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FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE

Work-life balance is a real challenge for workshop owners, notes Capricorn Group CEO, David Fraser

When was the last time you got away from the workshop and spent some uninterrupted time with your family and friends? Or when was the last time you locked the workshop door at 5.00pm and went home? This year’s State of the Nation survey reveals that many of you are really struggling to take time off and manage some kind of work-life balance. In fact, these were the top two challenges Members said they faced in running an auto business. Taking time off and having balance in your life should be non-negotiables for any business owner. Downing tools, shutting up shop, and spending time doing something other than working are vital for your physical and mental health. You need rest. You need time to recharge your batteries. Taking a holiday is not a “nice to have;” it is essential. Pay yourself with time off in the way that you pay your electricity bill or your lease. Plan ahead, book it in, and pay yourself on time. It is possible. I am reminded of the Ignition article we ran last month with Caroline Langan-Minca of His’n’Hers Automotive in Victoria (this article is available on CapHub if you missed it). She and her husband, Craig, prioritise work-life balance, juggling the workshop’s opening hours between each other and around the school drop-off and pick-up. They stopped working Saturdays. They trained their customers to know the workshop shuts at 5.00pm on the dot. The latest Capricorn State of the Nation report covers this information in more depth, along with many other fascinating topics related to the automotive industry and you can access it at cap.coop/son-22. We hope this report can help you to have a better understanding of where we are and what the future looks like. Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO – Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop David Fraser Group CEO, Capricorn Society Ltd

COMMUNICATING THE MESSAGE

The AAAA was well received at the recent Supercheap Auto Conference

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, attended the recent Supercheap Auto Conference to communicate the latest trends in the Aftermarket sector. Every year Supercheap Auto brings together its network leadership team – which is made up of store managers and area managers as well as key team members from its support office and its senior leadership team – for a series of workshops, strategy sessions and trade partner presentations. Supercheap Auto says the purpose of the conference is to build a strong retail team, and to ensure that every part of its business is aligned on its business strategy for the year ahead. This year the conference was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast across September 5 to 9. Lesley was invited to participate in one of the panel discussions at the conference and to talk to the audience about trends, opportunities and challenges in the automotive industry. “Her talk was illuminating around challenges such as skilled labour as well as opportunities such as the growth of electric vehicles,” Supercheap Auto Head of Marketing, Julia Willcox, said. “As AAAA is a key partner for Supercheap Auto, it was invaluable having Lesley at our conference and many of the store network team were able to meet Lesley and ask her questions.” Lesley said she fielded a lot of questions about collision repair and the new mandatory data sharing law. “There was a lot of interest from the collision repair professionals and (there was) a desire to know more about how to access the (data sharing) system,” Lesley said. “I talked about AASRA (the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority) and what its function was – why it is so important to be registered on that site and what benefits there are. “I also discussed what is, and what is not, in our new Law and that it certainly applies equally to collision and mechanical repair.” Lesley said there was a lot of enthusiasm for the new law. “There was a lot of optimism about what it will deliver for the sector and a lot of interest in learning more about AASRA – specifically how to get on board,” Lesley said. Julia said the conference was a great success. “Our Trade Partners, who are key to the success of our business, were invited to participate in an expo. They put on an amazing expo event for our team members with demonstrations, new product launches and competitions,” Julia said. The Trade Partner Expo was followed by a formal awards dinner where Supercheap Auto awarded a number of trade partners with some special accolades. Recognised were: • Trade Partner of the year – Bendix • Retailers Choice Winner – Motoractive • Most Successful Product Launch –

Chemical Guys • Most Innovative Trade Partner – Karcher • Outstanding Strategic Trade Partner –

Kincrome For more from Supercheap Auto, visit www.supercheapauto.com.au