Automotive and Transportation
Automotive and Transportation Blog
The global lithium market is emerging at a rapid rate with the potential to be worth hundreds of billions dollars in future years. Many believe that lithium will play a key role in emerging clean energy technology like electric vehicles. Australian exports of spodumene ore, which is the precursor to lithium, are expected to grow from $780 million to $1.1 billion by 2020, accounting for more than 80% of the world’s hard rock lithium supply. Lithium is driving the electric vehicle boom Demand for lithium is being driven by demand for lithium-ion batteries. While consumer electronics have used lithium-ion batteries for years, their usage is now taking off thanks to the growth in electric vehicles and large battery storage units. As eco-friendly vehicles have become more popular, they’ve also helped quadruple the price of lithium in the past four years. While the largest opportunities currently lie in the mining and construction industries, there is potential for Australia to vertically integrate its investments in lithium by also manufacturing high-grade battery materials. This will require both manufacturing and technical skills as well as significant investment and has the potential to add significant value to the Australian economy. The first step is underway, with a processing plant that crushes and processes rocks into spodumene concentrate already in operation . Lithium Australia is one company that has been developing a superior processing technology that extracts lithium from silicate. This technology has the potential to reduce capital and operating costs in the processing of lithium while producing a higher quality product. Such technology provides the opportunity for Australia to not only mine the rocks but also expand its manufacturing base, vertically integrating the lithium industry here. The new mining boom boosts demand in multiple sectors Australia is well-placed to take advantage of this growing industry thanks to its experience in managing mining operations, experienced skill base and geology. There are already several new operations underway, with five lithium hydroxide refineries under construction or planned in WA alone. Just four years ago 400 people were employed in lithium mines in WA, now there are over 2,600 people employed. Whether Western Australia will become the Lithium Valley of the world or not is yet to be seen, but there are significant opportunities for businesses, employers and those with the right skills to benefit today and into the future. It’s estimated that the lithium industry could generate over 100,000 new jobs in Western Australia by 2025. Potential job opportunities abound for those involved in mining, technical production, manufacturing and the construction of industrial and residential infrastructure. Take advantage of these opportunities by partnering with an agency that understands your business’ needs.
Here we speak to Senior Recruitment Consultant Wen Shan, who has over 22 years’ experience working within and for Australia's automotive industry.
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The role of a car salesperson attracts many candidates, from keen automotive enthusiasts to those who thrive in a sales-focused environment. And while you don’t necessarily need a tertiary education or degree to be a car salesperson, there are a certain set of skills that Bayside Group Automotive’ s recruitment experts have identified as being incredibly helpful when hoping to be hired for this role. Not only this, these skills will also aid in your career success and allow you to become an asset to your employer. Good communication skills Perhaps the most critical of all when it comes to presenting yourself as a good car salesperson is possessing excellent communication skills. Communication means much more than simply talking, telling or explaining; it involves active listening that allows you to comprehend the specific needs of each customer, reading and managing body language, conveying often technical information in a digestible way and adjusting your tone of voice. During your interview, it is important to demonstrate your aptitude for communication while in conversations with the hiring manager. This will help to position you as an employee who is capable of appealing to a broad customer base and will be able to authentically connect with clients, which will often translate into a sale. Adaptability It is important for every car salesperson to be adaptable, as each customer will require a different style of interaction. You should be able to modify your methods of communication and sale propositions based on someone’s budget, opinions and different needs. No matter what someone’s background or demographics, you should be able to acclimate yourself in such a way that allows you to build rapport and relate to anyone who walks into the car dealership. Adaptability isn’t just limited to your customers either. The Australian automotive industry has undergone many changes over the last decade, and will continue to do so over time. It is important that you are able to stay atop of new developments, products and technologies, as well as colleagues and managers, that you will be expected to work with. Positive attitude A positive attitude about your dealership, product and position will take you a long way when it comes to being successful in this role. No matter how experienced you may be, or how excellent your selling methods are, if you approach a potential customer with a bad attitude, lack of enthusiasm and grumpy demeanour you’re unlikely to make a sale. A positive attitude, especially in the face of setbacks, won’t only make you instantly more likable to your customer base, but will also make you more appealing to a potential employer. If they believe you can tackle challenges in the role head on and with a good attitude you are much more likely to land the job! Understanding financials Purchasing a car is a big investment for most people, so it is important that as a car salesperson you offer realistic guidance that is based on a good understanding of finances. In addition to this, the ability to work out prices and finance details relatively quickly will be of significant interest to potential employers, as it indicates that you would be able to provide real-time information for clients, thus making the sales process much more efficient. Good persuasion Another highly important skill when it comes to proving your worth as a successful car salesperson is by possessing the art of persuasion. This doesn’t mean hoodwinking your customer into buying a product that doesn’t suit them, but instead will allow you to gently position the product as ideal for them after correctly identifying it as their best choice. An employer will want to see that you can paint an irresistible picture of the product and reassure those who are hesitant with a few well-chosen words of wisdom. If you are looking for a job in the area of automotive sales, get in touch with our experts today.