Published 05-12-2018
A team of four colleagues working for North West Honda Motorcycles (part of the Cox Motor Group) have become the very first dealer team to visit the New Honda Circles World Convention in Brazil. The NHC is a Honda lead initiative designed to empower employees working for various parts of the Honda Motor Corporation to identify issues within their part of the business. Once identified, teams of up to 7 individuals undertake a 10 month research project that they must present to a Honda judging panel in their home country before following that with a visit to their Bloc location. These initiatives are called ‘Circles’.
For Lancashire based In-Line 4, their Bloc participation took them to the Europe-Africa-East conference in Budapest just a few months ago where they triumphed against the region’s best to earn the right to the long haul flight to South America. Consisting of Group Audit Manager Barry Todd, Smart Fix Repair Manager Iain Black, Motorcycle General Sales Manager Neil Morris and E-Commerce Manager Damian Brog the team showcased their plans to increase customer retention across the North West Honda Motorcycle group with sites at Blackpool, Lancaster and Wigan.
Landing in Sao Paulo, the team got the opportunity to visit the Honda Car Plant based inside the city with the chance to see various Brazilian Circles already implemented on the production line. Their Circle presentation would take place at the very same location and was very warmly received. Team Leader Barry Todd was typically enthused: ‘It was amazing just to get the chance to be in Brazil, but to see what an incredible difference these Circles can make to operations was a real eye-opener’.
In-Line 4 were also invited to a ‘Team Building’ exercise at their hotel. Neil Morris commented: ‘We were given the task to link up with international colleagues to build a child’s bicycle from scratch. Then the real surprise came as we were asked to present these bikes to local disadvantaged children as part of a local social project’. It was clearly an emotional moment for the team. Iain Black said: ‘These children were between 7 and 10 and this small gesture from us was everything to them. It gave you a real sense of perspective and is something we were all really proud to be involved with’.
Their final day consisted of a culture tour of Sao Paulo taking in the local Football Museum to learn the importance of Soccer in Brazil, personified by heroes such as Pele and Ronaldo. After a bite to eat at a traditional Brazilian barbecue, the somewhat heavier team of Brits were welcome to an old converted steam house and treated to traditional Brazilian dance and music. Damian Brog stated: ‘Our trip has been incredible. Volunteers from the Honda plant have made every part of our journey more enjoyable. We have been so grateful for the opportunity’.
In 2019, the team will have it all to do once again as they first travel to Honda UK in Swindon to attempt to earn their place in the Europe-Africa-East convention to be held in Amsterdam. With the World Convention happening every two years, they will have to wait until 2020 before they can take the first of 3 steps that will see them in Frankfurt and another opportunity to enjoy time with their International cohorts. One thing is certain, they will be fighting hard to earn the right to yet another amazing experience. ‘Managing Director David Cox has embraced New Honda Circles from the start and we are really thankful for the encouragement we have received. Our mentor and Financial Director Helen Hayton has been an essential part of our success and we are confident that we can do the Cox Motor Group proud once again next year’ said Barry Todd.
North West Honda Motorcycles (part of the Cox Motor Group) have branches on Lytham St Annes Way in Blackpool, the White Lund Industrial Estate in Morecambe and Challenge Way, Wigan. The dealership sells New Honda Motorcycles and Scooters and Used Motorcycles and Scooters from Aprilia to Yamaha and everything in between. They have become synonymous with bringing more and more new riders into biking by putting together packages that include rider training, safety equipment and servicing all for a very affordable monthly payment. Indeed, the group has put over 200 new bikers on the road in the last 12 months.