Run a small business for decades in the same location and some might expect you to have a “business-as-usual” mindset. But Steve Miller, owner of Miller Tool, isn’t that kind of leader.
Miller Tool—which specializes in installing and repairing automotive lifts and other vehicle maintenance equipment—has operated out of a single Kansas City shop for 37 years. Even as many small businesses struggled to stay open in 2020, Steve Miller and his team have kept the business running steady. Key to their longevity? Always prioritizing the right talent, tools, and approach for what’s next.
Once specializing in traditional in-person lifts and equipment, the business has been able to evolve and embrace new technology to stay both efficient and relevant. “While much of our business relies on in-person, onsite visits for installs and repairs, we've recently found more efficient ways to communicate, and reduce the number of in-person meetings,” says Miller. “There are a lot of things we can now do prior to a customer or prospect meeting and communicate it virtually.” Adds Miller, “Cloud technology and the mobile devices I supply to my employees have played an integral role in facilitating existing and new business.”