Tag: HR

The human resources department at the average UK automotive firm is a busy place. Positions throughout the firm are open on a weekly basis, which means that thousands of applications pour into the department via post or e-mail. Candidates come in for interviews with HR personnel while current employees utilise HR departments to answer pension or sick leave questions. All of these activities are happening simultaneously, with HR professionals trying to juggle one job responsibility along with several others. These professionals need a skilled HR manager in order to help them keep their automotive firm full of talented professionals.

Automotive HR managers need to learn how to succeed in their jobs for a number of reasons. Exceeding expectations and performing in an exemplary manner will be noticed by automotive executives, especially in regards to a talented work place assembled by an HR department. As well, HR managers who are successful in their job ensure that their subordinates have the tools and confidence to succeed in their jobs. In essence, the automotive HR manager’s success provides a domino effect throughout the firm.

The question then is how an HR manager can learn to succeed in the automotive industry. The first step for these management professionals is to assess their communication skills. Obviously, those who hired the automotive HR manager in question knew that they had the potential to be a great communicator. However, effective communication requires hard work and constant awareness of how different people need to be communicated with differently. By understanding how they communicate in various situations, an HR manager is aware of their shortcomings and may implement solutions to these issues.

As well, automotive HR managers need to exude confidence in everything they do. From hiring decisions to simple paperwork on behalf of an engineer, HR managers need to demonstrate that they are confident in their own abilities. Confidence is infectious in the workplace and will lead to a more competent HR staff.

Finally, automotive HR managers throughout the UK need to be fully aware of the industry in which they are hiring. While an experienced HR manager may be familiar with general trends in the automotive industry, this is insufficient in finding the best talent in the marketplace. Indeed, the difference between a strong staff and a weak one falls largely on the ability of an automotive HR manager to find exceptional talent before their competitors do. HR managers need to review trade publications and news sites in order to stay ahead of the curve on hiring needs in the industry.

The automotive industry works the same as any other business. Everything from local garages to car dealers know that making a customer feel welcome while getting the best service builds relationships that will last. If the dealership or the garage does not have professionalism when it comes to treating their customers, the customer will go somewhere else. One of the biggest objectives is making a personal connection with customers so they feel like they have somebody in their court when it comes to auto repair or automotive sales. One of the best ways to boost the morale of the automotive industry is to integrate an ERP system.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a software package that integrates internal and external management data for an organization. This allows business to have information at their fingertips when problems or promotions arise. An ERP system can be used with accounting, manufacturing, customer relations, and sales. Not only does an ERP system benefit a business, this type of software can pay off for the customer as well.

Promotions are a tried and true way of generating business. Whether your dealer is offering a 0% financing deal on a specific car or your garage is offering a free oil change, this type of promotion can’t bring in business if the consumer does not know about it. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a software program that could automatically give you a list of all of your customers from the last six months? This is essentially one feature of having an ERP system in place.

Accounting is the backbone of any business. Making sure that your books are in order and you have all of your invoices in place can give stockholders and employees confidence in the company. An ERP system will allow a flow of data between your finance department and the accounting firm that you are dealing with. If you have an in-house accountant, they will have access to all of the accounts and payments made to the company. Say that your company is planning on expanding. An ERP system will be able to list all of your fixed assets, receivables and budgeting when the time comes to apply for an expansion loan.

The human resources department in your garage or dealership keeps files on every employee in the company. An ERP system will give them an organized way of handling payroll and training issues that may arise. This software package can also give them up to the second answers for any questions regarding benefits, 401k, or diversity management within the business.

The automotive industry requires special orders and parts management for specialty products needed for repairs. An ERP system can also help with inventory of your items, order entry, supply chain planning or purchasing. Organization to the different cars that need specific parts will not only save you time in completing the job, it will also keep you in good standing with your customers.

The automotive industry is like any other industry; it needs customers and business to survive. The implementation of an ERP system into the company will allow quick execution of promotions, accounting disparities, customer information, and HR concerns. The days of a ledger and a pencil are over. Help you and your customers by using an ERP system in your garage or car dealership.