Meet the Women Who Help Drive IDS Forward (And Their Advice to Other Women!)

At IDS, women play an integral role in helping RV, trailer, and marine dealerships run their dealership management software efficiently and provide a seamless customer experience for them.

 

From customer success coordinators to sales engineers and professional services directors, the women at IDS bring unique perspectives and skill sets to their roles. And they all have one thing in common – their passion for making a difference and helping dealerships succeed.

 

Their dedication to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction makes them valuable assets to their teams and the industries they serve. Get to know some of the women that help keep your dealership management software running and their advice to other women who may be looking to start out in similar careers.

 

Click to Jump Ahead:

1. Have Confidence in Your Strengths & Talents
2. Be True to Yourself
3. Find Challenges That Drive You
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek New Opportunities
5. Cultivate Positive Communities of Practice

 

1. Have Confidence in Your Strengths & Talents

Sara Gauthier originally started as a trainer with IDS 26 years ago. She left IDS to pursue an impressive career in training, hospitality, and events management. Driven by her passion for customer experience and success, she recently came back to IDS as a Customer Success Coordinator.

 

 

One of the notable differences Sara has observed in the RV industry – besides there being more women overall in the industry – is that buying an RV has now become an experience rather than just a purchase.

 

Dealerships have started to recognize this and are taking strides to provide a more comprehensive experience. As an integral part of IDS’s team, Sara loves being able to help dealerships take the purchasing experience to a higher level.

 

Her advice to other women just starting out in the industry is to bring their authentic selves to the table and to have confidence in their talents, skills, and strengths.

 

She further encourages women not to let imposter syndrome hold them.

 

“Be confident that your talents, skills, and strengths are exactly what the industry needs to move forward into the future.”

 

2. Be True to Yourself

Whether it’s family-run dealerships or the millions of families that they serve, the focus on family is what drew Jen Murphy, Account Manager at IDS, to the RV and marine industries.

 

 

Jen’s advice to women who want to venture into careers in these industries is to be themselves.

 

She believes that these industries have evolved to become more inclusive and diverse, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself. Moreover, everyone has something unique to offer, and the RV and marine industries can benefit from a broad range of perspectives.

 

3. Find Challenges That Drive You

Kimberly Schultz, Director of Professional Services at IDS, has had an interesting career path, beginning in the automotive industry. She started at the dealership level, where she enjoyed the work but found herself wanting more of a challenge. She decided to go back to school to learn more about software, which led her to IDS. Since then, she has found the challenges of her role to be incredibly satisfying.

 

“I enjoy being challenged and this career path has been just that for me.”

 

As a Professional Services Director, Kimberly is responsible for working with new dealerships that want to use IDS software. While this can be challenging, she enjoys helping these dealerships achieve their goals. Understanding what each dealership wants and needs from the software can be complex, but when everything falls into place, it’s an incredibly satisfying experience, according to Schultz.

 

 

Kimberly’s dedication to learning and expanding her skill set is a great example of how women can take control of their career paths and find success in any industry.

 

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek New Opportunities

Allison Miller, Sales Engineer at IDS, has had a unique career path that has taken her from the telecom industry to the world of RVs and boats. After over a decade in telecom, she was looking for something new and different.

 

When Allison first started out in her career, she was given valuable advice that served her well.

 

“I was given the advice to seek out good people to work for.”

 

This advice has helped her navigate the ups and downs of these industries, which can be a bit of a roller coaster ride. By aligning herself with companies that focus on taking care of their customers and employees, she has found it easier to navigate challenges.

 

 

Her willingness to take risks and try new things has led her to a fulfilling career doing what she loves.

 

5. Cultivate Positive Communities of Practice

 

Josie Prosdocimo brings over 20 years of dealership experience in an adjacent industry to her role as Director of Product Management at IDS.

 

Josie’s focus on efficiency and innovation is indicative of the changing nature of the RV and marine industries. As technology continues to advance, industries must adapt to meet the needs of modern consumers.

 

 

Josie’s advice to women starting out is to cultivate positive communities of practice. Building a network of supportive colleagues who can offer advice and mentorship can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of a new industry.

 

She also encourages women to trust their skills and to ask for the tools needed to succeed and maximize their contributions.

 

“My advice to women starting out in this industry would be to cultivate positive communities of practice, trust their skills and to ask for the tools needed to succeed and maximize their contributions.”

 

By seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, women can make a valuable impact in any industry.

 

Paving the Way to Future Success

From leading critical projects to supporting their colleagues, women at IDS are making a difference every day. These women not only help IDS thrive but also play a crucial role in supporting RV, trailer, and marine dealerships so they can be successful in exciting and evolving industries.

 

We appreciate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of all the women who are part of our team, and we are committed to continuing to support their growth and development!

 

Their contributions not only make a significant impact on IDS and the dealerships they serve but also pave the way for future generations of women.