Bridgestone Select Enoggera has been named Australia’s top performing store, claiming the title National Franchise of the Year in the annual Bridgestone MasterClass program awards, presented at the company’s National Dealer Conference in Adelaide last month.

The MasterClass program sees stores assessed over 12 months in a number of areas of business operations and customer service, as well as meeting sales targets.

Bridgestone Select Enoggera proved itself across all categories to take the national title and was awarded with the grand prize of a new Toyota Hilux. The store, run by Damien Meneguzzo and Martin Habershon, was also named as Queensland’s top performing store.

Bridgestone Select stores throughout Australia that scored more than 95 per cent across the criteria being assessed were inducted into the coveted Chairman’s Club. This year, a record nine stores met the entry requirement.

According to retiring Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Andrew Moffatt, this year’s MasterClass program was one of the most competitive yet.

“Customer service is one of the pinnacles of Bridgestone’s retail network, and our MasterClass program is how we identify and reward our top performing stores,” said Mr Moffatt.

“We continually evolve the MasterClass program and raise the benchmark for our stores, so for a record number of stores to achieve entry into the Chairman’s Club in 2018 speaks volumes for the calibre of our network.

“Congratulations to Damien Meneguzzo, Martin Habershon and the team at Bridgestone Select Enoggera, winning this year’s top prize, as well as all of our regional winners across the Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Service Centre network.

“Each year our stores go head-to-head for the top prize, and ultimately it is our customers that are the true winners, with stores continually improving on customer service and business processes.”

For Damien, taking out the coveted top award was a proud moment. As well as the Enoggera store, he and Martin own another five Bridgestone Select shops across Brisbane and have been challenging for the top spot in the awards for some years without ever taking the main prize.

“In previous years, we thought we were in with a real shot but didn’t win,” said Damien. “This year, we again knew we had done well – the customer service ratings at our Enoggera store were really high – so we thought we were really in with a good shot.

“On the night, we were announced as the state winner and I knew then we had a chance at the national award. And when Andrew Moffatt announced us as the winner, it was incredible. It was a huge relief and a massive reward for all the hard work that we have put in.”

And it does take a lot of work, for the year-long MasterClass program means stores have to be on the top of their game at all times.

“Whether you win or not, the program really does benefit the business,” he said. “The idea of is to not only recognise excellent work but constantly keep the shops developing and focused on those aspects that are so important. It pushes you to raise the bar and always improve, and that, in return, should create more sales.

“So, we are always making sure that we are on top of OHS, testing and tagging equipment, environmental safety, hoist servicing and so on; and also that we are following the correct processes for sales, know what is happening in our marketplace, and ensuring we have the right products on the shelf and are meeting our customers’ expectations and needs.”

With six stores in his group, and all performing well at the awards, Damien said it was a real honour to come out on top, and a reflection of just how committed everyone in the group was to doing things right.

“We believe in Bridgestone and love the brand, so to get that award is really satisfying,” he said. “I am so happy for our staff. They are so engaged and work so hard, and to see them rewarded and know that we have done it as a team makes me very proud.”

Source: Motor Trade E-Magazine October 2018

10 Oct 2018