Q&A with Una Crouse - Executive Head of Sales at First Car Rental

Una Crouse - Executive Head of Sales at First Car Rental

• Q1: In what year did you join First Car Rental and what was your position?

  A: June 2002 as Area Manager in Sales.

• Q2: What do you like most about First Car Rental?

  A: It is our flexibility in our approach and empowerment of staff, which in my opinion have been the key factors in the company's success.

• Q3: When are you most satisfied in your job?

  A: When the sales team close a big deal.

• Q4: As Executive Head of your department how do you go about establishing your credibility quickly with a team?

  A: I lead by example.

• Q5: How would you describe your work style?

  A: No pain, no gain.

• Q6: What would be your ideal working environment?

  A: Where everything happens as planned!

• Q7: What do you look for in terms of culture - structured or entrepreneurial?

  A: Always entrepreneurial. Have you ever met a sales person that sticks to the rules?

• Q8: What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organised?

  A: Daily to do list and continuously prioritising. I don't go to bed unless the important matters are resolved.

• Q9: If you had to choose one, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

  A: Big picture but never underestimate the value of the detail required to make it happen.

• Q10: Who has impacted you most in your career and how?

  A: I have had 3 mentors that impacted my life and career in different ways over a period of 17 years. I am eternally grateful to each of them that believed in me and gave me an opportunity to advance my career.

• Q11: What kind of personality do you work best with and why?

  A: A positive, motivated, energetic and enthusiastic type personality.

• Q12: What is your proudest achievement within work?

  A: Being part of a team that secured a very large tender. This was the first substantial account we won in the early days so it was significant.

• Q13: Tell me the difference between good and exceptional.

  A: Today's exceptional is tomorrow's good... you must strive to better yourself and your product every day otherwise you will be left behind.

• Q14: What are your strengths?

  A: Tenacity, Patience, Humble, Enthusiastic.

• Q15: What are your weaknesses?

  A: Being frank and I don't forgive easily.

• Q16: What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?

  A: Self-centred individuals that have no consideration towards others.

• Q17: List five words that describe your character.

  A: Goal-driven, focused, fair, positive, even-tempered.

• Q18: What is your greatest fear?

  A: Being totally reliant upon someone.

• Q19: What is your greatest achievement outside of work?

  A: Finishing the Comrades Marathon (a long time ago).

• Q20: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

  A: Venice, Italy.

• Q21: What's the last book you read?

  A: Being a single mother with two very innovative and active boys, reading is a luxury. I prefer to be outdoors and to spend time with my boys.

• Q22: What magazines do you subscribe to?

  A: I used to buy magazines and not read them, now I don't buy them anymore. If there is any reading to be done it is ON MY LAPTOP!

• Q23: What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?

  A: Life of Pi

• Q24: What would you do if you won the lottery?

  A: I wouldn't change a thing.

• Q25: What do you like to do for fun?

  A: Spend time with Bob.

• Q26: What do you do in your spare time?

  A: Running and being outdoors with my two boys.