Day two at the WIN Conference started off with the Annual Scholarship Walk presented by Fix Auto, where more than 100 women laced up their sneakers and trekked through Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Over $1,700 was raised through individual donations. The funds will be directed toward WIN’s various scholarship programs.
Following the walk, WIN’s second keynote speaker, Cathy Bonner, CEO of Service King Collision Repair Centers, shared the top performing skills that she has learned through 40 years of professional and personal success. Bonner’s message was built on years of teaching leadership through the programs she developed called "Leadership America" and "Power Pipeline" and her own management experiences in both the public and the private sectors.
Susanna Gotsch, director, industry analyst, for CCC Information Services, gave an update on the industry titled, “The Latest Trends, Market Dynamics & Business Drivers Impacting Our Industry.” Gotsch explored the ways economic and demographic changes have impacted the automotive claims and repair industries.
The afternoon continued with three breakout sessions:
• “Why Women Should Do Business with You” presented by Lori Johnson, owner of Ladies, Start Your Engines!
• “Quality Control: Are You Looking Closely Enough and at the Right Time?” presented by Shawn Collins, senior technical service engineer at 3M
• “Customer Service…Back to Basics” presented by Dianne Young, founder and master instructor for Propel Training and Development
The conference wrapped up with the closing session titled, “Take Control…Be the Change.” Michelle DeMaris, WIN member and conference attendee, explained a key change she wants to actively pursue. “I’ve learned we have to take charge of changing the perception of females in the industry and own that concept.”
Linda Sommerhauser, a longtime WIN member, added her thoughts: “I feel energized and invigorated to go back and work more with our schools and advisory boards and to advocate for shops to sponsor internships within their facilities.”
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