BEST DEALERSHIPS TO WORK FOR IN CANADA

Location: Kingston, Ont.

Dealer principal: James Braden

Number of employees: 53

2017 new-vehicle sales: 968, up 1.8%

2017 used-vehicle sales: 267, up 8%

Dealer Principal James Braden on the challenges of hiring/retention in the face of dramatic changes in technology and competition for skilled staff: We have managed to keep pace with technology, so it hasn't really affected us. We actively seek out new technology; it helps retain and attract staff as they become aware in the marketplace that we have developed a culture around that. The advancement in technology has driven potential recruits into tech companies.

Braden on staff diversification and attracting more women to the workplace: We have a mix of diversity in our demographic, and our employees are a reflection of that mix. We have a significant number of female employees at the dealership, and 50 per cent of the management team is female.

Executive Assistant Stephanie Warman on whether the image of working at a dealership has changed in the last five years: I feel that working at a dealership is viewed more positively than in the past. Our policy here is truth and transparency, which has helped build trust with our customers that maybe wasn't there in the past. Our customers tell us all the time that they love coming in, that they didn't expect buying a car to be fun. We love to hear that because we have fun every day working here.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Pre-register your dealership now for Automotive News Canada's 2019 Best Dealerships To Work For.