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Struck by the ‘strategic center of the business’
A Group Remarketing Manager shares her career success story
A love of cars did not bring Southern Germany Group Remarketing Manager Karen Kläsner to Enterprise. “Rather, it was the fun and friendly culture, and being able to learn how to run a business that made Enterprise where I wanted to launch a career,” says Karen.
As one of 21 Level 3 Remarketing Managers in Europe, Karen manages the wholesaling of vehicles deleted from the Daily Rental fleet. This is done at the most opportune times to help the group operate its ideal fleet mix and size. Karen is also active within Enterprise’s “Females in Remarketing” initiative and the new Diversity Team for German operations.
Originally from Munich, Karen has lived in India, completed college in the UK and worked in Chicago. Just before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Karen traveled to Germany to renew her visa. But because of heightened security, she couldn’t return to Chicago. Instead, Karen chose graduate studies. When she finished graduate school and looked to reenter the workplace, she found Enterprise online.
In 2003, Karen began as a Management Trainee in the Bavaria Group. “Everything I liked about the company when I first applied was really happening,” says Karen. “There was always a new promotion, new branch or new milestone to celebrate.”
At her six-month mark, Karen shadowed her group’s Remarketing Manager for a half day and was hooked. “I was struck by how Remarketing is the strategic center of the business, where everything comes together,” she says.
When a Remarketing Supervisor position opened in the group, Karen applied and was promoted in June 2004. She learned the importance of the areas of remarketing, such as figuring a car’s value, but more so she learned that remarketing is about building relationships. Providing exceptional customer service and being a good communicator and negotiator have also fueled her career. “Our buyers really appreciate that we are accessible and responsive to them,” says Karen, who was promoted to Group Remarketing Manager in March 2006.
“Karen has a strong understanding of how Remarketing supports Daily Rental,” says German Corporate Remarketing Manager Chris Neal. “She understands that the physical selling of vehicles is actually the end result, and it’s in the smaller steps along the way where Remarketing is most successful.”
And as part of “Females in Remarketing,” Karen shares best practices with colleagues and helps communicate Remarketing opportunities for other women. For Karen, Enterprise and Remarketing have been great career choices. “I’ve learned that if you work hard and set out for what you want to achieve, there are no limits.”
- Rhonda Sciarra
