Auto evolution: An Accessible, remote world

With Guest: Vincent Smock

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

Vincent Smock has worked in automotive for an accumulative 32 years, making him an industry veteran. Currently a Sales Manager for Ford, his past experience has ranged from the technical to the managerial perspectives. Having hired quite a few individuals over the course of his career, he is keenly aware of the qualities necessary for success in the role, citing a buildable customer relationship as key, followed by product knowledge and overall organization skills.

He personally connects with clients through as many in-person or tangible relationship-building excursions as possible. In creating these connections remotely, he uses a strategic mindset to make relationships long-standing:

“Honesty is key in building trust with clients- I treat clients as though I am working as a mediator between them and my company. I position myself as an ally to the client.”

These close connections speak to the unique relationship-based culture that resides in the automotive industry, historically known as a good ol’ boys network. Vincent explains that this culture’s evolution has been “a really positive thing” now that “quotas and internal reform in the industry have provided opportunities for a diverse body of candidates,” providing opportunities for these connections to be even stronger.

Other changes have benefitted his industry perspective as well; while initially not in favor of remote work, he now finds that adaptability is key. Now, he “can prioritize things much more efficiently and think[s] people are generally more positive in a work environment because they make it suit their lifestyles.”

Even the news sources for the auto industry have changed over the course of Vincent’s career; while previously reliant on one resource, like Auto Week, Vincent now gains “a lot of insight from conversations with coworkers, but those are typically initiated by social resources” like LinkedIn. When reflecting on the long career held in the industry, Vincent has no regrets: “it has been the foundation of my career, so in light of the current vehicle push, it’s put me in an optimal position career-wise for at least ten years out.”