Robert Ignatowski looks forward to going to work every day.
What?s surprising is that Ignatowski ? known as Iggy to his friends ? works at a car dealership, which many equate with a cut-throat atmosphere. That stereotype couldn?t be further from the truth at Liberty Ford, Randallstown.
“I left a company where I?d worked for 10 to 11 years, because there?s a better atmosphere here,” he said, citing camaraderie. “It?s basically all teamwork.”
That?s likely music to the ears of Steve Knolle, sales manager at Liberty, even though it?s not an uncommon attitude there. Such enthusiasm among employees is what sets the dealership apart from its competitors.
And the enthusiasm is held for good reason, as the dealership offers customers many extras including its “Liberty for Life” program. Anyone who buys a new or used car can bring it back for a host of free services including oil changes, safety inspections and even car washes until the odometer reaches 80,000 miles.
Consider that Liberty is one of the biggest-volume Ford Focus dealers in the country and sells more than 200 used cars a month, and you have an idea of the commitment the dealership makes to its customers, Knolle said. Not surprisingly, the dealership seeks employees who put forth effort to satisfy customers.
“We want people who have good work ethics,” Knolle said. “Time management is key to doing well in this business.”
Knolle knows of what he speaks. He was recruited by the dealer, Ed Gellen, when they met at a wedding. At the time, Knolle was looking forward to graduating from Penn State and awaited acceptance at the state policy academy. Gellenpersuaded him to leave Pennsylvania and his dreams of becoming a state trooper behind.
“He had put some crazy numbers in my head,” Knolle said of the earning potential in auto sales. “He was right. The first three months I was making money, and it was hard to stop. And I enjoyed the sales part of it.”
Nine years later, Knolle?s change in lifestyle ? a wife and two children ? has been accommodated by a move into management.
“As long as you put the time and effort into the business, you can do well,” he said. “Work the schedule, put in the time and effort, and you?ll set yourself apart.”
Liberty Ford
9311 Liberty Road, Randallstown
www.libertyfordofmd.com
410-504-2897
