Motify, which aims to transform service delivery in the automotive industry by providing dealers and OEMs with the technology, intelligence and knowledge to positively transform their businesses, treated attendees to some of the best minds from their partner ranks who made presentations on a variety of subjects crucial to this space.

The conference was kicked off by dynamo, Julie Caldicott, CEO of Motify, who took an eagle eye’s view of technological developments and how this could possibly influence the future landscape of dealerships. She is of the strong opinion that dealerships have entered the 5th Industrial Revolution where personalisation and co-operation between people and machines will define the sector.

Julie argued that dealerships would have to move away from a multi-channel approach, where their business is available on many platforms but not integrated, to an omni-channel experience for customers where the customers are in control and central to an integrated strategy where they can access the brand where, when and how they want.

“Embrace uncertainty, be curious and not judgemental,” was the sage advice she left the audience with.

Julie was followed by Rene McGregor, a data guru from Insight Consulting, who took the audience on a journey through the importance of data today.

According to Rene, a data strategy is essential for a dealership, but the data must be aligned with business goals. “A data strategy must be articulated by outlining desired outcomes and a plan to achieve them with an emphasis on people, processes and technology,” Rener says, echoing Julie who also stressed the importance of “people, processes and technology”. She also warned that as far as the data maturity framework is concerned, most organisations she deals with lie at the bottom end of the scale.

Shateeaum Sewpaul from Excelerate Consulting delivered a no-nonsense presentation on digital transformation that, surprisingly, emphasised that digital transformation was not about technology but about a total business transformation. As with his colleagues who preceded him, he also highlighted the importance of people and processes, saying the rate of technological advancement means it “takes care of itself” in the modern organisation.

“Your company will have to learn to transform, fail if necessary and fail quickly and correct itself quickly,” Shateeaum controversially stated.

Steve Meadows, Director at Pinewood Technologies, also treated attendees to a sneak preview of the next incarnation of the Pinewood DMS.

The conference was concluded on a high note with renowned motocross rider, Joey Evans. He related the harrowing but inspiring story of how a biking accident left him a paraplegic but how he fought back against all odds not only to walk again but to complete the Dakar Rally.