CELEBRATE CEOS
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.
David Fraser Group CEO
FEBRUARY 2023
AUGUST 2024
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 CYBER PROTECTION
No business is safe from cyber attacks.
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 across the ditch?
18 TELEMATICS
Are they set to revolutionise the collision repair industry?
20 2024 HAVAL H6 ULTRA HYBRID
DriveLife’s first in-depth look at a Haval car.
24 GROWTH IS PART OF BEING IN BUSINESS
But people must grow first.
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!
Aftermarket on notice as demand for used cars expected to soar in New Zealand.
Demand for used cars in New Zealand is expected to grow by an average of six per cent every year between now and 2029 suggesting there is opportunity ahead for workshops servicing the aftermarket.
According to analysts at Mordor Intelligence, the used car market in NZ is worth around NZ$473.7 million in 2024 but is expected to reach a value of almost NZ$634 million in five years’ time.
“The majority of consumers prefer used cars with an average age and more kilometres driven, since used cars in that segment offer an attractive and inexpensive option, with SUVs being the most popular type of automobile,” Mordor’s analysts state.
Figures released by the New Zealand Motor Industry Association (MIA) show that new vehicle registrations fell 27.4 per cent in March this year, compared to March 2023, and 44.7% compared to the same month in 2022. First quarter 2024 results were down 10.8% on the same period in 2023. The MIA blames interest rate rises, the increased cost of living and the wider national economic slowdown.
Mordor’s experts also suggest online platforms and other digital infrastructure are making buying and selling used cars easier. This echoes a similar trend seen in Australia, where one analyst said the ratio of new to used cars sold signified the beginning of a new era in the pre-owned car market” and predicted double-digit compound annual growth in used car sales.
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.
Sales of new cars in NZ were down 9.5% in 2023 compared to 2022. While passenger vehicle sales were similar to the year before, light commercial vehicle sales were significantly impacted by people holding off buying until after the end of the Clean Car Discount Fees.
The price of used cars in New Zealand has rocketed in recent years, with the median listing price jumping from NZ$9,500 in 2019 to NZ$16,000 in 2023, according to Autofile. But industry experts told Yahoo! Finance they expect prices to drop between 5.7% and 14% during 2024, which may in turn increase demand and ultimately lead to more vehicles entering and remaining for longer in the aftermarket for servicing and repair.
Mordor’s analysts said demand for hatchbacks was experiencing major growth, thanks in part to smaller cars being taxed at a lower rate than sedans “while providing the same performance and comfort”. They’re popular in the used car market because it’s not uncommon to get around 10 years out of them if they are well maintained. However, the market for used SUVs is growing rapidly.
is safe ATTACKS CYBER No business from
The top three kinds of cyber attacks are:
1. Emails being compromised
2. Fraud that occurs after emails have been compromised
3. Online banking fraud.
We know Capricorn Members have been victims of these scammers and fraudsters. Last year one Member was scammed out of $30,000 by a fake (or phishing) email that encouraged them to change their internet banking password.
More than half of New Zealand businesses suffered a cyber attack or incident in the past year, research from Kordia has found. Could you be next?
Any business that has a website, that uses email, keeps electronic records, or uses online banking and digital systems is prone to cyber attack.
Smaller businesses most vulnerable to attack
Small to medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable, because cyberhackers and scammers know they don’t have the high-tech cybersecurity of larger organisations.
43% of cyber attacks are on small businesses
Only 14% of small businesses are prepared for such an attack
55% of ransomware attacks (where your data is held hostage) are on businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
is available at capricorn.coop/about/capricorn-mutual.
Are you safe from cyber attacks?
The average cost of a data breach in NZ is $173,000
It takes half of all small businesses more than 24 hours to recover from a cyber attack
83% of small businesses lack the funds to deal with the fallout of a cyber attack.
Ask yourself these key questions
Cyber attacks can take a long time to clean up. What would it cost your business if you could not operate for several days, or even weeks?
What are your most important assets?
What do you currently have in place to protect them?
How would you detect a breach?
How would you respond if a breach happened?
What is your recovery plan?
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.”
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.”
Tesla Cybertruck
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.
Here’s how Ford explains their success across the ditch: “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?
currently advertised, 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 deer on the road, 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 Australian 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 selfie-hunters.
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).
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 or New Zealand. In fact, Tesla stopped taking pre-orders in Australia two years ago (and has never taken them in NZ). So, is it even coming down under?
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 Australia on a big promo tour this year, which does seem to suggest they’re still planning something for the Australian market. Whether these plans extend to the New Zealand market remains to be seen.
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
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
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 and New Zealand’s favourite cars will be electric—and the technology in the Cybertruck may well have influenced what that vehicle looks like and how it works.
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.
Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid 2024 Hybrid
Car Review
When it comes to Chinese-built cars, there is the view that Chinese brands are no longer seen as outliers – as budget models that are built to a price. You only have to look at the success of MG’s MG4 and the ever-popular BYD Atto3 and its excellent Dolphin stablemate.
But before those two brands arrived, we had Haval. And not just a model or two; currently in the Haval line-up there is the Ora, Jolion, Tank 300, Tank 500, Ute, and the soon-to-be-released Cannon Alpha ute. That brings us to the Haval H6. We’ve never managed to get our hands on one to review before today, but at last, we can tell you what this medium SUV is like.
What’s in the 2024 Haval H6 range?
There is a range of five models of H6 to choose from, although two of those are simply hybrid-powered models of existing versions.
The non-hybrid H6s use a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The motor manages 150 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque – reasonable numbers.
Either of the two hybrid models uses a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor that is turbocharged and the transmission is a “DHT”, or Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. The combined power output of the petrol and electric motors is 179 kW, with torque listed at an excellent 530 Nm. Both hybrid and non-hybrid are front-wheel drive.
First impressions of the 2024 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid
Firstly, we need to talk about that grille. It felt quite overpowering and a bit garish, but then I compared it to any Lexus or even the all-new OMODA C5, and suddenly the H6 looked quite restrained at the front. Side-on, there are hints of Mazda CX-5 and also pretty much any Lexus SUV. There are splatters of chrome trim on the sides and rear, lifting the car in perceived quality somewhat. Overall, it actually looks pretty sleek and almost executive. Throw in some stylish alloys and you end up with a pretty good-looking SUV.
What’s the interior like in
the 2024 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid?
The H6 has plenty of space, with very good rear leg room and headroom. Front-seat passengers are well-catered for in the roominess department, and there is a nice sense of space throughout the cabin. When you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, the faux leather wheel feels nice to hold. It’s not the chunkiest of steering wheels but feels good all the same. The doors are finished very well; in fact, the finish on all the materials inside the car is spot-on. The Haval interior designers have actually put some thought into the cabin of the H6.
At 600 litres, the boot is on the larger side and is certainly at the top end of the scale for a medium SUV. There’s no storage under the floor, since this space is taken up by the H6 Ultra Hybrid’s drive battery.
What’s the 2024 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid like to drive?
With the H6 Ultra Hybrid’s 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor that outputs 300 Nm of torque, Haval claims the vehicle has access to an astounding 530 Nm of torque. As such, I was expecting great things in performance from this car.
It turns out that it performs very well, but perhaps it doesn’t feel like 530 Nm when you are driving it. Still, in everyday driving the power and torque are more than adequate, and the car can feel quite sprightly when you need to move it.
At low speeds, the engine is very quiet (if it’s running, that is) and other sounds like road noise are well managed. The hybrid side of things in the Ultra H6 is very simple: get in and drive. You don’t get any options to control the hybrid side of the drive, so you are bound by the car’s ECU brain. Thankfully, the car gets it right every time. This is no plug-in hybrid (PHEV), so the petrol engine will charge the drive battery up. You’ll also get some brake regeneration (regen) when going down a hill.
While you can’t adjust the hybrid side of the drivetrain, you do get some drive modes to pick from. These are Normal, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Wading. Using the H6 to commute each day was easier than some other cars. Visibility out is top of the class, and the heads-up display (HUD) on the Ultra model means you can keep a constant eye on your speed. You can also use the H6’s adaptive cruise control to maintain your distance from the car in front.
The Lane Keep Assist is a little too aggressive, but this is a common complaint for Chinese-built cars, for some reason. Road noise in general use is excellent, as is tyre noise. There were also a few other niggles with the H6; the fuel economy computer would reset all the time, so I couldn’t get an accurate gauge of how much fuel this hybrid was using. The keyless unlocking of the H6 was also very hit-and-miss.
Despite a few minor complaints, I really enjoyed my time in the H6. The handling and braking are just fine, and actually, the drive itself is relatively refined. This isn’t a car you punt around too much, but for your average H6 buyer, it feels safe and secure on the road.
If I were in the market for a medium-sized SUV and I didn’t need all-wheel drive, I don’t think I could pass on the Haval H6. If you are working to a budget and can’t afford something like the Mazda CX-5, the H6 is a competent, well-equipped, spacious and well-built medium SUV.
Add in a seven-year warranty and, honestly, Haval should be selling a lot more H6 models.
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.
PREFERRED SUPPLIER PROFILES
Nestled in the heart of Rosebank, TradeZone Avondale is your go-to destination for all things tools and engineering solutions. Conveniently located just off Rosebank Road, their store offers a wide array of high-quality specialist tools, components and consumables.
TradeZone Avondale’s friendly staff are there to assist you, making them a true one-stop shop. As part of the nationwide TradeZone brand, they’re a familiar name in New Zealand. Since joining the TradeZone Group in February 2023,
they’ve expanded their shop, diversified their product lines, and strengthened their local presence. Being part of the TradeZone group allows them to offer competitive prices, so pay them a visit to experience the TradeZone difference.
tradezoneavondale.co.nz
FUN ZONE CAPRICORN
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Please
Submit your entry at cap.coop/funzone by 31 AUGUST 2024.
June Winner: BEN’S WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND SUSPENSION SPECIALIST 5,000 BONUS REWARDS POINTS
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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
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.
