I wrote this article for the Auto Parts Report in 1989.  It is as current today as it was then. 
interesting reading   "Click Here"  From The Trenches  by Vin Waterhouse   

Reasons for not attending business classes:  

Is it a coincidence that the top 25% most profitable shops earn over FIVE TIMES the net profit of the average repair shop even though they have 3.8 less years experience? 

“I have been to Seminars before; In fact, I’ve been to Vin’s seminar before”

TRANSLATION:  Many business owners somehow don't make the connection that to be more profitable, it requires repetition, practice and implementation of  sound business fundamentals over and over and over again. Professional athletes, i.e.; baseball, football etc. practice over and over the same fundamentals they learned as a child. They don't say  "I don't need the practice"  Many earn more money in one season than most store and shop owners will make in a lifetime. Business Management skills are honed the same way; repetition, repetition, repetition.

“I don’t have time to attend”

TRANSLATION: I choose not to spend my time learning more about improving my management skills and being in the company of others who feel the same way. This economy doesn't affect me, I'll keep doing the same things I have always done and face it alone.

“The timing is poor right now, I’ll attend the next one”   

TRANSLATION: I choose not to spend my time learning and sharing ideas with my colleagues on how to make my business the best it can be. I have to stay in my shop and fix vehicles. If you were announced "technician of the year" and had to give up the same 2-days to accept the award, you would make time to accept it.  Don't make excuses to your sales person, just say improving my management skills isn't a priority for me.

“I’d love to attend but I can’t get away from my business for 2 days”

TRANSLATION:  My time is spent working as an employee of my business rather than as and owner running my business… I wish it wasn't that way but it is what it is. The business runs me.  I’ll wait it out and hopefully things will get better.

“Successful people do what they don’t want to do when they don’t want to do it”

 Vin Waterhouse