Welcome back after the Easter break. I do hope the bank holidays were restful for you - or if you chose to open your business on those days, profitable!
Firstly today, it's our sad duty to report on yet another dealership closing its doors for good this spring. Collings Brothers of Abbotsley informed their customers last Thursday that despite the company being solvent, trading conditions have proved too much for them this year. In their statement they cite "high stocking charges" and "a reduction of sales due to the state of the market", as well as staff shortages and difficulties faced since a franchise change was forced upon them as being responsible for their decision to cease trading.
I hate that I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but our thoughts turn to the staff who will lose their jobs due to this and once again we hope they can find suitable replacement roles within the industry.
Elsewhere today we have a stark reminder of the importance of cyber security for everyone's businesses. What happened to Etesia in France sounds properly awful. I know I get terrified if my steam-powered laptop takes a bit longer than the regular 20 minutes it requires to boot itself up in the morning. The level of paralysis that Etesia's entire system was apparently victim to though, is genuinely frightening.
Thankfully, it sounds like the company is pretty much fully back up and running now. Not that I'm in anyway a tech-dude, but when the attack is of that magnitude I'm not sure there's anything the company could have done to prevent it anyhow? Not when you hear of major, global brands also coming unstuck and succumbing to computer bandits.
So I guess all we can do is continue to be vigilant, suspicious of everything that drops into our inboxes, have firewalls and security protections inserted deep into our USB ports - whilst crossing our fingers that it doesn't happen to us!
Driving success
On to more uplifting news now though, and it's always an exciting time of the year when we are able to begin sharing details about the Service Dealer Conference - and today the theme for this year's event has been confirmed.
Similar to Santa's elves on Boxing Day, the incredible organising team at TAP start planning for the next Conference the very second the previous one ends! And the best way of doing this of course, is by asking our dealer delegates what it is they want from an event dedicated to them.
As Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke says today, based on feedback acquired after November's edition, the theme of Driving Success has as its goal to "provide attendees with key information and actionable takeaways to help drive their business to success in today’s challenging environment. Ultimately, helping today’s dealerships to work smarter, not harder.”
With the Driving Success theme, there is plenty of scope to cover a range of topical subject areas that will be of great concern to our dealer delegates this year. Over the coming weeks and months we will keep you up to speed in this Weekly Update, in the mag and across our social media channels as to what exactly is in store. There will be announcements forthcoming on keynote speakers, seminar sessions and experts in their field who will be imparting knowledge.
Also, we are excited to begin to reveal who our valued sponsors are this year. Without these companies' support, the Conference simply would not be able to offer all that it does.
As well as this of course, details will be released on how your dealership can be in the running for a prestigious Dealer of the Year Award. Everything you need to know will be related later this year - but do start to consider which categories you may wish to enter this time around.
Until then, make sure you have marked up Thursday 28th November 2024, at the Crown Plaza in Stratford-Upon-Avon, as the date in your diary for great learning and superb networking.
We can't wait to see you there!
