The first issue of Mitchell 1’s new shop management software electronic newsletter, Forum Gazette, was recently distributed to its entire shop management customer e-mail list. This monthly publication contains valuable contributions submitted by members of the Shop Management Users Forum, coupled with timely Mitchell 1 announcements, such as Mitchell 1’s Windows 7.0 / 64 bit support and certification.

“Forum members enjoy a lively exchange of knowledge, advice and encouragement on a daily basis that the majority of our user base has been largely unaware of until now,” said Tim McDonnell, national training manager, Mitchell 1. “By having a monthly outbound publication, we can better communicate the value of being a forum member and the rewards that come with it.”

Forum members gain valuable user tips and best practices from their peers and Mitchell 1 subject matter experts to address a variety of questions and improve their efficiency with their shop management software.

“Thanks to interaction with peers using the same software, they not only learn how to do something, they understand why they should be doing it by absorbing fellow shops’ advice and the sharing of best practices,” said McDonnell. “Everyone uses it a little differently and the forum brings that to light.”

McDonnell acknowledges that not all Mitchell 1 customers will become regular forum members, which underscores the importance of the Forum Gazette e-newsletter to allow Mitchell 1 to accomplish a core mission, which is to deliver pertinent information to its Shop Management customers, regardless of their level of Internet activity. Once they focus on the value of the newsletter content and see that the forum is the best place to get their questions answered, more customers will be inclined to join us to take full advantage of the learning benefits.

McDonnell concluded, “The phrase we like to use a lot in training is “unlock potential” and having the User’s Forum and PerformanceCenter modules and quizzes available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allows our customers to obtain even more value for their monthly investment.”

To join the Shop Management Users Forum, click on the Forum or Web button in the shop management program’s toolbar and then select ‘register’. There’s a brief video that walks users through the registration process. For more information, visit https://www.managerforum.net.

About the Author

Jill Schafer

Jill Schafer is the Marketing Communication Manager at Mitchell 1 and has over 20 years of marketing experience with high-technology organizations, including over 10 years in the automotive information industry.