Migrating to Australia after being employed as an engineer for 11 years, the final year as a sales manager, Amir Hayati quickly discovered potential employers were far more interested in his sales experience. Amir’s first job in Canberra in 2012 saw him selling door-to-door during the cold winter months.
He then tried his hand at furniture sales, and, after being told it was too easy for him, sought to find more of a challenge. Amir moved into car sales, and bounced between a few brands in the ACT region before joining Canberra Toyota in 2016.
“I learned that Toyota is not just a brand; it is an academy. It teaches you things, it’s got philosophy, and you learn a lot. You learn a whole new way of doing business; it’s got ethics,” he smiles.
Now in the position of General Manager at Canberra Toyota Phillip, Amir ensures that every person who walks through their doors is listened to, respected, and given the best advice available. He and his team take the time to ask each customer what they want from their car and how they plan to use it to work with them to find the most suitable model.
“Respect is one of the pillars of the Toyota brand. They ask for everything to be on show for transparency, taking a guest-centric approach towards everything; every resolution should be guest-centric,” he says.
What can people expect when they come to Canberra Toyota Phillip?
“The very first thing that I hear from our customers is that this is not a pressure environment … some people think that you come into a car dealership and get pushed into buying a car. We never push our salespeople to sell a car. Yes, they do like to sell a car, this is what they do, but not by pushing people to do so,” Amir says.
“Customers feel very relaxed, and they would find all our people very helpful. We will do our best to show them the products, that we have also listened to the inquiries, and match the inquiries to the products we have. They are definitely going to get some unrushed consultancy and they should be able to find at least one car to put in the basket.”
What sets your team apart?
“We have a versatile team from different backgrounds … We speak many different languages, have people of all ages, and have gender equality. We can easily relate to groups of the public.
“Some people have been here with me for five years, for six years, some only a year or two but they’re already so expert in what they’re doing,” Amir says.
What’s your advice for someone who is looking to buy a car?
“When you go to the dealerships, be open and honest with the salespeople. Let them know exactly what your inquiry is. Don’t try to hold back anything or any information; they’re not going to use it against you. But the more you tell them, the more they can relate your requirements to their products and find you the right product for you,” Amir suggests.
“I would like the people in every city to support the local dealerships… There is a lot that comes with buying a car. You need to take it for services, you might need parts, you might be waiting for parts for your vehicle and your local dealership can support you. Then you go back for your next car, they know these cars and they are more than happy to trade it in, buy it off you and help you with your next car.
“It builds that rapport and it helps a local dealership to provide more for their towns and their cities where they live and work.”
Canberra Toyota Phillip are also heavily engaged with the local community. They are major partners of St Vincent De Paul, Cricket ACT, Helping ACT, and the Canberra Malayalees Association.
Looking for a new set of wheels? Contact Amir Hayati at Canberra Toyota in Phillip on 6222 1800 or visit canberratoyota.com.au to find your nearest Canberra Toyota dealership.
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