#SheDrivesCochran: Caitlin Martin

Our South Hills Volkswagen is coming off the best February they’ve had since 2013. A rare instance in the automotive world—the Sales team has not one, but two female managers who are leading the pack. It is our pleasure to introduce you to Caitlin Martin.

She joined the team in 2018. Every day is a little different, but she keeps the daily operations in order. She spends her morning working on everything related to the store’s used car inventory and uses the rest of her day to support her team and interact with customers in the showroom.

Caitlin admits that she initially had no intention of being in the automotive industry. There are a few reasons why women don’t consider it. According to a Deloitte study, a perceived lack of work-life balance & schedule flexibility can deter women from pursuing automotive.

Keeping with #1 Cochran’s transparency: Caitlin’s on the mend from a foot injury. She’s pictured in the car because we didn’t want to show the boot

Coming to #1 Cochran allowed Caitlin— who worked overnights at the time she applied— to (literally) see daylight again. “I sent my resume out, and the first person to call me back was [the General Sales Manager] Jess,” she said. “Our interview went a lot better than either of us anticipated, and the rest is history.”

Caitlin says that she’s loved every minute working for #1 Cochran. “Rob has really amazed me with his attention to detail and his sincere gratitude and care for his team members,” she said. Despite our size, Caitlin says that she’s never felt like a number here.  She also appreciates the company’s focus on bringing in diverse talent– something she doesn’t believe other automotive groups can say.

While VW’s showroom is expecting some new models this spring, Caitlin is expecting a much smaller & cuter delivery: her baby!

Caitlin’s bundle of joy isn’t due until next month. However, she’s already had a head start on parenting; aspects of it play a part in how she manages her team. She admits that a few of them run with it, calling her “mom.” Like any parent, she’s invested in both their success and failures. “I make sure that they know that someone cares and is paying attention when they do well, but also when they do poorly,” she said. “I let them know when I am disappointed in a situation like a parent/mentor more than a ‘boss.’” This balance seems quite effective: This year, A member of her sales team, Dan Giancola, made his first appearance in our Circle of Honor (for our highest-performing Sales Consultants).

Many women in management mirror Caitlin’s goals. A female leadership study identifies nine leadership behaviors that enhance organizational performance & breaks them down by usage:

Employers have profited from the unique strengths that women bring:

The diversity of thinking has benefited enhancing innovation by about 20 percent. It also enables groups to spot risks, reducing these by up to 30 percent. And it smooths the implementation of decisions by creating buy-in and trust

To ensure that everyone reaches their full potential, Caitlin has quickly learned to adapt. She’s mindful of the different responses to women in decision-making positions. In response to that, she says, “I’ve had to adjust my management style to make sure that my team understands what I am asking from them at all times.”

Caitlin says that her experience at #1 Cochran has been rewarding, allowing her to meet many new and exciting people. What she enjoys most is how excited female customers are when they see the chance to work with another woman. She encourages other women to consider an automotive career and make the jump. “I think more women in this business have the capability of changing the perception and allowing for a more enjoyable experience for a more diverse group of buyers.”

Who are we to disagree; Moms (to-be, included) always know best!