VTNZ

The main responsibilities of my role are to deliver CSR (Customer Service Representatives) and DLR (Driver Licensing) Induction and Refresher training to VTNZ CSRs.  I am also involved in the delivery of training to CSRs during various projects, for example, the DLR Camera rollout and Fieldpine POS project.

It is very important to me that our CSRs receive some training away from the pressures of the office, and that the training gives them the skills and confidence they can take back to the station and apply to their daily work.

My role has many satisfying aspects but the thing I enjoy most is being able to teach someone something new and sharing their sense of accomplishment when they gain understanding.

The highlight of my career with VTNZ has been the people I have met and worked with over the last seven years.  I have been fortunate enough to have the encouragement and support of some fantastic people who have shared their own knowledge and experience with me and who have contributed to my development within the company.

My main strengths would be having an understanding of the role of CSR’s and the difficulties they can face on a daily basis.  I feel I have the ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages and life experiences, and I have a genuine desire to help, support and encourage people.

I would encourage everyone to accept any opportunity to relieve at other stations or work on projects within VTNZ, as the experiences gained from working in other areas of the business are invaluable and will contribute to their personal and professional growth.

My main responsibility in this role is to monitor and execute the day to day running and co-ordination of my station, VTNZ Sylvia Park. I am responsible for managing 35 employees at this station. I need to ensure there are sufficient employees rostered to meet the workload and customer demands.

I manage the business in conjunction with the Area Manager. This means that I need to report all objectives and new initiatives to the Area Manager and ensure that all company efforts are properly maintained.  I also ensure that all of the employees at my station have the skills and capabilites to help all of our customers with their needs and demands. I maintain each employee’s performance and carry out performance reviews.

This role requires me to follow good quality management procedures.

I am very passionate about coming to work.  I wake up in the morning and  love going off to work. I enjoy positive communication with customers.  I am a people person so I enjoy working with customers and understanding their needs. I am proud to be a Station Manager and like to enjoy every moment of my work.

The main highlight of my career was becoming a Station Supervisor in 1997 when the station opened. When we built the new station we also built a compliance area next door to increase our involvement in the certification market. We introduced VT Check Pre Purchase Inspections in 2002.  Our volumes in these areas are still increasing. The highlight for me was being involved in these initiatives with the Area Manager and seeing them become successful.

2003 was also a good year because I become a Station Manager and received the VTNZ Cameron Award. I was first person to get the award.

And in 2009 I received the Station Manager of the Year award!

My main strength would be my communication skills.  I have established good customer relationships which helps to ensure that our customers keep coming back all the time. Retention is very high at the station. I have a large amount of knowledge and I am a self motivated person.  I also like to make sure things are done in order. This means the customers are happy when they leave and we see them again in six months time.

My relationship building skills means I look after my staff very well and staff turnover is low. I have a good relationship with my staff. I have a culture where I encourage myself to up skill and encourage my staff to up skill as well, so they can multi task. I like to see station increasing businesswise and encourage my staff to help do this in a competitive environment.

I have a good future in VTNZ. You have to be focused and ambitious. Without focus it is hard to achieve.

When you work for VTNZ there are a lot of career opportunities, from Vehicle Inspector to Supervisor to Manager. Within my time here I have seen a lot of staff move from the shop floor to management level, myself included.

Personally I would like to continue to develop and learn more about the management side of things to understand the business even better.

In my current role of Technical Manager I carry out many duties.  I deal with the claims and complaints that come through from NZTA and liaise with the rest of our team on technical issues relating to non-NZTA complaints.  I’m also involved in making submissions regarding NZTA rule changes.  Within VTNZ I work on our quality systems which ensure our records and inspections are up to or exceed the required standards.  I also investigate and implement new opportunities within our business and any legislative changes.  Both of these aspects require me to get out into the field and help educate our team.

I just enjoy my job! Challenges are what drive me and every day a new challenge or opportunity arises.  I also make my own challenges as I have the freedom to make changes that will benefit the company, under consultation with those affected.  Investigating where and how to make those changes is really exciting!

I have a few really.  Opening a new station and helping it reach Club 1000 is a great highlight.  Being nominated for Station Manager of the Year was a fabulous personal moment and recognition of my team in Dunedin.  But the greatest highlight is all the people.  I have had awesome times all around NZ with the people who work within VTNZ and built many lasting friendships.

My sense of humour!  But if I had to think of something else I would say the motto “Solutions not problems” is something I try to live by.  I try to think of a solution to a problem before I approach others for their advice. Doesn’t matter if my solution is wrong but you can’t expect other people to help you out if you won’t help yourself.

What ever you put into your career here at VTNZ is what you get out.  If you take the opportunities and learn about the business as a whole you can go anywhere within VTNZ.

In my current role I am a member of the Leadership Team and have responsibilities that stretch across the entire company.  These include responsibility for the company’s operational processes including customer service processes, technical expertise, productivity, continuous improvement, claims and complaints.  In addition I have significant involvement with industry organisations, particularly the NZ Transport Agency.

I enjoy the variety and the challenges that are associated with my role.  I feel a great sense of achievement in realising improved performance throughout the organisation.  Being involved with change, including the introduction of new requirements and processes, and seeing these successfully implemented throughout the business is very satisfying.

Being living proof of the ability to progress within VTNZ, from having been a Vehicle Inspector, through to becoming a member of the Leadership Team.  During this time I have been involved with significant change from being part of a government department through to being a highly competitive private business.

My familiarity with the core function of the business has been of huge value to me.  This enables me to “relate” well to the issues affecting stations. Having learned that the only constant we can expect in today’s world is change, I look for the positive aspects of every situation.

I have seen many people flourish in new roles as they have pursued career paths within VTNZ.  The two requirements necessary for achieving success in any career (even life) are simply energy and attitude (can do – will do).  With these attributes skills can be learned.   Opportunities are readily available for personal development within VTNZ.

Currently I am in charge of nine stations (including the biggest in the country!) all in the Auckland North West region. My main purpose is to ensure all of these stations are running smoothly and that everything is going OK.  I also provide support to my six Station Managers (some manage 2 stations) by making sure everyone has what they need and dealing with any issues and problems that may arise.

I enjoy the challenges that the role brings. To be honest I originally joined VTNZ for the trucks but soon realised I could make a good career here and also have the ability to move. I am the kind of person who is determined to keep things running smoothly. When everything is running well, then my job should be easier than a Station Managers role!

I have had several highlights with VTNZ. The first one would be starting the hugely successful North Harbour station.  The other is that I have helped to develop two Station Managers (Colin Boyd – North Harbour and Griff Griffiths – Pukekohe)  who have gone on to win Station Manager of the Year. I suppose also “surviving restructures” is a pretty good highlight too.

I try to keep things simple and not over complicate anything.  I also have a great willingness to learn new tricks which is very important in the environment that we live in today.

I joined VTNZ originally because I could see that I could make progression. The opportunities are there if you want them, it’s just what you make of it.

My main responsibility is to ensure the smooth running of my station on a daily basis.  To do this I have to manage staff levels, maintain our station budget, deal with any customer issues, train staff on new procedures and protocols, help out in the lanes when we are busy ….. and so much more!  In essence I have the responsibility of making sure there are no hiccups at our station.

There is something different happening every day.  There is no monotony in this job.  You don’t know what each day is going to bring.  Moving from being a CSR to having a management role has helped me to be open minded about business.  I can now see the big picture.  Being able to see that and see where you want to go along with not knowing what is going to happen in your hours at work makes every day an adventure.

The biggest highlight was getting the Station Manager’s position as I didn’t think I would.  I jumped for joy when I heard the news.  My father had recently had a heart attack and we were with him at the hospital.  I just couldn’t wait to tell him!  It was great being able to give him that type of news.

Having a background in MVR has helped me to fit into the team very easily.  I was lucky as I knew a lot about trucks and cars before I joined VTNZ so I wasn’t completely green.  I think my main strength though is that I am a female who doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.  I am not one of those females who won’t fill up her own car with petrol, check their own dip stick or help out when you need to mechanically.  Being ready to help out with anything has ensured I have fitted in!

At VTNZ there are opportunities for everyone if you put your mind to it and get the right training.  If you put yourself forward VTNZ will support you and help you to progress further.  You have to believe you can do anything!