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The announcement comes following commitment by the dealer finance arm of Bank of Scotland Corporate to increase its focus on dealer training in 2008. The introduction of “Elevation” will offer a whole suite of courses that will enhance professionalism in the showroom and improve processes throughout a dealer’s business.
The programme will provide a ‘health check’, for dealers, which will analyse performance and identify key challenges for the business. Solutions will be adapted to suit the needs of the individual dealership and members of staff. The strategy is measurable and supported by a “Development Needs Analysis”.
Peter Cottle, Head of Strategic Accounts at Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance says:
“The downturn in the economic cycle is increasingly having an effect on consumers considering making significant purchases. New car sales are being heavily supported by manufacturer subventive programmes which have a negative impact on dealer income. With this in mind, many of our dealer partners understand that training boosts productivity and the bottom line.
“Our effective training methods include, residential courses, one to one coaching and mentoring, and are suitable for everyone, including Sales Managers and Dealer Principals.”
Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance will also be supporting the automotive industry charity, BEN as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Peter comments: “For every dealer member of staff that registers for a formal training course of one day or more, £10 will be donated to BEN – so the benefits of training will also be felt by those people that BEN help all year round.”
Charles Davis, Director of Fundraising, at BEN says “Our congratulations go to Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance for launching such an innovative training programme for dealerships throughout the UK.
At a time when retailers are being affected by falling profit margins and facing many other challenges we believe that the Elevation Programme will deliver long term results. We are particularly grateful to Bank of Scotland Dealer Finance for its support to our charity over many years.
We are always looking for ways of increasing fundraising income and the introduction of this new initiative will help BEN sustain the level of care we give each year to more than 15,000 men, women and children in our industry.“