference as it becomes available on www.aaspmn.org and in future issues of AASP News.

Industry Help Sought For 2019 SkillsUSA Competition The Alliance is facilitating the automotive-related events at the upcoming SkillsUSA Competition on Saturday, April 13 at Hennepin Technical College’s Brooklyn Park campus. High school and technical college students from around the state will be on hand to demonstrate their skills in automotive service and collision repair.

Industry leaders play a vital role in the SkillsUSA program. You can help by doing any of the following: • Providing general guidance and help with automotive-related contests during the event • Volunteering to judge the contests • Encouraging high schools and community colleges in your area to get involved with the SkillsUSA contest • Promoting the event within the industry – and community!

The benefits you’ll receive for your involvement include: • Satisfaction of being able to provide assistance and encouragement to the next generation of automotive technicians

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WHY GENUINE PARTS? It’s the Right Thing to Do

You lose money when aftermarket parts don’t fit. Toyota Dealers are your best source for Genuine Toyota Parts. All it takes is one call.

For Toyota Genuine Parts please call one of these authorized local Toyota Dealers: Inver Grove Toyota 1037 Highway 110 Inver Grove Heights, MN PH: 651-306-4630 FAX: 654-457-8705 www.invergrovetoyota.com

Rochester Toyota 4365 Canal Place SE Rochester, MN 55904 PH: 507-424-2956 FAX: 507-424-0301 parts@rochestertoyota.com

Burnsville Toyota 14730 Buck Hill Road Burnsville, MN 55306 800-448-5912 PH: 952-435-8401 FAX: 952-435-8515

parts@invergrovetoyota.com

Maplewood Toyota 2873 Highway 61 Maplewood, MN 55109 PH: 651-490-2648 FAX: 651-490-2652 TOLL FREE: 877-574-0667 parts@maplewoodtoyota.com

ToyotaPartsAndService.com 10 | January 2019

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NATIONAL NEWS

I-CAR Update Since announcing changes to its training and recognition programs in August, I-CAR has continued to refine programming elements in order to provide customers with the best possible solutions and user experience.

Below is a summary of the enhancements to the Gold Class and Platinum training requirements, all of which are scheduled to launch early in the second quarter of 2019.

Gold Class Requirements The new Gold Class training requirements include the following: • Gold Class role requirements are scaled to shop size. This requires 50 percent of every shop’s Estimators, Refinishers and Non-Structural Technicians and 100 percent of its Structural Technicians to be trained to Gold Class requirements.

One person can no longer hold all four roles; one person can hold up to two roles under the new requirements.

• Up to six role-relevant Vehicle & Technology Specific Training courses per technician are required annually for all non-role representatives.

• In-Shop Knowledge Assessments are optional in 2019.

• Increased frequency of Welding Training & Certification skill re-verification, moving from five years to three years.

• Shop-level theory courses for Electrical/Diagnostics and Mechanical courses are required.

• A training subscription, scaled to the total number of technicians at the shop, includes all live, virtual and online courses for any shop employee. Available to all Gold Class shops, this subscription helps protect them from turnover costs while building bench strength by providing training for all technicians.

• Two Hands-On Skills Development courses, SqueezeType Resistance Spot Welding and MIG Brazing, will be required in 2020 for grandfathered shops, and in 2019 for new shops.

www.repairerdrivennews.com Ford to Bring OEM Auto Body Repair Certification In-House Ford recently announced it would bring its certified collision repair program in-house next year and introduce new elements to the program, including the eventual incorporation of KPIs. The numerous shops certified under the current Ford National Body Shop Network administered by Assured Performance will have to reapply for the new Ford Certified Collision Network. Assured Performance, which allowed the Ford-certified shops a chance to easily add other OEMs’ certifications, will no longer be affiliated with the Ford program following the 2019 changeover. The Assured Program Ford program will, however, continue in Canada.

The existing Ford-certified repairers will be grandfathered into the new program temporarily, remaining on it until their renewal dates in 2019, according to Ford Global Collision Business and Strategy Manager Jennifer Boyer. At that time, they would need to be approved by the new program.

Assured Performance’s obligation to the shops and program ends December 31; the grandfathered shops will be overseen by Ford starting January 1.

Ford plans to start taking applications for certification in January 2019. Learn more at: collision.ford.com/ford certifiedcollisionnetwork.

Transition Plan for Gold Class Shops • Existing Gold Class shops will continue to train to current Gold Class rules through their 2019 renewal.

At a shop’s first renewal date following the new program launch, the shop will begin transitioning to the new Gold Class requirements for their 2020 renewal.

• Shops that achieve or maintain Gold Class will be granted two renewal periods to achieve 50/100 percent scaling of role representative technicians to ProLevel 2. o Example: If a Gold Class shop is trained to the current ProLevel 1 rules by December 31, 2018, that shop will have through its renewal date in 2020 to train to the new ProLevel 1 requirements, 2021 for ProLevel 2 and 2022 for ProLevel 3.

In addition, Platinum recognition will be achieved after a technician has trained through the new requirements to ProLevel 3. All ProLevel 1 courses will be conducted online.

Up-to-date information on these changes can be found at i-cartraintogain.com.

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PARTNERS IN PREVENTION

Body Shops: Remember to Submit Your Air Emissions Inventory Auto body shops that have an air permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are required to submit an annual report that summarizes air emissions from the shop. The report is called an air emissions inventory. If your shop has an air permit, you will get a reminder from the MPCA soon and must submit the completed report to the MPCA by April 1st.

Each year the MPCA collects an air emissions inventory from all businesses that have an air permit. The collected information shows the types and amounts of pollutants being put in the air across Minnesota and how those amounts change over time.

If your shop has an Option B registration air permit – most body shops do – you will be mailed a paper form to complete and return. You can return the completed form through the mail or email. On the form, you will need to provide the total number of gallons of VOCcontaining materials you purchased or used in 2018.

Your vendors can often provide this info to you. To keep your Option B registration permit, you must purchase or use less than 2000 gallons each year.

What’s a ‘VOCcontaining material’? VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. VOCs are generally solvents and are often the part of a product that is intended to evaporate. VOC-containing materials include paints, thinners and parts washer solvent. VOCs become smog when they are vented from your paint booth or shop and released into the community.

In the spring, shops with an air permit will be sent an invoice for annual air pollution fees. If your shop has an Option B registration permit, the fee will be $140 or $50, depending on whether you purchased or used more or less than 1,000 gallons of VOC-containing materials last year. If you don’t submit an emissions inventory, your air pollution fees will be $210. That’s the higher Option B fee plus a penalty of 50 percent for not submitting your inventory.

If you have a larger air permit, such as an Option C or D registration permit or an LEF (low-emitting facility)

permit, you will submit your emissions inventory online.

The MPCA will send you an email to let you know when the online system is ready for you to submit this year’s report. The email will also include contact information for MPCA staff that can help you if you get stuck. There are handy tips and a short video on the MPCA website to help you use the online system. Go to pca.state.mn.us and type “emissions inventory” in the search box, then click on the link called “Air Emissions Inventory – Electronic reporting.”

Shops that have an Option C or D registration permit or an LEF permit will report the amount of actual emissions released in 2018. If your air permit requires you to do monthly recordkeeping, you have been tracking these numbers all year and the emissions inventory will be easy to complete. If you don’t do monthly recordkeeping, you only have to calculate these numbers once a year and now’s the time. The MPCA’s Business Assistance program website has calculators you can use to figure out the types and amounts of pollutants your shop released. Visit pca.state.mn.us/smallbiz help. If you need help with the calculations, you can call the Business Assistance helpline at 651-282-6143.

Shops with an Option C or D registration permit or an LEF permit will be sent an invoice in the spring based on the amount of air pollutants your shop released. Last year it was $120 per ton and it will be about the same this year. If you don’t submit an emissions inventory, you will still be sent an invoice. And in that case the fee will be based on the most recent data the MPCA has for your shop, and then increased by 50 percent as a penalty for not submitting. So if you want a smaller bill, it’s worth the effort to submit your air emissions inventory.

And, stay tuned for a new option that won’t require you to submit an emissions inventory or pay a fee. Many small shops that follow the requirements of the EPA’s 6H NESHAP will qualify.

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PHONE: 732-495-7900 FAX: 732-495-7904 E-MAIL: bill@rae1.com www.raeservice.com VISIT US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ReliableAutomotiveEquipment 16 | January 2019

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ESTIMATING TIPS Mitchell: Air Bag/SRS Component Inspection and Replacement Tables - Mitchell has published a comprehensive list of parts and inspections required after SRS/Airbag deployment. This information is available online at: http://static.mymitchell.com/static/webhelp/ ppages/abt/1033/index.htm. Users will need to click on the “Air Bag/SRS Component Inspection & Replacement” tab and select the appropriate manufacturer, model and vehicle year.

You are not required to be a Mitchell user/subscriber to view this information. This can be used as a quick reference chart/tool during the repair planning stages to determine vehicle repairability.

Disclaimer: This is not a substitute for OEM repair information. OEM repair information is available by visiting www.oem1stop.com. Manufacturers’ technical websites will always have the most current and up-to-date information. You may be required to create a log-in and pay a subscription cost to view and access OEM direct information.

Information on Tire Replacement - Repairers may find it challenging to find information regarding whether to replace all four (4) or two (2) tires to match the opposite side on the same axle.

Some OEM repair websites may not have this information listed. The DEG suggests locating this information in the vehicle owner’s manual, which would typically be found in the glove box of the vehicle or online.

Using the index of the manual, look up “tires” or “tyres”

for quick search of the manual.

The DEG has made a spreadsheet of all major vehicle manufacturer links to access owner’s manuals online in digital format: http://degweb.org/manufacture-ownerssupport-weblinks.

Charging Battery/Maintaining Battery Voltage - Certain repair situations may require the on-board vehicle battery to be connected to a battery charger/battery maintainer during repairs. An example of this situation is during the scanning process. The OEM may state the vehicle must maintain a certain voltage to ensure all modules, computers, electrical and consumer equipment are being scanned at the proper voltage level. Battery charging and/or battery maintenance is NOT INCLUDED in developed labor times and would require an on-the-spot evaluation.

All Three Estimating Systems: (M) Mechanical Operations for Scanning Operations - CCC, Mitchell and Audatex acknowledge that a scanning operation required during the repair process is a (M)/Mechanical process.

CCC has confirmed that it plans to add the (M) feature to the database shortly.

Both Mitchell and Audatex already designate the operation to Mechanical when selected from the database.

Users may still need to manually input the (M) coding depending on the IP they are using.

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website,WWW.DEGWEB.ORG.

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LOCAL NEWS continued from pg. 7

• Increased exposure to potential employees for your shop • An expanded network of personal business contacts

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Judell Anderson at 612-623-1110.

notices. If you have not paid your 2019 membership dues, PLEASE do so today.

Your timely payment will save the Alliance additional costs and time incurred with re-billing and other collection efforts. We’d much rather be dedicating those resources to programs and initiatives to improve the automotive service industry – and your business. Thank you!

Your Champion.

Your Ally. www.aaspmn.org

Sponsorships Support the Alliance’s Educational Programs & Other Activities in 2019 Sponsorships are now available for the 2019 AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference on April 11, at Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast, and for other events throughout the year.

Sponsorships help AASP-MN deliver quality programs and keep registration fees affordable.

Sponsors are rewarded by increased visibility and recognition within the Alliance membership and industry at-large. It's a great way to stand out, expand marketing dollars and connect with the best shops in the industry.

To date, the following companies have made sponsorship commitments: Gold Sponsors Auto Value Parts Stores / APH Finishmaster Silver Sponsors Enterprise Rent-A-Car PAM’s Auto, Inc. O’Reilly Auto Parts Suburban Chevrolet If you are interested in sponsoring any events in 2019, sponsorship information can be found on the Alliance’s website, www.aaspmn.org, or by calling the office at 612-623-1110.

2019 Membership Dues Are Due! Annual membership renewals were mailed in December. By now, all Alliance members have received at least two membership renewal

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CASH IN ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

The Online Edge: How the Alliance & Net Driven Partnership Can Help Your Business Thrive Now more than ever before, an online presence for your business is significant. And not just any online presence, but a quality one that provides a sense of credibility and legitimacy, turning its visitors into leads and sales, and contributing to the success of your business. But where can you start?

There are several factors that play into the creation of a well-made website that will help your business’s online presence, including: Design & Layout Visual presentation plays an important role in the functionality of a website. A high-performing website will provide a positive user experience that is easy to navigate and responsive. What makes a website responsive? Responsive design is a development style that makes sure that your automotive service site looks great on all devices so that customers are always given a great browsing experience.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: DECEMBER 2018

It’s key to build a solid and consistent brand across all channels by maintaining an active social media presence, gaining positive reviews and managing your online reputation.

Search Engine Optimization Getting found in your local market means having signals that show your site is trustworthy and relevant to people searching in your area. It begins with a website that keeps local search in mind by offering an easy to navigate structure, signals that show where your business is located, and valuable content to help your visitors.

Net Driven gives Alliance members a $500 discount off of firstyear website setup fees. Contact Rich Mullen at 877-860-2005 to take advantage of this savings and start succeeding online today!

Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN Certified Auto & Light Truck South St. Paul, MN EZ Auto Repair Farmington, MN Inver Grove Collision Inver Grove Heights, MN Jack’s Auto Body & Glass Osakis, MN

Content Content is the reason why visitors come to a site. They are seeking information about your business and its services. Make sure that your business website offers key information your customers need and actively look for, such as details about your products and services, directions to your location, your hours of operation, contact information and more in a wellorganized manner.

Calls to Action Calls to action within a site’s content and design come in the form of clickable links, headlines, or custom buttons. It entices a visitor to take action beyond the page they are on, an action like submitting a form, requesting a quote, purchasing a product, or even just clicking a link that leads to another page with relevant information.

Credibility A business with an online footprint is a business that can be found, recognized and confided in.

AASP-MN News

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AASP-MN MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS WORKERS’ COMP INSURANCE AmeriTrust Group (formerly Meadowbrook Insurance Group) Contact: Brad Schmid 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbizaia.com Up-front scheduled credit makes Meadowbrook one of the most competitive programs around for Worker‘s Compensation insurance. In addition, members are eligible to receive an annual dividend based on the group’s loss ratio.

For more information, log on to www.wcpolicy.com/aaspmn.

LEGAL CONSULTATION Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick 800-496-6789 Members receive free, over-the-phone legal assessment and consultation (some restrictions apply) with an attorney who specializes in the area of law that is the subject of the call.

WEBSITE AND INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONS Autoshop Solutions Contact: Tony Mercury 919-267-1731 / tony@autoshopsolutions.com Autoshop Solutions has developed the PROPERTY/LIABILITY INSURANCE most cutting-edge marketing platform for CBIZ AIA AASP members. Really Powerful Marketing Contact: Brad Schmid (RPM) is an all-in-one program that bundles 763-549-2247 / bschmid@cbizaia.com your website, pay-per-click, search engine CBIZ AIA will present AASP-MN members optimization, social media, and much more! with quotes from multiple carriers for With five levels of RPM to match your property/liability insurance and members can choose the program that best fits their budget, goals, and competition, it’s built to drive your shop forward! situation. As an added bonus, CBIZ AIA will offer members an exclusive 10\ discount on Net Driven their property/liability insurance premiums.

Contact: Rich Mullen Ask about our program with United Fire 877-860-2005, ext. 224 / Group! rmullen@netdriven.com Net Driven is a market leader in website EMPLOYEE BENEFITS and internet marketing solutions designed Business Planning Professionals exclusively for the automotive industry.

Contact: Dennis Begley AASP-MN members who choose Net 612-308-6577 / dennis@begley-group.com Driven are eligible for a $500 discount off Business Planning Professionals will provide their 1st year setup fees.

AASP-MN member with quotes from multiple carriers for life insurance, health TECHNICAL INFORMATION HOTLINE insurance, IDENTIFIX long-term care and disability insurance.

800-288-6220

UNIFORM & LINEN SUPPLIES AmeriPride Services Contact: Joel Hogstad 612-362-0318 / Joel.Hogstad@ameripride.com Discounted pricing to members on rental of uniforms, entrance mats, shop rags, etc.

Purchases are also discounted. Members receive annual rebate equal to 10% of their business with AmeriPride each year.

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING Association BankCard Services Contact: Mac Hardin 952-933-2026 / mach@retailfinancialservices.biz Competitive rates for AASP-MN members.

Terminals and printers sold at cost. Monthly rental of equipment is also available.

22 | January 2019

Members enjoy discounted prices on the industry’s #1 technical information hotline, Direct-Hit. INFORMATION PROVIDERS Mitchell1 Contact: Mitchell1 Representative 888-724-6742 x 6986 Mitchell1 offers AASP members special savings on Mitchell 1’s ProDemand, Manager SE & Teamworks products. For more information, contact Customer Service at 888-724-6742, ext. 6986.

Mitchell International Contact: Mitchell International Representative 800-238-9111 AASP members receive a 15% discount on any Mitchell RepairCenter TechAdvisor package. Visit repaircenter.mitchell.com/ Catalog/OEMRepair.aspx for more information.

AASP-MN News

AUTO EMPLOYEE ASSESSMENT Assessment Associates International Contact: Ron Page 952-854-6551 / ronald.page@aai-assessment.com Designed to help facilitate and enhance hiring decisions. AASP-MN members receive 50% off retail price and starts as low as $15 per assessment.

BUSINESS FORMS/CALENDARS AASP-MN Contact: Jodi Pillsbury 612-623-1110 / jodi@aaspmn.org Discount rate on printed business forms and calendars.

CHECK GUARANTEE SERVICES Certegy Check Services 877-520-2987 Discount rate of .75% to AASP-MN members. Use existing credit card terminal.

Fast claim payments.

SAFETY COMPLIANCE Complete, Health, Environmental & Safety Services, Inc. (CHESS) Contact: Carol Keyes 651-481-9787 / carkey@chess-safety.com AASP-MN members receive a 20% discount on Safety Data Sheet Management (SDSLinks), Right to Know(RTK)/Hazard Communication program customized for your facility and monthly safety reminders, and other safety, OSHA or environmental assistance.

PAYROLL PROCESSING CBIZ Payroll Contact: Carrie Hobrough 612-436-4620 / chobrough@cbiz.com Members receive 20% discount off standard payroll products and services (excluding 401k). Members who switch prior to June 30 will receive first month of payroll processing free.

BUSINESS COACHING 180biz 540-833-2014 / info@180biz.com Members receive a 20-percent discount on one-on-one sales and management coaching programs (covering financial planning & analysis, strategic marketing, leadership and personnel development) without long-term commitments. Members also receive a 25% discount on monthly sales & management webinars as well as a 20-percent discount on all 180BIZ advisor training programs.

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AASP-MN News

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