aBr April aBr April 2014 | Page 50

National e-CAR Indaba 2014 Becoming an Aspirational Brand ➲ Some of the 130 delegates National e-CAR Indaba 2014 of the 2014 Indaba standing in the car park at the Wanderers Club The highly successful e-CAR 2014 Indaba, held at the Wanderers Club, Illovo, Johannesburg, on Saturday 15 March 2014, attracted 130 delegates who were treated to a series of inspiring topics. The message of the Indaba was all about being different, and becoming an aspirational brand. Set Yourselves Apart He says that more and more applications are being received by e-CAR, and that the e-CAR national footprint is growing, with the gaps in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape being filled. e-CAR Preferred Suppliers e-CAR preferred suppliers ATE, OSRAM, BOSCH, GUD, GABRIEL,HELLA, RAM, SACHS and VALVOLINE are instrumental in the success of the e-CAR network and were once again thanked for their continued and invaluable support of the e-CAR concept. Rolf Krull, managing director of Desamark, set the tone with a call to arms. Citing a consumer study, he says that consumers want added value, and that just as supermarket customers want affordable but aspirational products, and inviting stores; these requirements could also describe automotive workshop customers. The “added ingredients” that set e-CAR apart, and easily accessible to e-CAR members, are: e-CAR Club • • • • • • • Gavin Sharples, the well-known motivational speaker, expanded on the three things that an entrepreneur can do to help the business: World class training World leading brands World class quotation system World class advertising Unique e-CAR club card National deals AA and RMI standards Sven Jurgensen, managing director of Youngfolk, says that the e-CAR club is growing, with some 7 000 members. The major objective of the club is to reward the e-CAR customer, with the other objectives being en gagement with the customer, the creation of a unique customer database, repeat business, and the promotion of BRAND integrity. GET INVOLVED and LEAD BY EXAMPLE D = Differentiate yourself and STAND OUT eN = Enthusiasm and Attitude A = Awareness and Awake to opportunities e-CAR’s Helping Hand e-CAR Covers the Country Wilfried Langenbach, general manager of e-CAR, welcomed the new members to the growing e-CAR family. Alwyn Goldschagg from Phalaborwa Auto Electrical, told a rapt audience how Phalaborwa Auto Electrical has grown since acquiring e-CAR membership, and how the company has become an institution in the town through its advertising and community projects. Alwyn also painted the wonderful picture of how a loyal customer base has been developed by only using quality products from e-CAR’s preferred suppliers. ➲ Attendance was good with over 130 delegates, some of whom travelled great distances, in attendance | words in action 48 april 2014