Sabine Specht from Wetter is the most successful female entrepreneur in the automotive industry in 2014. kfz-betrieb, a trade publication, presented the Women's Award to the Managing Director of Autozentrum Volmarstein together with partners Christoph Kroschke GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank AG and Shell Deutschland Schmierstoffe GmbH. The award ceremony took place on the evening of May 23, 2014 in Cologne as part of the 24th Congress of Female Entrepreneurs of the Automotive Industry. Second place went to Isabel Liliensiek from Dippoldiswalde. Third place went to Kerstin Ehrenberg from Landsberg near Halle (Saale).
In addition to entrepreneurial skills, the Women's Award primarily evaluates the personality of the applicants and the individual accents they set in their companies, as well as the work-life balance. In the assessment, it is not so much the pure key figures that count as topics such as personnel management, process management or sales and marketing strategies. "kfz-betrieb" editor-in-chief Wolfgang Michel, welcomed the female entrepreneurs at the award ceremony in Cologne's Gloria Theater: "Why is the Gloria Theater so perfect for this evening? Answer: Numerous world stars have already been guests here! Today we are not bringing actors on stage, today we are honoring stars of the automotive industry with our industry awards!".
In addition to her entrepreneurial skills, this year's winner Sabine Specht impressed above all with her strong personality. In addition to various business crises, she has also overcome a difficult period of illness. Sabine Specht, who works with the Automobile Purchasing Group (EGA) and is an Autofit partner, has consistently improved both the workshop and sales processes in her company and built up a loyal customer base. The 42-year-old's employee management and corporate guidelines, which are based on trust and Christian values, are also exemplary. "It was not easy to convince Sabine Specht of our concept," comments Wolfram Lambeck, 2nd Chairman of the EGA Automobile Purchasing Cooperative: "I am all the more proud to now have her as an EGA partner in our ranks. Sabine Specht is determined, likeable and responsible."
Second place in this year's Women's Award went to Isabel Liliensiek, operations manager of the Hyundai dealership in Dippoldiswalde. The mother of two took over the dealership, which was deep in the red at the time, while she was still at university and had no practical experience in the automotive industry. With her fresh and bold marketing and special business management, she has succeeded in winning many new customers. She has significantly reduced the average age of car buyers and brought the business back into the profit zone. "In Isabel Liliensiek, we have a valuable representative who not only lives the values of our brand, but also embodies them," congratulates Sebastian Braun, District Manager of Hyundai Motor Deutschland GmbH: "With her success-oriented but also sensitive and likeable personality, her special understanding of customers and her pronounced analytical mind, she has developed the Liliensiek dealership into one of the best Hyundai dealerships in Germany."
Third place went to Kerstin Ehrenberg, Managing Director of EVL Truck & Trailer Service in Landsberg near Halle (Saale). Kerstin Ehrenberg took over the DAF service company, where she was employed as an accountant, ten years ago after it emerged from insolvency. Despite various adversities, the 50-year-old has succeeded in making the company fit for the future thanks to her entrepreneurial skills, her exceptional commitment and her appreciative leadership. "EVL lives through Kerstin Ehrenberg, who is one of the very few female managers in our 170 commercial vehicle companies across Germany," says Ole Jacobs, Head of Service DAF Trucks Deutschland GmbH: "We are proud to have Kerstin Ehrenberg's company in our organization. The service idea is really lived out in the company, which is constantly growing: customer satisfaction is very high thanks to the very special working atmosphere and service competence - EVL recently took second place in our Germany-wide workshop test."
The winners of the Women's Award 2014
1st place: Sabine Specht | Autozentrum Volmarstein, Wetter
2nd place: Isabel Liliensiek | Autohaus Dippoldiswalde, Dippoldiswalde
3rd place: Kerstin Ehrenberg | EVL Truck & Trailer Service , Landsberg near Halle (Saale)
