Industry Icons Share Inspiring IDEAS at SCRS’ IDEAS COLLIDE
by Alana Quartuccio
Everything begins with an idea, and the collision repair industry continues to evolve thanks to thought-provoking ideas and conversations. That is why the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) IDEAS Collide Showcase is one of the most popular segments in its annual Repairer Driven Education series at SEMA.
SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg shared his enthusiasm for this year’s slate of IDEA makers who “have spent their careers learning and growing and have gotten to a place where they can share what’s in their heart about what they want to see come about in this industry in positive ways.”
WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler kicked off the series of 10-minute “TED talk” styled conversions with “Get Far, Stacking Millimeters Toward Progress.” Hendler shared her inspirational journey via yoga to demonstrate that one can set goals and achieve them with focus and accountability. “Part of the journey taught me about other aspects of my life,” she explained that it made her take a deep look at the most important areas of her life from her spirituality to her family. “I love the phrase ‘choose your hard.’ We are collision repairers. It is so hard. But we love it. Once it’s in your blood, you can’t get it out.”
Having an accountability partner was key in her journey. “You have to have a goal; you have to have vision.”
Joe Rector (Entegral) delivered his insight for “A Harmonized Auto Claims Ecosystem.” The collision repair industry is segmented among the OEMs, insurers, the body shops and other partners. They surround the customer who most often is drowning in a chaotic sea of pain due to the murky ecosystem.
“We are all equally valuable in the eyes of the customer.” Rector believes the industry needs to work together seamlessly, “so when a customer makes a decision, everyone involved is connected.”
He believes the industry needs to examine the idea of working together in harmony “to improve the overall customer experience.”
One of the biggest issues plaguing shops all around the nation is the technician shortage. Finding good help and keeping people on board is one of the biggest frustrations felt by shops all over. Richie Seaberry (Decisley) believes that offering good benefits in the workplace is the solution to this problem. His delivery of “Modernizing Your HR and Employee Benefits” unveiled that offering benefits makes employees likely to stay with your business twice as long, as has been proven via SCRS’ health benefits package which works with Decisely.
Seaberry spoke of the concerning fact that many people don’t seek mental health treatment due to the extreme costs, but the SCRS plan has “a quality mental health care solution. We opened up the ability for your employees to seek that type of care, and that is instantaneously being discussed at the break room table and in their communities.”
Hands-on training is the ideal experience, according to 3M’s Shawn Collins who presented “Taking your Apprentice Technicians to the Next Level with Hands-on Training.”
“These techs got into the industry because they like using their hands, so why not train them hands-on?” Collins queried. 3M’s facility accommodates all skill levels. “They get exposed to tools they may not have in their shop and into an environment that offers them different experiences they may not get otherwise.”
Rachel James (Torque Financial Group) encouraged shop owners to think about the benefits of bringing a CFO on board with “Decoding the Role of the CFO.”
“If finances are not your strong suit, consider hiring someone to take on this role,” she suggested, noting that she’s seen many shops over the past three years hire someone to serve as the CFO for their shop. “They will help you navigate your business. Imagine playing football without a quarterback. That’s kinda tough, right? A CFO on your team can help you make the hard decisions.”
In an industry that is continuously evolving, “a CFO can help you determine the value of your business.”
Offering an excellent customer experience is critical to success in today’s collision repair space, according to Greg Tabak (Go Rentals) who shared tips for “Elevating the Client Experience in Collision Repair: Hospitality-Driven Strategies for Repeat Business and Referrals.”
Vehicle repair can be a stressful situation for a client, especially if it’s the first time they are dealing with an accident. “Clients need to feel taken care of and valued,” Tabak pointed out.
Hospitality starts at the very beginning. “Provide them with updates. Be clear and upfront with the information. Give them everything they need, so they don’t have to come to you in search of answers.”
Sharing the repair process with clients makes it personal and allows them to “feel connected.”
Veteran collision industry journalist John Yoswick (CRASH Network) closed out the IDEAS Collide showcase with “Three Minutes to Help Drivers Make Better Insurance Choices.”
“As much as we all like to share a good war story, there are things we could do instead to help improve the industry,” Yoswick recommended. One big way is by taking the Insurance Report Card survey which is open every November.
The three minutes it takes to complete the survey can help consumers make better choices about what carrier to use. The grades that shops assign insurance companies are based on customer service and quality repairs. “It’s not just about price. It provides a tool for consumers to help them determine what is the right carrier for them.”
Schulenburg commended all the speakers for their insight and for inspiring others with their words in just 10 minutes. He encouraged the audience to “think about how you can think big and boldly in this industry, use your voice and be part of the programs, communities and organizations that can let that voice shine. Think about how you can use your ideas to inspire others.”
Want more? Check out the December 2025 issue of Hammer & Dolly!