No one ever wants to be in this situation, but your vehicle is involved in an accident and in need of repair.  Everyone is OK, but the car needs help.  Where do you go to get help in this process?

After you call the police, do their report, and phone your insurance company, then the bewilderment and confusion sets in.  You need to know your rights and how the process works.  

First of all, you do not need to get three estimates any longer.  The law in the State of Georgia is clear.  It is your vehicle and the choice of repairs is yours alone.  Insurance companies may try to “steer” you to a shop by telling you that they will not warranty the repairs unless you take it there.  The insurance company does not warranty the repairs, the shop does, and the reputable shops will tell you what their warranty is.  In most cases it is for as long as you own the car.  So, the important decision is finding a shop that you trust and getting your car there.

If you’re a small business or a sales person you’re not selling a product or service, you’re selling yourself.  For many, the thought of self-promotion just isn’t one that they are comfortable with.  LinkedIn can help you with your discomfort.

Recommendations can serve as an effective alternative to selling yourself.  They are an opportunity to let others toot your horn.  On LinkedIn there are four types of recommendations:

1. Colleague:  Worked at the same company
2. Service Provider:  Hired the person
3. Business Partner:  Worked together but not as a client or colleague
4. Student:  Fellow student or teacher

Let me start by saying any recommendation is better than no recommendation.  That being said, the recommendation that really stands out is one from a client.  I’ll talk more about this in a second.