Home Work Isn’t What It Used to Be

In addition to widespread illness, economic hard times, uncertainty, social distancing, anxiety and spats of anger, COVID-19 has brought what are two new experiences to many American businesspeople: Working from home and attending online industry conferences rather than the real things.

Six women in the automotive remarketing business touched on both of those trends that came so quickly.

The group did so at yet another virtual panel session entitled Women in Remarketing, held during Used Car Week, an annual event that normally takes place face-to-face in a city such as Las Vegas.

It’s different now, of course. Working from home instead of alongside colleagues requires a new mindset. But as the panelists indicate, humans are adaptable.  

“It’s tough working from home,” says Rebekah Musquiz, an Ally auction remarketing supervisor who manages the auctioning of repossessed and lease-returned vehicles in Los Angeles and Riverside County, CA.

But she eventually has adjusted to it, and even found some social benefits.

“As a remote worker, I talk to coworkers more now than before,” Musquiz says, referring to a newfound reliance on videoconferencing and the like. “I’ve formed bonds and relationships.”

Because of the COVID-induced restructuring of work setups, “We’re doing things we haven’t done before,” says fellow panelist Lea Malloy, who leads Cox Automotive’s R&D. “There’s a silver lining. We’re building new skills. There’s a lot of growth through that.”

Then again, it takes getting accustomed to a home-centered work environment where family members often are nearby and can make their presence known at inopportune times.

“It’s a juggling act,” says Carrie Johnson, director-remarketing for Select Remarketing Group, part of an online auction operation. “There have been more than a few time-outs for family members, including myself.”

Until this year, the sporadic sounds of noisy kids or barking dogs in the background (or even on camera sometimes) typically were not a part of a business conference, real or virtual. 

“In this industry, every day is something new and different,” says Tricia Heon, the National Auto Auction Assn.’s chief operating officer. “The industry isn’t afraid to embrace change.”

Still, she anxiously awaits a time when things will resemble how they were. As a trade group executive, she says, “I look forward to getting back on (Capitol) Hill” to lobby for the cause up close and personal.

“What will be the next normal?” says Colette Marcilliat, senior vice president-sales marketing at Auction Edge, an auto auction software provider.

“We are watching data and dealer behavior in an effort to eliminate as much uncertainty as we can,” she says. “We know we will sell millions of cars. The questions are: How many and through what channels?”

Marcilliat also speaks of the need to “keep people engaged and jazzed about the industry we are in. It takes a village.”

Interaction is important among businesspeople, says moderator Kathy Ruble, Ally Financial’s executive director-marketing and dealer communications. “But it is amazing how we can leverage this (videoconferencing) platform to have a great dialogue.”

But for Musquiz, calling to mind pre-pandemic times, there’s nothing like the real thing.

She tells fellow panelists: “I am looking forward to when COVID is over and I can meet everyone at the next conference, and maybe have a cocktail together.”

Johnson has a better idea. “I think we should make it two cocktails after this year.”

Steve Finlay is a retired WardsAuto senior editor.