St Albans Businesses Social Media Challenge

#TLC ChallengeTBC

St Albans Businesses have been set a challenge to tell people a bit more about their business using social media.  So, we’ve taken up the gauntlet to let you know more about who we are in November.  We will post every day and, should you miss any posts, they will also be uploaded onto our website here.

Massive ‘thank you’ to Leah Waller and Neil Barras-Smith from Total Legacy Care for throwing down the gauntlet – we love it!

 

Day 1 – SHOUT OUT YOUR BRAND

We’re passionate about looking after your car or your fleet. Highly skilled technicians with capabilities to rival most main dealers… because most of us have been a main dealer!
We believe in excelling in customer service, so moving away from a franchised dealer is seamless. And you’re supporting local people and boosting an economy! What’s not to like! Come and give us a go 🙂

 

Day 2 – PEOPLE BEHIND THE BRAND

Ian has been in the motor trade all his life from Technician, through Sales and into General Management…. he won many awards for being top in sales and puts it all down to being honest and doing as he says he will.
He has a passion for two wheels and owns a Honda Blackbird.

Melanie has been in retail HR and loves a challenge…. Ian is just one of them! ?

Together we have 4 children and a dog (Max) who goes to the office every day.

The team are quite shy unless working on a video with David Pqa Jenkins or posing for the new Which? Poster campaign on trustworthy traders!!!! We’ll get them singing in a Gareth Mallone choir next or maybe even Strictly!
One thing is for sure; They are a great team to work with – knowledgeable, professional with a huge dose of fun. We feel privileged to have such an awesome team 🙂

 

Day 3 – WHY DID WE BEGIN?

Easy! We were fed up with having to oversell to customers to meet main dealer targets. Having our own car business means we can trade with complete integrity and professionally… and we love it!!!! 🙂

 

Day 4 – LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE

www.RedbournAutoSolutions.com

 

Day 5 – HOW WAS YOUR BRAND BORN/CREATED?

We wanted to be different and change perceptions of the motor trade. 

With us you get the professionalism and technical knowledge you would expect from a main dealer, including using quality/genuine parts, service/MOT reminders, Service Plans and courtesy cars, etc.  We’re approved by major leasing companies, we’re a Which? Trusted Trader, Trust My Garage Approved, Trading Standards Approved and AA Accredited.  We have a wide spread of skill from Apprentice to Master Technicians for the most complex of jobs.  Therefore, we don’t compete with other local traditional independents.

In short, we provide our customers with the same service as a main dealer, but at a fraction of the cost.  We trade with honesty and integrity with no unnecessary upsell.

We came from a Saab background, so it is no wonder that our logo took its early form from the original Saab 900 advertising.  We gave it a modern twist to have the clean lines that it has today.

 

Day 6 – WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING YOU ARE…

Sleeping!!!

When we do manage to find time away from the business, we enjoy family time with our 4 children.  Playing board games, long walks with the dog, go-karting, banger racing or attending gigs with our 9 year old drummer!

 

 

 

Day 7 – SHOULD OUT A CHARITY YOU LOVE WORKING WITH

We work with many charities and it’s always a privilege to be able to support the local community.  You can see the kind of things we get involved with on our website link:  https://redbournautosolutions.co.uk/contact/community/.

However, one of our favourites has to be the Redbourn Care Group.  It is an amazing charity entirely run by volunteers who support those in need in the community.  We proudly look after the Care Bus which enables Redbourn residents to go on holidays, day trips, shopping trips, hospital transport, church services, etc.  We are delighted to provide this completely free of charge.

They seek to ‘alleviate loneliness and support independent living by mobilising volunteers to help villages in need through social and amenity transport and sponsoring of local good causes which enhance the lives of residents’.

Wonderful people generously giving up their time to support local residents…. real life angels.

Take a look at their website here:  RedbournCareGroup.co.uk

 

Day 8 – BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR A START-UP

Have a clear vision.  You’ll have to overcome many hurdles, but hold on to what you genuinely believe passionately in and you’ll build a business you once felt was unachievable.

 

Day 9 – FAVOURITE QUOTE

“Spend your time working on whatever you are passionate about in life”  Richard Branson

We live this every day.  We love what we do…. and recruit people who share our passion for cars and people… without either, we don’t have a business.

 

Day 10 – SHARE YOUR LATEST BLOG OR ARTICLE

Ever wondered what it is like to set up an SME?  Here is our story.. the highs, lows and our motivation to keep going.

Day 11 – SHARE A FAMILY PHOTO

We’ve already shared a photo of us and the team here are a shy bunch, so here are the real driving force behind the business!  From our opening day right to the present day, these 4 support us tremendously.  They clean and clear, leaflet drop and help send your reminders to you…  It’s not easy being children of a start-up SME, but they have kept strong and even understand when we can’t go on holiday because we have a business to run.  A massive THANK YOU to these 4….  you are all awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 12 – BEST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM FOR YOUR BUSINESS

We are on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, but the main platform for us has been Facebook.  It’s great for interaction and conversations often take place off line on messenger.  It’s helped us build a great reputation to a wide customer base.  Thank you for all your support, likes, comments and shares!!!

 

Day 13 – SHARE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Day 14 – BEST THING ABOUT WORKING ON YOUR OWN BUSINESS

We have the freedom to run the business the way we want to!

We have the ability to listen to customers and adapt to their changing requirements.

We can retain our prices because they are fair and honest with no unnecessary upsell.

We can listen to our staff and support them, and their development, immediately.

Our people are a part of our future, so they are intrinsically involved with shaping the future of the business.

We’re building a business that we love!

 

Day 15 – A BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT YOU ARE PROUD OF

We were incredibly proud to be the first garage in Hertfordshire to achieve the Trading Standards – Buy with Confidence, and Which Trusted Trader endorsements!

We had already been recognised by Trust My Garage and were confident in the way we traded to be the best our customers could expect from a garage.  Trading Standards and Which? meant that we had also been recognised by consumer organisations.  They had a rigorous approach, so to achieve these gave us an enormous sense of pride.

 

Day 16 – A REVIEW FOR A LOCAL BUSINESS

We work with so many businesses that are fabulous, but here are our top 5…

Karen Atkinson at MediaHolix – Karen provides stunning service and advice for our website….  Could never be as good as she is, but we are learning!  Specialising in inbound marketing and SEO, she’s definitely a great partner for our business.  http://www.mediaholix.com/

Ana and Ian at Rock Pop Candy – Great people and no-one has better toffee bonbons… am sure there are other sweets, but these are our favourite!  Missing their shop in Hollywell Hill, but it’s just perfect having them on-line too!  Perfect for Christmas gifts for children and corporate!!!   https://www.rockpopcandy.co.uk/

Ele Stevens at Barefoot Accountant – Accountancy with a smile and huge amounts of knowledge.  Ele and the team take the stress and strain out of all things HMRC and taxation!!!  http://thebarefoot.accountant/

John and Sam at Stathams – lovely people!  A family business that has been in operation for 70 years looking after trucks.  No-one has better looked after trucks than their very distinguished yellow and red vehicles.  http://stathamsrecovery.co.uk/

Sue Wybrow at The Business Community – Sue’s creativity has shone through small beginnings at Jelly with around 8 regular attendees through to the huge business community that it is today.  We love taking part in her many ideas and supporting Home-Start Herts.  Most of all, we get to meet all the fabulous St Albans businesses!  https://stalbans.thebusinessescommunity.com

 

Day 17 – WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ON OUR BUCKET LIST?

Anywhere would be great!  All four corners of the globe!  There is so much to see and do, so its best to get started as soon as you can!

We do have a yearning to go back to Africa to see the animals in their natural habitat…. And, in stark contrast, we wouldn’t mind shopping in New York either!

 

Day 18 – FAVOURITE MUSIC ARTIST OR BAND

We have quite a range of favourite music from the classical to Take That, Adele, Queen and AC/DC!  Right now in the workshop, the team are listening to the sounds of Christmas!  It’s a little early, but the singing is good!

 

Day 19 – TOP TIP TO HELP YOU RELAX AT WORK

Keep things in perspective and focus on the things that make a difference to reduce stress… and re-evaluate them regularly.

Smile frequently, acknowledge achievements and remember you’re part of an awesome team!

 

Day 20 – TELL US HOW YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE HELPS

We help keep you safely on the road without any unnecessary expense.  With competent Technicians and the latest equipment, we are able to maintain your car or diagnose the most complex repairs accurately.  We remind you when your Service, MOT or Health Check is due… and regularly go the extra mile.  We’ve even rescued a gecko from behind a dashboard and a baby from a locked car…  now how many garages do you know will do that?!

 

Day 21 – A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT HAS BROUGHT VALUE TO ME

The local ‘business’ that gives us the greatest joy and satisfaction, is not for monetary gain, but the sheer pleasure that you are doing good in the community.

We enjoy being able to support Redbourn Primary School.  Over 10 years as a governor has given many hours of enjoyment and the great privilege to see our primary children grow and develop.  They also come to visit us to learn about cars!

 

Day 22 – MY IDEAL CONTACT TO GROW MY BUSINESS

We’re currently looking for some corporate customers where we can add value to their business by looking after their fleet of cars.  By removing the hassle, you can get on with doing what you do best and leave your fleet in our capable hands.

 

Day 23 – A FUN FACT ABOUT THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Have you met our Master Tech?!  He has the most amazing, award winning tattoo on his back!

 

Day 24 – TODAY I AM…

Shopping for green paint!  All will be revealed soon………! XD

 

Day 25 – A MONTH TO CHRISTMAS.  WHAT’S ON THE WISH LIST?

Our Christmas lights to be up in time!!!!… and for those who haven’t played Anki Drive before, it should be on everyone’s Christmas list!!!

Day 26 – PICTURE OF YOUR PET

Many of you will already be familiar with our office dog, Max 🙂

 

Day 27 – YOUR FAVOURITE SUPPLIER AND WHY

We only use quality parts and lubricants on our customers cars and Castrol is no different!  Find out more here…

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/car-engine-oil/engine-oil-brands/castrol-gtx.html

 

Day 28 – ONE GOAL I WILL ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS

Networking with more great businesses and ensuring our customers know the benefits they gain by using our services above others… there are many, so it may take us a while! 🙂

 

Day 29 – FAVOURITE INSTA POST YOU’VE POSTED

We just love the colours and reflections in this photo

 

Day 30 – THANK YOU #FUNFRIDAY

Thank you to all those who took part in the challenge.  It has been great finding out more about you.

And thank you to all of you who followed our posting during November… we hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about us ?