2010 AIA WESTERN GRAND FORUM A GREAT SUCCESS

Ottawa – The 2010 AIA Western Grand Forum welcomed 114 attendees at the one day event, held on June 3rd in Red Deer, Alberta. The focus, “Plant the Seeds to help your business grow”, was a huge success with jobbers, business owners and service advisors all taking away many practical tips to enhance their business and reach the next level of excellence.

Keynote speaker Jeff Mowatt, a corporate trainer, business author and international speaker, impressed the audience with details on how to maximize customer service through Influence with Ease. Mowatt’s approach of subtle, powerful principles that hold a customer’s trust was enhanced in the afternoon by a session on Managing Multiple Priorities.

Participants chose 3 workshops during the day, each led by one of the 7 speakers of the event. During these workshops, attendees were able to learn how to:

• Increase profits by growing sales, without having to grow the number of customers, led by John Watt, Petro-Canada Certigard
• Understand the customer’s buying behaviour by learning the vehicle’s repair behaviour, which is influenced by the car’s repair needs, led by Rod Bayless, Product Manager of Activant Solutions
• Harness and use Newsletters to enhance shop sales with 14 secret triggers, led by Rita Kause, President of the Canadian Independant Automotive Association
• Invest in your employees by offering a benefit program that can increase employee morale while reducing absenteeism, led by Ghaazi Hamid of Morneau Sobeco
• Drive your business and help your customers walk away happy with their repair choices with the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), led by Scott Smith, Executive Director of MAP
• Identify opportunities on new technology and learn the newest information on telematics and reflash technology, led by Dave Hobbs, Delphi Aftermarket Solutions
• Reach their goals and aspirations in their business by increasing efficiency, managing productivity and improving profitability with the Total Automotive Consulting & Training, led by Dave Meunier of TACT

The AIA Members involved with both the Northern and South Alberta Divisions worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event along with providing a great day for the 72 participants of the joint North/South Golf Tournament, which was held the day before on June 2nd. AIA predicts that the event will be organized again next year.