LAS VEGAS — As the economy keeps changing, today’s shop owners need to make sure not only are they looking forward, but they have plans in place.

From their people to their business methods, today’s shop owners need to be prepared to change with the changing times, says Larry Edwards, president of Edwards & Associates Consulting. It starts with you, who needs to be prepared to offer new products.

Whether its new services like washing and waxing vehicles, to nonautomotive ideas like offering free ice cream, outside the box thinking is a must now, according to Edwards and his presentation “Improving Strategies for a New Business Environment” during Wednesday’s sessions at the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS).

“Trying to beat your competition by doing what they do better isn’t going to help your business,” Edwards says. “You’ve got to do the out of the box thinking.”

That thinking is important not only when thinking of new services or ways to extend hours, but also when looking at your staff. When recruiting new employees, have a plan in place on how to hire good employees. Edwards suggests not hiring someone who will change things now, but who has room to grow and change things down the road.

It’s also key to invest in your people. Even though the economy is unstable right now, don’t change your training budget. Keep it in your budget, but adjust the amount in that line item to reflect your sales.

Overall, adjust to your customers’ needs.

“Business goes where it’s wanted and stays where it’s appreciated,” Edwards states. “Customers are much more demanding today than they ever have been in the past.”