#SheDrivesCochran: Lizzi Dallas

#SheDrivesCochran: Lizzi Dallas

When leaving the showroom in a new vehicle, “new” is exciting. When entering the showroom as a new employee or adapting to a new system during employment, “new” is a bit stressful. Knowing your company’s culture and the practices—both personally and professionally— that uphold said culture can alleviate that stress. The knowledge that helps our team members to execute these acts, and the confidence gained from it, stems from training. One of the people we at #1 Cochran can thank for this is our Corporate Sales Trainer, Lizzi Dallas.

A major component of Lizzi’s role is working with dealership management and the Human Resources Department to determine training needs and progress. While training requires a lot of structure, Lizzi’s days vary. Her time is structured based on what each showroom and sales team need. She said that “it can range from on-boarding new hires, continuous training with sales teams, new system training, and system updates.” She says that her time at #1 Cochran has been an overall great experience. “I love my job,” she said, “I want to continue to thrive and grow within the company.”

Despite a variety of roles existing behind the scenes in automotive, roles like Lizzi’s do not instantly come to mind. She admits that shock and confusion are common responses to her position not being on the showroom floor, “like [others] didn’t know that there was more to working in the automotive industry than men selling or fixing cars.”

Her position might not be the first visual when one hears “automotive.” However, a woman holding that position in this industry is not that common. According to women’s leadership non-profit Catalyst, women make up 74-percent of office and clerical workers in the automotive industry, and 18.1-percent of first/mid-level officials and managers.

Women in training roles is great for several reasons, including their ability to collaborate, gain trainee’s trust and mentor them. A 2015 Pew Research Center survey on Women an leadership found that 25-percent of the 1,835 people surveyed believed that women were better at providing guidance or mentorship to young employees. Lizzi’s work ethic complements this outcome: “I work hard, focus on what is important, and the task at hand.”

Family is at the foundation of Lizzi’s exposure and decision to enter this industry. As a young mother, she wanted to be able to provide for her son and set a good example for him. When the time came to choose a career path, she looked to her father for inspiration. “My dad works in the automotive industry; he has always provided for my family. In a way I looked up to him.”

Lizzi’s advice to women who are considering an automotive career is to be willing to learn and adapt to change. “You do not need to know anything about cars to work in the automotive industry, so please do not let that hold you back,” she said, “I knew nothing coming into the automotive industry, I learned so much over the years! “

Lizzi has advanced from knowing nothing at the beginning of her journey to navigating others to success on theirs. We are excited to see more women lead the way like her.