ACtion Magazine - November/December 2013 - (Page 6)

Outlook Andy Fiffick MACS Chairman Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) Never forget! Andrew Fiffick Chairman & CEO chairman-macs@macsw.org A fter a slow winter season, we had a busy summer and actually grew our business a bit. Hopefully you did too. Now it's that time of year where we can catch our breath and get back to planning and really managing our businesses. In the hussle-bussle of the busy season, I find that little things fall through the cracks as we go into "reaction mode" and away from "management mode," but this summer was a bit different. I actually dug in and worked at the shops, and I came away with a new appreciation for what our entire staff does every day. I know some of you must think that all I do is ride my Harley and play golf all day, but we've been in business for 38 years, and since growing to ten locations, all my time is spent on expansion, advertising, marketing, interviewing, hiring, training, parts negotiations, employee handbook revisions, shop operation manual revisions, health insurance changes, legal obligations, outside sales and the overall management of ten locations. All of this "stuff" takes up my entire day and most evenings too, and for the last several years I hadn't been spending much time in the shops. I was actually starting to forget why we do what we do and how much I enjoy working there. This year I reworked my schedule so I could spend more time in the shops. Normally our managers try to fit in their last week of vacation near the end of summer, before their kids go back to I was actually starting to school. Of course, this creates a service forget why we do what we manager shortfall, and we normally let our second in command work the do and how much I enjoy counters. Well this year I went back working there. to where I belong, filling in as service manager for a week at a time. It gave me a new appreciation of our business, and I found I could actually get a lot of my "stuff" completed at any of our shops. Spending time in each shop every week or so has brought me back in touch with our business. It was refreshing and fun to manage the counters and work along with the staff. Taking care of clients, making sure they were happy and their vehicles were repaired correctly was very rewarding. The days flew by because I was busy and happy doing what I love and doing exactly what it took to build our business in the first place. I know there are coaches out there telling shop owners that they need to work "on" their business so they don't have to work "in" their business. For sure, we need to grow to survive; however, I would argue that you are actually better off if you make yourself successful by working "on" your business while still working "in" your business. Bottom line: do what you love, work smart, and the success will come in many forms. One definition of success is being happy and content doing what you do best. Never again will I forget how rewarding it is to work in our business. Looking forward to seeing you all in New Orleans in January at the MACS Training Event and Trade show. ❆ Sincerely Andy Elvis Hoffpauir MACS President and COO & Editor-In-Chief elvis@macsw.org Jacques Gordon Managing Editor jacques@macsw.org Marion Posen VP Sales & Marketing marion@macsw.org Laina Casey Graphics & Design Manager mcasey@macsw.org Corporate Offices Mail To: P.O. Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446 Ship To: 225 S. Broad St., Lansdale, PA 19446 Phone: (215) 631-7020 Fax: (215) 631-7017 E-mail: membership@macsw.org November/December 2013 Volume 13, Number 8 ACTION magazine is published eight times per year by the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide, 225 S. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446. While MACS Worldwide takes reasonable steps to make sure that the information reported in ACTION is accurate, errors can still occur. The accuracy of all information contained in ACTION should therefore be independently evaluated by the reader. Since conditions of its use are outside of the control of MACS Worldwide, MACS Worldwide assumes no liability for the use of such information or any damages incurred through its use or application. Nothing contained in such information is to be construed as contractual or provide some form of warranty on the part of MACS Worldwide. The opinions expressed in guest editorials are not necessarily endorsed by MACS Worldwide. MACS Worldwide is not responsible for any claims made in or by advertisements or press releases published in ACTION. All company names, products and product names, emblems, logos, images, trademarks, service marks and trade dress appearing in this magazine are the property of their respective owners and are protected under federal laws of the United States and international agreements. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The ACTION logo and MACS globe emblem are property of MACS Worldwide. Reproduction of contents without permission is prohibited. Send requests for permission to copy or reprint to Editor@macsw.org or to ACTION Magazine, Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446. Non-member subscription rates: one year (seven issues) - U.S. $25; Canada/Mexico $40; international surface $45; international air $55. Send subscription mail, including address changes, to ACTION, P.O. Box 88, Lansdale, PA 19446 or editor@macsw.org. For advertising information contact Marion Posen: marion@ macsw.org or 215-631-7020 x304. H.G. Roebuck & Son, Inc. 4987 Mercantile Road Baltimore, MD 21236 Andy Fiffick chairman-macs@macsw.org 330-220-8384 ISSN 1949-3436 6 ACTION * November/December 2013 2004-12 IAMA Awards Winner

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - November/December 2013

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2013
Contents
Outlook
Freeze Frame
Virtual View
News and Updates
Leonard’s Law
Cooling Corner
Member Profile
News & Updates
New Products
Going to New Orleans
2014 Exhibitor Showcase
Association News
In Memoriam
Leonard's Law
Quick Check
Last Watch
New Products & Services
Last Watch - Guest Editorial

ACtion Magazine - November/December 2013