AFTER almost two decades with Dirk Ellis Volkswagen in Jeffreys Bay \u2013 and plenty of key accomplishments along the way \u2013 Sonnette Liebenberg (36) turned in her keys as the company\u2019s long-time, well-known Service Manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When she first started working at Dirk Ellis in November 1999, she knew nothing about the engine of a motor vehicle: fuel injection system, distributor, spark plug, crankshaft, piston and connecting rod were all foreign concepts to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That, however, did not deter her from rising through the ranks, and within years she became the first female Service Manager at Dirk Ellis \u2013 supervising a service team of 10 members. Liebenberg brought a unique skill set to the service department \u2013 empathy, strong communication skills for relationship building and the ability to connect with customers and meet their needs. Under her guidance and strict processes, the service department wrote an average of 250 job cards a month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n Motoring on<\/b>\n<\/b>\n<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former Nico Malan High School learner, Liebenberg first embarked on her successful career at Dirk Ellis to earn extra money during school holidays.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
She laughs, \u201cEspecially to buy all the Cosmopolitan magazines my mom did not want to buy.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was tasked with filing work, and some administrative chores.<\/p>\n
Liebenberg did such an outstanding job, that Dirk Ellis Senior offered her a permanent administrative job after she finished Grade 12. She furthermore assisted the sales team with their paperwork and helped out at the switchboard.<\/p>\n
Then came the opportunity to work side-by-side with former Service Advisor Rika Botha in the workshop. \u201cI made it my business to learn the technical aspects that came with the territory,\u201d says Liebenberg. <\/p>\n
After a short stint in the financial department, she returned to the workshop, and was promoted to Service Manager \u2013 a huge feat in a predominantly man\u2019s world.<\/p>\n
Liebenberg played a vital role during the acquisition of Dirk Ellis Motors Knysna in 2005 \u2013 assisting the former all-on-paper company to go digital and ensuring that all the Volkswagen approved processes were in place and up-and-running.<\/p>\n
She was furthermore instrumental in the relocation of Dirk Ellis from Humansdorp to Jeffreys Bay in 2013. <\/p>\n
Liebenberg says, \u201cSometimes customers did not take me seriously, especially men, but only until I had proven myself.\u201d And this is precisely the part of her work she loves most: working with clients. Even the more difficult ones.<\/p>\n
According to her, a Service Manager must have strong administration skills and be strict \u2013 strict to earn the respect of the team and to ensure that all the processes are in place and adhered to. <\/p>\n
\n Best in South Africa<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
Liebenberg took pole position at the 2013 and 2014 Volkswagen Grand Prix Awards held in Johannesburg \u2013 winning the Customer Service Index (CSI) Award in their category, Category C. The others years she missed it by a fraction of a percentage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are currently number one in South Africa,\u201d says a proud Liebenberg. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am confident that my dedicated team and the new Service Manager will do a sterling job \u2013 ensuring that we bring home the CSI Award once again.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n Shifting gears<\/b>\n<\/p>\n
Liebenberg will now join her husband of five years in Graaff-Reinet, where she will further her career in the automotive industry.<\/p><\/b>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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