What You Can Learn

I think sometimes you need clarity when you work for a company like Enterprise. When I left there, I was really down on the company. I was there for four years and was a branch manager. A lot of what is said here is true. You get worn down, you suffer burn-out, the hours are long. But what is not true, or wasn't true for me is that you have to do some butt-kissing to get anywhere. I did none of that and got promoted. I learned a lot about the corporate latter, customer service, and running a business.
I currently am running my own insurance/financial planning office and am happy I learned some sales, marketing and business skills from Enterprise.
It's not for everybody, and it shouldn't be forever (no matter what they tell you-they tell you that you should be a lifer or get out), but it was definitely a learning experience that I don't regret.
I haven't worked for ERAC for about four years now, and I feel badly that so many people here have tried to turn people off from going there. I make 6 figures at my job now basically working for myself. I don't think I would be if it weren't for ERAC.

you're a male? white? 20's? Protestant? you wouldn't have to kiss ass. you are the prototype. anyone can learn the basics from any well developed manager trainee program with Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Walgreens, Hertz, etc. These people however did not get screwed on their dry cleaning as tire shine is almost impossible to get out. I think most of what I have read is consistent with the truth. The only reason retention is not less is because the company gives no time for employees to network or interview for other opportunities, and also all that bullshit on the big picture.

Don't take offense to this, but you were there for 4 years and your highest level was BM. That is something just about anyone with some intelligence and determination could accomplish with or without butt kissing. The ass kissing can get you moving faster, and to better spots. ERAC is so politial because it is so decentralized. If you worked at an office where everyone knew everyone it would be more level, but at ERAC where ARM's have their little golden boys who they hype up to upper management and other ARMs who may have never met them before any interview but they have the golden ticket.

I was there for four years, although I was a trainee for a very short period of time. It depends on the growth in your area. I was also BM of one of the larger branches in my area.

I was in my 20's, though not protestant. We had black BM's, female BM's, etc. That is one part of your criticisms that I find blatantly false, at least from my experience. I do agree that the hours stink, and you do suffer burnout. LIke I said, I don't believe that you should spend a career at ERAC; I just don't think it should be blanketly dismissed for everyone in every situation. It isn't a bad option. I would not doubt that there are bad regions and good regions. My region wasn't bad, although it had its ups and downs too.

As for Walmart and Target. You are welcome to take those types of positions if you'd like. Come back in a few years and see how that looks on your resume. That will get you nowhere fast, unless you want to work your way up the retail latter, which from the tone of the comments on this board, you don't.

I currently work when I want and answer only to myself. I thought the hours at ERAC sucked. I thought that they were getting away from some of their better business philosophies. I think after a few years, the job does suck; just don't stay longer than you have to. It's not nearly as bad as it is being made out to be on this board. As with anywhere, you will have your share of employees with sour grapes.

I worked for Enterprise for almost three years in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area. In that period of time, I experienced and witnessed more racism and sexism than I had ever seen before. As a woman working for Enterprise, I felt completely objectified by the majority of the men that I worked for, especially by my area manager. I was also very outspoken and was not afraid to make suggestions regarding how to make daily operations run smoother. I would also not hold back when I thought that something or someone had to be criticized or reprimanded for their actions.

I was the top assistant manager in the area I worked and was passed over for three, yes, THREE promotions. I was never given good reasons as to why. White men were given these positions over me. These men had less experience than I had, their numbers were not nearly as strong as my numbers and their customer service skills did not match mine.

It was the day that I found out that my area manager called me a "bitch" in front of two rental reps and a branch manager that I decided I had to do something about the way I was being treated. I immediately called the HR department and explained how upset I was about the situation. I assumed that I would get some support from her considering that her job was to be completely unbiased and help employees through situations such as these. Long story short, she set up a meeting with herself, me, our vice president, the area manager. While sitting in the meeting, I felt as though I was being attacked on all sides. The area manager was never once reprimanded for calling me a bitch. I was called a "glorifed rental rep" and that was the reason the VP gave for passing me over for three promotions. I then explained that if you really looked at it, ALL employees in rental branches, regardless of their title, are glorified rental reps.

I left the corporate branch after the meeting, feeling defeated and crying, and decided that I would not work for an extremely sexist company like Enterprise. I could kick myself for not taking the initiative to file a sexism law suit against them.

"I was also very outspoken and was not afraid to make suggestions regarding how to make daily operations run smoother. I would also not hold back when I thought that something or someone had to be criticized or reprimanded for their actions."

Not to be a dick, but it sounds like he called you a bitch because you were a bitch.

"I then explained that if you really looked at it, ALL employees in rental branches, regardless of their title, are glorified rental reps."

That is normally the excuse that a glorified rental rep gives. If you don't take the time to learn the business, you aren't going to get promoted.

If they hadn't had a good chunk of people who would have testified to the fact that you were a biatch, they would have spent the entire meeting kissing your butt and probably would have put the area manager out on his ass.

Just my take on the situation from the tone of your message. I'm sure people will disagree.

Do you ever notice jho that everyone's numbers are always better than those who were promoted? I don't think some of these people are being completely objective. I have to agree with the tone you mention, this lady sounds like a combatitive employee with far too much sense of entitlement. She was also and AM, so "her" numbers may very well have been more a reflection on her BM's ability rather than her. I think we all knew a few do it all BM's who used their AM as a glorified ticket pumper. You also have to wonder about any employee that has HR on speeddial as it seems this one did.

you learn what not to do