Employee Spotlight: Al Smith
At Century, our employees know how to put our customers first. Following the example of Century’s employee relations values, they reflect their valued treatment to our customers. As a BMW salesman, Al Smith has put this into practice by enthusiastically attending to the needs of his clients for the past 23 years at Century BMW.
“I’ve been in love with cars since I was a kid,” Smith said as he recounted his first years in the industry. His grandfather, Albert Lee Smith, Jr., was a race-car driver and his grandson naturally tagged along to the track. But in 1979, Smith began his career as a loan officer at a bank in TN. Through his business endeavors, he found himself working with car dealers and rekindling his love of cars. After seven years at the bank, he decided to pursue his passion by beginning his career at Century Automotive in 1986. Three months after starting as a finance manager, Smith said, “I asked if I could start selling cars. I was ready for a change. I love dealing with people.”
Century BMW customers have returned year after year to have Smith help them them with their BMW needs. “I have people who are not only still buying their cars here, but who are buying their childrens’ cars.” His enthusiasm for interacting with clients stems from his seemingly simple philosophy, “I treat them how I would want to be treated. It just comes naturally.” That philosophy has backed his successful career and allowed him to reaffirm his passion for the industry. “When people come back to see you year after year, car after car, it makes you feel like you’ve done something right.”
Smith’s outgoing personality is not the only thing that has helped him to maintain his following. He knows what people are really looking for when they step onto the showroom floor. And it’s not just a shiny new BMW. “People want someone that will listen to and address their needs. We’ve got a great product that will sell itself, but we have to be there to address their needs and know how to ask the right questions. They appreciate that.”As Smith continues his career in BMW sales, he continues to find his satisfaction in establishing strong customer relations. “When someone comes to you and tells you that you’re doing a good job and refers others to you, it makes you feel good,” Smith said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Article written by Andrea Wilhelm for Century BMW.
At Century, our employees know how to put our customers first. Following the example of Century’s employee relations values, they reflect their valued treatment to our customers. As a BMW salesman, Al Smith has put this into practice by enthusiastically attending to the needs of his clients for the past 23 years at Century BMW.
“I’ve been in love with cars since I was a kid,” Smith said as he recounted his first years in the industry. His grandfather, Albert Lee Smith, Jr., was a race-car driver and his grandson naturally tagged along to the track. But in 1979, Smith began his career as a loan officer at a bank in TN. Through his business endeavors, he found himself working with car dealers and rekindling his love of cars. After seven years at the bank, he decided to pursue his passion by beginning his career at Century Automotive in 1986. Three months after starting as a finance manager, Smith said, “I asked if I could start selling cars. I was ready for a change. I love dealing with people.”
Century BMW customers have returned year after year to have Smith help them them with their BMW needs. “I have people who are not only still buying their cars here, but who are buying their childrens’ cars.” His enthusiasm for interacting with clients stems from his seemingly simple philosophy, “I treat them how I would want to be treated. It just comes naturally.” That philosophy has backed his successful career and allowed him to reaffirm his passion for the industry. “When people come back to see you year after year, car after car, it makes you feel like you’ve done something right.”
Smith’s outgoing personality is not the only thing that has helped him to maintain his following. He knows what people are really looking for when they step onto the showroom floor. And it’s not just a shiny new BMW. “People want someone that will listen to and address their needs. We’ve got a great product that will sell itself, but we have to be there to address their needs and know how to ask the right questions. They appreciate that.”As Smith continues his career in BMW sales, he continues to find his satisfaction in establishing strong customer relations. “When someone comes to you and tells you that you’re doing a good job and refers others to you, it makes you feel good,” Smith said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Article written by Andrea Wilhelm for Century BMW.
