The Expo and the sessions had attendees engaged.
Jeff Schroder,
Car-Part.com, led a discussion on Collision Advice, emphasizing the need to be cus- tomer service-minded as a one-stop shop. “The buyer would prefer to buy all eight parts they need from one place; it makes it easier if there is a problem with the order or if they need a last-minute piece. They’ll call you for it since you just sold them the parts.” He suggests, “Do you want to miss a sale because you don’t have three of the parts? Consider the use of quality aftermarket parts. Selling more parts is the simplest way to make more dollars.” Emphasizing workplace safety, Paul D’Adamo’s ses- sion, “Developing a Safety Culture,” made the case for staying ahead of compliance. “Do you know how much an eye injury costs you?,” he warns. “Your employees are your most valuable asset. Protect them.” When choosing the company’s safety gear, consider what the employees will actually wear. On those clunky old-style safety goggles, he said, “If you wouldn’t wear it, why expect your people to wear it.” In fact, he advised to keep them invested in safety, “Have the really cool safety glasses as prizes each month for employees who go above and beyond. Or, reward employees with food, cash, or other safety gear.” The Ladies of the Automotive Recyclers Association (LARA) Breakfast was well-attended with old friends
34 Automotive Recycling | January-February 2016
and new faces. Caryn Smith, Editor, Automotive Recycling magazine, spoke to the group on “Finding Purpose in Your Work, And How That Is Good For Business.” To have an inspired work and life, she encouraged attendees to be invigorated by their choices and roles, not depleted, suggesting they dele- gate, say “no” more often, and develop a personal mis- sion statement to guide all decisions.
Smith found it beneficial to get involved in the com- munity. “I was able to see the need in my area, find where I fit in, and have the time to help. I believe we should always give more and before you expect to receive. This outreach helped to associate my business to community leadership; it is great public relations. And it feeds my soul.”
Other helpful sessions included discussion on social
media (see page 39), illegal operators, cores, Internet sales, IT, parts numbers, and shipping.
Presidential Night The ARA Awards Dinner and Gavel Passing, with a
Winner’s Circle checkered flag theme had attendees dressed in black and white to pay tribute to members who have excelled (see award recipients on page 35). Receiving the highest honor presented, Gary Beagell, Gary’s U-Pull-It, Inc., Binghamton, NY and
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