July/August 2018

JULY/AUGUST 2018 AFTERMARKET 29 do much. Then I eventually got the trophy up and started promoting it on Facebook, and in the local paper and local community magazine. Over the months we really got noticed for it and it became more common knowledge, people were commenting on it when they came in and we got loads of positive feedback from it.” His win has lit a spark at Bill Lane Garage according to Karl: “Since the win last year in the middle of September we have enacted some really good changes, and seen a really good increase in profits. The biggest thing is that it has given me a lot more confidence. I now see more potential in the business and what we can achieve moving forward. It also pushed me into doing training. Since I did my apprenticeship in the mid-1990s, I haven't done any training at all. Everything has been self-taught. Part of the prize was training from John Batten at AutoiQ, and I did that. We have also joined the GroupAuto garage network. Through that we get three training courses per year and I have already done two of those. I have gone back to basics and I am finding it really, really interesting. I have really learnt a lot and I am excited about moving onto the more technical courses. It has given me a lot more scope.” Like Matthew found, the win led to a need to recruit: “We have taken on two more staff; We have a full-time member of staff, as well as a self-employed guy part-time, so that is freeing up my time for a lot of the mechanical stuff, doing more of the diagnostics. Profits are up, turnover has increased, and things are moving forward.” Ultimately for Karl, winning Top Technician has provided a real boost: “It really has given me a good kick up the backside. I was 40 recently, so I am probably halfway through my working career now and I need to move forward, and winning has given me the motivation I needed and a lot more inspiration too. While I am still running around doing things, we are gradually moving towards being the company we should be.” Asked what he would say to anyone considering taking part next year, Karl says: “Do it! Absolutely do it! If I can do it with no training, then all these guys out there that have had training and take their job seriously and love diagnostics, they would be foolish not to do it. Why wouldn't you do it? If you don't think you are good enough, try it. I never dreamed I'd be good enough. The first time I tried I just wanted to see how difficult the first test was. Even up to the last minute I never expected to win. I just thoroughly enjoyed taking part. The one downside of winning is knowing you can never compete again!” Best of luck to all the Top Technician finalists. Of course, if you win Top Technician, there is still Top Garage. Top Garage Top Garage is a brand new competition, introduced for 2018. As the testimony of the TT winners shows, winning a national competition can have a significant impact on a business. We here at Aftermarket believe that the winner of Top Garage 2018 will see a measurable impact on the future of their business. We wish the finalists the best of luck and look forward to being able to share their story. Staying up to date As always you can stay up to date on Top Technician and Top Garage by visiting the official website www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk as well as through Twitter and Facebook. There are also regular updates via www.aftermarketonline.net and Aftermarket magazine, as well as Aftermarket’s fortnightly newsletter. Top Technician 2018 and Top Garage 2018 come to you in association with ABC Awards, Auto iQ, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Top Technician 2018 and Top Garage 2018 are sponsored by Pico Technology, Pro-Align, Ring Automotive and Snap-on. www.toptechnicianonline.net I just thoroughly enjoyed taking part. Do it! Absolutely do it! ” Left to right: Andy Clifford-Cox,Karl Weaver