An article in the March 2 issue of Automotive News caught my attention last week. It’s in the Opinion section and there is no author credited, but it suggests that the automotive industry has a “people problem.”
Specifically, the article states that industry recruiters must expand beyond the familiar disciplines as emerging technologies reshape not only the vehicles themselves but how they are built and sold. It says that flexibility is “more precious than ever.”
The industry will need more people who can work across multiple disciplines, operate and integrate complex systems and continue to learn new skills.
At the end of the article it states that, “The auto industry is being transformed…[t]o win, individuals and companies must engage and adapt.”
Reading this reminds me of all the extraordinary talent out there in our space, across so many different facets. While my world is concentrated primarily with the online vehicle retail end of the business, this is only one aspect of the auto industry which as a whole is made up of so many other parts.
At the annual NADA Convention you are able to get a glimpse of it’s magnitude, but this event really only highlights the franchise dealer side of the business. You must also consider other arms and legs of the industry which are represented by associations such as SEMA and NABD.
When I think back to the new things I have learned in the last few years, I realize the importance of always educating yourself and growing your knowledge and skill set. Without these new skills and understandings I would not have the confidence that I do to take on new challenges and ventures. This might seem cliche, but sometimes we need a pinch or a slap in the face to motivate ourselves to keep on pushing…and dreaming.
