5 minute read
Executive Director’s Message
(804) 789-9649 jordanhendler@wmaba.com
DON’T COAST FOR 2021: GIVE YOUR BUSINESS AND CUSTOMERS A DESERVING BOOST
Last month, I focused on the negative. If you missed it, go read that article at grecopublishing.com/hammer-and-dolly-archives and then come right back here. That was some of my most thoughtful writing. Here, I’m taking another turn and going for full positivity!
If you just rolled your eyes, I feel that. Positivity is so irritating, right?!
Many of our members and readers have certainly strained against the battlefield of 2020 and are tired of being beat down by the waves of issues related to the pandemic. Rather than rehash that, let’s ask what we can do to look ahead and actually move forward.
Make One Weekly Call
I think we first must strive to strengthen relationships. Head down is not the way to go here. Going it alone isn’t necessary, and that – to me – is the first major task you can take on. Make it a scheduled time each week, maybe an hour to start. Call a vendor you use. Maybe paint, computer software, the trash company – it doesn’t matter. Ask them to tell you all the resources they have available – whether it’s financial management, SOPs, processes, recycling or anything of the like. Get to know what they have to offer. I’m not saying you have to commit at this point, but just gain the understanding.
Once you get accustomed to calling your vendors and compiling your readily available resources, the next step is to decide the first thing you’d want to implement. One step at a time here. It may just be one thing in the end, but you’ve done it! And every one of those people will recognize you more whenever you call.
Get a Mentor or Accountability Partner
To make these kinds of choices, it helps to have someone you trust who will be brutally honest and challenge your decisions. You may be reading this and thinking, “Geesh, that’s my spouse,” or, “Wow, my body technician challenges me on everything.” Nope, not them. They’re just too close.
You may have to “interview” whoever you identify as a potential candidate. There may be several people you believe could fill this role in your life, but don’t decide right away unless you feel – totally and unequivocally – that there’s a bullseye on one person that cannot
WMABA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
Torchy Chandler
torchy.chandler@gmail.com 410-309-2242
Bill Hawkins
hawkinswilliamjr@gmail.com 510-915-2283
SECRETARY Phil Rice
phil@ricewoods.com 540-846-6617
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Mark Schaech, Jr.
markschaech@gmail.com 410-358-5155
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Beaver (donbeaver3551@gmail.com) 443-235-6668 Rodney Bolton (rbolton@aacps.org) 443-386-0066 Kevin Burt (kevinburt@walkermillcollision.com) 301-336-1140 Kris Burton (kris@Rosslynautobody.com) 703-820-1800 Barry Dorn (bdorn@dornsbodyandpaint.com) 804-746-3928 Ben Gibson (bgibson@richmondmarinecenter.com) 804-355-8151 Steven Krieps (srkrieps@live.com) 304-755-1146 Danny Szarka (danny@dynamiccollisionservices.com) 410-500-9200
ADMINISTRATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jordan Hendler (jordanhendler@wmaba.com) 804-789-9649
WMABA CORPORATE OFFICE
P.O. Box 3157 • Mechanicsville, VA 23116
STAFF
PUBLISHER Thomas Greco
thomas@grecopublishing.com
SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli
alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joel Gausten
joel@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL/CREATIVE Alana Bonillo
COORDINATOR alana@grecopublishing.com
OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco
donna@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Joe Greco
joe@grecopublishing.com
PUBLISHED BY TGP, Inc. 244 Chestnut St., Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110 973-667-6922 FAX 973-235-1963
Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written permission from the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not necessarily representations of TGP Inc. or of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA). Copyright © 2021 Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.
Stock Images courtesy of istockphoto.com.
be shaken. (This may be an opportunity to read more about mentoring, especially if it’s a foreign concept.)
Personally, I have both a coach and an accountability partner. My coach is specific to my yoga sports competition and personal growth. My accountability partner keeps me focused on short- and long-term goals for business and personal structures. When I come up with an idea, we discuss whether or not it fits and if I can justify it. Both give me candid and insistent feedback for which I am eternally grateful. We have standing calls that are never missed.
I’ve made choices on my own that seemed great but sucked when walked out. Folks ask me often, “How do you accomplish all the things you do?” I definitely don’t by myself, but I know it is because I’m no longer distracted by things that don’t fit my agreed-upon plans. If you set these strategic goals in agreement, you just don’t have time for anything else. That includes drama, sidebars, quick schemes, etc.
Write it ALL Down
You may not think to use Excel or Google Sheets for your goals. I’m here to tell you that when you become intentional about what you want to see happen in your business, career or personal life, it will happen. For me, it’s meaningful growth in my business, that my clients will have marked successes year over year and that I spend time on my health, family and enrichment in the areas I’ve decided.
I don’t know about you, but I had years where I felt like I did the same day over and over while walking around with a fire extinguisher in my hand. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired.
It’s Not Magic; It’s Focus
My dad has always said, “A goal is meaningless until it is written down.” You want to become debt-free without a budget? Never gonna happen. But if you learn about how to effectively budget, track everything, throw yourself into a plan and document the progress, then it will happen. I’m a Christian, so I even pray for these plans. Spiritual or not, there’s tremendous power in declaration over your life. I want to walk this one life with steps that matter.
I hope you do just one thing in the beginning of this year that sets intention and declares dominion. No one was born with the ability to see the future, but gosh darn it, we can do everything in our power to have it go in the right direction.
As with every message, if you want to vet it or vent it, I’m here for you - and so is the entirety of WMABA!
