www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 On the Road 46 Real insight for delegates including training sessions Food for thought at Shaikly John Shepherd heads to Colchester for a ‘business breakfast’ with plenty of technical expertise on the menu at an inaugural ALLDATA Europe event In true workshop style, the kettle was on with copious amounts of tea, coffee and other refreshments awaiting when I arrived for a special event at the Shaikly Motor Company in Essex one morning last month. It was a (reasonably) early start for a Saturday and for those of us who had skipped breakfast to arrive on time a groaning workbench with plenty of pastries, fruit and other refreshments was the sight that was needed and real food for thought ahead of a morning of topical and technical presentations. It was a sign of just how popular the event was that so many (around 50 to my count) turned out and gave up their Saturday for this first Repair Excellence Event, which was hosted by ALLDATA Europe in partnership with Opus IVS. This exclusive event in Colchester highlighted repair solutions, shared industry expertise and tackled a number of the key technical and business challenges faced by the automotive aftermarket all year round. All of the independent workshop owners and technicians present were treated to a day of training and networking, with the aim of boosting knowledge, strengthening confidence. ALLDATA said the programme also sought to enhance the community culture within the sector. Garage director Michael Shaikly, Technical Topics’ James Dillon and exhilHRate’s Amy Blick formally kicked off the proceedings with a series of keynote presentations. Michael gave a fascinating insight into customer scoring and profiling, while James, in his inimitable, enthusiastic style guided us through diagnostic approaches, test and measurement techniques. Amy’s focus on the HR challenges faced by workshops struck a real chord and there were plenty of attendees taking notes as she guided us through the employment-related maze of dealing with skill shortages, physical demands and worklife balance — drawing on actual case studies. But it was not all talk. There were Ben outreach adviser Sam Core and business development manager Jonathan Ramsey Steve Scott talks to delegates
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