Announcements
European Operations grows into its own
Following years of growth across Europe, Enterprise has started to come into its own and put itself in a position to realize its full potential in 2008, according to Senior Vice President of European Operations Jim Burrell.
Fiscal year 2007 was one of mixed emotions, according to Jim. Groups in the U.K. celebrated alltime high on-rent milestones, while operations in Ireland encountered a tough used car market. In Germany, Enterprise made the difficult decision to consolidate three group administrative offices.
“Over the decade we have developed our business in Germany, we saw the need to make changes that would best serve the long-term health of our European groups as a whole, as well as the company,” says Jim.
In the past 12 months, teams have begun to stabilize European operations thanks to the explosive growth that occurred across the U.K and Ireland, says Jim. “This has brought about a healthy year for much of our operations,” Jim says. “In Germany, our groups continue to lead our rental teams in providing outstanding customer service. They serve as the example as collectively our teams across Europe look to raise ESQi.”
One constant within Enterprise’s European operations is its focus on employee development – providing opportunities for both North American natives who’ve stepped into new roles abroad and recent university graduates in the U.K., Ireland and Germany who begin as Management Trainees.
James Ware, Vice President/General Manager for the East Midlands/South Yorkshire Group, and Berlin Group Branch Manager Melanie Goetz both stepped into new roles this past fiscal year.
Realizing ‘my goal from day one’
Across the U.K., Enterprise still maintains the approach and feel of a small business, despite its increased corporate visibility, says James. From Toronto to London, his Enterprise career always has focused on worldwide growth.
Now in fiscal 2008, James applies his international experience in a new role after a promotion from City Manager in London in the Southeast England Group.
“My goal from the day I joined the company as a Management Trainee was to earn the Vice President/General Manager role,” he says. “The entire time,
I’ve focused on the basics of our business – serving customers and developing our employees with well-defined processes and relentless follow-up.”
From his time spent in Europe, James sees more and more customers recognizing Enterprise’s presence.
“Likewise, we have become more aware of the full potential we have in each of our business segments,” says James. “This year, we must continue paying attention to customers in the home city, business rental, and at dealerships and body shops. Now it’s about establishing Enterprise as a true leader in these segments.”
Leveraging U.S. experience in Germany
Melanie, a native German, began with Enterprise’s International Management Trainee program in August 2005. The program provides employees from Europe with the experience of working for Enterprise in the U.S., the U.K. and Ireland to prepare them for careers within the company’s German operations.
In February 2007, Melanie left Kansas City, Mo., for her “home group” in Berlin. Within four months she earned a promotion to Branch Manager. She sees her new position as one of leader and motivator, especially as the company continues establishing itself in the German marketplace. “ Enterprise has huge potential on the horizon in Germany,” says Melanie. “We have great people, great customer service and a vast market. We must focus on growing healthily and finding smart ways to succeed.”
For Melanie, the most important goal ahead for German operations is to reach profitability and thrive. “Working in Kansas City gave me a great set of experiences to bring to our operations here,” she says. “It’s inspiring to see how groups have grown and matured in the U.S. and know we have that same potential here.”
Rhonda Sciarra
European Operations
- Voted the 2006 SPARK Awards Best Overall Car Rental Operator by U.K. airports authority BAA.
- Named in The Times Top 50 Places Where Women Want to Work.
- Named the Institute for Transport Management’s European Corporate Car Rental Company for the second consecutive year.
- German call center ranked first in a survey of services offered by the country’s rental car companies by Teletalk, an industry publication.
- Participated in Enterprise Week 2006, an annual U.K.-wide week of activities inspiring young adults and teenagers.
- Released the Web-based Enterprise Marketing Online application, a sales marketing planning and tracking tool, to corporate accounts managers in the U.K., Ireland and Germany.
- Named a preferred vehicle reservations supplier for Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance customers.
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