BEST DEALERSHIPS TO WORK FOR IN CANADA

Location: Winnipeg

Dealer principal: Steve Chipman

Dealership group: Birchwood Automotive Group

Number of employees: 52

2017 new-vehicle sales: 952, down 2.4%

2017 used-vehicle sales: 479, down 13%

Chief Human Resources Officer MaryAnn Kempe on helping employees develop a career path: Birchwood Automotive Group offers a mentorship program for its team members to help them develop their skills and become a more engaged workforce. All job opportunities are posted, allowing all team members to compete fairly. Our recruitment team provides value-added recruiting services and coaching to team members interested in changing their career path. We also have an interactive platform that allows them to not only see what role they are in but view their pro- file and career path.

Human Resources Manager Sarah Giesbrecht on the challenges of hiring/ retention in the face of dramatic changes in technology and competition for skilled staff: In the highly competitive landscape in Manitoba, we find ourselves competing with industries such as banking, transpor- tation and aerospace. To meet this chal- lenge our recruitment efforts are more interactive and personalized, using video technology and social media to tell our story. We also created an "on-compass strategy" to diversify our pool of talent. Birchwood Automotive also works close- ly with high schools, colleges and trade schools by providing annual scholarships to students studying automotive trades.

Giesbrecht on the unusual methods devel- oped to reward employees and show them they are valued: Birchwood Automotive Group provides referral bonuses of up to $2,000 to team members who refer candi- dates from their personal networks. Every quarter, our top sales, finance and service consultants are celebrated. We also rec- ognize milestone anniversaries through our Years of Service Program. We hold a beautiful Christmas dinner and dance for our team members and their significant others, and we host an annual children's Christmas party.

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