Problem Solving Final Project Paper
Christine Crocker
GS1140 Problem Solving Theory
Dr. Tiera Coston
4/7/2012
In the greater Baton Rouge area, there are 270 automotive and collision repair businesses. Within three miles from Fisher’s Automotive, where my husband Paul works, there are 40 shops that are providing some of the same services as Fisher’s. Of those 40, 26 perform collision repair. Before I started school, I worked at Fisher’s with Paul. I was a body technician and helped with some of the office duties. Paul is still currently the head painter. The owner, Vic Fisher, has recently seen a decline in business on the collision side. If the business is to remain open, which will allow Paul to keep his job and provide for his family, the staff at Fishers needs to figure out what they can do to bring in more business. The questions that need to be answered are: How is Fisher’s Automotive going to get a competitive edge on its competition in the greater Baton Rouge area? Is there an untapped source of revenue that can single it out from the other shops? Is there a service currently not being provided in Baton Rouge? Answering these questions may very well be the solution that they are looking for. The building that Fisher’s Automotive is in was designed to be a warehouse and is not suitable for what they are using it for. It is really run down, old looking, and in need of remodeling. One of the first places that they need to remodel is the office area. By doing that, Fisher’s will be able to showcase some of the different services they provide. It will then look more professional and appealing to the customers coming in. Second, they need to address the production area. The production area needs to be reconstructed to enhance productivity, increase the work flow, and visually evoke a feeling of professionalism to incoming customers. Customers will then be able to see that Fisher’s is a specialty shop and not just the normal collision and automotive repair business. One of the disadvantages of
GS1140 Problem Solving Theory
Dr. Tiera Coston
4/7/2012
In the greater Baton Rouge area, there are 270 automotive and collision repair businesses. Within three miles from Fisher’s Automotive, where my husband Paul works, there are 40 shops that are providing some of the same services as Fisher’s. Of those 40, 26 perform collision repair. Before I started school, I worked at Fisher’s with Paul. I was a body technician and helped with some of the office duties. Paul is still currently the head painter. The owner, Vic Fisher, has recently seen a decline in business on the collision side. If the business is to remain open, which will allow Paul to keep his job and provide for his family, the staff at Fishers needs to figure out what they can do to bring in more business. The questions that need to be answered are: How is Fisher’s Automotive going to get a competitive edge on its competition in the greater Baton Rouge area? Is there an untapped source of revenue that can single it out from the other shops? Is there a service currently not being provided in Baton Rouge? Answering these questions may very well be the solution that they are looking for. The building that Fisher’s Automotive is in was designed to be a warehouse and is not suitable for what they are using it for. It is really run down, old looking, and in need of remodeling. One of the first places that they need to remodel is the office area. By doing that, Fisher’s will be able to showcase some of the different services they provide. It will then look more professional and appealing to the customers coming in. Second, they need to address the production area. The production area needs to be reconstructed to enhance productivity, increase the work flow, and visually evoke a feeling of professionalism to incoming customers. Customers will then be able to see that Fisher’s is a specialty shop and not just the normal collision and automotive repair business. One of the disadvantages of
References: Baton Rouge, La (2012) [maps] www.maps.google.com Reference USA (n.d.) retrieved4/7/2012from Crocker, Paul. Personal interview. 7 April 2012, 21 April 2012. Fisher, Victor. Personal interview. 21 April 2012. 5 April 2012