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Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2002 Archives
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CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO TRAIN?Research Shows A Significant Financial Return On Investments In TrainingHave you ever wondered about the impact of technical training on your collision industry business? What about I-CAR and Industry Training Alliance training in particular? Have you ever heard someone say that training has no effect on their business, that it is just an additional expense? The reality is just the opposite! A recent comprehensive study by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) has linked employee training to significantly improved profitability, making the point that training does create real value for your business. ASTD initiated an "unprecedented" research project in 1997 to help companies measure their return on training investments, or the value to their companies of training. The results of this research project are based on an analysis of data collected from 575 U.S.-based, publicly traded firms. The study showed an undeniable correlation between trained employees and the degree of financial success of these businesses. ASTD’s central finding was that training investments "do help to predict a firm’s future TSR (total shareholder return) – and in a big way." Among other findings, the study indicates that… This study provides solid evidence that well-trained employees can also play a crucial part in the success of a business. As the research report concludes, "The new ASTD findings highlight the importance of acting now to give training its due. The message is clear: Training pays off for businesses and investors alike, and rewards will come to those who pay more attention to the newly proven connection between training and bottom-line performance." In the case of collision repair shops, training impacts the efficiency and quality of repairs, cycle time, employee morale and retention, and customer satisfaction to mention only a few. This research study poses the real question that every business owner must answer, "Can I afford not to train my employees?" Information in this article is provided, with permission from ASTD, from a research study titled, "Profiting From Learning: Do Firms’ Investments in Education and Training Pay Off?" authored by Bassi, Ludwig, McMurrer, and Van Buren. Copyright„ September 2000 ASTD. This research was jointly conducted by ASTD and Saba. |
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GOLD CLASS SHOPS INCREASE 25%Gold Class Professionals business locations across the United States have increased 25% since January 2001. I-CAR attributes this to many factors including the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum and the implementation of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, which have increased the number of training opportunities for Gold Class businesses.Executive Vice President and CEO Tom Mack stated, "With the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum, the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, and Gold Class becoming an industry training standard, we are seeing the collision industry become more receptive to the need for technical training. This growth of Gold Class is truly an indicator of an increase in professionalism in our industry." The new Enhanced Delivery programs and the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance give students an opportunity to choose from an expanded selection of programs that best fit their training needs. Through the Alliance, students have the opportunity to receive points toward the Gold Class program for training from I-CAR approved Alliance members. |
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3000TH NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONOn Thursday, January 31, 2002, Glenn Champion of Allstate Insurance in Abilene, Texas became the 3000th subscriber to the I-CAR e-newsletter!"I wanted to get the latest information on I-CAR and the collision repair industry," Champion stated on why he chose to subscribe to the e-newsletter. Champion is an auto field technician for Allstate and has been taking I-CAR training classes since 1994. Most recently, he completed the entire Enhanced Delivery Damage Analysis Course in February 2001. Champion also earned the I-CAR Platinum Individual designation in June 2001. I-CAR would like to congratulate Glenn Champion on becoming a Platinum Individual! This designation was established to recognize those individuals that have achieved the highest level of I-CAR and Alliance member training, relative to their position in the collision industry. To celebrate reaching the 3000th subscriber milestone, I-CAR will be sending Champion a gift package of Platinum Individual merchandise. Congratulations, Glenn! |
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LORD CORPORATION JOINS TRAINING ALLIANCEI-CAR announces that Lord Corporation is now a member of the Industry Training Alliance. Formed by I-CAR in 2000, the Alliance brings together technical training providers to optimize the training efforts of the collision industry. Senior Technical Trainer Nick Gervase of Lord Corporation stated, "Lord Corporation became involved with the Industry Training Alliance because we are very involved with both the automotive market and with I-CAR. We see it as a mutual benefit for both companies." Gervase further commented, "Students are the ones who will benefit the most from it, due to the fact that the Alliance brings many training sources together." The approved training program from Lord Corporation is the FUSOR 001 Metal and Plastic Bonding / Repair Program. Students who complete this training program are eligible to receive 1 Gold Class point. Points apply toward I-CAR’s Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual programs. A complete listing of Industry Training Alliance members and their approved programs is available online. To receive Gold Class points for Alliance training programs you’ve completed, fill out the online student application. |
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GOLD CLASS SHOP OF THE MONTH: LARKFIELD BODY AND PAINT, SANTA ROSA, CALarkfield Body & Paint of Santa Rosa, California has been chosen as February’s Gold Class shop of the month. They became a Gold Class Professionals business in July 1992 and have maintained their Gold Class designation for 10 consecutive years! Larkfield Body & Paint has been a collision repair business since 1964. Shop Owner Dave Hartman, who joined Larkfield in the 1970s, stated, "Being a Gold Class Professionals business is the best way to continue training my technicians because I-CAR has the best training programs available."Hartman believes that it is very important to keep up to date with the many changes that car manufactures make in their vehicles. Being Gold Class has given them the ability to remain on the cutting edge of collision repair technology. Hartman believes that the training his technicians receive from I-CAR enables them to know what car manufactures expect with regard to complete and proper repairs. Larkfield Body & Paint is very dedicated to meeting the changing needs and demands of their customers. Larkfield Body & Paint proudly displays their Gold Class Professionals outdoor sign in front of their shop. Inside the shop, there is a big display case where the indoor Gold Class sign is shown with all of the years that they have been Gold Class.
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SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE
While the instructor workshop was being conducted, a separate workshop for committee volunteers and leaders was held to discuss issues and concerns that affect all committees. South Central Field Manager Mike Miller led this workshop. Topics presented in this workshop included an update and marketing tips for the Enhanced Delivery curriculum, as well as the simplified Gold Class program, and the Industry Training Alliance. Following the afternoon sessions, a regional reception was held, where a "Southern-style" buffet was served. This was a good time to meet new friends and revisit old acquaintances. On Saturday morning, the general session began with a brand-new format instead of the traditional presentations. CEO Tom Mack, Director of Field Operations Dave Heckeler, Executive Director of the Education Foundation Ron Ray, Welding Qualification Test Manager Audie Swedeen, and Instructor Training Manager Lori King-Taylor formed a panel to field questions from the audience concerning their respective areas. There was a great amount of interaction in this session, and it was well received by the attendees. Also, during this session, a new regional mascot was named. The South Central Region’s new mascot will be the "Road Runners." This is a tribute to our dedicated volunteers and instructors and to the time they spend on the road away from home. Saturday evening brought the awards and children’s banquets. While the adults were enjoying the banquet festivities, the children were treated to chicken fingers, pizza, and the movie "Shrek." Prior to the awards presentation, I-CAR Board Member Terry Fortner, of Nationwide Insurance, gave a wonderful presentation on what I-CAR means to the industry. Following Terry’s comments, Mike Miller, Tom Mack, and Dave Heckeler presented the South Central Region awards.
Other regional awards were presented for the top state, top district, and top instructor for fiscal year 2001. The recipients were:
Congratulations and many thanks to the above recipients for their outstanding efforts and dedication to the mission and success of I-CAR!
Field Manager Mike Miller said, "I am looking forward to next year’s conference being only bigger and better. Thanks to all who attended, and I hope to see you at conferences in the future!" Please e-mail Mike at mike.miller@i-car.com with your suggestions and ideas for the next conference. |
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INSTRUCTOR RETRAININGHave you been feeling a little sluggish lately? Want something to help you pep up your I-CAR classes? If so, consider attending the Instructor Qualification Workshop (IQW) as a refresher. If you have never been to the two-day workshop, you’re missing a treat. Just listen to what these two instructors had to say about their retraining:Jimmy Suppe, Florida Auto Body, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL "I have been an I-CAR instructor for 4 years and committee chairman in Broward County, Florida, for the past 2 years. While in the process of getting new instructors certified to teach I-CAR classes and sending them to IQW, I wondered if I might benefit from going to IQW myself, as the whole process has changed since I became an instructor. I decided to go through IQW so that I would know what the new program was like, pick up a few teaching tools, and be able to guide new instructors. From the videotaping, I could see where my weak and strong points are. Now I can modify my classes accordingly. I’m very glad for the opportunity to attend IQW. I learned a lot of new teaching techniques and tools. By the time my second taping came around, I felt more relaxed and I had a better presentation. Now that I have attended an IQW, I feel I have the tools to become a better instructor. I highly recommend that all instructors attend an IQW to benefit from all it has to offer. Richard King and Tony Harrison were my instructors, and I want to pass on a sincere ‘thanks’ to them for their professionalism and support." Steve Hudey, MPI, Winnipeg, MB "I gained a lot of valuable information in those two days and now use what I learned in my classrooms. It has helped me communicate and associate with my students more effectively. I have had some time to think about what a difference that IQW made for me as a current instructor. I came to realize that as humans, we are creatures of habit; we do the same thing the same way time after time (BORING). The information in that program is so valuable not only to new instructors, but current ones as well." Are you a current instructor who would like this type of refresher to your teaching methods? Consider attending the IQW to enhance your teaching skills. I-CAR will reimburse the cost of travel and training for any active I-CAR instructor who would like to attend. IQWs are held every month; just call the instructor training office at 877-218-7246 to register now! |
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NORTHWEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTSFriday, February 1: Northwest Celebrates "the Year of the Volunteer"On February 1, 2002, Northwest Region volunteers, instructors and I-CAR staff met at the Portland, Oregon Columbia River Double Tree Hotel to learn and celebrate. Friday’s sessions were dedicated to instructor and volunteer training sessions, as presented by Washington State Lead Instructor Larry Hults of Allstate Insurance, and Idaho State Chairman Joe Burda of State Farm Insurance. Washington State Lead Instructor Larry Hults held an open forum for instructors and instructor candidates on how to set up an Enhanced Delivery classroom including equipment. He led the group in a discussion of different techniques for using, maintaining and troubleshooting the equipment. Hults utilized the findings of the Enhanced Delivery training focus group. This opened discussion on objective worksheets, instructor manuals, presentation skills, technical support pages, and other ways to assist instructors in classroom processes.
Friday evening included a reception for the attendees and a bus trip to the Northwest Auto Trades Association Expo for Casino Night. The hosts provided the I-CAR group with $5,000 dollars each (play money) to play the tables. Later, attendees redeemed their winnings for coupons used for prize drawings. Saturday, February 2: Questions, Answers, and Awards Saturday morning opened with a "Late Night Show" format that included a panel of I-CAR staff. The attendees had been polled earlier with potential questions for the panel, and Northwest Field Manager Bob Mickey acted as moderator to start the group off. Executive Vice President Tom Mack began with an elaboration of the I-CAR vision statement and what it means to everyone in I-CAR. Director of Field Operations Dave Heckeler answered questions about field operations, communications, and ordering. Welding Qualification Test Manager Audie Swedeen explained the new Structural Welding Qualification Test. Director of Marketing Steve Johnson addressed questions about marketing and data processing, and Executive Director of the I-CAR Education Foundation Ron Ray gave an update on Enhanced Delivery curriculum. The session was filled with questions on the many new I-CAR programs and several interesting insights as to how we can make I-CAR even better.
Outstanding Performance by District Chair Awards were presented to:
State lead instructors were also recognized and awarded for their dedication to teaching not only students but other instructors and assisting in the coordination of state schedules. The lead instructors recognized were:
Regional Instructor Awards were presented in appreciation of the instructors’ dedication and fortitude, and specifically for embracing the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum. The winners were:
In presenting the awards to committee volunteers, Northwest Region Field Manager Bob Mickey described the volunteers as a vital link in the chain of I-CAR’s success. He explained to the attendees that the volunteers are the driving force behind marketing, class set-up, scheduling, performance, feedback and every other detail in committee activity. The volunteer recipients were:
A huge thanks to all volunteers from the Northwest Region and the students you serve! One final award was presented to Jennette Guthrie of J & D Auto Body and Towing in Lodi, California. Jennette participated with other attendees in a "Name the Northwest Region" contest and won. Jennette will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the I-CAR Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City in July. And the new name she chose for the region is: the "Mountaineers." The last event of the conference was the entertainment provided by "Alexander," the hypnotist. Besides corporate functions, he spends half of his life at sea, entertaining on cruise ships. He successfully put 10 volunteers under hypnosis and proceeded to amaze the audience with their willingness to succumb to his powers of suggestion. A special thanks to all the volunteers, who once again helped make the I-CAR "show" a great one. |
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ENHANCED DELIVERY PROGRAM STATUSAs we introduce new Enhanced Delivery training programs, we will continue to update you on recently completed programs, as well as those in development. For a list of the latest Enhanced Delivery programs available, you can view or download the PDF below. Available programs are highlighted in red. You can also search our online class schedule to find an Enhanced Delivery program near you. Recently completed programs include Measuring Program 1. This program is currently being prepared for instruction. Look for this program at a location near you soon.
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