Scoot over, Jack. At Park Place Lexus in Plano, Texas, you’re just as likely to find Jill in the driver’s seat.
In an industry where men have traditionally dominated, Park Place Lexus encourages women to excel in the automotive field. Currently, there are 228 total members employed at the dealership. Out of 47 female members, there are currently six women on the sales team, and Park Place Lexus would like to see those numbers grow.
“People don’t think of women in prominent positions in the automobile industry,” says Sherry Miller, vice president of human resources for Park Place Dealerships. “But there is tremendous potential in our company. We hire for attitude then train for success. We’re less interested in prior experience and more focused on finding highly motivated people who want to succeed.”
The six women in sales at Park Place Lexus represent a wide range of backgrounds from estate planner to corporate sales and retail. Although several had never sold cars before, the constant between them is passion.
“How does anyone get up in the morning without a passion for something?” asks Jamie Klein, who was in sales at a record label before coming to Park Place six years ago. “My clients appreciate my directness. You might say I mother them a little.”
While the women represent a wide range of ages and personalities, they all share a passion for perfection.
As Kim Bergman said, “My success is a direct result of the leadership we have here. Park Place Lexus makes sure I have the training to be the best at my profession. And that’s what led us to be the first automobile dealership to ever receive the 2005 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.”
“I’m passionate about my work,” states Linda Wasserman, who was selling shoes when Park Place’s fleet manager John Caran convinced her she should be selling luxury cars. It was obviously a good fit as Ms. Wasserman has been at the Plano dealership for 12 years now. Programs, such as the Park Place Lexus “50-50 committee meetings” allow an open forum where members devote 50 percent of the time to ideas and concerns, and 50 percent to solutions. So, the members not only point out problems, but also provide solutions.
"Prior to coming to Park Place, my automobile experience was limited to changing a single tire in my whole life,” says Kim Bergman. “I was in corporate sales when a friend convinced me I should be in car sales. Two and a half years later, I couldn’t be happier. I sell at Park Place Lexus because the Golden Rule is encouraged and enforced.”
Park Place Lexus’ member satisfaction rate of more than 90 percent has led industry giants such as General Mills to benchmark Park Place’s processes. Compared to a 55 percent employee turnover rate in the auto industry, Park Place Lexus’ turnover is less than 22 percent.
“I love Park Place’s philosophy,” Angela Zateeny says with a smile. “We welcome people into an environment that’s more like a home than a car dealership. It’s all about choices. And in the luxury market, that’s what sets us apart from our competition.”
Park Place has created an environment that encourages clients to spend time at the dealership. The client lounge resembles a comfortable living room with overstuffed chairs and plasma TVs. A complimentary beverage bar offers gourmet coffee, soda and bottled water. Clients have access to computer stations, wireless internet, telephones, personal DVD players and movies.
“It may sound strange, but I have a passion for automotive sales,” says Andie Loftus, who started at Park Place Lexus last August. “My parents had a portrait taken of me and my sister when I was three. I have a toy car clutched in my hand. They couldn’t pry it away from me. I started detailing cars while I was in college. Cars are what makes me tick.”
Originally from New England, Joy Kincaid spent the past 13 years as an estate planner in Atlanta.
“Some people think women might be better listeners,” Ms. Kincaid says, “but it’s really just an essential skill for any sales professional, regardless of sex. It comes down to personal preference. Who makes you comfortable? And who do you trust.”
Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships is comprised of nine dealerships representing a dozen high-end brands in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. In addition to Lexus, Park Place represents Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. Park Place Dealerships employs more than 1,000 people.
Park Place Lexus Plano is located at 1025 Preston Road, just north of the President George Bush Tollway. The dealership, which opened in 1991, has undergone more than 10 expansions.
For more info, or to submit a resume, go to www.parkplacetexas.com/careers/.
