Carol Gum | Customer Liaison Extraordinaire
The face of the business, this is a term that often gets thrown around carelessly, but in this case, it is the perfect description of John Andrew’s customer liaison extraordinaire Carol Gum. She’s also the voice of the business, answering all your calls and greeting all visitors who come into John Andrew Ford. Carol is also celebrating 16 years at John Andrew this month!
A role that’s developed a lot over the years from first day in April 2003. Apart from handling busy and at times challenging phone calls and customers, Carol works with others (including the management team) helping achieve day to day objectives and making their day run as smoothly as possible. From organising couriers and mail to ordering office and café supplies, to coordinating with suppliers and contractors. Carol also is involved with the health and safety culture of John Andrew, which is somewhat a passion of hers, currently working toward a diploma in the same field. Loving the challenge that every day brings, even though doing a lot of the same things each day, every day seems to turn out different.
When asked what customer service means Carol says “Working with and helping our customers to achieve positive outcomes with their experience at John Andrew. Without our customers, we are nothing. It also means working with my colleagues to achieve the same goals, and to maintain John Andrew as #1, by choice, not by chance!”
Carol's favourite part of the job? That’s easy; the people! There is such a diverse bunch each with their own quirks and personalities, from all corners of the world, and Carol loves each and every one of them. And then, first equal would be working for the best dealership in the world, of course.
Outside of work, Carol loves her slice of paradise North of Auckland. Loving her home and the people she gets to share it with. Carol also enjoys a vast range of hobbies including gardening, craft, cooking (especially with the grandchildren), and her animals. While not a big sports fan, you might catch Carol watching the AB’s (especially if they are on form).
Asked to choose a favourite movement of her illustrious career at John Andrew. Carol responds, “There are a lot of grand memories but one that stands out for me was achieving and receiving (a surprise for me, I am usually the one that organises this sort of thing!) the DP’s award for Driving Greatness handed out by Phil Saunders John Andrew Ford’s Dealer Principal in August 2019. This has proud place in my home, and my heart, and I am humbled and touched. It means more to me than anyone will ever know.”