Around the globe with Enterprise
Milena Jankovic was promoted to Assistant Vice President (AVP) of EMEA Franchise Operations in January 2023. I caught up with her to learn more about the franchise department, Milena’s career, and the power of connections.
“Be true to yourself. Take ownership of your work. Carve your own path.”
Can you tell me about your career history at Enterprise?
I started as a Management Trainee in 2002 in Dallas, Texas. I was promoted to Area Manager and held that position for six years. I joined the EMEA Franchising team as the first Regional Rental Manager in 2013, contributing to the expansion of our brands throughout the EMEA region.
I moved to Australia for personal reasons and through connections and our global network, I worked with the Australian franchise team from 2016 to 2019. I then returned to Enterprise as a Director of Strategic Sales for Asia Pacific before my recent promotion to AVP of EMEA Franchise Operations when I moved back to the UK.
Can you tell me about your current role and the franchise department?
As the AVP for EMEA franchise, I lead our team in accomplishing two main goals: building our brand reputation and ensuring the sustainability of our network through the success of our franchise partners.
Our EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) franchise region now represents 47 markets, with over 500 locations and a fleet of 50,000 vehicles. My team includes five Regional Rental Managers and two Franchise Specialists. We also receive support from other departments including revenue management, fleet strategy, sales and marketing.
“I can’t emphasise enough the significance of fostering valuable connections.”
You’ve had the chance to experience a lot of ‘firsts’ in your career. How did these opportunities come about, and what challenges did you overcome?
I was the first Enterprise employee to work across three continents. Navigating my career wasn’t always straightforward, from being an Area Rental Manager in the USA to becoming the first Regional Rental Manager in EMEA and then Strategic Sales Director for APAC. However, I leveraged this uncertainty to my advantage. Although having a blank canvas at times felt strange, I recognised my capacity to create innovative paths to accomplish objectives.
I can’t emphasise enough the significance of fostering valuable connections. Venturing into the unknown demands self-awareness, confidence, and robust business acumen. Embracing a willingness to learn and confront challenges that are new to our business model proved advantageous for my professional growth.
Tell me more about the power of connections.
Throughout my career, I nurtured existing connections and embraced new opportunities. Sustaining communication with contacts along my journey was pivotal in developing my business acumen. Working across various departments and teams, I understood the value of staying connected with the individuals beyond my immediate role.
I was mentored and became a mentor, recognising the challenges of maintaining these ties. I always prioritised this effort, acknowledging the advantages it held for my continuous personal growth.
What advice would you give to others?
Be true to yourself. Take ownership of your work. Carve your own path.
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk
