NOVEMBER 2026
Australia’s Rising Star: Introducing Jaeden Matteo D’Aloia Two degrees, a passion for automotive, and a willingness to go the extra mile for others.
Putting RooSpeed on the Map
Family, reputation and a passion for four-wheel drives fuel a growing success story.
Everything Speaks
The messages that shape customer perceptions.
Calendar of events Queensland
Victoria
Gala Dinner & Trade Show 21 November 2026
Gala Dinner & Trade Show 14 November 2026
South Australia Gala Dinner & Trade Show 7 November 2026
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CEO’s message One of the things I value most about the Capricorn Community is the way we come together to support and celebrate each other. That spirit was on full display throughout this year's Rising Stars program. I'd like to congratulate Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia, our Overall Rising Star Winner. I was incredibly impressed by his initiative, strong work ethic and the respect he shows those around him. He is a worthy winner and a great ambassador for the future of our industry. I'd also like to sincerely thank everyone who submitted a nomination, shared their support and helped recognise the outstanding apprentices coming through our industry. A special thank you goes to our sponsors, whose ongoing support helps make Rising Stars possible. Together, we're helping shine a spotlight on the next generation of automotive professionals and the businesses investing in their future. This year, Capricorn is proud to deliver a record $108.5 million in Member Returns through Trade Rebates, dividends and Rewards Points. It's a reflection of the strength of our Community and the ongoing support of our Members. As a cooperative, sharing success with Members is at the heart of what we do, and I'm proud we're able to deliver these returns while continuing to invest in the future of Capricorn. We're also looking forward to another fantastic month of Capricorn events, with our Gala Dinners and Trade Shows taking place across South Australia, Victoria/ Tasmania and Queensland. These events are always a highlight of the year, providing an opportunity to connect with fellow Members, strengthen relationships, share ideas and celebrate our industry together. If you haven't already secured your ticket, I'd encourage you to do so. I'm looking forward to catching up with many of you over the coming weeks. Behind the scenes, we're continuing to invest in the future of Capricorn. We're making important progress modernising the systems and technology that support our Members, helping us create a simpler, more connected experience for our Community. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is laying the foundations for the future and I'm excited to share more with you soon. Thank you for being part of the Capricorn Community. Whether you've supported Rising Stars, are attending one of our upcoming events, or are simply focused on serving your customers every day, you're helping strengthen our industry and our Community.
Contents November 2026
4 Australia's Rising
Star: Introducing Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia Two degrees, a passion for automotive, and a willingness to go the extra mile for others.
10 Putting RooSpeed
on the Map
Family, reputation and a passion for four-wheel drives fuel a growing success story.
16 $108.5 Million in
Shared Success
Capricorn's biggest-ever Member Return shows how everyday business through the cooperative delivers something back to Members.
20 Finding and
Keeping Great Apprentices
22 Everything Speaks The messages that shape customer perceptions.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon.
Brad Gannon Group CEO
All information, material and content in this edition of Ignition is provided or sourced by Capricorn Society Limited (“Capricorn”) for general information only and is not intended to be advice or comment on any particular matter or subject. Before acting on any information in this edition of Ignition you should consider the relevance of it to your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice. Any opinions expressed in an Ignition article are those of the relevant individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Capricorn. Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material (including without limitation, any third party authored article or supplier advertisement in respect of which Capricorn merely acts as conduit) included in this edition of Ignition. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Capricorn, its officers, employees, agents and representatives disclaim any and all liability to you or any other person for any loss or damage whatsoever connected with: i. reliance on any material in Ignition; or ii. any inaccuracy, error or omission in any material in Ignition. If you’d like to stop receiving a printed copy of Ignition, you can opt-out at any time by logging into myCAP and updating your Account settings and Communication Preferences. CAPRICORN IGNITION
NOVEMBER 2026
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CAPRICORN IGNITION NOVEMBER 2026
Australia's Rising Star:
Introducing Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia
Two degrees, a passion for automotive, and a willingness to go the extra mile for others.
I
f you've ever had trouble finding a good apprentice, you're not alone.
From the workshops we've spoken to over the years, one challenge comes up time and again. Finding apprentices is difficult. But finding apprentices who are passionate about the trade, eager to learn and willing to put in the hard yards is one in a million. So, when less than a year ago Alex Hicks, owner of Technique Automotive, a specialist European and BMW workshop in Melbourne's north-east, decided to take a chance on a customer's family member, he quickly realised he'd found something special. The apprentice was Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia. Today, less than a year into his apprenticeship, Jaeden has been named Australia's 2026 Capricorn Rising Star, selected from a talented field of regional winners from across the country. For Alex, the recognition only confirms what he's thought since Jaeden first walked through the workshop doors.
"We think he deserves recognition because we believe he is one in a million."
The apprentice who arrives before sunrise Like the engine bay of a modern BMW, Jaeden’s schedule is tightly packed. Alongside his apprenticeship and trade school commitments, he's also studying two university degrees. Yet despite everything on his plate, there has never been any question about where his passion lies. "It's definitely something I've always loved," Jaeden said, reflecting on his passion for automotive. "It really started from watching Top Gear with my old man on the couch. It grew into playing car games and then when I bought my first car, my Falcon, that's really when it turned into reality."
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Most mornings begin well before sunrise, with the 20-year-old regularly arriving at the workshop before 6.30am, more than two hours before his official start time. While the rest of the team is still making their way to work, Jaeden is preparing the workshop and getting everything ready for the day ahead. Ask him what drives that level of commitment and his answer says plenty about who he is. "I love coming to work and keeping myself busy, progressing towards stuff that makes me the best version of myself." It’s an attitude the team at Technique Automotive recognised from day one. Alex remembers a young apprentice introducing himself confidently to the team, putting his phone away without being asked and getting straight into learning. "Jaeden would just continually show us how keen he was," he said.
Turning curiosity into capability Like any first-year apprentice, Jaeden had plenty to learn when he arrived at Technique Automotive. Alex openly admits that the practical side of the trade took time.
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What surprised him was that many of the experienced technicians around him had never used it. "At first, I thought they were joking," Jaeden said. Rather than keeping the knowledge to himself, he taught himself the platform and introduced it to the rest of the workshop. "What started as a simple software platform quickly became an essential part of our daily workflow," he said. "I introduced and helped implement a resource that improved access to technical information to help every mechanic in the workshop."
"He's always been very, very good at theory. His understanding has been really good. It's just been a bit of a learning curve actually doing the hard yards, the physical aspect of it. But he's excelled leaps and bounds from what he was when he first started." Working in a BMW specialist workshop means there are very few simple jobs, yet within months Jaeden was being trusted to diagnose faults and complete repairs with minimal supervision. Recently, he spent almost a week completing major repairs on a BMW 3 Series involving pulling the turbocharger, removing the front subframe, and conducting extensive testing before the vehicle could be returned to the customer.
For a first-year apprentice, it's not often you're teaching mechanics with decades of experience something new. "Valuable ideas can come from anyone, regardless of their level of experience."
The repair that saved lives One repair in particular changed the way Jaeden viewed the trade. A Ford Mustang arrived at the workshop with a persistent engine misfire. After extensive diagnostics, the problem was eventually traced to the heart of the vehicle, a major internal engine fault requiring a replacement engine. The customer was a paramedic. Suddenly, the repair became about something much bigger than fixing a car.
"It was everything I'd never done before," Jaeden said. "Huge work that I never thought I'd be able to do so early in my career." He approaches every task with the same mindset. "I aim not just to complete tasks, but to complete them to a high, factory-level standard by following service manuals, torque specs and manufacturer guidelines." "I treat every vehicle as if it were my own. I never take shortcuts, even under pressure."
Teaching old dogs new tricks One of the most interesting parts about Jaeden's mindset is his willingness to learn. Shortly after joining Technique Automotive, he discovered ‘Service Data by Solera’ through Capricorn and quickly recognised its value.
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"Her vehicle was not simply a means of transport. It was a critical tool that enabled her to respond to emergencies," Jaeden said. "Every extra day the vehicle remained off the road impacted her ability to serve the community." Determined to help, Jaeden volunteered his weekend to assist with the engine replacement. "We chose to give up our Saturday and Sunday because we understood the importance of getting the vehicle back on the road." Looking back, Alex believes the job revealed more about Jaeden's character than his technical ability. "He didn't have to do that, but he knew that person was desperate for the car," he said. "That was eye-opening for me." At the time, Jaeden had never completed an engine replacement before. "The task was daunting and pushed me well beyond my comfort zone. I often wondered if I could really do such a large repair, but I remained committed to learning and contributing wherever possible." The experience left a lasting impression.
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One in a million When Jaeden was announced as Australia's 2026 Capricorn Rising Star, another surprise was waiting for him. His mum and dad were there to celebrate the moment alongside him. For a young apprentice balancing work, study and trade school, it was a fitting reward for a year defined by discipline, curiosity and persistence. What excites Jaeden most isn't where the industry is today, but where it's heading. "What excites me most about the automotive industry is its rapid evolution and constant learning opportunities." "Rather than resisting this change, I see it as an opportunity." It's an attitude that should give the industry confidence.
"Many people view mechanics as people who simply fix cars, but I have learned that our work has much bigger ramifications."
Automotive is evolving rapidly, but qualities like curiosity, respect, hard work and a willingness to keep learning will always matter.
"Every vehicle we repair supports someone's livelihood, responsibilities, family, or contribution to society."
And when apprentices like Jaeden are entering the industry, it's difficult not to feel optimistic about what's ahead.
CAPRICORN IGNITION NOVEMBER 2026
Backing Australia's Rising Stars The Capricorn Rising Stars program exists to celebrate the next generation of automotive talent, and it wouldn't be possible without the support of our industry partners. A special thank you to Castrol, Premier Sponsor of Capricorn Rising Stars, for helping champion apprentices like Jaeden and recognising the future leaders of our industry. We'd also like to acknowledge the support of Repco, Repairify, The Workshop Whisperer, The Automotive Technician and Blackwoods, whose contributions continue to make the program possible.
As Australia's 2026 Rising Star, Jaeden receives:
•
$7,500 cash, courtesy of Castrol
As the winning workshop, Technique Automotive receives:
•
$2,500 cash to celebrate, courtesy of Repco
•
AsTech All-in-One with a one-year Remote Services Licence, valued at $5,950 + GST, courtesy of Repairify
•
Superstar Service Advisor and The Ultimate Team Advantage programs, valued at more than $5,000, courtesy of The Workshop Whisperer
Congratulations to Jaeden, Alex and the entire Technique Automotive team.
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Putting
Ro Speed on the Map
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Family, reputation and a passion for four-wheel drives fuel a growing success story.
S
omewhere on a Victorian track, surrounded by four-wheel drives, dust and the people they enjoy spending time with, Bianca Fourie and her family are in familiar territory. The automotive trade has been part of their lives for more than three decades, but this version of it wasn't something Bianca and her husband Daniel could have imagined when they left South Africa more than 20 years ago. Today, RooSpeed Automotive and 4x4 is one of Melbourne's northern region's most respected four-wheel-drive workshops, built on quality workmanship, loyal customers and a reputation that has travelled well beyond its home in Wallan. Both Bianca and Daniel trained as mechanics in South Africa, building careers around a shared love of vehicles and the automotive industry. Bianca also qualified as a motor assessor, giving her a broader understanding of the trade. When the family moved to Australia, Daniel initially arrived through an employer sponsorship, but it wasn't long before the couple began thinking about creating something of their own.
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A long road from South Africa to Wallan After settling into Australia, Bianca and Daniel quickly recognised an opportunity in Wallan. The area was growing, demand for mechanical services was strong and there was room for a workshop focused on quality and customer service. Like many successful businesses, RooSpeed started small. The couple began working on vehicles from home after hours while maintaining their regular jobs. As word spread and customer numbers grew, they backed themselves and made the leap into full-time business ownership. “Once it actually picked up, we left our full time jobs and did the repair centre, the automotive workshop,” Bianca says. Growth followed steadily. What began as a general automotive workshop evolved into a specialist operation offering four-wheeldrive servicing, suspension upgrades, dyno tuning, performance work and accessories. As off-road touring became increasingly popular, so too did RooSpeed's reputation. Today, customers travel from across Melbourne's northern corridor, including areas such as Kilmore and Craigieburn, seeking out the workshop's expertise.
The reputation that fuelled growth Ask Bianca what has driven RooSpeed's success, and the answer has little to do with flashy advertising campaigns or chasing trends. For her, it comes back to trust. “Well, you've got to be straight up front from the beginning,” she says. “Don't basically tell them one thing and do another.” That straightforward approach has helped the business build long-term relationships with customers. Many have remained loyal to the workshop for years, recommending RooSpeed to family and friends and helping create the word-of-mouth reputation that continues to generate new business. “Because of our good reputation and demand for certain services in the area we've just grown the company,” Bianca says. The workshop has become particularly well known in four-wheel-drive circles, where trust and technical knowledge can mean the difference between a successful trip and a costly breakdown. Daniel's expertise has played a major role. Known locally as the “Diesel Whisperer”, he has earned a reputation as the go-to person for diesel-related work thanks to decades of experience and a deep understanding of the vehicles that pass through the workshop.
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YouTube, dyno tuning and a growing audience While reputation remains the foundation of the business, RooSpeed has also embraced another tool that has helped broaden its reach: marketing. The workshop's growing online presence, particularly through YouTube, has introduced its work to a much wider audience. Videos showcasing dyno tuning and four-wheel-drive builds have helped attract customers who may never have otherwise discovered the business. “We do a lot of YouTube videos as well when it comes to dyno tuning,” Bianca says. “Our popularity has grown and we've got a brilliant marketing team that has put us on the map.” Combined with strong customer feedback and online reviews, that visibility has helped RooSpeed establish itself as more than just a local workshop. It has become a recognised name among four-wheel-drive enthusiasts across the region. The business continues to evolve, with plans to expand its capabilities even further through new partnerships and a growing focus on the four-wheel-drive market.
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Keeping the trade in the family For Bianca, however, one of the most rewarding parts of the journey has little to do with growth targets or workshop expansion. She speaks proudly about her daughter, who is now completing her third-year apprenticeship within the business. After leaving school unsure about which direction to take, a year spent gaining experience in the workshop helped her discover a passion for the trade. “I think that little bug bit her,” Bianca says. Today, she owns her own four-wheel drive and is building a career in the same industry that has shaped her parents' lives for more than 30 years.
RooSpeed currently employs a small team and has plans to continue growing, but Bianca believes the business has stayed true to the principles that helped it succeed in the first place: quality workmanship, honest communication and a genuine passion for vehicles. “We've always had a passion for motor vehicles,” she says. “There's nothing else that we'd rather do.” More than two decades after arriving in Australia, that passion continues to take the Fourie family down new tracks, both on and off the road.
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$108.5 Million in Shared Success
Capricorn's biggest-ever Member Return shows how everyday business through the cooperative delivers something back to Members.
E
very day, Capricorn Members are doing what they do best, looking after customers, managing their teams and keeping work moving through their workshops. Ordering parts and tools, and purchasing equipment, are all everyday transactions that are part of running a workshop. Individually, those transactions might not seem significant. But when combined with those of nearly 34,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand, they collectively become something much greater. Together, they help create value across the entire Capricorn Community. This year, that value is coming back to Members in a record-breaking way, with $108.5 million returned through Rewards Points, Trade Rebates and shareholder dividends. It's one of the things that makes the cooperative model different. The value created by Members stays within the Community. And when Capricorn succeeds, Members share in that success.
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Driven by our Community This year's Member Returns include more than $63.2 million in Rewards Points earned on eligible purchases, a $21 million Trade Rebate, and a 7 cent per share dividend for Shareholders. Behind those numbers are thousands of Members choosing to do business through Capricorn every day. Collectively, that activity has helped deliver the largest Member Return in the organisation's history. Capricorn Group CEO Brad Gannon said this year's result was one worth celebrating. "Together, these record-breaking Returns represent the strength of our Community and Capricorn's commitment to providing practical support to our Members."
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Returning value when it mattered most Part of this year's Member Return came back earlier than usual. With rising fuel costs and ongoing pressure on operating expenses, Capricorn introduced an Interim Trade Rebate for the first time. Rather than waiting until the end of the financial year, $15.5 million was returned to Members in May, providing additional support when many businesses needed it most. A further $5.5 million Trade Rebate has now been allocated, bringing the total value returned through the Trade Rebate program this year to $21 million. For Members, it meant receiving part of their annual Trade Rebate sooner, at a time when rising costs were putting additional pressure on businesses.
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More value from everyday trading For many Members, Rewards Points remain one of the most visible benefits of being part of the Capricorn Community. Over the past financial year, Members earned more than $63.2 million in Rewards Points through eligible purchases made using their Capricorn Trade Account. Those Points can then be put to work in plenty of ways, whether that’s investing in new tools and equipment, putting them towards travel, purchasing gift cards or even helping reduce a Trade Account balance. The annual Trade Rebate is also paid as additional Rewards Points, adding to the value Members receive from their trading activity throughout the year.
Built on shared success Alongside Rewards Points and Trade Rebates, Capricorn Shareholders also received a dividend of 7 cents per share fully franked in Australia (effective 10% gross dividend yield where full franking credits are available), providing another way to benefit from Capricorn's performance. It’s a reminder of what makes Capricorn different. As a member-owned cooperative, Capricorn’s success is measured in the value it creates for its Members. For Brad, that's what makes this year's record return so important. "As a Member-owned cooperative, our focus has always been on doing what is right for Members. When our Community succeeds, that success is shared. Thank you for being a part of it."
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Finding and Keeping
Great Apprentices By Geoff Mutton
T
he search for good technicians is a constant challenge for workshop owners and managers, and there seems to be no quick fix. But maybe there is. If you think about it, today's qualified technicians were yesterday's apprentices. Good technicians don't just grow on trees. If the industry wants more skilled technicians, it needs to create more opportunities for young people to enter the trade. Taking on an apprentice can be a great investment in your business, but finding the right one isn't always easy. The next phase is the important one. It's your job to develop them and give them a reason to stay.
So to help with the search for young talent, here are some proven guidelines.
Look for attitude first and skills second.
Ask questions that get them talking Standard interview questions won't necessarily tell you whether your new apprentice genuinely wants a career in the automotive industry. You need to get them talking about why they've chosen the trade. Do they work on cars, bikes or anything mechanical at home? Have they completed work experience? What did they enjoy about it? Is there an area of the trade that interests them? What do they think of EVs and hybrids? Their answers, perfect or not, are incidental.
Hire for attitude, not knowledge
You're looking for genuine interest and enthusiasm.
When interviewing a firstyear apprentice, don't get too judgemental about what they already know about cars. They're an apprentice. They're here to learn.
Work experience can be better than an interview
Better to employ someone who turns up on time, is enthusiastic, asks questions and isn't afraid of hard work rather than someone who might know a lot about cars but has a poor attitude. 20
It's easy to teach someone how to service a vehicle or change a tyre, but much harder to teach someone to care about doing a good job.
CAPRICORN IGNITION NOVEMBER 2026
A 30 minute interview won't help your judgement of a 16 or 17-yearold. For many, it might be their first proper job interview so expect them to be nervous and awkward. If possible, some work experience will provide a more accurate picture of your new apprentice.
Do they arrive on time? Stay off their phone? Ask questions? Show an interest in what's happening around them? When they finish a task, do they look for something else to do or stand around waiting to be told? A few days in the workshop will tell you much more than any resume, especially these days, with AI apps doing far too much of the writing for young people.
Don't expect too much too soon Employing an apprentice is an investment. In the beginning, they're going to consume staff time, jobs will take longer, mistakes will occasionally happen and their work will need checking. This is all part of training an apprentice and it's also your obligation to your workshop and ultimately your industry. Don't expect a first-year apprentice to instantly become another fully productive technician. Look ahead and imagine the technician they will become in three or four years and the value your training and perseverance will add to your business. An enthusiastic apprentice who understands your systems, knows your customers and develops along with your business will one day be an incredibly valuable member of your team.
Give them the opportunity to learn If an apprentice spends their first two years sweeping floors, fitting tyres and changing oil, don't be surprised if they lose interest. Everyone must begin with the basics as responsibility is earned. But as their skills improve, they need to be exposed to work that will inspire and challenge them. Let them assist with diagnostic jobs. Teach them how to use the scan tool and oscilloscope. Get them involved in electrical testing. Explain why you're performing a test rather than simply telling them which component to replace. Most importantly, encourage them to ask questions. The more they learn, the more useful they become to your workshop and the more likely they will adopt automotive as a long-term career.
Give someone responsibility for their development Simply putting an apprentice alongside whichever technician has time isn't really a training plan. Someone in the workshop must be made responsible for their development and, in a way, become their mentor.
That doesn't mean looking over their shoulder every minute of the day. It could simply mean regularly checking their training progress, identifying areas in which they need more experience and making sure they're gradually being exposed to more challenging work. Good technicians aren't created overnight. They develop through thousands of jobs, plenty of mistakes and quality mentors.
Give them a reason to stay Getting an apprentice through four years of training only to have them leave as soon as they're qualified is frustrating. Maybe your workshop won't retain every apprentice, but to safeguard your investment, it's worth looking more closely at what you are offering them beyond their weekly pay packet.
Pay is important, but the working environment matters too. They need to feel they are progressing in the trade and that there could be a future for them within the business.
Our industry's next generation It's normal for older, experienced generations to disparage the younger generation, and the confidence of young people can be destroyed if they experience negative attitudes based on their age. Consider this: Every experienced technician in our industry was once an apprentice given a chance. The Rising Stars featured in this edition are great examples of what young people can achieve when they have the right attitude and are given the opportunity to develop.
Apprentices need to be able to visualise opportunities for progression. Perhaps this is your next generation top diagnostic technician, or EV specialist, leading hand or workshop manager. You will need to invest in their training, and be prepared to acknowledge their talents when a job is well done.
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The messages that shape customer perceptions.
C
ustomers make up their minds faster than most workshop owners realise. Before anyone's said a word about the job, an opinion is already forming.
It forms as they drive past, in the car park, in the reception area, in the way the phone gets answered. None of it has anything to do with your technical ability but all of it affects whether the customer trusts you, feels comfortable with your prices, and keeps coming back. That's what 'everything speaks' means. Little things that are big things. When you walk into a business, you’ll get a feel for it pretty quick. It may be obvious why but it might also be the sum of a dozen small signals, most of them absorbed without conscious thought. Your customers do exactly the same thing. Your website, car park, signage, the reception desk, all of it lands before a conversation starts. And once a first impression is set, it takes a lot to shift it.
‘How’ is as important as ‘What’ Language sends signals too. Not just in person, but in every written touchpoint. The booking confirmation, job summary, followup message, social posts, even just the way staff speak. Each one is either adding to the impression of a professional, trustworthy operation or quietly chipping away at it. Pricing doesn’t start with a quote, it starts with a conversation. A workshop that speaks clearly, consistently and professionally across the counter, on the phone and in writing, feels like one that knows what it's doing.
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The workshop floor sends its own message A busy, organised, motivated team give off an atmosphere that customers pick up on pretty quick. This isn't about putting on a show. It's about the natural result of a workshop that runs well, has clean work areas, tools in their place, consistent uniforms and technicians who look engaged. All of it reads as competence.
Perception sets the type of customer you attract Pricing pressure doesn't start when the customer sees the invoice. It starts the moment they arrive, or in some cases before they even get out of the car. You already know that not all customers are equal. The ones worth having are looking for a job done properly and are happy to pay for it. The ones who aren't are usually also the ones who are hard work, question everything and want to know if ‘you can do it cheaper’. A workshop that looks and feels professional attracts customers who appreciate the value of a professional job. A workshop that sends mixed or careless signals attracts customers who anchor on price because it’s the only signal they've got.
Everything
Speaks
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Moving Forward Easy wins
Own it
Do a walk-through as a first-time customer and look at all the visual aspects including the visible parts of the workshop floor. Write down the things that would give a new customer pause. Fix those first. It costs almost nothing and the return on first impressions is immediate.
Extend the customer touchpoints review to include the first contact such as your Google business profile on a search result, through to job follow-up and ask: what is each one saying about your workshop? Where are the signals strong and consistent? Where are there gaps?
Things you can do next
Treat it like a diagnostic process. Identify the fault, prioritise the fix, check the result. The same process that works on a vehicle works here.
Run an eye over all your communication touchpoints: phone greeting, booking confirmation, job summary, invoice, followup message, social posts etc. Do they all sound like the same business with the same message? Put a simple standard in place for how the workshop floor should look at the start and end of each day. Not a deep clean, just a baseline. Tools away, surfaces clear, work areas organised. The compounding effect of a consistently tidy workshop on customer perception is larger than most owners realise.
Supplied by Orange Dog, a Capricorn Preferred Supplier that has been working with automotive workshops across Australasia for nearly 25 years. This article comes from SHIFT, a publication put together to share practical ideas workshops can actually use, without the marketing fluff.
Find more at orangedog.com.au/shift
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Quick tip — your Google photos are a first impression too Most workshops don't think about this, but the photos on your Google Business Profile are often the first visual impression a new customer gets. Update them. Clean shots of a tidy workshop, a professional reception area and your team at work take twenty minutes and last for years.
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Earn 1.5 Capricorn Rewards Points for every dollar spent3 Simply shop online or use your In-store Card at any Woolworths Supermarket or Metro store and watch the points land in your Capricorn Account.
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A faster, easier shopping experience A totally new digital platform, rebuilt to make shopping even easier, and faster for businesses.
FREE delivery options1 Enjoy free Standard Delivery in ultra-convenient 1hr slots with orders over $991, plus free Premium Chilled Delivery with orders over $1992
1 Partner deliveries only. Excludes 1-hour fleet delivery and remote locations. Subject to slot and location availability. Non-refrigerated delivery. Item limits apply. Packaging fees may apply. 2 Free delivery over $199 (including GST) excludes 1 and 2-hour fleet delivery. Subject to slot and location availability. Excludes remote locations. Packaging fees may apply. 3Exclusions include online or in-store purchases of reusable bags, gift cards, third-party publication purchases, donations, and liquor. Participation in the Capricorn Rewards Program is subject to Capricorn Rewards Terms & Conditions available at capricorn.coop/tc.
Fun Zone
Last month's answers
Submit your entry at cap.coop/funzone by 30 November 2026 September winner: Coast Tyre & Mechanical who WON 5,000 Bonus Rewards Points
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE (5 differences to find!)
Please note that this competition and participation in the Capricorn Rewards program are subject to Terms & Conditions. For the full Terms & Conditions, visit cap.coop/tc.
WORD HUNTER (15 words to find!)
Automotive Business Capricorn Challenge Experience Future Growth Learning People Rising Star Support Team Technician Trade Vehicle CAPRICORN IGNITION
NOVEMBER 2026
27
Black Friday Boost! Earn 4.5 Points per $1 spent! Shop now! Enjoy TRIPLE CAPRICORN PREFERRED SUPPLIER BONUS POINTS!* as part of our Black Friday Boost! Make any online purchase between 23/11/2026 and 01/12/2026 and pay using your Capricorn Trade Credit Account to earn 3 extra Capricorn Preferred Supplier Bonus Points for every $1 spent.
From laptops to vacuums, coffee machines to mobiles, we’ve got what you need to keep your business powered up!
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*Terms and Conditions: Offer available 23 November 2026 - 1 December 2026. Offer available to approved Capricorn-linked JB Hi-Fi Business accounts. Offer available in Australia only. Offer is valid for online purchases made on the JB Hi-Fi Business website with payment via a Capricorn Trade Account. Preferred Supplier Bonus Points cannot currently be redeemed with JB Hi-Fi Business. Offer is a Bonus Rewards Points offer under the Capricorn Rewards Terms and Conditions. Offer of Triple Preferred Supplier Bonus Points is calculated based on the standard Capricorn offering of 1.5 points per $1 spent, being that this offer is for 4.5 points to be earned on each $1 spent. For full eligibility criteria and terms and conditions, visit: Capricorn Rewards Terms and Conditions: capricorn.coop/tc, Capricorn e-Commerce terms of use: https://www.capricorn.coop/ecommerce-checkout-terms. If an eligible purchase is cancelled or refunded, JB Hi-Fi Business reserves the right to reverse any Preferred Supplier Bonus Points earned on that purchase. Products need to be available for sale and/or in stock at the time of purchase.
capricorn@jbhifi.com.au