Dealership’s business savvy rewarded

South African business is confronted with extremely challenging conditions which dictate innovation and demand tenacity.

The Sewells Group, a global consulting and outsourcing firm specialising in the automotive industry, has just announced the winners of its annual MSX NADA 2019 Business of the Year Awards (BOTY) competition for motor dealers.

Considering that there are more than 1 000 dealers countrywide that qualify for these awards, it is rewarding and prestigious to be a finalist or a winner.

Colin Nell, the dealer principal for Nelspruit Honda, Suzuki and FCA in Mbombela, proved a deserved finalist in the category for Most Improved Business of 2019.

This category is measured on continuous improvement on its return on assets (ROA) and Nelspruit Honda, Suzuki and FCA finished in the top three.

“Times are truly challenging and simply being positive about the future just doesn’t cut it. One has to innovate on every single level of your business in ways that will insure buy-in from every member of staff. It also requires, in a sense, a softer approach to all the people challenges within a business.

During the past three years we have applied our minds to design and improve customer service and process management methodologies.

This award confirms that we are on the right track. Success is seldom, if ever, an individual effort. So receiving this award is rewarding and motivational for myself and every member of the team,” said Nell.

“To be a BOTY winner demonstrates exceptional achievement.

“Dealerships are complex businesses requiring enormous attention to detail and a concerted effort to improve the customer experience. They operate in a highly competitive environment and generally don’t tick the ‘easy to manage’ business boxes such as high margin, simple inventory and low fixed costs.

The margin of error is thin, indicating that each of the winners has established talented teams that thrive on performance and deliver great customer experiences,” said Athol Quin, MSX international director: South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Award-winning products + award-winning service + plus dedicated staff = Nelspruit Honda, Suzuki and FCA.

The Honda/Suzuki/FCA team from left to right: Henry Schofield - parts manager; Wiaan Pretorius - Honda and Suzuki manager; Niel vd Bergh - FCA manager; Hennie Snyman - motorcycle manager; Eric Strydom - workshop manager; Colin Nell - dealer principal and Natasha Steyn - F&I manager.