For International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women and #Embracing_Equity by striving for an organisation that’s truly equitable for everyone, including our colleagues, customers, and partners. We recently caught up with Lisa Frankland, a valued dealer partner from Frankland Cars and Vans, to talk about her experience in the motor trade.
What made you choose to work in the automotive industry?
My husband of 30 years has worked in the motor trade for most of his working life, so when we got together, I couldn’t help but get involved. Initially, I just helped out here and there. Then, as the business grew, I contributed more hours to the point that I now work full time. I absolutely love what I do and having spent a lot of time and resource on our family business, I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved together. Our goal is to continue to grow.
Do you think the automotive industry has changed from when you first started?
Yes, it’s definitely changed. Back in the day when the internet didn’t really exist, our main form of promotion was through advertising in local newspapers. We weren’t necessarily aware of our competition, and our customers were local people, so our reputation was everything.
I definitely believe the industry’s attitude to women has improved over the years. Going back 30 years, it was very much a ‘man’s world’, so you rarely saw a women working in this type of environment, and where this was the case, it was typically in a secretarial type of role. Thank goodness the world is changing, and the motor trade is realising that women have so much to offer. Customers are no longer surprised to see women working in dealerships or the knowledge they bring to the trade.
What were the main challenges that you and other women faced, and do you think they still exist now?
When I first started out in my career, the industry was very male-dominated, so a gender divide was definitely apparent, and I found it a little difficult to make my mark. Whilst I think females are a lot more prominent now, a different challenge came to exist following the pandemic, as many dealerships created a digital footprint which resulted in more competition than ever before, so this is probably one of the biggest challenges for our business right now.
What have been your key successes whilst working in the automotive industry?
We’ve always focused on looking after the customer, and different duties are performed by my husband and I to make sure that’s the case. My husband buys, sells, and organises the delivery and collection of vehicles, along with any maintenance and repairs, whilst I manage all of the paperwork that these activities generate. I also meet with our customers and ensure all of their documentation is in order.
Having taught myself how to do the role, I guess you can say that’s my biggest success. It’s surprising what you can pick up just by being involved in the industry. Over the years, my confidence to deal with customers and other dealerships has grown. And now, for anything that crops up day-to-day, I get it sorted. I’ve really ‘embraced’ the role and the business, and I work hard to contribute as much as I can with my husband. We’re very much a team, and we know that success can be equitably attributed to our combined efforts.
What ways do you think businesses can support existing female colleagues wanting to progress their careers, and encourage other women to join?
As a family-run business, our dealership isn’t massive, but if we ever expanded and needed to recruit, we’d absolutely bring more women onboard as they’d be a massive asset to our business. Other businesses within the industry should look at whether there’s something they can do by either encouraging existing female colleagues to progress in their careers, or encouraging more women to join.
Close Brothers Motor Finance support their female colleagues in different ways, including through their ‘Women in Motor’ Forum, a focus group with both male and female colleagues. Its objective is to welcome in, promote and hold on to talented women in the organisation, and to bring awareness to important initiatives, such as International Women’s Day.
What’s the biggest piece of advice that you’d give to women considering a career in the automotive industry?
If you’re interested in the motor trade, you should most certainly come onboard. There’s so much to learn and different career options to take. I see the motor trade as long term, and a possible job for life. There’s always a demand with people always needing vehicles to get around!
My biggest piece of advice is to think about what you’d like to achieve, and do your research to see which route others have taken to achieve their goals. Always ask questions and show initiative. It’s down to you to make a difference in your life. Finally, treat people how you want to be treated yourself!
Who are your biggest female role models? How do these women inspire you?
Success means different things for different people, and I love all women who have achieved success in any kind of form. I particularly admire women who are prepared to work hard for what they want in life. And I also admire those who are able to juggle home and work life - you’ve got to be tough to shine through!
