Being awarded a “Dealer of the Year” title is the culmination of the success of all the departments within a dealership. To achieve this feat for four years in succession is historical, whilst demonstrating a totally focused commitment to the goals by all its employees.
This is exactly the case at Audi Centre Arcadia, which yet again walked away with the top title at the annual Audi of South Africa Silver Arrow awards function where Dealer Principal and Divisional Executive at Bidvest McCarthy Audi, Phillip Clough, received the award on behalf of the dealership and its personnel.
“But as much as the annual Dealer of the Year award is a team effort, this fourth title in succession, was, for personal reasons, more significant than the previous three awards,” Phillip tells Dealerfloor.
The latest award from Audi SA only tells part of the dealership’s success story. Audi Centre Arcadia has also won the prestigious Sewells-MSXI NADA Business of the Year Award last year and the year before. No mean feat, when competing in the luxury brands category.
Not to shy away from the challenge, Audi Centre Arcadia is again, this year, nominated as one of the three finalists in the Sewells-MSXI NADA Business of the Year competition with the winner to be announced on 22 March. For Phillip it is a case of winning whichever way the results go, as the other two finalists are also from the Bidvest McCarthy Audi division.
Asked about the recipe for achieving all this success, Phillip emphasis that the success lies in all four departments at a well-performing dealership. “To stay focused on your goals, constantly measuring your output, competitiveness and adapting to changing circumstances are all part of the winning formula. Again, this is a team effort, and people are responsible for creating a winning culture,” he tells us.
The individual awards leading to the overall Dealership of the Year award for Audi Centre Arcadia, included 1st place in the Avus Awards – Phillip Clough (Dealer Principal); Nuvolari Awards - Paul Spruyt (1st place: New Vehicles Sales Manager of the Year); Kristof Seeger (2nd place: Pre-owned Sales Manager of the Year) and Gwen Pienaar (1st place: Parts Manager of the Year).
Other Bidvest McCarthy Audi winners at the Audi Silver Arrow event included, Charl Ferris (3rd place: Parts Manager of the Year, Audi Centre West Rand); Maritsa Pienaar (1st place: F&I Business Manager of the Year, Audi Centre Menlyn) and Stephan Kruger (1st place: New Vehicles Sales Executive of the Year, Audi Centre Menlyn).
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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
One of the topics that comes up often when I write articles is “waste” within a dealership. Quite often, expenses are cut when times are challenging but often, waste is confused with expenditure.
The story of Gabisile Fakude will surely be an inspiration for many who have an eye on the automotive industry as a career, especially for those who have not traditionally been associated with this world as a career path.
Suzuki Kenilworth in Cape Town claimed top honours for the second year running at the annual Suzuki Dealer Conference and Awards.
