Zaide Islas Montiel’s Post

Perseverance in the Pursuit of Passion: My Journey with Mercedes-Benz🚀 Many years ago, I joined Mercedes Benz Malaysia under a dealership in Kedah, fueled by a dream to become a Mercedes Benz Product Expert. Armed with a promise encapsulated in an offer letter, I embarked on what I believed would be a transformative career path. However, life had other plans, and I found myself navigating the unexpected role of a sales position instead. Despite the divergence from my initial goal, my aspiration didn’t wane—I patiently waited for the opportunity to rise. Unfortunately, I discovered that my name had never been forwarded for the necessary certification training, a realization that deeply saddened me. With a heavy heart, I made the difficult decision to leave Mercedes-Benz and explore new opportunities with Porsche. This transition, however, only reaffirmed my passion for Mercedes Benz—the brand was ingrained in me. Realizing that my heart belongs with the three-pointed star, now i’m waiting with renewed vigor to pursue the dream that never left me. Today, as I continue to strive towards becoming a Mercedes-Benz Product Expert, my journey is a testament to never giving up on your dreams, no matter the detours life may present. I am here to inspire and be inspired, proving that dedication and resilience can guide us back to our true calling. #careerjourney #nevergiveup #mercedesbenzmalaysia #automotiveexcellence #professionalgrowth #resilience #followyourpassion #mercedesbenz #automotiveindustry

47 months ago, I moved to Sweden (in the middle of Covid) for a Graduate Program at Volvo Cars. For the next 30 days I'm going to share the strategy I implemented - a how to - that enabled me to achieve my ambition of moving abroad! We will cover the strategy in bite size, things like 🏋♂️ Mindset 💡 Planning and execution 🛣 Pre-requisites ⛰ Mistakes I made that you can avoid 🚧 Potential blockers It is possible for you. The possibility could be small, but it's there. We can increase our surface area of "luck" with a few small but important adjustments... but you only know IF YOU KNOW! This will be primarily LinkedIn content (for now) 👀 but I unpack more complex life "strategy" on my Youtube Channel and my new blog - take a look! 🎯

Have you ever felt stuck in a comfortable job? That's where I was in my early 30s. The year was 1978. I was working at General Motors importing auto generators from Adam Opel GM in Germany. To be frank, I found the work monotonous. I was there because GM was well known and the benefit package was outstanding. But what I really found myself captivated by was the world of *export.* Korean products were just entering the global market, and the potential for growth was exhilarating. Even though I had neither the experience nor the capital, I had an unwavering passion and a vision that pushed me forward. So, I left behind the security, prestige, and stability I had at General Motors to take a bold leap to join Hyundai Corporation, a much lesser known company at the time. Reflecting on that journey, here are some observations on how that move impacted my career: 1️⃣ The Value of Fresh Beginnings: Embracing new environments at Hyundai reignited my ambition, exposing me to diverse business cultures and challenges. This shift expanded my professional network and sharpened my innovative thinking in sales strategies. 2️⃣ The Value of Lifelong Learning: Navigating Hyundai's steep learning curve taught me adaptability and a growth mindset. I learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, deepening my expertise in global trade and enhancing my resilience in a dynamic industry. 3️⃣ The Value of Overcoming Inexperience: Despite initial limitations in trade experience, I leveraged initiative and strategic thinking to excel. Seeking mentorship and applying existing skills, I developed effective market strategies and positioned Korean products competitively worldwide. #sales #trade #globalmarket #careers #motivation #personaldevelopment 👂 Share your stories in the comments! 🫵 What was a turning point in YOUR career? 🧐 Have you taken a risk that paid off?

🌟 Reflecting on the end of an incredible trainee journey at Mercedes-Benz! 🌟 1.5 years ago, I embarked on an exciting adventure straight out of university, joining the trainee programm "Inspire - The Leaders Lab" at Mercedes-Benz. 🚀 From day one, this program has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences. So what did I do, you ask? (or my mom would ask 🙃) I can say already, each project was a unique puzzle, and piecing them together has been immensely rewarding. So here’s a glimpse into my journey: 🔋 Düsseldorf: First project, new plant and new field, where I dived into the world of energy management. I learned how a plan can change & how you adapt to the new environment as well as creating new ideas. 🔧 Bremen: If you wanna know how to operate in firefight mode, go and join the assembly for a ramp-up! I discovered the complicated dance of production & Innovationa as well as people, KPIs & leadership. 💻 Sindelfingen: Initially overwhelmed by the digitalization project with no prior knowledge in the data world of robotics. Yet, we managed it as a team, thanks to the support and belief of those around me. 🚚 Beijing: Explored logistic planning, from shopping cart to warehouse planning and AGV reuse for the body shop. I also had the enriching experience of working in a joint venture and immersing myself in Chinese culture. 谢谢! 📊 Others: Gained invaluable insights into controlling and dealership assignments back in Düsseldorf, and got hands-on with production assignments in Bremen. But the journey wasn’t just about technical skills. Through all the different projects & the incredible leadership camps/sessions, I learned a lot about leadership, how to handle difficulties, and most important how to be me🌱 Even if it is difficult to just name three key learnings, I am trying it with these: 🌍 Learning: Never stop it! Get out of your comfort zone, do mistakes and learn from them. Embrace change and thriving in diverse environments. 🤝 Collaboration: The power of teamwork and the magic that happens when great minds come together. 🔍 Self-awareness: Understanding my strengths and areas for growth, and going forward with empathy and authenticity. This program has been more than just a career stepping stone; it’s been a transformative experience that’s shaped me both professionally and personally. A huge shoutout to my mentor Michael Hellmann, all the leaders & colleagues, and everyone at Mercedes-Benz who made this journey so enriching. Special thanks to Natalie Bacher, Manuel Francisco Gonzalez Arriaga, Willie Koh & Niketa Dudani as well as all the Inspirees, who made the journey fully incredible and fun! Here’s to many more milestones and memories ahead! 🚗💼✨ #MercedesBenz #Leadership #CareerJourney #TraineeProgram #Inspire #Growth #Learning #AutomotiveIndustry #newChapterstarted

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It's almost been a month since I began my internship at Gulf States Toyota! I wanted to share a glimpse of my experiences so far: 🔄 Continuous Improvement: At Gulf States Toyota, the principle of Kaizen—continuous improvement—is deeply embedded in our culture. We constantly strive to refine processes and drive efficiency. This mindset has taught me how small, consistent enhancements can lead to significant improvements and long-term success. 🛠 Learning Lean Principles: Lean principles are at the heart of what we do. This month, I’ve immersed myself in understanding standard work, Operational Description Sheets (ODS), process flow charts, and PFMEAs (Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis). These tools are essential in eliminating waste and optimizing quality. Applying these principles has shown me how small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements. 🚗 Project Spotlight: One key project is implementing standard work for Essential Processes at the Vehicle Processing Center. This aims to set clear expectations, improve quality, boost productivity, and enhance processing times. I'm excited to continue working on this and see its impact unfold. 🤝 The Toyota Way: The Toyota Way's focus on respect for people and relentless improvement shapes our culture. I’ve seen firsthand how teamwork and a problem-solving mindset are integral to achieving our goals. Engaging with associates and collaborating across teams has been crucial in driving forward our mission of continuous enhancement. 👥 Supportive Environment: The support from mentors, the process engineering team, and colleagues across the organization has been invaluable. Their commitment to continuous improvement has provided me with a solid framework to grow and contribute meaningfully. 🎓 Key Takeaways: One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is the importance of asking questions and listening to those with years of experience. Their insights and advice are invaluable. Engaging with these seasoned professionals and taking their guidance to heart has been crucial in navigating my responsibilities and understanding the intricacies of our work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! 🔜Looking Ahead: I’m eager to keep applying lean methodologies and further immersing myself in the practices that drive excellence here at Gulf States Toyota. I look forward to contributing to our shared goals, especially as I continue to develop and refine the standard work for our Essential Processes. #InternshipExperience #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing #ToyotaWay #Kaizen #ProcessImprovement #LeanThinking #Teamwork #ProfessionalGrowth #GulfStatesToyota

Already five year... Alhamdulillah, this week I've completed my fifth year at Lear Corporation Rabat Engineering Center. Back in 2019, I was the sixth team member, I joined it as Design Engineer, but with no previous experience in seating... Five years later, here I am, managing an engineering center, and having great times with the team. As I reflect on the days of climbing, I realize the success story we've built together, from six team members to over a hundred talented engineers and amazing people. Yes, we dreamed it like this; we believed in ourselves that one day we would make it happen. While it’s a success story, it wasn’t easy, we faced hard times and challenges that we overcame together as a team. Today, I want to congratulate and thank myself for being a dreamer, a hard worker, enthusiastic, a learner, patient, and human. Thanks to everyone who supported and helped me get to where I am today, especially James Wharton , Yazid GAYAL and Youssouf EL HRAICHI. If I wrote this post, it’s to share a few thoughts: * No matter how or when you started, what counts is how it ends. * Regardless of your skills or education, there’s always a way to learn and grow. * Look for a company and people who believe in you and care about you as a person. * There’s room for everyone to succeed, you can build an amazing career without undermining others. * Being professional and assertive doesn’t mean being inhuman, you can achieve business success while remaining empathetic and cool. * It’s okay to feel tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or emotional, but don’t stuck on it. Learn how to overcome it, it’s all in your mind, and you have control. * Falling down isn’t the end; it’s part of life’s journey. Fight for your dreams and goals. * Once you reach the top, remember to thank those who supported you and help lift others up. That’s all. Thank you for taking the time to read my words and celebrate my first five-year anniversary. See you at the 10th anniversary! #Success #Achievement #Growth #WorkAnniversary #Engineering #Lear #Gratefulness #Celebration #Leadership #Life

Welcome 2024! Today I am getting into my seventh year in the automotive industry. It is quite a long time, I suppose. Many valuable things I've learned (and still learning) during the ride, both professionally and personally. Having experienced two different roles, which the Casting Engineering and Quality Assurance department, has given me a profound understanding about how the automotive industry works (particularly the Japanese one, of course!). And starting from now, I'm challenging myself to share what I've learned from my job here. This is just a foreword. Many more to come.

I am thrilled to share my enriching experience over the past six weeks as an intern at Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL), where I had the great opportunity to dive deep into various aspects of automotive manufacturing and business operations. Factory Experience (First 4 Weeks): During my time at Honda's factory, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the entire car manufacturing process. I had the chance to: -Oversee the whole process of car manufacturing, from assembly to quality checks. -Understood the sophisticated supply chain management system that ensures timely and efficient production. -Engaged with various departments including billing, accounting, import and sales, payables, and inventory costing of sourced parts, as well as the new model planning department. City Office Experience (Last 2 Weeks): Shifting to Honda's city office, my focus expanded to the commercial side of operations, where I delved into: -Explored innovative marketing techniques and strategies to promote new models. -Participated in sales planning sessions and learned about forecasting techniques to predict market trends. -Engaged in product planning and promotional activities to understand how new products are positioned in the market. -Gained insights into dealer development and the importance of building strong dealer networks. -Learned about after-sales services, spare parts procurement, service operations, and service planning. I am grateful to Honda Atlas Cars ( Pakistan) Limited for this incredible opportunity and look forward to applying these learnings in my future endeavors. They meticulously crafted my internship schedule. Your efforts ensured that my time here was not only beneficial but also profoundly enriching. #Internship #Honda #AutomotiveIndustry #NewModelPlanning #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #Marketing #SalesPlanning #ProductDevelopment #DealerNetwork #AfterSalesService #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerGrowth