Having an Olympic Spirit

by Lucky Papageorg, AASP/MA Executive Director

By incorporating the word “always” into the theme of Olympic competition, it might read as follows: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to always win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not always the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have always conquered but to have fought well.”

This revised theme captures the marathon of challenges that collision repairers face daily and how to measure one’s success. Successfully navigating the obstacles and hurdles to complete the collision repair process properly, at a fair and reasonable cost, while ensuring the business’s ability to thrive is indeed an effort worthy of Olympic gold.

To say that an athlete, especially those who have reached the level of Olympic competition, has struggled, sacrificed and committed themselves to excellence would be a significant understatement. The same can be said for the monumental effort required for a collision shop to adhere to its repair goals. Performing the proper repairs – despite external pressures and doubts – in a safe, ethical and cost-effective manner is the true goal. Yes, crossing the finish line first is crucial, but it cannot be the ultimate objective. If being first is the ultimate goal, the methods on how to get there can become obscured.

To win gold or take a place on the podium, one must first qualify to participate at the highest level possible and strive to be the best at doing it right! Just as with other “athletes” in our industry, you must decide whether to compete as an individual or as part of a team. In collision repair, being part of a “team” doesn’t necessarily mean being in a referral or program-shop network. It means you must train differently, select your training staff carefully and expect a more challenging road to success.

An initial decision to be made is whether to compete as an individual or in a team environment. There is much to be said for self-reliance and being in control of one’s destiny. While individual success is admirable, there is something profoundly satisfying about a team’s success, even if it consists of just two people. A team’s triumph feels more impactful and gratifying because it represents collective effort and overcoming individual weaknesses. This sense of achievement is true for your own business team and the broader industry team you belong to as a collision repairer. High-fives are more meaningful when you have someone to share them with!

The Olympic Games often showcase inspiring backstories of athletes overcoming personal challenges to compete at the highest level. Some had physical challenges while others had challenges that stem from social or economic backgrounds. Whether overcoming severe asthma to become a top sprinter or training in a country with minimal resources to join a gold medal-winning team, all athletes deserve admiration for their perseverance and unwavering focus on their goals. Striving to be the best and holding one’s head high, even after setbacks, is a testament to their dedication.

Collision repairers and the collision repair industry have shown the ability to become champions – not merely by financial success but by contributing significantly to their communities and the overall economic success of states, regions and the country. We must maintain our focus on our goals while upholding business ethics and morals. This creates dilemmas as we face pressures that could impact our lives, our employees and vehicle owners. Do we give in to doubts and external pressures, or do we strive for success? What compromises, if any, are acceptable to achieve success? Just as athletes who resort to using performance-enhancing drugs face disgrace, compromising our integrity for short-term gains is not worth the potential long-term damage.

Important decisions must be made if you aspire to a gold medal or a spot on the podium. Do you want to be an individual success story or part of a team that shares in the success? What sacrifices are you willing to make for yourself and your team? Will you be able to look back proudly at your achievements, or will you constantly worry about discovering procedural flaws that could tarnish the team’s reputation? Did you give your best, or did you yield to negativity and merely go along to get along, regardless of the consequences?

If you have not yet chosen to be a TEAM player by joining the ALLIANCE, I hope you consider doing so soon. The Olympics Summer Games that we just witnessed come around every four years, but the training and focus on goals must start now. With rapid changes and increasing complexity in our industry, it’s essential to get focused, participate, work through struggles and fight well to avoid a “DNF” (did not finish) designation next to your business name.

Become an Olympian by joining the ALLIANCE team, as we strive to be the best we can be by achieving and retaining a spot on the podium for years to come. Remember the Olympic Spirit: PARTICIPATE IN THE STRUGGLE AND FIGHT WELL!

See the application on page 7. 

Want more? Check out the September 2024 issue of New England Automotive Report!