Shining a light on the people dedicated to keeping our customers on the road.

This month we talk to Matt Hayesman, Manager of Vehicle Acquisition and Leasing, about his role at Holman and how keeping his team ahead of industry changes empowers the discovery of opportunities for our customers and achieving their fleet objectives.

Matt, what do you do at Holman?

My role at Holman is extensive and includes overseeing all aspects of acquisition and leasing. Talking to prospects and current customers about securing vehicles and supporting them through the whole vehicle lifecycle – from pricing and ordering to remarketing and disposal.

Much of my role involves working closely with our account executives, managing and dealing with customer queries and liaising directly with the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and Dealers. In addition, I am always looking at how I can support my team to understand the marketplace and create events that our entire business can benefit from.

What kind of events do you organise for Holman, and how do they add value to your team and, ultimately, our customers?

Our OEM ‘Ride and Drive’ events are among the most successful and valuable events.

We invite a key brand/manufacturer to come to Holman for the day to talk through a range of topics with Holman employees about the product they produce. From insight about the vehicles, and driver safety, to electrification, technology, innovation, and branding, this is a key opportunity for the manufacturer to talk about their product, share industry knowledge and be available to answer any questions our team might have.

Holman employees also have the opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience first-hand what it feels like to drive the vehicle being presented.

These sessions allow my team to learn more about the product their customer requests but on a deeper and more detailed level. Allowing them to speak confidently and authentically when recommending or discussing vehicle choices with customers.

For many, buying a car is an emotional experience and a big decision, so they want to know they are making the right choice. Holman is that trusted advisor; these events allow us to be that. 

What can affect the process?

External factors like supply chain disruption, manufacturing delays, price increases, and bank closures might impact the choices available to the fleets we serve. This can create challenges for our customers, but with the team having a broad knowledge of the marketplace, pricing options and the most up-to-date information directly from the dealers/manufacturers, they can recommend alternative actions and mitigate the delays or challenges.

How does a ride-and-drive event run on the day?

The OEM will provide an overview of the product, the history of the brand, innovation in the works and the focus for future developments. They will then take questions about the vehicles from a customer’s perspective and invite employees to get behind the wheel to experience the product first-hand.

What brands have you had recently?

We have had Tesla, Mini Cooper, BMW, and MG, and I am currently setting up an event with Mercedes.

Do you have an example of how these events have added value for a customer?

We had a driver with several vehicles in their choice list but couldn’t decide which one to choose based on technology, ride and more.

One of the team talked to them about the industry challenges, lead times and what they have seen from those manufacturers. They then overlaid that with first-hand experience of driving one of the vehicles. As a result, the customer made an informed decision based on real-life expectations, and, importantly, the customer was happy with the outcome.

What other new things are you putting in place this year to support internal development among your team?

Giving the team the tools and knowledge to understand the role they play in the wider business will always be a critical focus. This includes wider business insight from sitting with operational teams or training courses through our internal platform, Holman University.

It is crucial to the team’s success by never standing still, striving to learn keeping up to date both from an internal and external focus. The team will be attending the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham in April. This is an excellent opportunity for them to get up close with Commercial Vehicles, network with peers, talk to OEMs and dealer suppliers and get insight into the marketplace and customer demand.

Why are these events and activities so important to Holman?

We are committed to supporting our employees to have a rewarding career and helping them develop their knowledge; having the opportunity to learn something new is a fundamental element of achieving this.

By giving our team the tools to succeed, we can support our customers and drive what’s right.

 

Get more info about our lease solutions and let us become your trusted advisor to maximise your return.