A long-term focus for success
Jill Boone joined Enterprise Rent- A-Car 24 years ago in the Chicago group. In 1997, Jill became the first Training Supervisor (known today as Talent Development) in Chicago and was later promoted to Group Training Manager. In 2002, Jill successfully secured the opportunity to work at our Corporate Headquarters in St. Louis and had to take a step back to level II for this opportunity but she didn’t lose sight of her long-term career goals. In 2004, Jill was promoted back to Level III Corporate Training Manager and then later to Director.
Jill saw the opportunity then to broaden her experience by relocating to the UK in 2017 in her current role of Assistant Vice President of Talent Development for Europe as a level IV. Jill has relocated to the UK with her husband Brian and pet cat Tiger.
What motivated you to relocate?
It was the opportunity to help create or support the employee development culture in five new countries. This provided a different challenge than my previous role which is exciting to me.
What do you do day to day?
Currently, I’m reviewing the existing development programmes such as management development, diversity, our leadership development centres and getting familiar with how they are working and what results we are getting from them. I’m also supporting all the talent development professionals throughout Europe and working with our business leaders to ensure there are development programs in all business lines. We have new initiatives coming to Europe so I want to ensure we can provide the right development resources to support these.
Tell me something people may not know about you?
I completed the ‘Tough Mudder’ a few years ago. It was the toughest physical and mental challenge I’ve ever undertaken. I had a great team and I’m so glad I did it. I love working out, because I also love eating chocolate and I plan to continue doing both.
When people feel good about what they do, they will perform better.
What’s the most challenging part of your role?
Every country I support is at a different stage in establishing or progressing their employee development culture. And since employee development is our second core area in order for our business to be successful, we have to ensure every country takes responsibility for and evolves their employee development culture. Our people are what make us different to other companies.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
Seeing employees perform better, whether it’s in the classroom or on the job, is the most rewarding part of my career. When people feel good about what they do, they will perform better. I have a plaque in my office that was given to me as a leaving gift that reads ‘choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.’ It’s so true. Make people feel good about what they do, help them to perform better, and recognise their success. That has such an impact. It’s what I love to do.
