Breaking the Paradigm

by Ken Miller, AASP/NJ President

Every month, as I sit down to write this article, I usually pick a topic that’s on my mind, expand on it and see where it leads.

Often, my goal is to shed light on an issue or provide insight into what’s happening around me. But this month was different. I had nothing. In reality, I had plenty of things going on, but I was having difficulty compiling it into something meaningful to write about. After all, I’m not a business consultant, and I’m certainly not an authority to give advice to those who’ve been in this industry far longer than I have. Then, it struck me: even if I were qualified to give business advice, how many would actually listen?

Invariably, human beings are creatures of habit, and shop owners, in particular, are no exception. However, I’ve noticed a paradigm that’s especially concerning: many shop owners seem to have been conditioned to believe that they can’t make impactful changes. Subconsciously, it seems they’ve been taught that changes happen to them, not because of them.

Let me explain. Over the years, I’ve watched insurers systematically reduce reimbursement rates for specific operations. Initially, shop owners will push back and protest, attempting to stand their ground. Before long though, they fall in line, accepting the reduced terms as the new normal. It’s astonishing how quickly resistance fades.

We’re in the middle of another round of cost-cutting measures, and this time, the stakes feel higher. What’s even more concerning is that some of the reductions we’re seeing today involve charges that have been industry standards for decades. 

So I have to ask: will we, as an industry, continue to allow this to happen? When will we reach a point where we refuse to accept these changes? More importantly, when will we recognize our power to influence the future of this industry, rather than just react to the forces around us?

If you are unsure how to make these types of changes, I suggest you start by getting involved in association events. Get out to a meeting and speak with others in the industry who have embraced change, broken the paradigm and taken back control.

Until next month!

Want more? Check out the November 2024 issue of New Jersey Automotive!