Eastern Western Motor Group is taking a different approach to recruiting the next generation of management talent, by focusing on communication skills and business acumen, rather than an automotive industry experience.
Eastern Western has developed a Management Acceleration Pathway (MAP) in partnership with Edinburgh-based Sandstone Communications, a specialist in skills acquisition and leadership development. The programme covers the selection, development and coaching of graduates from the start of their career with Eastern Western through to taking up Line Manager positions and beyond.
Students from business courses at Edinburgh’s Napier University undertook a four-day assessment held in early May, they were asked to perform a series of presentations. They were also assessed on their ability to build rapport and empathy with customers. Five students where selected by the dealer group to be fast tracked on the MAP programme.
Keith Duncan, the Group MD of Eastern Western, explains the thinking behind the new approach: “Because most car companies require previous experience. It can be difficult for newly-qualified graduates to get a foot on the ladder of the car business. Furthermore, they rarely offer a clear and effective path to management. At Eastern Western Motor Group, however, we see things differently. We are actively seeking really effective communicators who understand and embrace modern technology, and are capable of building relationships. Modern business graduates are ideal. An interest in cars helps, of course, but is not essential in any way.”
Eastern Western’s Group HR Manager, Kim Gilfillan, added: “This is a great way for graduates to jump start their careers. Graduates don’t simply want a job, they want a career path and the MAP Programme does just that. Of course, it’s a given that the new recruits need to perform in their respective roles, but what we are doing is providing the opportunity for longer-term development.
“The scheme provides a platform to allow the graduates to immerse themselves in the Sales Department, learning on the job and working with some of the best and most respected sales professionals in the industry. What we guarantee them at the end of a timeframe appropriate to each candidate, is the opportunity to be assessed for our MAP Programme. They might decide that management is not for them but, either way, they have a great future ahead of them with our company.”
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