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Helped a good friend of mine collect a #bmwapprovedused M135i he chose from #dicklovett in Hungerford. How pleasant and re-assuring buying through a Main Dealer Network Approved Used Scheme is! #greatcustomerexperience #bmw

Fantastic visit to the NEC Birmingham – Motorcycle Live Event catching up with Clients and Candidates alike on Monday this week. A great varied selection of exhibitors showing what the future holds for electric motorcycles, and some beautiful classics…

Fantastic #porscheclassic display at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2018. An event which displays the real talent of artisan restorers keeping both specialist and volume brands alive and well. True automotive recycling at its very best.

Looking forward to #automotivemanagementlive at #NEC Birmingham tomorrow. See you there! #southgateconsulting

• Try to pre-negotiate your salary and benefits package.
• Over emphasise how good you are.
• Criticise your current employer.
• Attend without any preparation or research.
• State that you are very happy where you are and don’t need to move.

Remember – all you need to do is get a second interview at this stage – not the job itself.  Good luck with the meetings!

This article is a sobering read for us and future generations. Whilst WLTP and emissions concerns have created havoc in immediate results for September sales, we can take pride in the UK and the automotive industry taking the lead in the immediate and on-going development of low emission, electric and alternative fuel vehicles whilst other countries trail behind…

Fining and banning drivers of petrol and diesel vehicles in certain areas of London is surely counter productive? If the charging network was comprehensive, and electric cars were affordable to all, then there would be much more positive take up?

Interesting times in Automotive Executive Search at the moment, with potential interest rate rises, Brexit and continuing debate around emissions and vehicle taxation leading to less senior level opportunities, and very exact briefs from respected clients. So why should you leave your safe, current position, if you are approached by a professional “headhunter”?

Well, the top answer has always been career development followed closely by business culture and recognition. But recently on approaching senior level executives, salary and benefits have come to the fore. Pre-negotiating before interview attendance is a definite negative for a potential employer. Far better, if you believe the move is exactly what you are looking for, to build client desire through discussion and informal/formal interview.

Companies are only wanting to hire the very best solutions for their senior management vacancies at present, and it is much easier to negotiate a suitable package at the end of the process, rather than at the beginning. So polish up your personality and persuasiveness skills to ensure a “win-win” situation is achieved. The more you put in, the more you will receive, without question.

Good luck with your salary negotiations and career decisions, but not necessarily in that order!

Another fantastic weekend spent at Goodwood Festival of Speed, watching some spectacular racing, enjoying each brand’s stand and getting a sneak peek at what’s coming over the next 18 months.

Walking around and getting up close and personal with all vehicles taking part throughout the day in the Assembly Area with classics through to future models, it’s easy to see why people view the Festival of Speed as the unofficial UK motor show. Made all the better with the constant rumbling (or not in the electric cars case)!, coming from the track and seeing some stunning vehicles take on the hill climb.

For me, seeing the Polestar 1 take on the course and seeing it in the flesh, was a personal highlight.  Then also walking round the side of the house to a lawn full of classics followed by First Glance Paddock and seeing what else is in store was a great juxtaposition of where we have come from and where we are going.