Male Domination: "No Girls Allowed"

Our industry, much like those of construction, technology, national politics and sports (amongst others) are notorious for being dominated by the male species. Why is that? Is it the old aged theory that women simply “don’t grasp the complicated machines known as cars”? Or is it that we just aren't macho enough? Whatever the reasoning, it simply just doesn't make any sense.

Bottom line…sexism. It plays a major role in our industry and I personally feel it almost every day. I don’t feel it from my colleagues at iMagicLab, probably since I am “just one of the guys” to our crazy bunch, but I definitely feel it from others outside our organization. There isn't a day that goes by that I don’t get “thanks sweetie” or a wink at the end of an email, which I highly doubt my male counterparts get in their correspondence with others in the industry. It doesn't bother me in the least bit (actually makes me blush from time to time, which one can always use) but I do think it’s just the industry standard (odd as it may sound). As mentioned in one of my recent blogs, I recently came to our industry from Corporate America and I can’t think of one occasion that I was treated that way in my tenure there. Probably for the fear of sexual harassment, which can happen in any industry, but for fear nonetheless.

Studies have shown that women in our industry (though few and far between) have rarely held roles at the senior or executive level. Over the last several years I've read several articles stating we would begin to see a paradigm shift- and begin seeing women working in our body shops, making it as senior level executives at the top automakers (Grace Lieblein, VP at GM), to race-car drivers (Danica Patrick). We are breaking down those barriers one by one, and hopefully before we know we won’t just hear “the old car guy” as a reference to those in our industry.

I’d love to see the “no girls allowed” sign taken down, sexism go by the wayside, and for us to continue to build our workforce with the most knowledgeable professionals out there (no matter the gender).

Carey Spillert is a Sales Solutions Manager at iMagicLab. She has recently come back to the industry after years of being a corporate powerhouse. You can follow Carey @theCRMprincess on Twitter and find her on LinkedIn.

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Comment by Ron Rozier on August 19, 2013 at 3:25pm: Carey, You are partially correct, in the past females have been excluded from the automotive business. However over the past 10 years I have seen a dramatic increase in female sales personnel and female management personnel as well as female dealer principles. I think that maybe you are judging an entire industry without doing a proper data finding to support your claim. But you could be right, I just know that I see more and more ladies in the industry, more than ever I might add

Comment by Kevin F. Cunningam on August 19, 2013 at 3:22pm: Carey, welcome back to the Auto industry, the most exciting around.

I must say, in my role with NCM Associates, we see more and more women in our 20 Groups. Actually, many people I work with in the auto industry publicly state some of their best General Managers are women. Many conversations facilitated in the 20 Groups actually revolve around the dealers need to add more women to their staffs and how they can successfully recruit and hire them.

The fact you bring attention to this will hopefully excelerate the transition from being a male dominated industry.

Comment by Anne Fleming on August 19, 2013 at 3:20pm: Carey -- thank you for a bold testimonial and commentary. In 2007, the auto industry had 8% of its work force were women. According to NADA, in 2012 that number jumped to 18%. The numbers still need to shift, as many of those positions are not sales (front end) positions, but more Marketing, Social media, Administration, Advertising, Business development *Back end).

I liken this industry to all those that you mentioned, and will add "the sciences". While there are strides being made, however, like any culture, changes take time.. And, yet, nothing stands still. Not even the auto industry. With our populations shifts, so will the face of the industry down to the dealership level -- with more Women, African Americans, Latinas, and gays and lesbians emerging.

In my experience, I am not sure its 'sexism' per se, but rather, there are not a lot of women role-models in this industry as you pointed out. With out a mentor or a champion of encouragement, women tend to stay away - or, not feel welcome. Thoughts?

Comment by Paula Swann on August 19, 2013 at 3:10pm: Well said, Carey. I've been in/around this business literally since infancy (mine, not the industry's!). It's always been interesting (and on occasion fun, sad and perplexing) to watch an "old car guy" realize I really know how a dealership operates and I can help. Once I actually heard, "You're not a girl! You're a guy in a skirt!" True story! Many would have been offended and for all my "sisters" out there, maybe I should have been. I'm a believer both sides should always look for real intent and common ground rather than reasons for ire and separation.