In the spotlight: our female colleagues working at WPS Service

The parking industry has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but that is gradually changing. At WPS, we take pride in our female colleagues who contribute valuable expertise, dedication, and a unique perspective to our team. In honor of International Women's Day, we spoke with service employees Vivian Simon, Linda Vinck, Quirine de Loyer, Liesbeth Vanhentenrijk, and Shellie Davis about their experiences, the challenges they face, and their vision for the future of women in the parking industry.

1. How long have you been working at WPS, and what do you enjoy most about your work?
   • Vivian (5.5 years): The variety and customer interaction make my work challenging and interesting every day.
   • Linda (2.5 months): The diversity of clients and the camaraderie within the team make it very enjoyable to work here.
   • Quirine (2.5 years): It's satisfying to help and support customers, especially during complex issues or invoicing.
   • Liesbeth (1 year): The colleagues, the dynamic nature of the work, and the satisfaction when we've assisted the customer, especially in more challenging cases.
   • Shellie (13+ years): Building and maintaining relationships with customers, colleagues, suppliers, and partners.
     
     
2. What are the biggest challenges working in service?
   • Vivian: Developing a 'thick skin' is crucial as dealing with dissatisfied customers can happen.
   • Linda: Direct communication in a male-dominated environment can take some getting used to.
   • Quirine: Being flexible and resilient because of the chaos and a high volume of calls.
   • Liesbeth: Technically, it can be more challenging than my previous role.
   • Shellie: Occasionally dealing with dissatisfied customers.
     
     
3. How do you handle difficult customers?
   • Vivian: Show understanding, be patient, and always do our best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
   • Quirine: Maintain clear communication, proactively inform the customer, and involve our manager if necessary.
   • Linda: By staying calm and listening to the customer's frustration, you create a better foundation for a solution.
   • Liesbeth: I tend to be a bit more patient and friendly, which usually helps.
   • Shellie: Let the customer express themselves, listen attentively, and then provide a tailored solution.
     
     
4. What is the strength of women in the service industry?
   • Vivian: Women are often more empathetic and can better understand the customer.
   • Quirine: We are often more patient and diplomatic in dealing with difficult customers.
   • Linda: Women bring a different atmosphere and dynamic to the team, enhancing collaboration.
   • Liesbeth: Women are better prepared in many aspects and approach business differently than men.
   • Shellie: We are driven, creative, and build strong relationships.
     
     
5. What steps can be taken towards more equality in the parking industry?
   • Quirine: We need to move away from the stereotype that certain professions are only suitable for men or women.
   • Vivian: Having more women in management positions and technical roles promotes diversity and inclusivity.
   • Linda: Flexible work arrangements and equal leave policies for men and women contribute to a better balance.
   • Liesbeth: Women often need to assert themselves more and earn their stripes. I believe WPS is doing well in this regard, but coming from a 'male-dominated' world and having only men at home might give me an advantage.
   • Shellie: This is a complex issue. While women might need to work harder in some situations to be noticed, showing initiative and making your voice heard opens the path to success, regardless of gender.
     
     
6. What advice would you give to women considering a career in the parking industry?
   • Vivian: Just go for it! It's a challenging and dynamic environment where you can learn a lot.
   • Quirine: Don't be discouraged by the male-dominated environment. Be yourself and believe in your own strength.
   • Linda: It's a fun and diverse industry with many opportunities for growth and development.
   • Liesbeth: Just go for it! It's an eye-opener, and you'll learn to hold your own.
   • Shellie: Dive in! Working in the parking industry offers a rewarding career for driven women.

We are immensely proud of our female colleagues in the service and thank them for their hard work, dedication, and expertise. They inspire us all and significantly contribute to the success of WPS.