Week One

Last Friday I wrapped up my first week as Business Development Director for AGRSS.  It was a fantastic week filled with a lot of support from many, many AGRSS shops and people.  I really did hit the ground running and aside from a few technology glitches everything went very smooth.

Speaking of technology…I was talking with Jeff Bull (Bull Associates) who has headed up the membership committee for AGRSS for quite awhile now.  Jeff mentioned that he had finally purchased an Apple computer!  Jeff knew that I have been an Apple fan for a few years now, and Jeff went on to explain that he was having an issue making the switch. It seems Jeff was still thinking the way he used to think when using his PC.  For those who have never used an Apple, this is very common, and I experienced it myself just a couple of years ago. The key to an Apple is…thinking about what you want to accomplish, and then just do it.  A great example is moving files. No right click, copy, paste.  You just click and drag.  Simple right?

Talking with Jeff brought to my mind a comparison between the Personal Computer auto glass industry today, and what could be the Apple auto glass industry of the future.

If you look at Apple today it has a much smaller audience than Microsoft but…

Apple users are fanatical about the brand

Apple delivers quality products that are the leading edge in the market place

The Apple product is simple to use

There are no viruses to worry about

All of their products connect to one another.

Their marketing to the public is phenomenal

The Apple brand is growing at an amazing rate

Now let’s compare the non-AGRSS auto glass industry to the AGRSS auto glass industry of the future

If you look at AGRSS today, it also has a much smaller audience than non-AGRSS but…

AGRSS Members are fanatical about the brand

AGRSS members deliver quality products that are the leading edge in the market place

The AGRSS process is simple to use

There are fewer installation issues to worry about

All of their members connect to one another.

The AGRSS marketing to the public is phenomenal

The AGRSS brand is growing at an amazing rate

I know a dream right?   Maybe, but together we need to try to get the pendulum swinging the right way, the way Apple has swung the pendulum.  Admittedly I’m no Steve Jobs, but together as group I know we can get that pendulum swinging!

Stay tuned…exciting news is coming!

Hi.  My Name is Dan Mock, and as you may have recently heard I am now the Business Development Director for AGRSS. First I want to say that this is a huge honor for me to take on this role.

I feel it is important for you to understand my background for you to understand my position on automotive glass replacement…

I cut my first piece of glass when I was twelve in my stepfather’s glass shop in Kalamazoo MI.  His shop was a full service glass shop (auto and flat) and an auto glass distributor for several manufacturers. His philosophy was if you have kids…work them.  So everyday after school and Saturdays were spent cleaning up, installing, building, and once I had my driver’s license, delivering windshields and tempered parts to other shops, and to the bus station for shipment (anybody remember shipping parts by bus?). Unfortunately my stepfather and I didn’t see eye to eye, and eventually (after a stint in the US Army) I pursued a career with another glass shop. In addition to being an auto glass technician I also served in an apprentice program to become a Journeyman Glazier.  In the early 80’s Michigan’s economy was once again in the dumps, and I had met my bride to be. We decided that once we were married we would move to Dallas TX to be part of that booming City. We tied the knot in Dearborn MI, and the very next day we moved to Dallas.

Fast forward to 2011.  Over these years I had the pleasure to have been part of several great companies…Harmon Glass, Harding Glass Industries, Binswanger Glass, and of course Glass Doctor. I know what you are thinking…all large companies. True, but each of them always allowed me to act as if the shop(s) were my own.  I installed, owned, started-up, project managed, managed, coached, and lead several fantastic teams of people over the years.

A little over three years ago I became involved with AGRSS. This really opened my eyes to the progress the AGRSS Board had made over the previous years and the plans they had developed for the future of the standard. It has been my pleasure to work with the Board of Directors, and to get to know this group of FANTASTIC volunteers.

Now that you know a little about me...It is your turn.  I truly want and need your feedback. I want to get to know you! Please contact me with your ideas on how we can make the AGRSS standard an asset for your company. How can I help you?  How can I influence the industry to make it better? Please email me, or call me and give me your thoughts.

I promise I'll keep you informed on what I am working on!

Thank you,

Daniel E. Mock

Business Development Director

AGRSS

254-304-0554 Office

254-498-8520 Cell

Dmock@agrss.org