Success Story – Kobi Berger, Strategic Customer Manager, Shlomo-Sixt Group / Hadas Shimoni
over the course of twelve years kobi berger, 37, worked at a variety of communications companies in management positions, including a job as service and operations manager and as face-to-face and phone service manager. with a bachelor’s degree in business administration focusing on marketing, kobi advanced at cellular and media companies, making his way into management of large, complex service systems. before arriving at the shlomo group, kobi ran bezeq international’s service department for the institutional market. after two years he decided to change course and leave the world of communications. ten months ago he found his job as strategic customer manager at the shlomo-sixt group through the jobnet site.
why did you decide to leave a managerial job at a large and stable company?
“the decision to leave stemmed from two main factors, the first being a result of the merger, which led to a change in my job that reduced my area of responsibility. also, i’d experienced the field of service in the communications world from all angles – face-to-face and phone, with commercial clients and with individual customers – so i knew it backwards and forwards and felt an urge to develop myself in new content realms. i decided to acquire experience in a new industry and develop in new directions.”
kobi berger standing beside a shlomo-sixt car
where did you distribute your resume?
“while at my prior job and after notifying my managers of my intentions of leaving, i conducted a focused, carefully planned search restricted to the vehicle and food industries, and applied for jobs at large, stable companies. the decision to make a change was a big step for me since it entailed switching to a new field, so i did extensive research. via the internet i gathered information on the dominant companies in these industries and i talked it over with my friends. i also took a look at the israel business directory, the dun’s guide, to see how the leading companies are ranked, and eventually i sent my resume to the shlomo group and other companies, via the jobnet site.”
what considerations did you take into account when you looked for a new position?
“i focused on managerial positions in large service and operations departments. i was also looking for a dynamic job where i’d be able to serve as an influential figure. and i tried to look for large companies that offered their employees a range of advancement options, which would provide me a long-term career horizon, possibly through retirement.”
what attracted you to the vehicle industry?
“personally, i really love cars, motorcycles and atvs, and i’m very conversant in the field. my friends consider me an expert and seek my advice in solving all sorts of problems.”
what did the hiring process at the shlomo group entail?
“the process was complex, but i was treated with respect. in the first stage i went through a series of interviews with a human resources manager, the vice president of service and finally with the ceo. afterwards i submitted graphology samples. during the process, which took six weeks, there was full coordination of expectations between me and the management, so i knew just what to expect of the job and the workplace.”
what drew you to the company and in the end led you to choose it?
“since i come from service management in the communications realm, which is fundamentally different from service in the vehicles realm, i had a different set of a managerial abilities and different conceptions of service. i felt i could make a contribution to the company with my experience and the knowledge i’d acquired about service departments, thereby having an impact on moves made at the company and having substantial influence.”
smadar galili, recruitment manager, on the shlomo-sixt group:
“the shlomo group started operating as a vehicle rental company in 1974 and since then has acquired a variety of holdings in israel’s central industries. the group leads the market in vehicle rental and leasing through shlomo-sixt and new kopel-sixt, which also includes a chain of repair shops and body shops, a chain for new car sales, an insurance company, a road service and towing company, a leasing company for private customers and a leasing company in romania. the shlomo group also invests in profit-yielding real estate around the country.”
what is the group’s target group?
“with a fleet of over 65,000 vehicles the shlomo group provides services for large and medium-size commercial organizations in various sectors such as food, banking, industry, real estate, communications, high tech, biotech, commerce, tourism and drug companies.”
on collaboration with the jobnet site:
“we’ve been collaborating with jobnet for over two years and are very pleased with the arrangement. the site provides us a substantial recruitment source and a quick, efficient response to our needs.”
kobi, how did your first days at the company go?
“throughout my first month i was accompanied on a day-to-day basis by vice president of service ayalon harosh, who noted points to emphasize in my job and provided me explanations on the shlomo group and the vehicle world. i was also given personal training sessions by professions and managers of various departments, such as the manager of the control department and the manager of the operations department.”
what is the job of strategic customer management all about?
“my job is really fascinating and challenging. i handle leasing customer management at three regional points of operation. i also manage hundreds of field personnel at various levels of management, from transport representatives to fleet managers and fleet staffs. the challenge comes to the fore in my ability to run various external work interfaces to guarantee a comprehensive, quality service experience provided by a single entity.”
what’s unique about the shlomo group and how would you describe the atmosphere and the staff?
“the most notable characteristic of the shlomo group is the strong chemistry among the employees and the warm relations between the managers and the workers. there’s a warm spirit resulting from the fact that many of the employees advanced through the company ranks over the years. also, the shlomo group is a heterogeneous, dynamic and challenging company made up of employees who give their all. in my opinion the company’s strength lies in the personal ties employees have with the customers.”
as a father of three, how does the job fit in with the family unit?
“my job is quite involved and demands an investment in resources and long work hours, but this strong dedication is part of who i am. i’ve always looked for dynamic jobs that require a strong commitment and going above and beyond the call of duty. when all is said and done i enjoy seeing the fruits of my labors and am very pleased with where i’m situated.”
do you see yourself continuing to have an impact and advance at the company for years to come?
“i’m happy to be part of the shlomo-sixt group, which is a leading company that’s constantly growing. the company has many channels for advancement and i definitely see myself developing and advancing at the company itself, or transferring to one of the companies in the group. there’s never a dull moment in the shlomo group and there’s always something to learn. the activity never stops and my task sheet is unending, yet at the end of the day i can see the results of the work i put in and feel a lot of gratification.”
what advice do you have for jobseekers?
“i strongly recommend not compromising and being focused on a certain field. define your search as specifically as possible in terms of industries and names of companies, conduct online research and ask around among your friends and direct yourself toward a specific goal. in my opinion that’s the best way to achieve it.”
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