Me and My Scooter

To all of you who wondered what I look like on my scooter, here I am, zipping through town. That's right, since joining Babcox, I added a scooter to my fleet of vehicles. This one tops out at 45mph, but it gets over 65 mpg! Since I only drive 3 miles to work one way, it seemed the smart thing to do - save gas, save the environment. But don't worry, in case you think I've abandoned the automotive aftermarket - remember - I live in NE Ohio. It rains a lot, it snows a lot, and I can generally only ride my scooter about 45 - 120 days out of the year, leaving lots of days for me to drive my 4-wheeled gas-sipper and support the aftermarket. (I wanted a pink Power Ranger type of motorcycle jacket, but my kids bought me the jacket and matching helmet. I couldn't say no.)

For motorcyclists and scooter riders too, the MSF has five critical messages:
Get Trained and Licensed - Take an MSF RiderCourse and get licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Visit www.msf-usa.org, or call (800) 446-9227.

Wear Protective Gear - Wear proper protective riding gear - all the gear all the time - most importantly a helmet that meets Department of Transportation standards.

Ride Unimpaired - Never use alcohol or other drugs when riding.

Ride Within Your Limits - Don't ride faster or longer than your abilities allow.

Be a Lifelong Learner - Regularly return for refresher rider training courses to brush up on skills and knowledge.

For car drivers and other motorists, the MSF says:

Look Out for Motorcyclists - Use your eyes and mirrors to see what's around.

Don't Be Distracted - Hang up and drive, put down the food, the pet, the personal grooming gear, the MP3 player, and the reading material and save it for later.

Give Two-Wheelers Some Room - Don't tailgate or get too close.

Use Your Turn Signals - Signal your intentions. It's also the law.

More Info on Gen Why-ers

I had to find another reason to use this photo again.

From a USA Today national survey of young people, aged 18-25, we learn that

• 67% believe that immigrants strengthen American society


• This generation's top life goals are to be rich (81%) and famous (51%) (more on this from Eric Chester)


• 32% attend church at least once a week, yet 20% have no religious affiliation or are atheist or agnostic


• 48% identify more with Democrats, 35% with Republicans


• 36% have a tattoo and 30% have a body piercing in a place other than an ear lobe, 25% have dyed their hair a non-traditional color


• 84% say their life is excellent or good

Who is this "Generation Why?"

I recently attended a conference for automotive instructors, on behalf of my other magazine, Tomorrow's Technician. The keynote speaker for the General Session was Mr. Eric Chester, noted author and speaker. His specialty is the Generation Y (or Why? as he calls them). This is that group of people born between 1980 and 1994, the 14 to 27 year olds who are going to be running our country soon. You know them, they're generally well-tattooed and well-pierced. One person generalized them as that group of young people who look like they were caught in a fishing lure accident. I look at them and think, no thank you, I don't want you to work with me, for me, or serve me coffee. They are not like you and I, but, they are our future and here are some of Chester's observations:

2 of every 4 of them come from single mother homes.

1 of every 9 12-year olds, already have a credit card

They have never played solitaire with a real deck of cards

For them, Michael Jackson has always been white

They have never known a world without MTV, rap music, air bags, Howard Stern, and AIDS

They have always lived in a world with XTC, crystal meth, crack, terrorist attacks, PCs, and cell phones

They live in a world where an angry kid will kill another kid. Just because.

They have never known a world withouth credit cards, ATMS, or a tv remote.

What do they mean to you and your business? They are your customers, your employees, your peers, and quite possibly, your employer. What do we know about them? According to Mr. Chester, they are commited and loyal, they have a tendency to be impatient (patience is no longer a virtue), and their entire process of thinking is radically different than the generation before. They are skeptical. They need to feel like they are a part of the program. Inclusion is important, but has to be more than lip service. They have to feel engaged. Chester says they would pick physical torture over boredom. Remember that when you look at your new employee. (Perhaps that is one of the contributing factors to the whole body-piercing thing..)

These are the people who will be turning lug nuts on wheels, fixing aircraft, sharing the road with us, and building the road. We need to understand who they are and what drives them. Because they are our future: customer, peer, boss.

Photos from ISN Tool Expo

Rich Evans, designer of the Skull King car, recently teamed up with Chicago Pneumatic. At the ISN show, he signed autographs in the Chicago Pneumatic booth both days of the show. Rich started out in a body shop, typically working on 600-700 cars each year. Now, due in part to the success of his Huntington Beach Body Works tv show, he customizes 50-60 vehicles per year. I spent some time with him at the show. In addition to customizing vehicles, he has brought out his own line of chrome wheel covers.

Also pictured is the Ford Mustang that ISN gave away to one lucky winner. The Mustang was just one of more than $125,000 in cash and prizes that were awarded throughout the show.

Independent Mobile Jobbers - Who Cares?

A follow-up to my earlier post on the ISN Show. I recently spoke with Mr. Lynn Stokes, founder of the Independent Mobile Tool Distributors Association, headquartered in California. He is pleased to announce that when the independent tool distributor asks him or herself "who cares about me and my business?", the IMTDA answers - "we do". He has formed IMTDA in an effort to provide a network of professionals who are all in the mobile tool distribution business. He recognizes that many independent distributors may "feel like you're floating around by yourself". "With IMTDA", he says, "you now have a network to draw from." IMTDA is already offering technical and moral support to their members. Stokes can also provide the members with instant feedback to each other, via the use of their members-only forum. He envisions that IMTDA will provide members a way to keep in touch with each other, to learn best practices from each other and to guide, help, and motivate each other when necessary. He says members can use the e-mail list to ask questions of other members, and they'll get answers, quickly.

He is also in negotiations with a vinyl sign manufacturer to create a new sign for his members' trucks. It will read "Proud Member of IMTDA" and he feels it will add to the credibility of the members.

At the ISN Show they had 10 -12 of their members in attendance and met formally for the first time. They have member distributors nationwide, including Hawaii.

Stokes says they are currently in discussions with SK Hand Tools and Chicago Pneumatic to develop several opportunities for their members, including an advisory board, a demo tool program and special pricing.

As I said in my earlier post, keep an eye on this Association. They have a lofty ambition and an enthusiatic leader. They are going places and bringing people with them.

The Rump Guard

Not exciting, but a great idea. I did not see this at the ISN show, but I saw it on Toolmonger.com and had to share it. My apologies for not coming up with something original today (also, I had to edit out the foul language, this is a PG-rated blog). But I saw this, loved it, and loved the price. Perfect for anyone turning a wrench, a screwdriver, or working with tools for a living.

Despite owning tool belts and tool aprons, for some reason my tools always seem to end up in my back pocket, inevitably poking holes through my jeans and into my bum. Duluth’s Rump Guard looks like a possible solution. Think of it as a bullet-proof pocket protector for your a__: it’s made from denim and Kevlar – a 73% cotton / 21% polyester / 6% Kevlar blend.Its snap loop connects to your belt, allowing you to position its handy pocket protector for maximum comfort. It also more than doubles the capacity of your jeans pocket, adding numerous additional compartments for tools and gear, plus a dangling hook to carry tape.Plus, its street pricing of $13 is a lot cheaper than torn-up jeans — or worse yet, torn up you.Kevlar Denim Rump Guard [Duluth Trading]PS: Does anyone else feel like Duluth Trading is like the J. Peterman Company of tools, complete with their witty descriptions and hand-drawn illustration?

News from the ISN Show

The Integrated Supply Network (ISN) held their annual Tool Expo right before the 4th of July in Orlando, FL. As usual, all the big players were there, Chicago Pneumatic, SK, Ingersoll-Rand, OTC, as well as almost 300 other tool or equipment suppliers.

In addition to the new tools highlighted on the show floor, ISN gave away over $100,000 in prizes to the attendees - about 700-800 mobile tool distributors.

Besides new tools, one of the most interesting things I discovered at the show was a new group of distributors. They are all independent distributors (except for a few who are affiliated with the franchise brands) and they have banded together to share best practices under the name of Independent Mobile Tool Distributor Association. They are still a small membership, (just on the verge of reaching 100 members) but someone had the brilliant idea of wearing matching t-shirts to the show with "Independent Mobile Tool Distributor Association" plastered across their chests. The group is headed by Lynn Stokes, a tool distributor with more than 7 years of experience selling out of a truck in California (both with a franchise brand and as an independent). It's an interesting concept for independent mobile distributors, one I hope to learn more about. Right now, the Association is in its infancy, however Mr. Stokes has created a website for the group to explain their philosophy. It has caught the attention of several other key players in the automotive aftermarket. They are definitely a group to watch.

Check this blog over the next couple of days. I'll have more news from the show and some exciting new developments to share with you.

Ciao!

What's Your Motto?

I recently wrote an article in TechShop magazine, describing my version of the Universal Independent Shop Owner and Professional Technician Motto: "I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, user resources wiesely, make the world a better place, and be a support to every technician I meet."

Here is a response from one of our readers:

Beth,
Just a quick note to say I enjoyed your point of view page in the
June's Techshop . I have been in the Automotive business for some 30
years and when I first started working at my friends fathers gas station
he use to have a sign posted on the door in the office of the "Mechanics
Creed". I was wondering if you could help me find the original. I have
found one but it is a edited version of the Aviation mechanics creed.
The one we had posted also spoke of keeping the Service station repair
shop, rest rooms, and uniforms neat and clean. First impressions matter
in every industry.
Best Regards,
Mike Natoli

If any of you have ever seen this Mechanics Creed, or have a copy of it, would you please post it to this blog? We'd like to forward it to Mike, and include it in the next issue of TechShop.

Thanks for your support!