Classes at Hams Management Systems start again at end of January

Jan. 1, 2020
With the first class of the winter season wrapped up, Hams Management Systems has updated its Shop Management & Hybrid Class Schedule for the coming few months. The next opportunity is at the end of January.

With the first class of the winter season wrapped up, Hams Management Systems has updated its Shop Management & Hybrid Class Schedule for the coming few months. The next opportunity is at the end of January.

Classes are Ultimate Service Advisor, Jan. 31; Practical Marketing, Feb. 19; Efficient Shop Management, Feb. 28; CASH! Am I ending up with enough of the pie?, March 19; Key Numbers; Which Ones Should You Really Watch?, March 28; and Specialization, Is It for You?, April 16. All of these classes are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It also is offering Hybrids II: Systems Operation & Service; Hands-On Automotive Training. That class is Feb. 23 and 24 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Details of each class are listed below.

CASH! Am I ending up with enough of the pie?
Five, 10, 15 percent or even more of the income in many automotive shops wanders off every year. How much money evaporates in your shop? How well do you manage your money? Do you look for the best deal, negotiate, and ask for discounts? Do you regularly compare your expenses with other shops? Do you have a budget? We'll explore these issues and many more!

Ultimate Service Advisor
What are the two critical keys for a great service advisor? What type of person is best suited to be a service advisor? Review of: Service advisor tools and systems, selling, estimating, customer contact. We'll take a look at these service advisor issues and many others.  

Practical Marketing
It's much more than just buying some ads. Included are dozens of ideas and samples, most at low cost, that you can employ to increase your sales. Topics include: Drive by impressions, customer area, shop area, direct mail, write up, ROs, tracking what works, pricing, shops in your area, recommendations, referrals, oil changes, specials, new customers, existing customers, signage, after hours, people contact, inspections, displays, menus, and much more!  

Efficient Shop Management
Specific procedures, systems and checklists designed to make the management of a repair shop more efficient. Covered areas include: Scheduling, service recommendations, service history, staff assignments, customer write up, RO procedures, arming the tech, in shop communication, service advisor procedures, canned jobs, estimating, inventory handling, parts acquisition, quality control, customer follow up, shop care, inspections, and how to take a vacation without the shop falling apart.  

Key Numbers, Which Ones Should You Really Watch?
Whether we like it or not, business means numbers. We all watch certain ones. But, are we watching the right ones? Are we even aware of all of the right ones that we should watch? How closely should we watch them? How do we track them? Which ones are really important and which ones are not? Students are welcome to bring their laptops and numbers with them for reference and discussion. Plan to cover some things you may have never even considered!  

Specialization, Is It for You?
Nothing strikes more terror in the heart of many shop owners than suggesting that they target a certain specialty and down play the others. But, could it be that you would be better off targeting certain makes or types of repair? Or, should you cast the widest net that you can? Would specialization increase or decrease your bottom line? What are the advantages and disadvantages of specialization? Will specialization grow or decrease in the future? Can any shop specialize? How would you select a specialty? Plan on a lively class as we explore this controversial topic!

Hybrids II: Systems Operation & Service; Hands-On Automotive Training
We'll be covering the operation of battery packs, inverters, and motor-generators. We will explain (and let you learn for yourself) how to correctly service the liquid-cooled inverter, as well as the CHSS engine coolant heat storage tank on the Generation II Toyota Prius.
You'll also learn, for example, how to ensure that factory brake service instructions for the Ford Escape hybrid don't get you into trouble. Color laminated service handouts, as well as a workbook, are included.
Hybrids II will help you get comfortable with the scheduled service
procedures you'll be doing most often on these vehicles. You will be working on hybrid vehicles during the class.This two-evening seminar covers:
- OEM-specific hybrid service and maintenance
- Interlocks, HV relays, and motor-generators
- How hybrid diagnostic codes are triggered
- Interpreting OEM hybrid scan data (PIDs)

All management classes are AMI approved. Management classes are $175 per class (or $149 if registered by Dec. 10). Classes are limited to 20 students. The hybrid class is $220, and because the seminar is hands-on, class size is limited.

To register, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call (616) 299-9298. To register for the hybrid class, contact Jack Rosebro at (310) 801-7817 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Tom Ham has been in the automotive service industry since 1969 where he got his start on the service station drive. He and his wife Deb are the owners of Hams Automotive, specializing in Honda and Toyota, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Rosebro teaches advanced vehicle technology for Perfect Sky throughout North America, and produces technical information for the automotive training industry.

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