CELEBRATE CEOS
CALENDAR of events
Queensland
Sunshine Coast Trade Show 7 August 2024
Hervey Bay Trade Show
18 September 2024
Mackay Trade Show 16 October 2024
QLD Gala Dinner & Tradeshow 9 November 2024
New
South Australia
VAILO Adelaide 500 14 to 17 November 2024
SA Gala Dinner & Tradeshow 30 November 2024
Victoria Bendigo Trade Show 29 August 2024
VIC Gala Dinner & Tradeshow 16 November 2024
Western Australia
South West Coastal Trade Show 4 September 2024
WA Gala Dinner & Tradeshow 26 October 2024
David Fraser Group CEO
CEO’s message
Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the past and the future. Perhaps that’s to be expected, with my retirement after 18 ½ years with Capricorn just a few short months away.
But it’s the celebrations for Capricorn’s fiftieth anniversary that have provided the greatest opportunity for reflection. Back in May, I had the honour of hosting almost all of our former CEOs at our new Perth headquarters. Frank O’Connor and Trent Bartlett joined Brad Gannon and myself for a couple of hours of reflections and reminiscences. My immediate predecessor, Greg, was unable to attend. Frank told stories about the very humble beginnings of our great cooperative. Trent shared tales of our period of strong growth under his leadership. I sat in awe, listening to our organisation’s elders, feeling increasingly proud of all we’ve achieved, and of my own role in Capricorn’s story. Beside me, of course, was Brad—the man who will take the reins in January. It was a great reminder that although my chapter is drawing to a close, Capricorn’s great story continues—our work for you, our Members, always drives us forward, no matter who is in the chair. I firmly believe Capricorn’s best years are ahead of us.
Our meeting was recorded for posterity. You can read all about it in the pages of this magazine and watch some of the interviews on cap.coop/50
Speaking of the future, one of my favourite jobs is hearing about our Capricorn Rising Stars Award. It’s always a great reminder of the incredible talent this industry attracts. We had very strong applicants this year and a thoroughly impressive Top 5 Finalists in Cooper Bullin, Dylan Sneddon, Marko Graovac, Megan Toia and Shalako Hauraki. Congratulations to all of them.
One thing I always look for in Rising Stars nominees is a thirst to really make a difference in our industry, and our finalists had that ambition in spades. They’re our industry’s future leaders and it’s encouraging to see the way they’re embracing the evolving nature of our industry. The future really is bright with young people like them coming through.
Finally, a reminder to get your tickets to your local Gala this year! I’ll be at each event and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone before I embrace a new future of my own—one that hopefully involves a lot more time on the golf course, time with family, and time watching from the sidelines as Capricorn goes from strength to strength.
2024
2023
4 CEOS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS STRONG
We talk to past, present and future Capricorn chief executives.
8 USED CAR MARKET ON THE UP
We’re gonna need a bigger workshop!
10 PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND ILLNESS PROTECTION
What happens to your workshop if you are ill or injured?
12 AUTOMOTIVE STARS ON THE RISE
Meet the 2024 Capricorn Rising Stars Top 5 Finalists!
14 FUTURE RIDE: TESLA CYBERTRUCK
Could it dethrone the mighty Ford Ranger?
18 TELEMATICS
Are they set to revolutionise the collision repair industry?
24 GROWTH IS PART OF BEING IN BUSINESS
But people must grow first.
David Fraser Group CEO
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE CEOS
CELEBRATE 50 YEARS STRONG
As part of Capricorn’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we got our former, current and future chief executives together in one room to reminisce and celebrate the cooperative’s achievements.
Frank O’Connor—a Capricorn founding father and our first general manager from 1974 to 2000—joined his successors, Trent Bartlett (CEO from 2001 to 2011), current CEO David Fraser, and Bradley Gannon, the man who will be CEO from January next year. Unfortunately Greg Wall (CEO from 2011 – 2019) was unable to make it. Held at Capricorn’s new head office on Perth’s St Georges Terrace, the men reminisced about the past and discussed the future of Capricorn.
The men swapped stories and poured over mementos from the cooperative’s past, including the minutes of the original meeting forming Capricorn in December 1974, commemorative plates from our twenty-fifth anniversary in 1999, and the colourful jackets that marked Capricorn team at events over many decades.
Frank shared the story of Capricorn’s formation—how, after a training session for WA-based Golden Fleece service station owners, a buying group was formed.
“One of the topics was how to improve your business and one of the ways was to buy better,” Frank said. “How could you buy cheaper?”
In those days, parts suppliers in WA were limited in number and tight on market control. So, when one of the group bragged he could get spark plugs much cheaper than the regular price, he wasn’t believed. Frank himself was buying sealed beams much cheaper than everyone else. When the group caught up a month later, they all took in their invoices to prove their claims! When the claims proved true, the men agreed to pool their power and began buying as a group.
“Gradually it grew until one firm, Lucas, which no longer exists, said if we appointed a central person they’d give us a five per cent discount on all our purchases. So that was the catalyst."
“The reason we called it Capricorn was we were going to go around the world.”
The ambition was big, but those early years were tough. Several times the fledgling cooperative nearly didn’t make it. But under Frank’s stewardship, it grew. One of his most memorable achievements was finally hitting $100,000 in sales in a month—a milestone they’d been desperate to make.
“I led the staff in a conga line through the office,” he said.
Trent came to Capricorn from the retail sector already an experienced business leader, charged with building on Frank’s legacy. His goal was to achieve $1 billion in sales in a year within the decade.
“Hitting that milestone was important and we hit it with about eight weeks to go (before I left Capricorn)—so I only just got there with the team,” he said.
Under Trent’s guidance Capricorn Mutual was launched.
"I’m so proud of what’s been achieved with it today,” Trent said.
Much of Capricorn Mutual’s success occurred under the stewardship of Greg and now David. It was actually Trent who poached David for Capricorn from Coventrys—and gave Brad his start at Capricorn, too.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am in that succession,” Trent said. “David has done a fantastic job and I know Brad is going to do great things.”
But being Capricorn’s leader isn’t without its challenges. Trent recalls a rushed trip to London after the Christchurch earthquake, to shore up Capricorn’s reinsurance. “The Members were hurting really badly and I was so proud of what we did,” Trent said.
David recalled a similar sense of pride in Capricorn’s response to the Queensland and New South Wales floods of early 2022 and said that’s part of what makes Capricorn such a special organisation.
“We’ve never lost sight of our purpose, why we exist, why we started,” David said. “That is something we don’t take for granted. We’re here to help and support them to be stronger businesses, to be more sustainable.”
“The Capricorn business model is an amazing one; it’s 50 years young and it’s got so much potential,” Brad said. “There are more ways we can help our community. There’ll be things we need to adapt and evolve as things change around us, but those core principles, the way we do business, the way we look after each other as a community, are what’s going to make us successful in the next years.”
We’re gonna need a
BIGGER WORKSHOP!
Australia entering a new era of vehicle ownership as used car sales soar.
Demand for used cars in Australia soared by almost a third between January and December last year, suggesting there is ` opportunity ahead for workshops servicing the aftermarket.
Data analysis by the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) and Autograb of the auto industry’s 2023 sales found demand peaked in November, with 203,863 used cars sold (up 34.4% from January).
On the other side of the equation, the supply of used cars peaked at 320,203 units in July, then hovered around 310,000 units until a temporary dip in December.
“Improved supply chains have resolved new car shortages, fulfilling backlogged orders and increasing the availability of used cars on the market,” the AADA report states. That has also seen the prices on used cars come down by 11.6% for vehicles between two and four years old and 13.2% for those five to seven years old.
Experts say demand for used cars is booming thanks to the cost-of-living crisis, which is encouraging some motorists to either hold onto their cars longer or trade up to a used car instead of a new one. Analyst Namit Goel, from Ken Research, said the ratio of new to used cars sold “signifies the beginning of a new era in the pre-owned car market in Australia” and predicted double-digit compound annual growth as online platforms and other digital infrastructure make selling and buying used cars easier.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Chief Executive Officer Stuart Charity believes new car sales are about to hit a downturn and the age of the national fleet is going to get older. He told Drive Magazine in April: “It’s good for our industry, which will see that upswing if owners delay their car service. But if they do it for too long it’s going to turn into a repair rather than a service.”
If the current trend continues and the experts are right, aftermarket workshops will pick up a lot of extra servicing work—which bears out one of the findings we have seen in every State of the Nation survey we have conducted in recent years: Capricorn Members believe there will always be cars that need fixing! When we asked Members how confident they feel about their business’s future in 2023, 20% said extremely confident, 31% said very and 28% said moderately. The top reason for that confidence? The belief that business will continue to grow.
The AADA data found passenger cars accounted for almost 44% of used car sales, SUVs almost 37% and light commercial Utes just over 17%. By contrast, SUVs and Utes lead the new car market.
The supply and sales of used EVs (excluding plug-in hybrids) has nearly doubled, but their market share remains low, at 0.7%. Prices for used EVs have dropped 15.6% for cars less than two years old and 23.4% for those aged two to four years. This volatility may be due to the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption introduced in November 2022, uncertainty over battery health, and pricing competition among EV manufacturers. As such, it might take a while longer to properly gauge how these EV pricing trends will impact the aftermarket.
to your workshop INJURED? ILL or What happens if you’re
What is Personal Accident and Illness Protection?
Accidents happen. If you get injured or ill and you’re unable to work, will your workshop keep running efficiently in your absence? Or will you be forced to shut the doors, with the resulting loss of income?
You can take sensible steps now to protect yourself financially from the expense and inconvenience of illness or injury.
While workers’ compensation covers your employees if they are injured or become sick at work, there is no such compulsory protection for business owners.
Personal Accident and Illness Insurance fills that gap, ensuring a prolonged period without income doesn’t seriously impact your family, savings and lifestyle.
It generally covers capital benefits and the loss of weekly income as a result of accident or illness.
It may provide a lump-sum benefit amount if you are permanently disabled.
There are often broad benefit period options from 12 to 24 months of cover.
In certain circumstances it may protect employees where Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Compulsory Third Party Insurance do not provide cover.
You are able to nominate the level of weekly gross wage or salary you want protected, to ensure you receive the level of income you need while ill or injured.
It may also include additional benefits to cover rehabilitation and activities outside of work hours.
Tailor your Personal Accident and Illness Protection
You can personalise your cover to ensure it meets your precise needs! Choose:
Cover for an agreed weekly amount
24 hour or outside of working hours cover
Benefit periods from 12 to 24 months
The amount of excess paid before a claim is paid.
Meet the 2024 Capricorn Rising Stars Top 5 Finalists
Cooper is a great asset to our company, who gets on well with all our customers and is great for morale in our workshop. Cooper is the go-to person for our younger apprentices and always shows a level of patience and maturity.”
Dylan Sneddon
Megan Toia
Dylan continually shows a passion for learning outside of his apprenticeship. He confidently diagnoses cars and is also heavily interested in the evolution of the electric car and where our industry is headed next.”
Proudly sponsored by:
“Marko goes above and beyond to help customers and staff alike, always with a smile and best manners. He is very smart and was promoted to second year after just doing seven months of first year. Marko enjoys a challenge and will happily do any job he is given.”
Megan is an asset to the Badgy Motors team and will be to the automotive industry. She completes tasks to a high standard and is very thorough. She carries out services and repairs independently and is learning very fast. She follows instructions and takes constructive criticism well.”
Shalako Hauraki
ULTRA TUNE
Shalako showcases exceptional dedication to mastering motor vehicle repair. In an ever-evolving industry, he embraces continuous learning and adaptability, staying ahead with emerging technologies and best practices.”
Cybertruck Tesla
Cybertruck
COULD THE CYBERTRUCK DETHRONE THE FORD RANGER AS AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE VEHICLE?
Cybertruck Tesla
In 2023, the Ford Ranger knocked the Toyota HiLux off its perch as Australia’s top-selling vehicle.
This was a big deal. The beloved HiLux had been Australia’s go-to ute for seven years. We haven’t had a Prime Minister last that long at the top since John Howard.
Here’s how Ford explains their success: “Since the Ranger launched in 2011, it has transformed from a work vehicle into a vehicle for every Aussie and every part of life – from office workers to tradies, parents with kids and, of course, Aussies who tow, camp and go off-roading”.
But not, possibly, Aussies who have to use shopping centre car parks. At 5.2 metres long and more than 2 m wide including the mirrors, it’s a big beast.
But could the Ranger’s reign be short-lived? The future, we are told, is electric. Could the Tesla Cybertruck soon knock the Ranger off its new mantle?
The case for the Cybertruck
Unveiled in 2019 to audible gasps, the Tesla Cybertruck—with its boxy straight lines and stainless-steel exterior—looks like it was designed by a Year 8 student doing the bare minimum to pass a technical drawing assignment.
The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, looks like it was designed to cope with a couple of 44-gallon drums in the back and a kangaroo bouncing off the front, all without breaking a sweat.
So, why on earth would we suggest the Cybertruck might be the future?
can do zero to 100 kmh in 4.1 seconds and deliver a 547 km cruising range. For those who tow, it has enough grunt to drag almost 5000 kg along the highway to your favourite place to pitch a tent or launch a boat. Old worries about spending eight hours recharging the battery at an outback roadhouse are also dead. Tesla says you can add 235 km in 15 minutes’ charge time. And the really good news is, the Cybertruck’s windscreen is bulletproof and soundproof. So, if you do hit a roo, even one touting an AK-47, it sounds like you’ll not only be nice and safe but it’ll be as quiet as a Dishlex Dishwasher, so you won’t miss a second of your favourite podcast.
The Cybertruck makes hollow one former Prime Minister’s threat that EVs will “ruin Australians’ weekends”. Whether we like it or not, the Tesla Cybertruck, or something like it, is coming to a weekend near you sometime in the future.
The case against the Cybertruck
There’s quite a bit about the Cybertruck that’s bonkers. Like the fact they’re such a novelty that every time you park it, it’s going to be covered in fingerprints from curious children and opportunistic selfiehunters.
These all seem like problems that could have been easily avoided (but easily avoiding problems is not exactly Elon Musk’s modus operandi).
A little cold, hard reality
For all the buzz, the Cybertruck is not yet available in Australia. In fact, Tesla stopped taking pre-orders two years ago. So, is it even coming here?
There’s a lot of debate about this. On one hand there appear to be no current plans for Tesla to start manufacturing a right-hand drive Cybertruck. The vehicle also hasn’t, as yet, been added to the Australian Design Rules list of approved vehicles. Drive.com.au reported this is likely because the Cybertruck has a purely electric steering transmission, with no physical connection to the steering rack. If that’s the hurdle that needs to be overcome, that’s quite the redesign. The Ford Ranger might be safe for now.
On the other hand, Tesla has been driving a Cybertruck around the country on a big promo tour this year, which does seem to suggest they’re still planning something for the Australian market.
Will the Cybertruck knock the Ford Ranger off its perch as Australia’s favourite vehicle? No, probably not. But something will. And whether it’s the next vehicle or the one after that, eventually, Australia’s favourite car will be electric—and the technology in the Cybertruck may well have influenced what that vehicle looks like and how it works.
Well, if 100% of new passenger vehicle sales are meant to be electric vehicles by 2035, something needs to replace old favourites like the Ranger and the HiLux. For some motorists, the Cybertruck will fit the bill.
There are several different models, so there’s a Cybertruck to suit everyone—from the 235 kW rear-wheel drive model to the 621 kW Cyberbeast. In the middle is the 453 kW all-wheel drive model, which, as currently advertised,
Much like Henry Ford offering the Model T in “any colour as long as it’s black”, the Cybertruck only comes in unpainted stainless steel. This “ultrahard exoskeleton” supposedly “helps reduce dents, damage and long-term corrosion”. This has caused massive production headaches, because the stainless steel doesn’t like being bent and it peels on the creases, so Tesla had to invent an entirely new process using air pressure to bend the stainless steel. Go onto any internet forum for Tesla owners and you’ll see plenty of complaints about rust stains.
Then there’s that high-schooler tech drawing aesthetic, with its straight lines and sharp edges. It doesn’t just ignore generations of vehicle design evolution, it ignores the design rules put in place for safety reasons by major markets, like the European Union (which requires a pedestrian/ cyclist crumple zone on the front of vehicles).
Collision
repair is no longer just about body work. Thanks to rapidly evolving technologies, like advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), modern repairers need to know as much about fixing the brain of a vehicle as they do about fixing the body. This has seen collision workshops become increasingly high-tech, requiring expensive diagnostic tools, software and advanced equipment.
he revolution has only just begun. The impact of ADAS is likely to pale in comparison to the impact of telematics, which uses GPS and onboard diagnostics to track vehicles and ensure their efficient maintenance and repair.
What is telematics?
Telematics is really a data hub, a bit like a black box on a plane, that monitors and collects information about things like how quickly you drive and brake, where you go, and whether you’re a safe driver. It also collects data on fuel use, tyre pressure, faults and other important maintenance indicators. This is particularly useful for managing fleets, where the technology has been embraced, but it’s coming for all vehicles and all drivers as car manufacturers and insurers alike realise the potential.
Where can telematics be used?
The potential uses of telematics include improving productivity by using GPS tracking, trip reporting, route guidance and dispatching tools. This is great for fleet management, as is the ability to identify and schedule maintenance early using remote diagnostics, and to improve fuel management based on idling data and other factors.
Road safety is the big area where telematics may play a large role in the future. In-vehicle driver coaching, risk and behaviour reporting, collision notifications and even the ability to track a stolen vehicle all offer huge benefits—not least to insurance companies, who are keen to raise or lower a customer’s premium based on their risky driving behaviour.
Telematics can also be used to ensure compliance with regulations, improve sustainability (e.g., monitoring and reducing carbon emissions), and in collaboration with other onboard systems (e.g., camera technology) to create completely new applications.
What impact could this have on collision repairers?
As vehicles become more advanced, so do their repairs and the tools required to make those repairs. Kitting up to be able to make those repairs, and training your technicians, is likely to be expensive. The cost of repairs to your customers is also likely to increase significantly, thanks to the high cost of replacing and calibrating sensors. A study by the American Automobile Association last year found ADAS alone adds up to 37.6 per cent to the total repair cost after a crash.
But all those sensors and all that technology could also help ensure the best possible repair. Advanced imaging and scanning capabilities will allow repairers to identify hidden damage and create a truly comprehensive repair plan, even including the most efficient repair plan and a list of parts required.
While all this data might seem intimidating, harnessed properly it will allow us to do our jobs more effectively, precisely and efficiently, making sure the vehicle that goes back out onto the road is as safe and as near-new as possible. That’s good for the customer, good for the insurer, and good for the repairer.
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PREFERRED SUPPLIER PROFILES
Established in 2000, Monit caters to Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that seek effective health and safety management without breaking the bank. Its user-friendly system not only simplifies compliance, assisting business owners to avoid legal repercussion. In 2022, Monit received the prestigious Paint and Panel Magazine Innovation Award.
In an era where simplicity and virtual assistance are paramount, Monit bridges the gap. Designed for end users across industries, it combines the expertise of a health and safety consultant with the ease of straightforward software—minus the hefty price tag. monit.com.au
BIP Auto Spares is a family-run business specialising in supplying top-quality second-hand Toyota parts since 2001. Their extensive inventory covers all Toyota models, from commercial to passenger vehicles. Whether you need parts for a Corolla, RAV4, Hilux, Landcruiser, Hiace or any other Toyota vehicle, their experienced team can assist. They also offer aftermarket components, and with new arrivals for wrecking coming in nearly every week, their stock stays up-to-date with both old and new Toyota models.
At BIP Auto Spares, they rigorously test every component to ensure it meets quality standards before it reaches their shelves. Their hassle-free services come at affordable prices, so if you’re in Melbourne and require Toyota parts, their team is ready to assist.
bipautospares.com.au
PREFERRED SUPPLIER PROFILES
8
Supagas, a leading supplier of residential, industrial, medical, specialty, welding, and helium gases in Australia, is rapidly gaining recognition for its exceptional customer service and high-quality products. With a nationwide presence, Supagas boasts multiple distribution centres, branches, and agencies, ensuring fast and reliable delivery.
Their state-of-the-art facilities allow them to offer a wide range of gas types and products, including specialty gases. Supagas’ specialised laboratories also enable precise mixing and testing of their products. Supagas’ competitive edge lies in their commitment to reliable delivery, swift responses to queries and outstanding customer service.
Capital Equipment Hire (CEH) is a family-owned industrial cleaning equipment dealer based in Australia. Since 2004, CEH has partnered with automotive businesses to offer a comprehensive range of services. They specialise in hiring, selling and servicing floor scrubbers, sweepers, vacuums, pressure washers, and carpet extractors. CEH exclusively represents high-performing brands such as Tennant, Nilfisk, Kerrick, i-team, and Fimap.
Their experienced team ensures that customers make informed choices for their cleaning equipment needs, maximising efficiency and cost-effectiveness. For prompt assistance, reach out to their dedicated and friendly team. Capital Equipment Hire are committed to providing great value cleaning equipment solutions while offering a range of options tailored to their customer's needs.
supagas.com.au
capitalequipment.com.au
Growth is part of being in business, but people must grow first
by Jeff Smit
Most workshop owners think of growth as just growing the business, such as increasing car service turnover, or moving to bigger premises. But real growth covers much more than these obvious definitions. What about growing as an individual or as a technician, a workshop operator or an industry leader?
Businesses don’t grow on their own, without any human help.
Growth can mean advancement, development, expansion, improvement and progress and everyone in the auto game should aspire to this wider definition of growing, because of the endless opportunities that are there for the taking.
The job of an automotive technician is to provide quality repair services on a malfunctioning car so that it can get back on the road with minimum delay. Today’s technician can pursue a variety of industry sectors, such as automotive electrical, automotive mechanical (light and heavy), vehicle body repair and scores of specialised aftermarket specialities.
But like all things in life, advancement in any of these sectors can only happen as a result of personal effort and learning. The end game is job satisfaction and self-growth.
While not a definitive list, here are some ideas that might help:
Further training - The pace of auto technology almost demands further training, if only to keep up. But further training delivers more than knowledge.
Further training keeps technicians in the loop, and having contact with other technicians helps to form networks that can turn the training process into productive fun that keeps the learning process alive and interesting.
Learning from professionals, whether through theoretical or practical classes, elevates work practices to a more authentic and reliable level. Often, techniques you pick up at these classes can be just as rewarding as practical knowledge.
Managing time and work begins with a healthy body - Technicians are often called on to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and keeping many balls in the air requires planning your day strategically.
Any high-pressure job like this can be managed and enjoyed if technicians look after their personal physical and mental health. A perfect work-life balance takes some effort, but once achieved, time management becomes second nature.
Develop skills for the unexpected
- The auto aftermarket is one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia, so sooner or later every workshop will face unexpected issues. Coping with these is an acquired skill that takes practice to get the workshop to the stage that it can handle any unexpected issue quickly and effectively. How to react to an issue should be a chapter in the workshop manual so that time is not lost and there is no argument about who should be doing what to overcome an issue.
Don’t rest on your laurels - Many workshop owners tend to rest on their past glories but forget that their industry world never stops evolving.
Meeting challenges and keeping ahead of the game is still a full-time job. For those who treat it seriously, the results can be very rewarding. Stand still and you risk losing your market share.
For a business to continue growing, owners and managers need to be vigilant about changes in business practices, technology and marketing. Effective measures for growth of sales could include:
Stepping outside your regular sales channels and looking for new avenues for picking up customers.
Increasing your industry knowledge by joining technical support groups and attending trade shows.
Connecting with your customers by communicating workshop services to them with special offers. Ensure all employees understand that the customer is the only reason they have a job, and they must be treated with respect and understanding.
Investigating online marketing with a website that must be kept up to date and changed frequently, or on social media. If you are one of the many who don’t have time for social media, give the job to another staff member who actually enjoys using social media.
Using email or SMS more regularly to maintain contact with customers, reminding them about service dates or seasonal specials you might be running.
If growth is slowing, what’s the reason? - Just as you can’t fix a problem vehicle without diagnosing why it is a problem, you need to diagnose why business is slowing before you can adopt measures to turn the tide.
A slowdown in growth could be caused by one significant factor, or it could be the result of many small issues.
Sometimes, a slowing of growth is merely a reflection of the economic times. Keep abreast of national or regional trends by reading the business pages of reputable publications, and at a more local level, look around at the other workshops in your area. Sharing ideas with others about market trends can often lead to solutions that you may not have considered on your own. Friendly competition can be quite rewarding.
Even small, random comments from a customer, or on social media can reveal if there is something about your business or service that is irking them. Then look internally at your employees. Is the turnover too high? Staff need to be happy and treated as valued members of the team. Without their cohesiveness as a technical team, business will suffer. Look at your turnover and discuss it openly with staff at casual lunchroom sessions. Some of the best ideas can come from an apprentice mechanic.
Perhaps the workshop tools and testing equipment are outdated. Technicians might be envious about
the new technologies being adopted by other workshops. In these rapidly changing times, it would be wise to set aside an annual budget for equipment upgrading.
Maybe the budget is at fault. If necessary, renegotiate deals with suppliers or look for better deals.
Whatever growth plan you adopt, be flexible and prepared to adapt as you go.
Well measured growth, slow and gradual, is always the best kind of growth. And don’t forget that growth means personal growth as well as professional and business growth.
For your chance to win simply opt out of receiving a paper statement by 31 October 2024.
You’ll still receive an email each month letting you know when your statement is ready to read online, so you can stay on top of managing your account. Make the switch to be in the draw to win one of two $500 Kathmandu e-vouchers.
FUN ZONE CAPRICORN
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
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Submit your entry at cap.coop/funzone by 31 AUGUST 2024.
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LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS
WORD HUNTER
Find the 15 words hidden in the jumble. They could be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or backwards. See if you can find them all!
AUTOMOTIVE ANNIVERSARY BENEFITS BUSINESS CELEBRATE DEVELOP EXCEPTIONAL FUTURE
GROWTH OUTSTANDING PROTECTION RECOGNITION
RISING STARS SOAR
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Fuel up in June, July or August to go in the draw to win.
Spend $50 or more using your Capricorn Fuel Card and automatically go in the draw for that month’s prize. Unlimited entries and a prize to be won each month for purchases between 1 June and 31 August 2024. DON’T
