Best Dealerships To Work For in Canada 2019
Jaguar-Land Rover Waterloo, Volvo of Waterloo
Waterloo , ON
Location: Waterloo, Ont.
Dealer principal: Paul Cummings
Dealership group: Grand Touring Automobiles
Number of employees: 45
2018 new-vehicle sales: 505, up 19%
2018 used-vehicle sales: 185, up 13%
JLR Sales Manager Rui Couto on how the image of working at a dealership has changed: No longer are we “a job until I get a real job” industry. People take courses in college and are investing in themselves in order to get into the automotive business. Still, there is a shortage of skilled workers. We offer salaried positions to new sales reps and an increased bonus structure for technicians. People are happy when they are getting paid!
General Manager Scott Weller on how changing staff requirements demand more highly trained employees: Compared to five years ago, we now need administrators, to assist with dealer trades, and delivery experts. New positions in departments such as BDM (business development manager) and customer care associates are essential. We have created extra positions such as finance and insurance administration and business development managers hoping to attract more female employees, and advertise [the dealership] as an equal-opportunity employer. We offer a referral bonus to employees to help entice them to bring in trusted candidates.
Weller on mentoring employees to help put them on a career path: I mentor everyone . . . When an employee tells me they want to further their career with us, I sit with them and go over what they should do, learn and apply to reach their goals. We also send people to training to upgrade their skills.