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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
do you pay beggars ? ......because I am now begging !
- Thread starter Ralf*
- Start date
Ralf, as someone in business, I feel this needs to be said - Wake up and smell the coffee!
After reading through, and observing the goings on at SpeedWay Auto, I feel quite obliged to point the following out to you, as maybe you aren't seeing this for yourself.
- A business owner cannot leave the fate of their investment in the hands of the staff:
As anyone will tell you, there is no replacement for hard work. Too many times before have I heard this from a Fanatic, "I went to Speedway, and Ralf wasn't there.". In all honesty, a business owner is required to be hands-on at most, if not all times. To take an active interest in what goes on in your shop is nothing bad. So is being the first person to get to work, as well as the last person to leave. As the boss, it's your duty to lead by example.
I could not fathom how you have a shop performing various work and services, daily, yet you have no gauge on what work is being done on each car that passes through your doors. This is alarming, as how do you then ensure customer satisfaction and conflict resolution, should a customer return? Further to that, knowing what's going on in your store ultimately gives you an idea as to what your turnover should be for a day / week / month.
- the guy who pays the salary is the boss:
While your staff might know what they're doing in most cases, it seems like you let them dictate what goes on in Speedway, rather than you calling the shots. It seems like today was a prime example to that. As an owner, you're ultimately a leader, which requires you to be tough on certain stances. The converse also requires you to be fair and decent towards them. If my staff ever told me to sit in my office and let them handle everything going on in the shop, that would automatically fire off the alarm bells as to what they are actually hiding. Also the fact that you allowed a guy under the influence to work with and drive customers cars today is both shocking and appalling.
- know your target market:
I've heard you mention on several occasions about how you get quite a few enquiries from Fanatics which hardly materialises into actual work. This is fair, however, where is the bulk of your current work coming from? From what I've seen, it's more the people in and around the area that drive in, looking for work to be done, as opposed to referrals from online media. What have you done to engage that market? Cyber begging is definitely not going to pay your bills and I suggest that you do more work to properly enhance your gathering of work, as opposed to making it fall into your lap.
- maintain what you have an investment in:
Most people don't figure this out till very late on in their business lives - maintaining the look and appearance of their businesses actually shows that they take pride in what they do, which automatically shows the client base that they're serious about good work. To put this bluntly: Speedway is filthy and is a mess. The respect for people goes a long way, and the toilets at Speedway are just shocking. Would you return to a place of business if you were subjected to such conditions? The same goes for the outside and service area. There is no clear way of doing things and there is no order. Same goes for the signage outside the store - everything needs to be properly maintained to keep the business looking good, as opposed to looking like it has given up on itself.
What I'm saying by all of this is that you should not spend your time sitting in a back office after having arrived at work after 10am. Spending time behind a PC does not drive profits, doing actual work does. Proven by many advertisers on here who dedicate work time to business involvement and activities, and have a satisfied client base as well as success to show.
This might come across as scathing but I feel that this all must be said. You need to take an active handle on your success as opposed to leaving it in the hands of everyone else.
All the best,
Fuzz
Sent from my iPhone 6+ using Tapatalk
After reading through, and observing the goings on at SpeedWay Auto, I feel quite obliged to point the following out to you, as maybe you aren't seeing this for yourself.
- A business owner cannot leave the fate of their investment in the hands of the staff:
As anyone will tell you, there is no replacement for hard work. Too many times before have I heard this from a Fanatic, "I went to Speedway, and Ralf wasn't there.". In all honesty, a business owner is required to be hands-on at most, if not all times. To take an active interest in what goes on in your shop is nothing bad. So is being the first person to get to work, as well as the last person to leave. As the boss, it's your duty to lead by example.
I could not fathom how you have a shop performing various work and services, daily, yet you have no gauge on what work is being done on each car that passes through your doors. This is alarming, as how do you then ensure customer satisfaction and conflict resolution, should a customer return? Further to that, knowing what's going on in your store ultimately gives you an idea as to what your turnover should be for a day / week / month.
- the guy who pays the salary is the boss:
While your staff might know what they're doing in most cases, it seems like you let them dictate what goes on in Speedway, rather than you calling the shots. It seems like today was a prime example to that. As an owner, you're ultimately a leader, which requires you to be tough on certain stances. The converse also requires you to be fair and decent towards them. If my staff ever told me to sit in my office and let them handle everything going on in the shop, that would automatically fire off the alarm bells as to what they are actually hiding. Also the fact that you allowed a guy under the influence to work with and drive customers cars today is both shocking and appalling.
- know your target market:
I've heard you mention on several occasions about how you get quite a few enquiries from Fanatics which hardly materialises into actual work. This is fair, however, where is the bulk of your current work coming from? From what I've seen, it's more the people in and around the area that drive in, looking for work to be done, as opposed to referrals from online media. What have you done to engage that market? Cyber begging is definitely not going to pay your bills and I suggest that you do more work to properly enhance your gathering of work, as opposed to making it fall into your lap.
- maintain what you have an investment in:
Most people don't figure this out till very late on in their business lives - maintaining the look and appearance of their businesses actually shows that they take pride in what they do, which automatically shows the client base that they're serious about good work. To put this bluntly: Speedway is filthy and is a mess. The respect for people goes a long way, and the toilets at Speedway are just shocking. Would you return to a place of business if you were subjected to such conditions? The same goes for the outside and service area. There is no clear way of doing things and there is no order. Same goes for the signage outside the store - everything needs to be properly maintained to keep the business looking good, as opposed to looking like it has given up on itself.
What I'm saying by all of this is that you should not spend your time sitting in a back office after having arrived at work after 10am. Spending time behind a PC does not drive profits, doing actual work does. Proven by many advertisers on here who dedicate work time to business involvement and activities, and have a satisfied client base as well as success to show.
This might come across as scathing but I feel that this all must be said. You need to take an active handle on your success as opposed to leaving it in the hands of everyone else.
All the best,
Fuzz
Sent from my iPhone 6+ using Tapatalk
In the spirit of being positive and contributing for the benefit of adding value to Ralf consider the following.
How hard is it to phone your customer the day after and find out whether he /she is happy satisfied with the work executed?
A lot less hard than posting "I am begging for help"
The shop could possibly be saved if a customer centric approach was implemented and the front line was covered by the man whose fortunes are tied into the business as opposed to a foreman whose knowledge has wide gaps.
I have been astounded how at times when asked a question on this forum the response has been " I shall ask my salesman and revert".
I put it to you the wider audience that an entrepreneur needs to be in full knowledge and control of his / her enterprise or soon the enterprise will go south.
I am by no means the yardstick of customer feedback however those that have had dealings with me will tell you that I keep them informed to the point of nausea......and if I cock it up I fix it even if it lands up costing me.....which has not been the case with Pho3nix90's issues.
The X5 has a mild steel balancing pipe instead of stainless steel with welds that would embarrass a blind man and it is equally located in the wrong place and that, after I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with Jackson (at my cost) to explain to him where it needed to be located to which his response was "that is not the way we do it now".....obviously Ralf was not at the shop at the time.......go figure.
AdiS made some general remarks earlier on in the thread and I remember that he received some negative feedback.....the truth is incontrovertible.
How hard is it to phone your customer the day after and find out whether he /she is happy satisfied with the work executed?
A lot less hard than posting "I am begging for help"
The shop could possibly be saved if a customer centric approach was implemented and the front line was covered by the man whose fortunes are tied into the business as opposed to a foreman whose knowledge has wide gaps.
I have been astounded how at times when asked a question on this forum the response has been " I shall ask my salesman and revert".
I put it to you the wider audience that an entrepreneur needs to be in full knowledge and control of his / her enterprise or soon the enterprise will go south.
I am by no means the yardstick of customer feedback however those that have had dealings with me will tell you that I keep them informed to the point of nausea......and if I cock it up I fix it even if it lands up costing me.....which has not been the case with Pho3nix90's issues.
The X5 has a mild steel balancing pipe instead of stainless steel with welds that would embarrass a blind man and it is equally located in the wrong place and that, after I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with Jackson (at my cost) to explain to him where it needed to be located to which his response was "that is not the way we do it now".....obviously Ralf was not at the shop at the time.......go figure.
AdiS made some general remarks earlier on in the thread and I remember that he received some negative feedback.....the truth is incontrovertible.
Peter , fuzz, phoenix and all those of us that SEEM that we crapping on ralf are not. We are providing feedback that is essential in turning a business around. Yes I'm not happy about saying or reading what has to be said, but at the end of the day, we all mean well. We don't want to see a business go under, that not the type of people we are. We would like to see it prosper, and grow from strength to strength. Grab the bl by the horns ralf and we really do wish you well. Contructive Cristism should be taken in the right way.
husain333
///Member
Coming from this type of business background amongst others that I own, I can say one thing to Ralf ' DO NOT SIT IN YOUR OFFICE'
I made that mistake in 2009/2010 when I owned a fitment centre only to realize later that my alignment guys where robbing me silly, stock control was being minipulated and all because of me thinking they staff its there job to work.
Staff unfortunately look for ways to make extra money at any cost and when they see there superior does not know much or shows little interest its like heaven for them
This business or any for that matter needs the owner to have a hands on. Fitment centers are not easy to run if you do not have control. You will continue to lose money.
1. Number system for vehicles.
2. Job card for every vehicle ( walk on the floor and see every vehicle has a job card)
3. Computer set pricing for stock that only you can change or discount
4. Regular stock takes
5. Month End complete stock takes
I had a staff member once tell me sit in your office that's where a boss belongs. My response was see that door, walk through it and never come back.
I treat staff well and non will ever have a complain but when it's time to work they work and they know I'm there boss and not there friend.
Understandable the market is bad right now but it's still no excuse to be asking for hand Outs. I still even after having sold the FC wholesale tYRES and mag wheels amongst other things but I make it work I push and do what need to be done to see to it my bill are met. It's not easy it requires work and hard work at that and if you can't man up and take control and know what's going on you not going to make it.
Yesterday I only got to kemp ton park at 3pm I was coming to show support and speak to ralf who I never met before to offer some advice as I know the tricks only to be told they closed. It was upsetting.
I am willing to help you implement certain processes and mechanisms for making it work but you need to be prepared to do it as its hard work and time that will need to be invested.
I made that mistake in 2009/2010 when I owned a fitment centre only to realize later that my alignment guys where robbing me silly, stock control was being minipulated and all because of me thinking they staff its there job to work.
Staff unfortunately look for ways to make extra money at any cost and when they see there superior does not know much or shows little interest its like heaven for them
This business or any for that matter needs the owner to have a hands on. Fitment centers are not easy to run if you do not have control. You will continue to lose money.
1. Number system for vehicles.
2. Job card for every vehicle ( walk on the floor and see every vehicle has a job card)
3. Computer set pricing for stock that only you can change or discount
4. Regular stock takes
5. Month End complete stock takes
I had a staff member once tell me sit in your office that's where a boss belongs. My response was see that door, walk through it and never come back.
I treat staff well and non will ever have a complain but when it's time to work they work and they know I'm there boss and not there friend.
Understandable the market is bad right now but it's still no excuse to be asking for hand Outs. I still even after having sold the FC wholesale tYRES and mag wheels amongst other things but I make it work I push and do what need to be done to see to it my bill are met. It's not easy it requires work and hard work at that and if you can't man up and take control and know what's going on you not going to make it.
Yesterday I only got to kemp ton park at 3pm I was coming to show support and speak to ralf who I never met before to offer some advice as I know the tricks only to be told they closed. It was upsetting.
I am willing to help you implement certain processes and mechanisms for making it work but you need to be prepared to do it as its hard work and time that will need to be invested.
Guys, we all know Ralf very well and dealt with him on several occasions. How do u think Ralf must be feeling right now?
Don't you think it would've been better to speak to Ralf directly regarding issues or even send a Pm if you don't want to speak in person.
To discuss these issues on a public forum is totally uncalled for...
Cmon Guys. This is not how fanatics should react.
At this rate I don't think any fanatics will ever go back.
Ralf might as well call it a day with advertising on this forum as it will be a futile exercise from now on.
Don't you think it would've been better to speak to Ralf directly regarding issues or even send a Pm if you don't want to speak in person.
To discuss these issues on a public forum is totally uncalled for...
Cmon Guys. This is not how fanatics should react.
At this rate I don't think any fanatics will ever go back.
Ralf might as well call it a day with advertising on this forum as it will be a futile exercise from now on.
Pho3niX90
///Member
Yuben. I for one have tried speaking to ralf over PM numerous times. With no help, I have been so nice as to not post up my dealings with the business that has cost me thousands of rands additional. I feel bad for him to be honest, but lessons must be learned.
Feeling bad for people is exactly why people are still getting f over by businesses and why service delivery is so terrible these days.
Feeling bad for people is exactly why people are still getting f over by businesses and why service delivery is so terrible these days.
KarshS
///Member
YUBEN said:
dude seriously grow a pair....Damn.....Ralf wants to enter idols and he cant sing....Its people like you that make your friends look like arses on TV.
What is the differance about posting it here or on the Vendor feedback forum? must the be deleted also?
Read up....People wanted to help...went out their way and got shafted....
@Phoenix, Sorry to hear of your misfortune.
I note that you could not get hold of Ralf, but some of the responses here and the other threads are from fanatics that were there yesterday.
So there was the opportunity to speak face to face seeing that the purpose of the posts so far is constructive criticism to help improve the business.
@Karsh330D, you don't know me and I don't know you. Please refrain from making personal remarks towards me.
I note that you could not get hold of Ralf, but some of the responses here and the other threads are from fanatics that were there yesterday.
So there was the opportunity to speak face to face seeing that the purpose of the posts so far is constructive criticism to help improve the business.
@Karsh330D, you don't know me and I don't know you. Please refrain from making personal remarks towards me.
husain333
///Member
I know where ralf is and what his feeling because I too have being there once. Not a place I would want any one to be:
However from everything said by people who have had dealings he has brought this upon himself.
Yuben Everyone bashing at Speedway because of what they see and how they were received today and some on other events which explains the anger and lashing.
This is how everyone expressed anger and dissatisfaction in today's times. With anger comes slot of words.
Knowing the position Ralf is in I am prepared to offer sound and solid advice and even meet with ralf to sit and discuss what measures he can implement to get his business running efficiently and with GODS blessing profitable and viable for him.
However ralf will have to be willing to and also willing to work towards it and work hard.
I have my details below. Ralf feeling free to contact me and I'll advice best I can with nothing expected in return.
I too have a family and it's not easy having this on your plate but rather improve and implement and try than. Asking for handouts.
I offer this help publicly not to gain fame but because I know the feeling and I was offered advice that helped me.
That goes for anyone going though anything my number is open and I will try help anyone if and where I can.
My numbers 082-222-4061
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Ciao
However from everything said by people who have had dealings he has brought this upon himself.
Yuben Everyone bashing at Speedway because of what they see and how they were received today and some on other events which explains the anger and lashing.
This is how everyone expressed anger and dissatisfaction in today's times. With anger comes slot of words.
Knowing the position Ralf is in I am prepared to offer sound and solid advice and even meet with ralf to sit and discuss what measures he can implement to get his business running efficiently and with GODS blessing profitable and viable for him.
However ralf will have to be willing to and also willing to work towards it and work hard.
I have my details below. Ralf feeling free to contact me and I'll advice best I can with nothing expected in return.
I too have a family and it's not easy having this on your plate but rather improve and implement and try than. Asking for handouts.
I offer this help publicly not to gain fame but because I know the feeling and I was offered advice that helped me.
That goes for anyone going though anything my number is open and I will try help anyone if and where I can.
My numbers 082-222-4061
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Ciao
131GAV
///Member
Look guys... I am also guilty of participating in this debate which I am aware of... The reality is that this is a public forum and like said before if you choose to be an advertiser you got to respect the fact of what you open yourself to on a public open platform... I do not condone being rude, arrogant or demeaning to anyone but merely stating that you have accept the good and bad, if you put a thread out.
This topic was put there by an advertiser and the platform was opened for every member here to partake.
This topic was put there by an advertiser and the platform was opened for every member here to partake.
Arbee
Honorary ///Member
Guys... maybe we should all calm down here!
Sound advise and assistance has been offered again. Ralf has Husains details. Its his choice.
Ralf has not responded at all since the event. However, we do require some sort of acknowledgement or reason as to why the event was cut short without any consult. The event was arranged by us coordinators and Ralf over a month ago and the times and agenda had been confirmed.
Lets hold up for Ralf, maybe he had a good reason?
Ralf can also PM me further if preferred.
Thread is open, but lets keep to the topic and please, lets not insult anyone. Before you post, read it to yourself and before posting, ask if you would like to have that aimed at yoy.
Sound advise and assistance has been offered again. Ralf has Husains details. Its his choice.
Ralf has not responded at all since the event. However, we do require some sort of acknowledgement or reason as to why the event was cut short without any consult. The event was arranged by us coordinators and Ralf over a month ago and the times and agenda had been confirmed.
Lets hold up for Ralf, maybe he had a good reason?
Ralf can also PM me further if preferred.
Thread is open, but lets keep to the topic and please, lets not insult anyone. Before you post, read it to yourself and before posting, ask if you would like to have that aimed at yoy.
