A PLAN TO SUCCEED

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Finding Balance in an Unpredictable Work Environment

THIS MONTH’S CASE STUDY COVERS succession planning, and how those plans can go awry when life and business have other ideas. To what extent are owners planning for the future? The 2022 FenderBender Industry Survey reports that just under half of the 506 respondents plan to retire in the near future. But just about a third of all respondents said they have no succession plan in place.

Sell to consolidator:

Transfer ownership to staff: 9%

7%

No succession plan:

32%

Other:

12%

Percentage of all survey respondents

Sell to private buyer: 15%

Leave it to family or business partner:

25%

CCC’S SUSANNA GOTSCH RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. Senior Director Industry Analytics Susanna Gotsch retired after three decades with the company at the conclusion of 2022.

According to a press release, Gotsch started with CCC in 1992 working in product development and management before moving into her role as industry analyst for the company in 2000. Among her notable achievements are starting CCC’s Crash Course publication in 1995 and earning a Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry award in 2011. She has also served on the board of the Women’s Industry Network and represented CCC at numerous industry conferences.

“Susanna is exemplary in every way and her retirement, while bittersweet, is extremely well-earned,” said CCC Chairman and CEO Githesh Ramamurthy, via the press release. “From her early days helping to build what has become a world-class analytics team, to becoming among the most valued and trusted voices in the industry, Susanna’s contributions have been significant within CCC and beyond. She has been generous with her time and knowledge and leaves behind a strong team to carry forward the important work of equipping customers with information and insights to help them manage their business. We wish Susanna the very best as she transitions into retirement.”

CCC’s trends and insights team dedicated to industry analysis will continue to be led by Vice President, Product Marketing Jason Verlen. That team has expanded to include Kyle Krumlauf, focusing on auto physical damage, and Erik Bahnsen in casualty. Ramamurthy said that expanding this team is expected to scale the analysis the company is known for, which Gotsch played a key role in developing.

“CCC has been my home away from home for 30 years and I will miss working side-by-side with my amazing coworkers and so many wonderful people in this special industry,” said Gotsch. “I’ve had a front row seat as the industry has been transforming from analog to digital to AI-powered. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role in bringing CCC’s passion for helping customers use data-driven insights to inform their business. I’m excited to spend more time with family and pursue my other interests, and I wish to thank Githesh, the CCC team, and the industry for an amazing run.”

I-CAR OFFERS NEW COURSE ON VEHICLE TRENDS FOR 2023

With new vehicles and associated technology on the way in 2023, I-CAR rolled out a new course identifying vehicle technology and trends of note in the new year.

According to a press release, I-CAR’s Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 course is a one-hour lesson led by I-CAR technical experts. Topics covered include ADAS features, unique features and technologies of 2023 model year vehicles and beyond and all the related considerations applicable to collision repair. The I-CAR Subscription Training Program includes the course, or it is available for a one-off purchase to any collision repair professional not already a subscriber to the program.

“With automakers (OEMs) introducing more than 100 vehicle changes each model year, the speed with which new technologies are introduced into vehicle applications is unprecedented,” said I-CAR Vice President, Sales and Marketing Nick Notte, in the press release. “As the collision repair ecosystem continues to be redefined, this course is another intentionally-designed resource to help collision repair professionals prepare for the road ahead.”

Vehicle Technology and Trends is an annual offering from I-CAR, presented as part of its Vehicle and Technology and Specific Training family of courses. Enrollment is open now through the I-CAR website.

I-CAR AND CREF HONOR JEFF SILVER WITH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

I-CAR and CREF are honoring the legacy of one of their most influential members with the creation of the Jeff Silver Memorial Scholarship.

According to a press release, the scholarship will first be awarded this year to a collision repair student in a fitting tribute to Silver, who passed away in September 2022 at the age of 80. Silver spent much of his five decades in collision repair helping create opportunities for students to enter the industry, working with I-CAR since its founding and helping start CREF in 1991. Silver served as I-CAR executive vice president for 11 years beginning in 1986 and played a key role in the development of I-CAR Gold Class certification. After leaving I-CAR he and his wife Jeanne ran Butterfield Bodyworks CARSTAR in suburban Chicago for 25 years.

“Jeff was passionate about helping collision school programs and their students, which is why he had an active role in establishing the Collision Repair Education Foundation back in 1991,” said Jeanne, via the press release. “This memorial scholarship will allow his vision to carry on in supporting these students. Thank you in advance for considering helping honor Jeff’s legacy by supporting this scholarship!”

This is not the first honor named for Silver. The Jeff Silver Award has been presented each year since 2009 to an I-CAR Platinum member who has worked to enhance a positive image of the collision repair industry. Applications for students interested in the scholarship opened in January; anyone interested in making a donation to the scholarship fund may do so at collisioneducationfoundation.org/ donate-now.