Why Join WIN?

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

continued from pg. 4 it has amounted to – you guessed it – slowly and consistently rising premiums anyway, because in reality, insurance is a business, and if a business does not show growth, the business shuts down or people lose their jobs.

As a repairer, be aware of the coming storm and make sure you understand your role in the process of claims, consumers and repairs. You are not a hero, despite your desire to fix not only the car, but also the driver. There are things you can neither control nor should be involved in. Don’t over promise what you can deliver, and stay in your lane. Consider what you are going to do if a consumer invokes the Appraisal Clause. What should you not do? The reality is that it has nothing to do with you!

I know a lot of people say we are the ones fixing the car. You are right! You are fixing the car, but RTA is a way to fix the claim, and these are not the same thing. Discuss your position with your attorney or legal representative. I conduct appraisals daily and have firsthand knowledge and experience on the subject. Some of these opinions expressed are my own based on conversations with other appraisers and adjusters. These only reflect my experiences and are not to be construed as a full representation of fact. H&D

Cover Story

continued from pg. 29 agrees. “You may need to work harder, but recognizing there are still opportunities to take advantage of is better than believing it’s going to get slow. Thoughts dictate actions, so when you accept that negative change is coming, you stop working as hard; your negative thoughts allow you to spiral and reinforce that negativity. But positive thinking helps you work harder and make good things happen.

“When things go well, we unconsciously expect them to stay that way, and when they go sideways, we fear they’ll stay that way,” he continues. “But neither is true. In reality, there are seasons to business: We plant and grow in spring, nurture in summer, harvest in the fall and then recharge and reset every winter. And if you’re prepared for those cycles, it can be pretty amazing. Jim Rohn has a great lesson on thinking like an ant…never quit, focus on gathering all you can, think winter all summer and think summer all winter. Your economy lives in the six inches between your ears, and when you’re approaching the unknown, recognizing that you control your mindset and your mindset controls your outcomes can make all the difference in the world.”

Embracing a positive mindset may sound easier said than done, but identifying the opportunities that exist allows shops to take advantage of them and assume a more favorable outlook on the future. So, what are those opportunities, how can advancing technology work to shops’ benefit, and how can shops navigate increasing expenses? Find out in the second part of this feature, coming soon to the July edition of Hammer & Dolly. H&D