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Sant Automotive News Vol. XIII, no. 1
Happy New Year!
Welcome to another New Year’s edition of the Sant Automotive News. In this edition, we will quickly review the last year and then jump to a discussion of teen drivers.
2010 was a banner year for Sant Automotive. Rick Speth was added late in 2009 as our third ASE certified, Master Technician. So 2010 was the first full year that Greg served as Service Manager. The move allowed Greg to better utilize the communication skills that have made him a successful radio talk show host. Greg takes the information that is reported to him by our ASE certified Master Technicians and uses that information to more accurately research alternative courses of action that can then be presented to our customers who make the final decisions about the services that they would like to have performed. This was not a change in philosophy but an improvement in execution.
In addition to improving performance within the shop, the addition of
Rick and the reassignment of Greg allowed me, Dick, to spend more time in the community. This is something that we think both helps the community and helps us to meet new people and potential customers. 2010 was a great year in that regard, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of small business owners, their employees, and area residents.
I joined on the Board of the Webster Groves-Shrewsbury Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet business leaders in the community. As a small business owner, I have always wanted to support small business and feel good about doing it, but in 2010, I realized the benefit that customers receive from supporting small business. By dealing with small businesses, customers get a degree of product knowledge and customer service that is rare in larger businesses. Also, when dealing with small businesses, customers can look the business owner in the eye with the knowledge that regardless of the outcome of a certain transaction, they will look him or her in the eye again.
In 2010, Sant Automotive also rejoined the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Area Chamber of Commerce. We had previously been members but had quit because we were not seeing a direct benefit from our membership. In retrospect, we realized that chambers of commerce are venues that provide the opportunity to make acquaintances but that ultimately the benefit that members receive from chamber relationships is related directly to the effort expended. For membership in a chamber to be an effective, you must have the time and energy to attend the events and to make friends.
Also, the shift in personnel allowed me to take a more active role in the Rotary Club of Webster Groves. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Webster Groves, my wife, Katy, and I were able to attend the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. This was a transformative experience. In addition to meeting Rotarians from around the world who converged upon Montreal to celebrate the motto “Service Above Self,” we were given the opportunity to personally meet and talk with people who make huge difference in the lives of thousands of people. Specifically, we met and had dinner with Tom Henderson, a Rotarian from Cornwall, England, who started an international relief organization in 1999. I asked Tom how he could start an organization and in 10 years turn it into one of the most respected disaster relief organizations in the world. Henderson told me that he has a motto which is “Keep it simple. Do it now.” That’s a pretty good motto. He also says, “Don’t do nothing.”
For more information about ShelterBox, go to www.ShelterBox.org, or give me a call at 314-849-2900. I would be happy to tell you more about it.
Also, through Rotary, I was provided the opportunity to meet Ed Johnson from the Webster Rock Hill Ministries and to see the good work that he does in the Webster Groves/Rockhill Area. Meetings with Ed led to the creation of the Rotary Duck Races which funded a water safety program for underprivileged kids in the area. The program was conducted by the Webster Groves Parks and Recreation Department. Due to the success of the Duck Races and the Water Safety Program, we look forward to expanding each in 2011.
In short 2010 was a special year for us, and it was possible only because of the support that we received from our customers.
On New Year’s Eve, my youngest daughter turned 16. This led to a re-examination of what it takes to keep a kid safe when you turn over your keys to them. Aside from the state mandated 40 hours of parental instruction, which provided me the opportunity to impart timeless wisdom that transcends mere drivers safety while simultaneously teaching my daughter to tune out unneeded distractions, we covered the usual topics which ranged from when and where to fill up the tank, what to do in case of an emergency or accident, what to keep in the car, how to change a spare tire, and a few very basic maintenance tips. Also, we purchased a GSP. Specifically, I bought a Garmin 1390T.
I believe that a GPS is a valuable safety tool for teen drivers and a great convenience as well. A risk is that drivers will concentrate on the screen and not pay attention to the road, but I believe that this potential hazard is outweighed by the benefit of having a planned route and of being warned of upcoming turns. I tested the GPS personally, and it never yells, “Turn, turn, turn now, Go!” Anyway, I will keep you all informed and let you know if my position of the device evolves.
Next issue, I will talk about our plans for 2011 and also discuss the safety of “hands free” cell phone technology. Thanks again from all of us at Sant Automotive, and have a happy new year.
Sant Automotive News Vol. XIII, no. 1
Happy New Year!
Welcome to another New Year’s edition of the Sant Automotive News. In this edition, we will quickly review the last year and then jump to a discussion of teen drivers.
2010 was a banner year for Sant Automotive. Rick Speth was added late in 2009 as our third ASE certified, Master Technician. So 2010 was the first full year that Greg served as Service Manager. The move allowed Greg to better utilize the communication skills that have made him a successful radio talk show host. Greg takes the information that is reported to him by our ASE certified Master Technicians and uses that information to more accurately research alternative courses of action that can then be presented to our customers who make the final decisions about the services that they would like to have performed. This was not a change in philosophy but an improvement in execution.
In addition to improving performance within the shop, the addition of
Rick and the reassignment of Greg allowed me, Dick, to spend more time in the community. This is something that we think both helps the community and helps us to meet new people and potential customers. 2010 was a great year in that regard, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of small business owners, their employees, and area residents.
I joined on the Board of the Webster Groves-Shrewsbury Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet business leaders in the community. As a small business owner, I have always wanted to support small business and feel good about doing it, but in 2010, I realized the benefit that customers receive from supporting small business. By dealing with small businesses, customers get a degree of product knowledge and customer service that is rare in larger businesses. Also, when dealing with small businesses, customers can look the business owner in the eye with the knowledge that regardless of the outcome of a certain transaction, they will look him or her in the eye again.
In 2010, Sant Automotive also rejoined the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Area Chamber of Commerce. We had previously been members but had quit because we were not seeing a direct benefit from our membership. In retrospect, we realized that chambers of commerce are venues that provide the opportunity to make acquaintances but that ultimately the benefit that members receive from chamber relationships is related directly to the effort expended. For membership in a chamber to be an effective, you must have the time and energy to attend the events and to make friends.
Also, the shift in personnel allowed me to take a more active role in the Rotary Club of Webster Groves. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Webster Groves, my wife, Katy, and I were able to attend the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. This was a transformative experience. In addition to meeting Rotarians from around the world who converged upon Montreal to celebrate the motto “Service Above Self,” we were given the opportunity to personally meet and talk with people who make huge difference in the lives of thousands of people. Specifically, we met and had dinner with Tom Henderson, a Rotarian from Cornwall, England, who started an international relief organization in 1999. I asked Tom how he could start an organization and in 10 years turn it into one of the most respected disaster relief organizations in the world. Henderson told me that he has a motto which is “Keep it simple. Do it now.” That’s a pretty good motto. He also says, “Don’t do nothing.”
For more information about ShelterBox, go to www.ShelterBox.org, or give me a call at 314-849-2900. I would be happy to tell you more about it.
Also, through Rotary, I was provided the opportunity to meet Ed Johnson from the Webster Rock Hill Ministries and to see the good work that he does in the Webster Groves/Rockhill Area. Meetings with Ed led to the creation of the Rotary Duck Races which funded a water safety program for underprivileged kids in the area. The program was conducted by the Webster Groves Parks and Recreation Department. Due to the success of the Duck Races and the Water Safety Program, we look forward to expanding each in 2011.
In short 2010 was a special year for us, and it was possible only because of the support that we received from our customers.
On New Year’s Eve, my youngest daughter turned 16. This led to a re-examination of what it takes to keep a kid safe when you turn over your keys to them. Aside from the state mandated 40 hours of parental instruction, which provided me the opportunity to impart timeless wisdom that transcends mere drivers safety while simultaneously teaching my daughter to tune out unneeded distractions, we covered the usual topics which ranged from when and where to fill up the tank, what to do in case of an emergency or accident, what to keep in the car, how to change a spare tire, and a few very basic maintenance tips. Also, we purchased a GSP. Specifically, I bought a Garmin 1390T.
I believe that a GPS is a valuable safety tool for teen drivers and a great convenience as well. A risk is that drivers will concentrate on the screen and not pay attention to the road, but I believe that this potential hazard is outweighed by the benefit of having a planned route and of being warned of upcoming turns. I tested the GPS personally, and it never yells, “Turn, turn, turn now, Go!” Anyway, I will keep you all informed and let you know if my position of the device evolves.
Next issue, I will talk about our plans for 2011 and also discuss the safety of “hands free” cell phone technology. Thanks again from all of us at Sant Automotive, and have a happy new year.
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