Having launched the Workshop Software program over 7 years ago to supply an efficient web-based software product for automotive business owners, we’re well on the way and have achieved strong growth over the last year, to now reach over 4742 users!
The program has been constantly improved, relevant parts ordering and accounting integrations added and the team has grown. While the team and I will never take our foot off the gas, the day out of the office allowed for some planning to finish 2020 strongly and map out our approach for 2021.
We are a company with purpose
For new employees, it is a consideration and drawcard that Workshop Software remains a family owned and run business, rather than a monolithic publicly traded corporation. We work with Mothers and Fathers who run their automotive industry business each day for turnover and often to handover as a future business, job and source of income to younger family members.
The Workshop Software team is keenly involved in a long-term partnership as the industry specific point of sale provider for you, in order to save time and money while helping to build the business of your dreams.
Team Day details
Running through the history of the company, from the 1960s through to now the WS team discussed empathetic communication for customers and team members, the best way to embrace change and big ideas to improve the user experience. There were examples of how to strive towards a vision with the right supporting action
Of course, we made time for some quality meals to chat over the concepts discussed during the day and build relationships within the team. The experience, at a conference venue on Manly beach developed to a positive outcome and individual accountability within the more important team goal.
The WS team also agreed that we’d give back to the industry. Watch this space in 2021 for some charitable contributions alongside projects that spread the information we’ve gathered through connections with the best performing workshops around the world.
The team has committed to focus more on values that are important to us, including communication and balance to challenge ourselves to become the best automotive software provider in the world.
Watch the video to virtually meet some of the smiling faces in our small but growing team. It was Sammy’s birthday as well!
The Future
We’re incredibly excited and motivated about pushing the next stage given additional team members have been hired to support all facets of the business with a focus on product development, account management and support. The product development timeline was given a broad framework during the team day so that released improvements can be communicated via email, blog and Facebook when they are available.
The Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric (CASE) future of the automotive industry was discussed as a major trend to be aware of, linking into the need to have measurable digital technology and systems.
WS will soon launch a project to more accurately understand how you rate our product and service, to better understand items we can improve.
COVID is seen as a challenge that naturally gives way to uncertainty, however we are confident at WS that we’re able to support our subscribers through the new normal, but most importantly take the pandemic as an opportunity to grow due to a decrease in new vehicle sales. Customers are more likely to maintain their second most valuable asset (after their home). Any dip in traffic is an opportunity to use the WS SMS and email communications centre or begin your journey with our best value software solution.
Partnerships with several impressive organisations will also help to supplement our product for your shop. These include the Vehicle Visuals product to have 1-2minute videos that explanations or parts and labour requirements to build trust regarding repairs, demystify mechanical work and turning the conversation towards a transparent safety and preventative maintenance discussion, rather than cost.
The VV Garage app is available to personalize and bring your bookings into the 21st century with online bookings and customer updates during the service. Click here for details.
While Presto from Westpac helps Australian customers to receive their payments securely, contact free, with faster cashflow and a merchant portal. More info here.
We appreciate your support on the journey to build the store of your dreams.
James Mitchell
Workshop Software CEO