posted 22nd May 2022
Do you have a company car? How important is it to you?
I got my first company car in my mid-twenties, I had secured my first sales representatives job and was over the moon. The car was brand new from the dealer and how I got it home in one piece I will never know. I didn't drive fast or anything like that - I was just a rubbish driver.
For the rest of my working life, every job I have had came with a company car. It was part of the deal - if you want me to work for you, then I would have to have a company car, otherwise I wouldn't take the job. It didn't need to be the top of the range ... a bog standard family car would be fine, but for me it was important. With a company car I didn't have to worry about an MOT, worn tyres, paying for servicing etc and as all my friends know, I might supply the engineering industry, but mending things aren't really my thing. I am more likely to break something than fix anything. Engineers friends who come to visit our home laugh at the size of my tool box. I am rubbish at DIY and particularly dangerous any where near electricity. I tried to fix my roof once and fell off it. It almost killed me.
When I retired, handing back my company car was difficult - but it was the right thing to do.
Now I have come out of retirement and started Heathcote Recruitment Limited, I am sharing a car with my wife Louise. It is her 11 year old Ford Fiesta, which is still in immaculate condition. Am I bothered? Not at all - although it has come as a bit of a shock for Louise. I see her face contort which I crunch the gears.
I could get another company car. It is easy to get a company lease vehicle or go into debt. I could even have something really nice but this would mean my overheads would go through the roof and I would then be putting myself under immense pressure. I would become desperate, lose sleep at night and cut corners in other areas. I have always lived within my means and it seems good business sense to work within your budget.
No, I shall wait for my car. In the meantime I will try not to crunch Louise's cars gears too often.
Are you looking for a new position with a company car? If so get in touch.
bill@heathcote-recruitment.co.uk