Employees in the automotive industry are judged extensively on their service levels and sales figures. Kerry de Jager, Divisional Manager for Services at eliance, a national provider of comprehensive business solutions to the automotive sector, suggests that whilst technology is a great help, without training it is only marginally effective, at best.
Representatives at eliance are unanimous in their belief in the role of technology to enhance and improve operations across the spectrum of service levels within the motor industry. New systems allow for higher productivity and sales targets can be reached under the principle of ‘more selling and servicing in less time’ says De Jager.
Eliance was originally established to provide comprehensive, integrated digital and Internet marketing & business software solutions to clients. The business offering has evolved as the company has grown and it now serves numerous external clients in addition to the McCarthy Group of Companies.
In order to keep up with industry demand and assist clients to readily leverage off their ICT capability and solution integration – from customer retention right through to database and website management, the digital information company and service provider has invested substantially in its expertise and on-site skills sets, underlined by the establishment of a comprehensive training division called the Eliance Training Centre.
“The eliance training centre provides hands-on classroom-based training, as well as onsite implementation of business software solutions developed by the company,” adds De Jager. “We currently have different teams that nationally service our client base and it is important that we remain ahead of new trends and related impact on our market.”
She describes the solutions that are integrated and supported by the company as “sustainable, expansive” and she confirms the fact that they incorporate a full through-the-line service.
Regulation is critical at this level of training and development, along with the pressures and deadlines associated with this industry. “A training schedule is set up according to the rollout plan and deadline dates. Various teams are put in place to ensure that these deadlines are met, and training is provided in all the major regions in order to accommodate the needs of our clients,” says De Jager.
Although we have looked into providing online training techniques to our clients, it has become apparent that traditional classroom training provides learners with a more structured form of training and an environment that covers real life scenarios.
De Jager explains that after every training session learners are required to follow up on an exercise lab in which their skill level is evaluated. It allows the company to spend more time on specific needs or alternatively book future follow-up training in order to bridge the gap.
Learners are also asked to assess trainers and the training experience, the results of which is used to improve on certain areas and maintain the company’s high standards.
Eliance is positioned to assist those in the motor industry who managed their ICT capability by using software that is significantly different to popular secular Microsoft packages.
De Jager believes that training will continue to take precedence as more businesses engage with this service provider to address challenges and make profit.
