Trudy Chambers
Sales Specialist
Five years since joining the Southdowns sales department, we talk to Trudy about the company, her role in its success and about being the only woman on an all-male team. Trudy was interviewed in Summer 2016.
Q When did you join Southdowns and how has the company changed in that
time?
A Southdowns has grown unbelievably since I joined the sales team in May
2011 and like any company that is growing fast, we've had a few hiccups. The new
service centre is fantastic and has made a big difference to what we can offer
customers. They see it as a tangible benefit and its great for us because when
customers are having their motorhome serviced by us on a regular basis, we are
able to build on the relationship we develop with them while were going through
the sales process. Once that relationship is established, they are unlikely to
go to another company when they want to upgrade their motorhome and at
Southdowns we work very hard to develop that rapport with our customers.
Q How has your job changed since you joined the company?
A My job hasn't changed but I have. Unlike most of the other sales people at
Southdowns I don't have a motor industry background so I was on a very steep
learning curve when I started. I felt as if I was on a training course every
single day – for a whole year! Now I'm up to speed and know our stock really
well, but what keeps me on my toes is the fact that this is an industry that is
constantly changing. Manufacturers are continuously improving and upgrading
their vehicles; there are new models released every year; and from time to time
we change the manufacturers we represent, so there's always something new to
learn and an exciting new vehicle to sell.
Q Have your customers buying habits changed in the last five years?
A We have seen a few changes during the last five years. Having been through
a recession, our customers are still looking for value for money and this has
driven our European suppliers to bring out special editions, which are
competitively priced and designed to compete with motorhomes built for the UK
market. My favourites are the Carthago and Burstner special editions, which have
been around for about two years. They are beautifully made and are proving
really popular with our customers.
Q How do you feel about being the only woman on the sales team?
A I'm the only person on the Southdowns sales team who doesn't come from
the motor trade but I've spent my working life in male-dominated businesses, so
it doesn't really worry me. What does surprise me is that in 2016, customers are
often slightly flummoxed when they call to make an appointment and find that Im
a sales specialist and not the PA! I think this is because car sales are so male
dominated – perhaps for obvious reasons – and our customers assume the same will
be true of a motorhome dealership. Once they meet me and realise I know the
vehicles inside out, they are (usually) fine. I often feel I have to work twice
as hard to prove myself but five years down the line I'm still here so I'm
obviously doing something right!
Q What has kept you in the same job for five years?
A I'd be bored doing a job that was too easy. I still love the buzz of
making a sale and doing a handover. I try to make it a special day for my
customers and I get a real kick out of it too.
Trudy lives in Old Portsmouth and is a trained make-up artist. She was interviewed in May 2016.
Click here to see Trudy's earlier interview from 2011
