The employees of construction equipment rental “Cramo” tell what stereotypes they face when working in the male sphere: department head Rusnė and rental managers Raminta and Indrė.
The work environment does not prevent you from feeling like a woman
Humming, beeping construction machinery – the usual sounds of the work environment of Raminta, the rental manager of the Kaunas branch of “Cramo”.
“The working environment is noisy, definitely not “flowery”, sometimes at home I notice that I have smeared my clothes with grease. At work, I put on a brightly colored vest and safety shoes, but I don’t forget that I’m a woman – I always get a manicure and make-up,” says Raminta, who claims that this work really “transports” her because it’s interesting.
Raminta, who had similar work experience, was motivated to get a job in this company by the solid image of Cramo, better working conditions, a positive environment, and a higher work culture. Although this field is not female-oriented, Raminta claims that recently other companies are looking for women to rent tools, perhaps because they are pleasant to communicate with, tidy and careful.
Raminta believes that it is perhaps even easier for women in this kind of work than for men, because they speak more softly, which helps to solve conflict situations: “After all, everything happens – when a customer picks up a tool, they have to do the job quickly, and if something goes wrong, they react violently, but when communicating with men react differently to a woman, they are more inclined to listen, and only then present their arguments.”
Raminta understands that sometimes people don’t say what they think, because they just give in to their emotions, even if you have to hear it – let me talk to my husband. “But I have a strong character, work is work, everything happens”, smiles the woman from Kaunas.
Personal album photo/CRAMO employee Raminta
A woman and a heavy machine – a perfect duo!
In her free time, Raminta likes to fish – maybe that’s why she likes this kind of work, she’s not afraid of the unique environment and technology.
“At work, I had to drive an excavator, a roller, dig snow with a crawler loader on the company’s territory. It is not only interesting for me, but it is even very important to try the technique yourself, to know how to use the tool, then it is much easier to advise the client. After all, it is no secret that such men come who do not really know what they need. In such cases, you have to explain everything in detail so that there are no misunderstandings,” says the manager.
The interviewer believes that there will always be jobs that require more male strength. On the other hand, not all men’s jobs are so difficult that they cannot be done by women: Raminta can hang a cabinet, cut a baseboard or paint the walls by herself at home – she does not need help.
On the other hand, if a heavier work tool needs to be lifted at work, male customers are usually understanding and pick it up themselves. “I don’t mind,” he smiles.
Set a personal challenge
Rusnė, the manager of the Kėdainiai division who has been working at Cramo for two years, came here from a completely different field of work – she previously worked as a manager in Kaunas. She was motivated by the opportunity to get a job in her city.
“Although this is a male field and I had to join a male team, it did not scare me, on the contrary, it intrigued me. It was like a challenge. I wanted to prove that not only men can do it, but also women,” says Rusnė.
She started working in this company as a rental manager, and six months later she became a department manager. “I think it was due to all my hard work – I did everything honestly, I didn’t give up any duties, and the beginning was really difficult. I motivated myself that I could do it. And I really coped with my duties, my efforts were appreciated”, says the interviewer.
And now you have to study every day, when you need to delve into some specific area. “The most difficult thing is to know not about large equipment, but about small tools, because their assortment is much larger and has more nuances,” says Rusnė.
Personal album photo/CRAMO employee Rusnė
Customers are greeted with a smile
The head of the department believes that there are still stereotypes about men’s and women’s jobs: “Our customers are mostly men, and there are still those who think that only men can understand the construction field.”
The head of the department performs many different tasks every day: she takes care of maintenance of equipment, distributes the work of colleagues, approves invoices, coordinates transport. And if a colleague doesn’t make it, he also serves customers – he greets them with a smile.
Rusnė remembers when she worked with guys who were her students: “The client goes to a male colleague, and he, as a student, does not know everything yet, consults with me. Clients quickly become convinced that women can really know a lot about this field and give excellent advice.”
Regular customers now go directly to Rusna, because they know that she will select the tool quickly, competently. “I feel the customers’ sincere favorable attitude,” he smiles.
There are no limits to improvement
Indrė, who has been working as a rental manager at Cramo’s Vilnius branch for 2.5 years, became interested in this job because she wanted to gain new experience: “I was intrigued by the technical field and dynamic work, the team welcomed me warmly and friendly, I received a lot of help.”
After working as an apprentice for several months, Indre also worked in the warehouse to familiarize herself with the equipment and learn how it is handled. “The most difficult thing was the large assortment – when a customer calls that something is not working, they have to give advice on how to deal with the problem,” says the employee about the duties of the rental manager.
On the other hand, a lot of new information is the most fun part of this job. “Every day is different, we work with technology that renews itself, so we need to constantly learn,” says Indrė.
Personal album photo/CRAMO employee Indrė
The manager says that she does not feel any difficulties due to the fact that in this field, both employees and customers are mostly men: “In front of a woman, men try to speak more politely. I used to work in customer service where I had to deal with problematic customers almost every day who spoke in a raised tone. I thought that there would be even more of them in the construction sector, but the opposite is not the case.”
Indrė claims that she does not feel stereotypes about men’s and women’s jobs: “Maybe this is also determined by the image of our company, the friendly atmosphere of the team.”
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Interview with Raminta, Rusnė, and Indrė from Cramo
Host: Welcome to today’s episode of “Breaking Barriers,” where we delve into the experiences of women in male-dominated industries. Today, we’re joined by three employees from Cramo, a construction equipment rental company: rental manager Raminta, department head Rusnė, and rental manager Indrė. Thank you all for joining us!
Raminta: Thank you for having us!
Rusnė: Happy to be here!
Indrė: Yes, thank you!
Host: Let’s start with you, Raminta. You mentioned how the noisy and gritty work environment doesn’t take away from your femininity. Can you elaborate on that?
Raminta: Absolutely! While the construction site isn’t exactly a “flowery” setting, I always ensure to keep my personal style. I wear my safety gear, but I also enjoy keeping up with my manicure and make-up. It’s about balancing professionalism with being true to myself.
Host: That’s inspiring! Do you feel that being a woman helps you in your role, especially when dealing with clients?
Raminta: Definitely! I believe women have a unique approach to communication, which aids in conflict resolution. Customers often respond better when spoken to with a soft tone. They tend to listen and understand better, which is crucial in our field.
Host: Interesting! Now, Rusnė, you joined Cramo after working in a different field. What motivated you to take that leap?
Rusnė: It was a challenge I wanted to take on. I was intrigued by the opportunity to prove that women can thrive in this industry just as men can. Initially, there were difficulties, but I worked hard and quickly advanced to a managerial position.
Host: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Rusnė: Seeing our customers recognize my expertise has been incredibly fulfilling. Many now come straight to me for advice, which validates all the hard work I’ve put in.
Host: That’s fantastic! Indrė, you mentioned that you were new to the technical field when you joined. What has your experience been like?
Indrė: It’s been a journey of constant learning. I was initially overwhelmed by the variety of equipment, but the support from my colleagues made the transition easier. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to expand my knowledge.
Host: And how do you handle situations where a customer might doubt your expertise simply because you’re a woman?
Indrė: It can happen, but I focus on providing the best advice and solutions. Over time, I’ve built trust with regular customers, which helps break down those stereotypes.
Host: It sounds like you all have faced and are overcoming various stereotypes in your roles. What advice would you give to other women considering a career in a male-dominated industry?
Raminta: Never underestimate your abilities. Bring your unique perspective to the table and embrace the challenge.
Rusnė: Yes, and be persistent! It may be tough at first, but hard work and dedication will always pay off.
Indrė: stay curious and open to learning. The more you know, the more confidence you’ll gain.
Host: Thank you, Raminta, Rusnė, and Indrė, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. Your stories are truly inspiring!
Raminta: Thank you for having us!
Rusnė: It was a pleasure!
Indrė: Thank you!
Ic to hear, Rusnė! Now, Indrė, you’ve been with Cramo for over two years. What prompted your interest in this field, and how have you found your experience so far?
Indrė: I was intrigued by the dynamic nature of the technical field, as well as the opportunity to grow and learn. From the moment I joined, my team was welcoming and supportive, which made the transition much easier. It was a steep learning curve at first, but I embraced the challenge.
Host: It sounds like a positive environment! Have you faced any challenges due to the gender dynamics in a predominantly male field?
Indrė: Surprisingly, not really! I’ve noticed that men often engage with me more politely, maybe because they recognize the effort I’m putting into my work. I used to think there’d be more confrontations, but it’s been quite the opposite. The friendly atmosphere at Cramo has really helped break any preconceptions.
Host: That’s refreshing to hear! As women breaking into a male-dominated field, what message do you want to share with other women considering a similar path?
Raminta: I would say, don’t hesitate! Embrace the challenge, and remember that your unique perspective is valuable. It’s about proving to yourself that you can excel, regardless of stereotypes.
Rusnė: Yes! Trust in your abilities and be confident. The construction industry needs diverse voices, and women can bring a different but equally effective approach to problem-solving.
Indrė: I completely agree. Push past the stereotypes because there’s so much growth and opportunity in this field. There are no limits to what we can achieve!
Host: Wonderful insights! Thank you, Raminta, Rusnė, and Indrė, for sharing your experiences and perspectives. Your stories not only inspire but also highlight the importance of diversity in every industry.
Raminta: Thank you for having us!
Rusnė: It was a pleasure!
Indrė: Thank you!
