Mike Anderson & Friends Share Insight & Opportunities with AASP/NJ

11.25.24 – Noted as one of the most influential speakers in the collision repair world, Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) shared his insight and expertise with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) community during a full-day workshop on November 21 at the Courtyard Lincroft in Red Bank, NJ. He and his crew of industry professionals demonstrated how “Obstacles are Opportunities in Work Clothes.”

“Lots of sales cover lots of sins,” he cautioned, addressing the false belief that dollar signs are a true indication of success. Severity is up along with the price of just about everything; therefore, if “you want to grow your sales in 2025, you need to get more cars in the door and write better estimates. But you can’t just look at your sales in dollars,” Anderson insisted. “You have to look at your labor hours because labor is where you make your gross profit.” He suggested assessing one’s mechanical labor rate as well. “This will grow in the future, and if the industry doesn’t address this now, we’ll lose the opportunity.”

“When you get certified with an OEM you have to be smart about it. You have to be intentional. Are you marketing your certifications? Are you building relationships with dealerships?”

OEM subscription-based services are something Anderson believes will “change the collision repair industry.” The customer experience is changing, and vehicle owners will want a personalized experience. AI can be of assistance to body shops by helping improve their capture rate. According to Anderson, 43 percent of accidents happen when a body shop is closed, and AI can provide ways for consumers to make a first contact.

“ChatGTP is getting smarter and smarter. Look at it as a way to handle some communication to your customers or insurance companies.”

Anderson left the audience with much to think about, including the importance of investing in one’s local politicians to help them understand how the insurance industry works, how Hyundai could easily surpass Tesla in the US electric vehicle space and that OEMs will begin to sell recycled and refurbished parts.

He was joined by Matt Ritzer (Enterprise Rent-a-Car), Craig Stevens (CCC Intelligent Solutions), Deric Krist and Larry Grossaint (Kritech Solutions), Claire Cleland (Static Solutions) and Ben Stephens (Matthew’s Auto Supplies) throughout the day, who all shared opportunities via various tools and resources.

AASP/NJ is grateful to Matthew’s Auto Supplies for sponsoring this event.

For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org.